Depthcharge (1977) - Arcade Video game by Gremlin Ind, Inc.

49 Years old Arcade Video game Gremlin Ind, Inc. [San Diego, CA, USA]

Depthcharge © 1977 Gremlin.

Depthcharge is a 2-Dimensional shooter. You control your destroyer on the surface of the water while submarines patrol underneath. Your job is to drop depth charges to eliminate these submarines. The submarines aren't defenseless as they launch mines straight up toward your ship.

Depthcharge was one of the early video games. Action was simple. This game also had the ability to retain the highest score (without the initials of course). Although the game is simple in concept, just trying to get enough points was enough to keep you working at it. Good luck on your submarine hunting mission.

Goodies for Depthcharge [Model 814-0002]

Click to enlarge
(members only)

TECHNICAL / MACHINE PICT.

BOARD # 814-0002
Prom stickers : 50-55

Main CPU: Intel 8080 (@ 1.93356 Mhz)
Sound Chips: Discrete circuitry

Screen orientation: Horizontal
Video resolution: 256 x 224 pixels
Screen refresh: 60.00 Hz
Palette colors: 64

Players: 1
Buttons: 4 (LEFT, RIGHT, FIRE LEFT, FIRE RIGHT)

Machine Picture
(members only)

TRIVIA

Depthcharge was released during September 1977.

Re-Released in Japan by Sega as Depthbomb and as Sub Hunter by Taito.

Martin Bedard holds the official record for this game with 4,770 points on November 18, 2007.

SCORING

Scoring in this game is pretty simple
* Submarines will have their score posted on their hull. The submarine scores are from 10 to 90 incrementing in 10's. For example, if you see 40 on the submarine, then that submarine is worth 40 points.
* Generally speaking, the lower in depth the submarine is, the higher the value for the submarine.
* You get 90 seconds on the timer to do as much damage as possible. If you score 500 points or greater, you will get an additional 45 seconds for overtime.
* After you are totally done, you get 30 points for each submarine killed. You do not lose points for losing your ship although it takes about 2 seconds to get a new one.

TIPS AND TRICKS

* When you start the game, your destroyer will be in the middle of the water. You will start seeing submarines entering the screen either from the left or right and at varying depths. You have a total of 6 depth charges that can be on the screen at any one time. This means if you fire all 6, then you have to
wait until one detonates on a submarine or the bottom of the sea before you get them back.

* Try to aim your shots to where the submarine will be at. This is, in a sense, ''leading'' the submarine. This is especially important if you are trying to get those submarines at the bottom of the sea.

* Always try to keep at least 2 depth charges in reserve. This is for those submarines that are close to the surface that like to throw mines you cannot avoid.

* Try to keep moving around in your destroyer. If you sit in one place, the submarines can put mines on either side of your ship and prevent you from escaping and adding a destroyer to their kills.

* Don't fire your depth charges too close together on one side. The reason is if a submarine is killed by one of them and the other one is too close, it will also detonate. If you were aiming at another submarine with the second one, then your shot is wasted.

* In addition to the mines themselves being dangerous, your ship can also be sunk by the effects of the mines. Don't sit too close when a mine detonates or you will be at the bottom of the sea.

* If you ''walk'' your shots you have a better chance of getting a good spread and taking out multiple submarines. Kind of like leaving a diagonal string of depth charges the submarines must pass through. Plus, you don't lose your other depth charges to the detonation of ones around them.

* Try to get the 500 required for extra time, it isn't too hard if you play smartly.

PORTS

COMPUTERS

Noval 760 (1977)
Commodore C64 (1983)
Apple II

SOURCES

🔗

ROM dump (MAME).
Machine's picture.
F.A.Q. by Kevin Butler A.K.A. War Doc