If you’ve already enjoyed ‘Armada’ by Ernie Cline, then you’re probably familiar with Phaeton, the legendary/mythical arcade game that figures into the storyline. If you haven’t read ‘Armada,’ then all you need to know for the contest is that you’ll be playing an arcade game for a chance at a pretty cool prize. (But do grab a copy — the book is now out in paperback!)
Phaeton puts you in the cockpit of a futuristic space fighter fighting against the never-ending swarms of the Sobrukai who are attacking Moon Base Alpha. Score higher than 525 points (seems to be around Wave 6-8) before losing all your shields and you can enter your name or initials on the high score screen — take a screenshot of the high score screen, share it on Facebook, Tumblr, Twitter, Pinterest, or Instagram with the hashtag #ArmadaBookContest, and then complete a short form and you’ll be sent one of three patches for the Earth Defense Alliance. Complete rules are here.
If you’re REALLY into the game, go for a true high score and hang in there as long as possible… there’s a Grand Prize for the player who scores the absolute highest score that consists of an Oculus Rift, a Thrustmaster joystick, an author-signed copy of ‘Armada and poster, plus all three patches. Nine runner-ups get autographed books and poster.
I’ve seen some REALLY high scores posted on Twitter, so just be aware that the Grand Prize is going to be hard-earned. The contest ends on April 24th, so you’ve only got a few days left. Score over 525 and at least get yourself a patch. And if you’re wanting a poster, I’ve got one poster to giveaway to a lucky GeekDad reader (USA only, sorry). Post a comment below stating your favorite 80s-style arcade game on or before April 24th, 11:59pm PDT. I’ll pick a random winner from all valid commenters on April 25th and contact the winner via email for an address to send the poster. Please note that the poster will be mailed folded flat. Good luck!
I’m a little older then most and it was released in 1991, but when i was younger, I could not get enough of The Simpsons arcade game, basic side scroller beat em up game.
That poster is awesome. Can’t wait to see what the theatrical poster looks like.
I used to play space invaders on my Atari 2600 for hours. My sister sat beside me waiting for her turn and would fall asleep.
Tempest, for sure. Love the art for the paperback version of Armada, but I have to admit I enjoyed Ready Player One much more.
I used to be all about some donkey kong
Congrats… Aaron. You were randomly selected for the signed poster! Will be contacting you shortly to get a mailing address.
I would say I had hours of arcade fun playing Tron & you would’ve had a longer comment from me but your pesky auto-refresh killed it. Grrrr.
Tron, definitely.
It was always Gauntlet.
I’m with you, Dean… lots of love for Space Invaders and TRON and Tempest and Spy Hunter and dozens more, but I think I dropped more money on Gauntlet than any other game. I can’t remember what levels we used to hit, but I had three friends and we’d all take $10-15 with us once a month or so (10 tokens to a $1) and play for hours and hours. I’m designing my own four-player, four station Gauntlet minicade right now that will run on a Raspberry Pi and will be portable so I can take it places. Trying to figure out how best to connect to a TV wirelessly so four people can sit where they like and play it on a big screen.
I always loved Tron.
As an eighties girl, I loved Ms. Pac-Man for representing. I probably poured most of my quarters into Space Invaders though.
I worked at an arcade with a full 80s nickel arcade and you want me to pick one game? I probably spent the most nickels in Arkanoid with the classic dial controller, and battling my friend at puzzle bobble. My daughter is a Gallaga junkie. I dumped a lot of money into Ms. Pacman at the bowling ally in the actual 80s,
I loved Ms. Pac-Man for representing. I probably poured most of my quarters into Space Invaders though.
Thsnks, I would say I had hours of arcade fun playing Tron & you would’ve had a longer comment from me but your pesky auto-refresh killed it.
Love u Tron. I could not get enough of The Simpsons arcade game
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Love u Tron. I could not get enough of The Simpsons arcade game