Cannonball Blitz
Name: Cannonball Blitz
Programmer(s): Olaf Lubeck
Publisher: Sierra On-Line
Year: 1982
Description:
A clone of Donkey Kong, Sierra Online's Cannonball Blitz featured three levels which the player must climb to the top and topple a tin soldier. On the first level the player climbs' platforms that are tilted, jumping over cannon balls & grabbing a balloon for a quick ride to the top. On level two the object is to remove the pins holding the platforms in place. Once finished the tin soldier & the platforms fall. The player must avoid cannons which are moving around on the platforms. Level three is an elevator level and the player must maneuver his way top and use the balloon to reach the final platform. Once finished levels then repeat only with more cannonballs & firing cannons.
Cannonball Blitz, released by Sierra On-Line in 1982, brought the excitement of Donkey Kong-style platforming action to the Apple II computer. Players control a Revolutionary War soldier who must climb platforms while avoiding rolling cannonballs and other obstacles to reach the top of each level.
The game spans multiple screens, each presenting increasingly difficult climbing challenges. Using simple left-right movement controls and a jump button, players guide their soldier up ladders and across platforms. The British forces at the top of the screen constantly roll cannonballs downward, forcing players to time their movements carefully. Additional hazards include flying birds and moving platforms that require precise jumping.
What set Cannonball Blitz apart from other platform games of its era was its unique American Revolution theme and clever use of the Apple II's limited graphics capabilities. The game features distinctive 6-color graphics that make good use of the computer's high-resolution display mode. The soldier and enemies are clearly defined despite the technical limitations, and the animation remains smooth throughout gameplay.
Each level requires players to reach the top while collecting bonus items for extra points. The game becomes progressively harder, with more obstacles and faster-moving hazards. Players get three lives to start, with extra lives awarded at specific point thresholds. A high score table saves the top performers, adding replay value as players compete to improve their rankings.
The game proved popular among Apple II owners, offering arcade-style action that compared favorably to other home computer games of the early 1980s. While clearly inspired by Donkey Kong, Cannonball Blitz established its own identity through its historical theme and level designs specifically crafted for the Apple II's capabilities.
Sierra On-Line went on to become a major force in computer gaming, but Cannonball Blitz remains a solid example of early platforming game design that made the most of the Apple II's hardware while delivering engaging gameplay that still holds up today.