Games published by Cavalier Computer
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We provide a complete list of games published by this publisher.
Bug Attack
Bug Attack is a classic Atari 8-bit game that was released in 1982. It is a fast-paced, action-packed game that will keep players on the edge of their seats. The game revolves around a lone soldier who must defend his base from a relentless swarm of bugs. The graphics and gameplay may seem simplistic by today's standards, but at the time of its release, Bug Attack was a groundbreaking game that pushed the limits of what was possible with the Atari 8-bit computer.
The premise of Bug Attack is simple but highly addictive. Players control a soldier armed with a gun and a limited number of grenades. The soldier must move back and forth along the bottom of the screen, shooting and throwing grenades at the bugs as they descend from the top. The bugs come in various sizes and speeds, making it a constant challenge to take them out. The game has different levels, each with increasing difficulty, making it a never-ending battle to defend the base.
One of the most impressive aspects of Bug Attack is its graphics. For a game released in 1982, the graphics are surprisingly detailed and colorful. The bugs are well-animated, and the explosions from the grenades are satisfyingly realistic. The game also features a variety of backgrounds, adding an extra layer of depth to the gameplay. The graphics may not be on par with modern games, but they were groundbreaking at the time and are still visually appealing today.
But what really makes Bug Attack stand out is its gameplay. The controls are simple and responsive, making it easy for players to pick up and play. The game's difficulty curve is also well-balanced, providing a challenge without being overly frustrating. The addition of power-ups, such as extra grenades and temporary invincibility, add an extra layer of strategy to the gameplay. Players must also be mindful of their ammo and use it wisely, adding to the game's intensity.
Bug Attack also features a multiplayer mode, which was a rarity for games of that era. Two players can take turns trying to defend the base and see who can survive the longest. This added competitive aspect makes the game even more enjoyable and replayable. In addition, the game has a high score leaderboard, adding more motivation for players to keep playing and beat their previous scores.
Microwave
Microwave, released in 1982, was a revolutionary Apple II game that took the gaming world by storm. Developed by Funvision and published by William Higginson, this game combined action, strategy, and puzzle elements to create a truly unique and engaging experience for players.
The premise of Microwave is simple yet intriguing. Players control a tiny alien named Zibblet who has been shrunk down and trapped inside a microwave by an evil human chef. In order to escape, Zibblet must navigate through the maze-like microwave and avoid various hazards such as knives, forks, and other utensils. Along the way, players must also collect food items scattered throughout the microwave to stay alive.
One of the most impressive aspects of Microwave was its graphics. Considering this game was released in 1982, the graphics were surprisingly detailed and visually appealing. The vibrant colors and smooth animations added depth to the gameplay, making it even more immersive. The attention to detail in the design of the various hazards and food items was also commendable.
Although Microwave may seem like a simple game, it required quick reflexes and strategic planning in order to succeed. The maze-like structure of the microwave, coupled with the various obstacles and enemies, kept players on their toes and made each playthrough unique. With each level increasing in difficulty, players were constantly challenged to improve their skills and adapt to new challenges.
One of the standout features of Microwave was its music. The upbeat and catchy soundtrack added to the overall fun and comical atmosphere of the game. It perfectly complemented the fast-paced gameplay and helped to keep players engaged and entertained.
Microwave also had a multiplayer mode, allowing two players to compete against each other in a split-screen format. This added an extra layer of excitement and competition to the game, as players could test their skills against their friends.
Despite its initial success, Microwave eventually faded into obscurity as newer and more advanced games were released. However, it remains a beloved classic among retro gaming enthusiasts and is fondly remembered for its unique concept and challenging gameplay.
Ring Raiders
Ring Raiders is a fast-paced space action game for the Apple II in which the player pilots a small combat craft through hostile formations arranged as giant rings in deep space. The scenario places the ship against waves of automated and human-controlled raiders while navigating cluttered sectors packed with hazards and limited room to maneuver. Progress through the mission is tied to pushing further into these ring structures, with each new sector increasing the density of threats and obstacles.
The central gameplay focuses on real-time ship control combined with combat and careful navigation. The craft responds to thrust and directional steering, allowing tight, quick turns as enemies close in from multiple angles. A weapon system provides short-range fire to cut down incoming raiders and to deal with targets positioned along the ring paths. Because the rings act like navigational funnels—forcing movement along constrained routes—staying centered and anticipating turns is often as important as shooting accurately.
As the action escalates, the ring environments introduce environmental hazards that restrict space and punish collisions. Debris and obstacles occupy key sections of the ring layout, creating narrow corridors where mistakes can quickly lead to destruction. Incoming attackers attempt to interfere with both movement and firing lines, crowding the playable area and forcing the pilot to switch between aggressive offense and evasive maneuvers.
Visually, the game presents the Apple II’s high-resolution graphics with bright, high-contrast elements to separate the ship, enemy craft, and the ring structures. Rings are displayed as clearly defined circular boundaries that anchor the battlefield, while projectiles and explosions appear as short-lived flashes and expanding bursts. The overall look emphasizes readability during motion, using simple shapes and strong color separation to keep the ship and threats distinct against a dark space background.
Sound in Ring Raiders supports the pace with sharp electronic effects. Laser and weapon fire is accompanied by quick beeps or buzzing tones, while impacts and enemy destruction trigger harsher explosion sounds. Engine and alarm-like audio cues reinforce the intensity of the current situation, giving the player consistent feedback during dodges, strafing runs, and retreat attempts. The result is an experience defined by constant threat management—maintaining control in tight ring sectors while thinning out the raiders long enough to reach the next stage.
Star Thief
Star Thief, released for the Apple II in 1981, drops the player into a lawless pocket of space where valuable cargo moves faster than security forces can respond. The object is to infiltrate star systems and retrieve high-value targets while staying ahead of hostile patrols and other dangers encountered along the routes between points of interest. Missions unfold in a compact navigation area that represents the player’s local sector, with enemy activity and target positions shaping each attempt.
The player pilots a small spacecraft equipped with forward thrust control, weapons, and navigational functions designed for quick evasive work. Game play revolves around moving through the sector, locating targets through on-screen indicators, and executing runs at the right distance and angle. When contact is made with a mission object, the game shifts into a focused interaction pattern that demands precise maneuvering to avoid incoming fire and to keep the ship oriented long enough to complete the required action.
Star Thief’s core mechanics emphasize resource awareness and careful timing. The ship must manage its available energy for thrust and weapons, and it must react to threats that close in from multiple directions. Radar-style cues and status displays help the player track relative positions, while weapons fire provides immediate pressure during confrontations. The game rewards aggressive positioning—approaching targets while maintaining escape routes—yet it also punishes extended exposure, since enemy ships and hazards increase the longer the player remains in active combat.
Visually, Star Thief presents a high-contrast, monochrome look typical of Apple II titles of the period. The sector view uses sharply defined shapes for the player ship, hostile craft, and mission points, with stars and motion cues giving depth to the otherwise focused action area. On-screen counters and indicators keep attention on the mission state, weapon readiness, and threat presence, allowing fast decisions without requiring any complicated overlays.
Audio in Star Thief is delivered through concise system tones and action sounds tied to weapon use, impacts, and key state changes. The resulting soundscape stays closely linked to player performance, reinforcing moments of contact and danger. The overall experience is tense and mission-driven: each run requires scanning, maneuvering, and striking decisively, with survival depending on keeping control of position even as patrol pressure rises.
Teleport
Teleport for the Apple II places the player inside a network of linked areas where movement and timing are critical. The objective is to traverse the shifting grid to reach the exit conditions presented on-screen while maintaining control of how and when teleports occur. The world is organized as distinct chambers connected by corridors, with hazards and obstacles placed to force careful route planning. As the game proceeds, the layout challenges the player to commit to movement decisions, then rely on teleporting options to recover from mistakes or reach otherwise inaccessible positions.
Control is direct and responsive: the player’s character can be moved through the maze-like spaces using the keyboard or joystick, with each step taking a noticeable amount of time on the Apple II’s character-by-character action. Teleportation is triggered when the player interacts with marked teleport stations or enters specific portals along the map. Rather than functioning as a freeform warp, teleporting follows the game’s layout rules, sending the player to a predetermined destination area connected to the portal. That means the player must learn which entry points map to which exits and use them deliberately to maintain an effective path.
Movement is complicated by environmental pressure. Obstacles block routes, and certain areas restrict safe movement, encouraging the player to use teleports as “jumps” across dangerous stretches. Some hazards are encountered through close-quarters contact, requiring spacing and pacing rather than rapid button-mashing. When danger forces a retreat, the teleport network becomes both a shortcut and a potential trap, since stepping into an incorrect portal can strand the player far from the intended route.
Visually, Teleport uses the Apple II’s high-contrast graphics style to keep navigation clear. Playfield elements stand out against a darker background, with walls, floor boundaries, and portal locations presented in bright, easily distinguishable tones. Teleport stations are emphasized so they can be spotted quickly during fast transitions. The overall look is crisp and utilitarian: the information needed for movement—where you are, where you can go, and where teleport entry is possible—is displayed with priority over decorative detail.
Audio support is brief but functional, with short beeps and tones accompanying movement and teleport activation. The sound cues help confirm successful interactions and allow the player to keep attention on spatial positioning. The experience centers on learning the teleporter connections, staying oriented in the maze, and timing each advance so the next teleport sends you toward progress instead of back into a losing route.
The Asteroid Field
The Asteroid Field places the player at the controls of a small spacecraft operating in the midst of a drifting belt of rocks. Incoming asteroids appear without warning and scatter across the screen in irregular shapes, forcing rapid course changes and continuous scanning of surrounding space. The field extends beyond the visible area, and the ship’s position carries over the edges of the display, creating a seamless wraparound course while the dangers remain constant in every direction.
Gameplay is built around direct ship maneuvering. The craft can be rotated to aim, then thrust forward to build speed while drifting with the inertial motion typical of space flight. A firing control releases shots at selected targets, allowing asteroids to be blasted until they break apart or are eliminated. The player must maintain situational awareness as newly formed fragments increase the number of moving hazards. As asteroids are cleared, additional rounds or waves can appear, with the overall density rising to challenge both reaction time and precision.
The game mechanics emphasize timing and control rather than complicated procedures. Asteroids move independently with differing velocities and trajectories, requiring the player to lead targets and avoid overshooting through fast, close passes. Continuous thrust can build momentum that must be managed carefully, since sudden course changes are harder at higher speed. The ship is vulnerable to collision, and contact with any asteroid ends the current run, making safe navigation and accurate shooting central to survival.
Visually, The Asteroid Field uses the Apple II’s high-resolution display to present a sharp, readable field of moving objects. The ship is rendered as a small, bright outline that rotates smoothly, while asteroids appear as angular rock forms that travel across the screen with clear separation from one another. The background stays simple so motion remains easy to track, and updates occur fast enough to sustain the tension of close-range encounters.
Audio accompaniment is handled through the Apple II’s system speaker. Firing produces short electronic tones, while hits and explosions generate brief bursts intended to communicate immediate impact and clearance of targets. During routine maneuvering, the sound remains minimal, leaving the player to rely on visual movement and ship control for most decisions. The overall experience is one of constant adjustment—aim, thrust, fire, and correct—until the asteroid density overwhelms the craft or the player successfully carves a path through the field.
