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Moon Shuttle is a classic arcade game developed and released by Nichibutsu in 1981. It is a vertically scrolling shoot ’em up game where players control a spaceship navigating through treacherous space environments filled with enemy ships and obstacles. Armed with a powerful cannon, players must blast their way through waves of enemies while dodging incoming fire and navigating through tight spaces.

Moon Shuttle was developed during the golden age of arcade gaming in the early 1980s. Nichibutsu, a prominent Japanese arcade game developer, conceived the game as a thrilling space shooter to captivate players with its fast-paced action and challenging gameplay. The development team focused on creating engaging level design and responsive controls to deliver an immersive arcade experience.

Upon its release, Moon Shuttle garnered positive reviews from players and critics alike for its addictive gameplay and vibrant graphics. Its challenging difficulty level and intuitive controls made it a popular choice among arcade enthusiasts. The game’s innovative use of scrolling backgrounds and dynamic enemy patterns set it apart from other shoot ’em up titles of its time.

Moon Shuttle saw various adaptations and ports to different gaming platforms over the years, including home consoles and computer systems. Additionally, it inspired a sequel titled “Moon Base” in 1982, which further expanded upon the gameplay mechanics and narrative of the original game.

As an arcade cabinet from the early 1980s, Moon Shuttle is considered rare among collectors. While precise numbers of units produced are not readily available, surviving cabinets are highly sought after by retro gaming enthusiasts. Depending on factors such as condition and originality, a well-preserved Moon Shuttle cabinet can fetch a significant price on the collectors’ market.

Moon Shuttle runs on custom arcade hardware typical of the era, featuring a Zilog Z80 CPU, dedicated sound and graphics chips, and a CRT monitor for display. Common repair parts for maintaining Moon Shuttle cabinets include replacement buttons, joysticks, power supplies, and capacitors for the monitor. Additionally, specialized knowledge of vintage arcade hardware and electronics is essential for effectively troubleshooting and repairing any technical issues that may arise.