Moon Patrol
Race Across the Lunar Surface
Take control of a rugged lunar rover and speed across the surface of the moon in Moon Patrol. This is a fast-paced side-scrolling action game where your main goal is to reach the end of each stage without crashing or running out of fuel. You are driving through a harsh, alien landscape filled with dangers that appear suddenly from the scrolling background.
The gameplay revolves around two primary actions: jumping and shooting. As you drive forward automatically, large craters open up in the road ahead. To survive them, you must push up on your joystick to launch the rover into the air at just the right moment. Timing is everything here. If you jump too early, you will land in a crater. If you wait too long, you will drive straight off the edge and crash. The terrain is uneven, so you need to watch the horizon closely to spot incoming gaps.
While you are airborne or driving on the ground, you must deal with enemies. UFOs fly across the screen at various heights, and other obstacles sit on the ground. You use your joystick to aim and fire bullets to destroy them. A key challenge in Moon Patrol is that you can shoot both ground targets and aerial threats simultaneously. This means you often have to look up to hit a UFO while looking down to time your jump over a pit. It requires quick reflexes and split-second decision-making.
The game supports one or two players, but they take turns rather than playing at the same time. In single-player mode, you focus entirely on surviving as long as possible. As you progress, the speed increases, making it harder to react to sudden obstacles. The stages are marked by checkpoints labeled with letters like E, J, O, T, and Z. Reaching these checkpoints gives you a brief moment to breathe before the next wave of difficulty hits.
One of the most fun aspects of this game is the sense of speed and momentum. Even though the graphics are simple, the scrolling landscape creates a strong feeling of rushing forward at high velocity. The tension comes from the constant threat of falling into a pit or getting hit by an enemy while you are trying to aim your shots. You have to balance aggression with caution. Shooting too much might leave you vulnerable if an enemy gets close, but not shooting enough means they will destroy your rover.
The controls are straightforward but demanding. You use the joystick to steer the rover left and right slightly while aiming your gun. Pushing up makes the rover jump. There is also a speed control that allows you to adjust how fast you move through the level. Using this wisely can help you clear difficult sections, but going too fast can make it nearly impossible to judge distances for jumps. A related page worth opening after this one is Moon Patrol Plus, especially if you want another nearby game from the same series.
What makes Moon Patrol so memorable is its relentless pace. It is not a game where you can stop and plan. You must react instinctively. The combination of driving, jumping, and shooting all at once creates a unique gameplay loop that was quite advanced for its time. It tests your ability to multitask under pressure.
If you enjoy this style of side-scrolling action, you might also want to check out Moon Patrol Plus. It offers more stages and new challenges for fans of the original formula. Whether you are playing for nostalgia or just want to experience a classic arcade-style shooter, Moon Patrol delivers a thrilling ride across the moon.
Prepare for a bumpy ride. The lunar surface is unforgiving, and one mistake can end your run instantly. Keep your eyes on the road, time your jumps carefully, and clear the sky of UFOs to survive as long as possible. You can also try more Atari 2600 games from the same system.