Last updated on January 20th, 2025 at 07:14 am
Panther is a Commodore 64 game designed by Peter Adams and published by Mastertronic in 1986.
Panther is a fun and engaging game that combines elements of arcade shooters and rescue missions.
The game’s graphics and sound are good for the time, and the gameplay is challenging and enjoyable.
##Gameplay Overview
In Panther, players pilot a unique aircraft to combat waves of alien invaders while rescuing stranded individuals. The gameplay involves shooting enemies and landing to pick up survivors, which adds a strategic element as players must balance offense with rescue operations. The game uses a diagonally scrolling isometric perspective, reminiscent of classics like Zaxxon and Blue Max, both of which were also developed by Peter Adams, the designer behind Panther.
##Graphics and Sound
The graphics in the C64 version of Panther are noted for their colorful yet somewhat cluttered design. While the game features vibrant colors for enemies and backgrounds, it suffers from sprite flashing issues due to hardware limitations, which can detract from the overall experience. The sound design, composed by David Whittaker, complements the action but does not stand out significantly compared to other titles of the era.
## Reception
Panther has received generally favorable reviews, with scores averaging around 7.7 on platforms like Lemon64 and 7/10 from Commodore User. Reviewers have praised its engaging gameplay and the challenge it offers, although some have pointed out minor faults such as collision detection issues and the steep difficulty curve. Ruth James from Atari User concluded that “you must buy this game for your collection,” highlighting its entertainment value despite its flaws.
###Summary of Ratings
#Lemon64: 7.87/10
#Atarimania: 7.7/10
#Commodore User: 7/10
#Overall Impression: Engaging gameplay with some technical drawbacks.
### Curiosities
– Panther was packaged with another Mastertronic game, L.A. SWAT, on the Commodore 64 disk.
– The game was also released for the Atari 8-bit family and ZX Spectrum platforms.
– The game received mostly positive reviews, with an overall score of 8/10 on Lemon64
– The game’s isometric view was inspired by other games of the time, such as Zaxxon and Blue Max
– The game’s designer, Peter Adams, also worked on ports of Zaxxon and Blue Max
Overall, Panther is a classic game that is still enjoyable to play today. The game’s unique combination of arcade shooter and rescue mission elements makes it stand out from other games of its time.
The Remake
A remake of the 1986 Classic Shooter Panther by Mastertronic
Use the keyboard cursor keys or a joystick/pad to move ship.(controls as in the original)
‘Up’ will move the ship down and slow scrolling rate
‘Down’ will move the ship up and speed-up scrolling rate
‘Space/Enter or Joystick/pad fire’ will fire a single missile. Only when the missile is out-of-screen or explodes can another one be fired.