Super Space Acer : GBA
https://tursilion.itch.io/super-space-acer-gba

Released 2025 by Tursilion aka HarmlessLion.com
Music by RushJet1

Game ROM for the Gameboy Advance and compatible hardware and emulation.

Print manual for sale at https://www.lulu.com/shop/tursilion/super-space-acer-gba/paperback/product-2m4nwkk.html

History:

Super Space Acer was started long, long ago on the TI-99/4A. In the last couple of years, it has been finished for the ColecoVision and TI-99/4A, and then ported to the GBA for wider distribution.

If you are interested in the ColecoVision or TI versions:

https://arcadeshopper.com - for the TI version
https://collectorvision.com - for the Coleco version

Basics:

Super Space Acer is a standard shmup/stg/top-down shooter (though it has a slight 3D perspective).

Press A or B to go from the title screen to the main menu. On the menu, you can select your ship with left and right, or move down to change difficulty from Easy, Medium, or Hard.

In easy mode there are the fewest enemies on screen, they are less aggressive, and they do not aim with precision.

In medium mode there are more enemies and they aim better.

In hard mode the enemies are more numerous and more aggressive. Hard mode is the only way to see the full endings.

The options menu will let you adjust volumes and play the various musics in the game.

Press START to begin the game. In game, use the D-pad to move and A or B to fire. Shoot or evade attacking enemies and avoid their shots. Some enemies may take multiple hits depending on your current weapon.

Sometimes a destroyed enemy will drop a powerup letter that cycles between P, W and S. P will activate your pulse weapon and power it up a maximum of three times. W will activate your wide weapon and power it up a maximum of three times. S will activate a shield - each ship handles shields differently. Fly over the letter when it shows the effect you want to collect it.

The Cruiser shields are persistent and can handle three hits. 'S' will restore one hit of shield power. If the cruiser is hit with no shield, it is game over.

The Snowball shield is timed. It is brief, but you are invincible while it is active. If you can collect another 'S' before it runs out, the time will stack. The Snowball has three lives, and getting hit without a shield will reset your weapons and cost one life.

The Ladybird shield is also timed, but it is offensive. Ramming enemies will destroy them and increase the shield time. The Ladybird also has three lives, and getting hit without a shield will reset your weaspons and cost one life.

If you lose a life, you will be rolled back slightly and then continue the level.

After a fixed distance, you will see a warning that the boss is approaching. Enemies will retreat from the screen and you will have an opportunity to collect a powerup letter if there is one onscreen. The boss will then approach from the top of the screen and begin to attack immediately. 

Your goal is to shoot through the boss's armor and destroy the engines at the rear of the boss. When all engines are destroyed, the boss will be defeated. Bosses will attack with a combination of bullets, mines, and homing shots.

After the fifth boss is destroyed, you will be declared victorious. If you are playing on hard mode, you will get a brief story depicting the win scenario for the ship you selected. Winning on hard with all three ships will unlock a fourth - winning on hard with it unlocks a fifth. If you win on hard with all five ships, the 'extreme danger' stealth mode is unlocked which is the final mode.

Thanks

I hope you enjoy this game! It's nice to finally release it. Even if you paid $0 for this title, please do not repost it elsewhere for download. It is not public domain or freeware, I retain all rights to it. The only site that it should be available at is tursilion.itch.io. Thank you!