Overview
Drive across the moon. Jump the craters. Shoot the aliens. Moon Patrol combined driving, jumping, and shooting in a side-scrolling format that became hugely influential. Its parallax scrolling—multiple background layers moving at different speeds—created a convincing sense of depth that would define countless games to follow.
Fast facts
- Developer: Irem.
- Publisher: Williams (US).
- Innovation: First parallax scrolling.
- Format: Side-scrolling shooter.
Technical firsts
| Innovation |
Impact |
| Parallax scrolling |
Created depth illusion |
| Multiple background layers |
Three-layer movement |
| Background music |
Continuous tune during gameplay |
| Checkpoint system |
Course division |
Gameplay mechanics
| Element |
Function |
| Jump |
Clear craters and obstacles |
| Shoot forward |
Destroy enemies ahead |
| Shoot up |
Destroy UFOs above |
| Speed control |
Automatic forward movement |
Obstacles
| Hazard |
Type |
| Craters |
Jump over |
| Rocks |
Shoot or jump |
| Land mines |
Jump carefully |
| UFOs |
Shoot from above |
| Tanks |
Shoot forward |
Course structure
| Section |
Difficulty |
| Beginner course |
Points A-E |
| Champion course |
Points F-Z |
| Checkpoints |
Progress markers |
| Time bonus |
Faster completion rewards |
Home conversions
| Platform |
Quality |
| Atari 2600 |
Simplified but playable |
| Atari 5200 |
Near-arcade |
| C64 |
Strong conversion |
| Apple II |
Competent port |
See also