Jupiter Mission 1999

Atari 8-bit version of Jupiter Mission 1999

Jupiter Mission 1999 is a science-fiction game released by Avalon Hill for Atari 8-bit computers in 1983 and the Commodore 64 in 1985. The game combines action, strategy, and puzzle solving elements around a sci-fi theme.

The game's story takes place in 1999, at the time of release a date that was far in the future. In the middle of the night, some mysterious government agents arrive. After insisting the player pack some belongings and follow them to an undisclosed location, they finally reveal the details of a mission to investigate mysterious radio signals detected near Jupiter. A new, state-of-the-art spacecraft known as the Space Beagle was constructed and, as a civilan, the player will join the mission along with two astronauts. Unfortunately, trouble is encountered not long into the mission; after being hit by asteroids, both of the astronauts are killed leaving the mission in the hands of the player and a computer known as Beagle. After reaching Jupiter, players will eventually uncover a plot where aliens from another galaxy have built a portal near Jupiter so their species can easily reach our solar system and take over the Earth. The final goal will be to save humanity by stopping the alien invasion!

Gameplay in Jupiter Mission 1999 consists of a sequence of various mini-games players must complete to advance the story and reach the goal. The games consist of a variety of styles from action to puzzle solving. The stages of the game include the following:

• Asteroid Field: An action sequence, players need to destroy as many incoming asteroids as they can before they hit the Space Beagle causing damage. If there are too many asteroid impacts, the game is over.
• Ship Repairs: Following the asteroid field, the damage to the Space Beagle needs to be repaired; without working systems, the remainder of the game tasks would be impossible. This puzzle game involves matching flashing colors in order to reduce the tone pitch until systems are repaired.
• Navigation: After the Space Beagle is repaired, players need to get it back on course to Jupiter.
• Science Lab: With the Space Beagle on course, players need to search for clues about the source of the radio signals. Sending a probe to Jupiter's moons can reveal clues.
• Lander Bay: Once a suspected source of radio signals is located, it's time to send out a lander. Players need to course correct again and orbit the correct moon in order to send the lander out.
• Lander Control: Players control a lander in this Lunar Lander style action game. The goal is to successfully guide the lander vehicle safely to the landing pad without crashing into mountains and other obstacles.
• Alien Moon Base: This portion of the game is a maze; players control a robot which needs to navigate through the alien moon base. Keys and other items can be acquired to get past obstacles and open locked doors.
• Alien Station: Having found some useful information in the moon base, players need to navigate to another moon and begin another action sequence. The goal in this mini-game is to guide a robot along a scaffold where numerous security guns are constantly firing; falling off the scaffold or being shot by a gun destroys the robot.
• Master Control Room: The final mini-game! Players need to guide the remote robot to activate a self-destruct mechanism and destroy the alien portal.

A sequel, Quest of the Space Beagle, was released shortly after.