Blast Arena is a new Master System shooter from pixel artist and solo developer HelpComputer0. It was released in December 2023 and made on devkitSMS. In Blast Arena you play in a single-screen arena with the task to clear each level by destroying all the asteroids, enemies, and obstacles.
Each wave gets tougher as you progress and different enemies with more powerful abilities start to spawn. Some of the enemies are quite ingenious, one example being a small craft that continually places mines in lines that you must scramble to destroy while still avoiding the fire reigning down.
Your ship controls well and by holding the fire button down you can keep shooting in one direction which is a useful tool to clear the screen without needing to think about aiming. You also have weapon upgrades, extra lives, and bonus points to collect. Blast Arena is a great arcade blaster that keeps the gameplay simple while slowly introducing new elements to keep your playthrough fresh.
The graphics are bright, and the enemies are clear on the screen as are the obstacles and bullets. One of the standout features is the brilliant chiptune that plays in the background. It has a real 80s arcade feel and pulses along nicely with the style of the game. You can download Blast Arena to use on a Master System emulator or SD card reader cart for free from HelpComputer0’s itch.io page.
