Developed by Cyberdyne Systems and published by Thalamus (the software arm of Newsfield Publishing), Armalyte is known for its furious blasting action, and it’s wonderfully detailed and atmospheric graphics.

Considering that it was squeezed into 64K (less, actually), it is a remarkable achievement.

A sequel was planned, but the guy who did the graphics in the first game (Robin Levy) left Cyberdyne and as a result the game was canned. One Armalyte is enough, I think, though. There’s only so far you can take this type of game – even with rose-tinted spectacles…

More: Armalyte on Wikipedia

Armalyte C64 title screen.

Armalyte is clearly influenced by Irem’s R-Type.

The graphics are beautifully drawn, but it is the use of colour that differentiates the levels.

Armalyte is one of a number of great C64 shoot ’em ups from publisher Thalamus.

The end of level bosses are not particularly original, but they all do their job quite well.

Every progressive shooter has a straight laser type weapon.

The Armalyte craft can acquire extra satellite pods that expand it’s firing spread. Just like in every other shooter made at the time.

Robin Levy was the artist responsible for the excellent Armalyte graphics.

Another Armalyte end of level boss. This one clearly HR Giger influenced.

How the hell am I supposed to fit through that gap?!

Racked-up a score of almost eight million.