B-1 Nuclear Bomber

B-1 Nuclear Bomber

Company type	Video game
Industry	Video games
Founded	1980
Founder	Avalon Hill, Microcomputer Games
Products	Flight simulator video game

B-1 Nuclear Bomber is a flight simulator created by Avalon Hill in partnership with Microcomputer Games, launched in 1980 for the Apple II and various other systems. This title allows players to pilot a B-1 Lancer bomber, executing nuclear strike missions targeting the USSR and additional strategic locations.

Gameplay

Among the scenarios presented is a mission involving a bombing assault on Moscow, dated July 1, 1991, capturing the geopolitical climate of the Cold War shortly before the USSR's collapse.

Reception

In The Space Gamer No. 33, Larry Kerns reviewed B-1 Nuclear Bomber, expressing dissatisfaction with its steep cost and limited gameplay depth, despite the innovative inclusion of multiple languages on a single tape. He noted this was especially disappointing considering Avalon Hill’s established reputation.

Chris Cummings from Computer Gaming World remarked that the game holds particular interest for war simulation fans who enjoy strategic flight operations and nuclear attack scenarios.

Although it initially garnered attention, by 1983 the title was placed eighth in Softline’s "Dog of the Year" awards for Atari 8-bit systems based on reader voting. A 1992 survey by Computer Gaming World assigned it zero stars, criticizing its mechanics as obsolete even at the time of release. The publication reiterated in 1994 that Avalon Hill’s early 8-bit releases, including B-1 Nuclear Bomber, were already outdated upon their debut.