Raster Blaster
Raster Blaster | |
| Title | Raster Blaster |
| Release date(s) | 1981 |
| Original Platform(s) | |
| Developer(s) | |
| Category(s) | |
Overview
Released in 1981 for the Apple II, Raster Blaster was a groundbreaking pinball simulation that pushed the graphical capabilities of early home computers. Created by independent developer Bill Budge, the game was a technical tour de force and a commercial success that demonstrated how complex physics and smooth animation could be achieved on limited hardware— earning it a place as one of the foundational titles of the early 1980s personal computer era.
The Birth of a Hobbyist Masterpiece
Bill Budge, a Caltech-educated programmer with a fascination for graphics and physics, had already made a name for himself with a series of Apple II action games and graphical routines. By 1980, he was intrigued by the challenge of simulating real-world dynamics on a computer. Pinball, with its blend of mechanical complexity and visual excitement, seemed like the perfect target.
Inspired by the Williams arcade machine Firepower, Budge set out to create a digital version of pinball that would go beyond static, logic-driven gameplay and into something that felt real. The result was Raster Blaster, a fully animated, flipper-controlled pinball simulation that utilized fast, smooth screen refreshes— hence the name, which references the raster-scan graphics method used by the Apple II.
Technical Innovation on the Apple II
What made Raster Blaster so impressive was Budge’s deep understanding of the Apple II’s graphics hardware. The game used low-level machine code to squeeze every bit of performance out of the system. The ball moved fluidly across the screen, reacting to collisions with bumpers, slingshots, and walls in real time. The flippers responded immediately to player input— no small feat on a machine that was never designed for arcade-style graphics.
Unlike many Apple II games of the era, which relied on simple character-based or choppy graphics, Raster Blaster was visually rich and immersive. It used high-resolution graphics mode (280×192 pixels) to create detailed, colorful playfield artwork. Though limited to six colors and no sound hardware beyond a simple beeper, Budge made the simulation feel lively and physical.
Independent Success
Budge distributed Raster Blaster himself under the label BudgeCo, making it an early example of independent computer game publishing. Selling through mail order and local computer stores, the game gained a strong reputation among hobbyists and quickly became a bestseller.
With an estimated 25,000 copies sold, Raster Blaster was one of the top-selling Apple II games of 1981— especially remarkable given that it competed with major titles from established publishers like Broderbund, Sierra On-Line, and Muse Software. Reviewers at the time praised it for its fluid animation, realistic ball physics, and addictive gameplay.
Influence and Legacy
Raster Blaster sparked a wave of pinball games for home computers. Competitors and imitators soon followed, including David’s Midnight Magic by David Snider, which offered a slightly more elaborate take on the genre. But it was Budge’s own follow-up, Pinball Construction Set (1983), that would become a seminal title in video game history.
Still, Raster Blaster stands out as a key moment in the evolution of home computer gaming. It was among the first games to treat simulation physics seriously, to use hand-coded assembly for smooth animation, and to deliver an arcade-like experience at home. It also exemplified the early 1980s ethos of individual creativity and technical daring—one talented programmer, working alone, creating a polished and successful game.
Raster Blaster may not be as widely remembered today as its successor, but it holds an essential place in the history of computer games. It was a product of ingenuity, skill, and passion— a vivid example of how much could be achieved with limited tools and unlimited imagination.
Releases
- Raster Blaster (Atari 8-Bit, 5 1/4" Disk) BudgeCo - 1982 USA, Canada Release
- Raster Blaster (Apple II, 5 1/4" Disk) BudgeCo - 1981 USA, Canada Release
