Cannonball Blitz
| Industry | Video game publishing |
|---|---|
| Products | Cannonball Blitz |
Cannonball Blitz is a platform game released in 1982, created by Olaf Lubeck and distributed by On-Line Systems for the Apple II. Subsequently, it was adapted for the VIC-20 and TI-99/4A systems. The game presents a military-inspired variation of Donkey Kong, substituting the barrels with rolling cannonballs and the ape character with a soldier, where the initial level's objective involves seizing a flag.
Gameplay
Players navigate through three distinct screens, with the third stage recognized for its considerable difficulty. Upon completing this level, a short celebratory sequence is displayed before the game restarts, featuring accelerated timing requirements to increase the challenge and encourage repeated play.
Development
Within the Apple hacking community, Cannonball Blitz became notable for its robust copy protection measures, which included a concealed message located on track 17, sector D stating "YOU'LL NEVER CRACK IT".
Reception
Ron Brinkmann from Computer Gaming World lauded Cannonball Blitz as equally challenging and enjoyable as the original arcade title, emphasizing its enduring appeal. Meanwhile, Ahoy! praised the VIC-20 edition for its animation quality and sound design, describing it as "a very good version of a fine game," despite its close similarity to Donkey Kong.