Beamrider gameplay on the Commodore 64

Beamrider is a fast-paced tube shooter developed by Activision and released in 1983 for platforms like the Intellivision, Atari 2600, and Commodore 64. The game takes place in a futuristic setting where players pilot a spacecraft riding along an energy grid, blasting waves of incoming enemies while avoiding obstacles. Unlike traditional space shooters, Beamrider limits movement to a set of five lanes, requiring players to dodge, shoot, and strategically use torpedoes to take down the "Sector Sentinel" boss at the end of each level. With 99 progressively challenging sectors, the game ramps up in difficulty, testing reflexes and precision.