The object of the game is eliminate the enemy insects and clear the wave. Every 4 levels, you can continue where you left off if you have another credit. This was a cool feature Atari used in other games like Tempest, and gives a an incentive to keep playing. If you kill a bug you can a grab a grubsteak for more points, which clearly look likes a dollar symbol. You can also rack up points by dropping eggs into the hole. There's about 10 different enemy types, some explode if you shoot them, some leg eggs, some shoot at you, and it can get pretty chaotic.

Black widow is a twin stick shooter, and feels right at home with the PS4 control. One stick moves and the other stick shoots. You have a limited range, and the radial resolution is fine enough that aiming your shots feels natural and satisfying. although you're still better off showering the enemy hoards, which feels just as fun. Dropping eggs in the center however can be tricky. Part of the web turns red each wave, changing the layout and blocking your path.

The game uses color vector graphics, and the developers did a commendable job on replicating this for Atari Flashback Classics. The sound FX are extremely loud. It sounds cool on big speakers, but don't wear earbuds because some compression is extremely crunchy. There's a few settings such as difficulty switches and bezel art, and you can also skip your way to higher levels, and if you have to cheat your way there, you won't last long anyway because this game is tough. Overall, Black Widow is an unheralded classic that has aged nicely. Has anyone played this game before it's release on the Atari Flashback collection? Goto the youtube page and post your comment. B+