War Room

War Room

Overview & History

Released in 1983 by CBS Electronics for the ColecoVision, War Room puts players in the tense shoes of a global defense commander during the height of the Cold War. Programmed by Armonk Corporation, this strategic shooter challenged the standard arcade formula by blending resource management with fast-paced defense mechanics. Rather than controlling a traditional avatar, the player manages a subterranean command center tasked with intercepting nuclear missile strikes aimed at major world capitals. The game's stark, high-stakes atmosphere and split-screen interface made it a unique and harrowing addition to the ColecoVision library, demanding both tactical foresight and lightning-fast reflexes.

Gameplay Features & Mechanics

The core objective of War Room is to protect five major cities from an escalating barrage of ICBMs launched from enemy silos. The screen is split vertically: the top half displays the global map where incoming warheads arc toward their targets, while the bottom half zooms into your underground command bunker. Players must actively manage a limited supply of anti-ballistic missiles, energy reserves, and repair crews. If a silo runs out of ammunition, players must manually route supply trains across a vulnerable railway network to restock before the next wave hits. Strategic depth comes from deciding whether to shoot down incoming warheads individually or deploy a global shield, which drains precious power reserves. If a city takes too many direct hits, it is utterly obliterated, permanently reducing your overall defensive capacity and score multiplier.

Keyboard Controls

• Arrow Keys / D-Pad: Navigate the targeting crosshairs and menu options
• Action Keys: Fire anti-ballistic missiles / Deploy defensive shields
• Enter: Start / Pause the game and confirm tactical selections