Discs of Tron, is the second arcade game based on the Disney filmTron. While the first Tron arcade game had several mini-games based on scenes in the movie, Discs of Tron is a single game inspired by Tron's disc-battle sequences and set in an arena similar to the one in the Jai Alai–style sequence.
Gameplay
The gameplay of Discs of Tron is based on several scenes in the Tron film, combining the Jai Alai-like combat between Flynn and Crom with the disc combat between Tron and Sark. The player controls Tron in a one-on-one battle with Sark, presented in a fixed three-dimensional view behind Tron. Using a control scheme similar to that of the original Tron arcade game, the player moves around with a joystick, throws discs using a trigger button, and can defend him/herself with a thumb button. The player uses a rotary dial to move a targeting reticle all around the arena walls, and in later levels the player can also adjust his/her aim up and down by pulling up and pushing down on the knob. Each match takes place in a closed arena on top of platforms made of concentric disks, like in the Jai Alai sequence. Tron and Sark attempt to destroy each other by either directly hitting his opponent or causing him to fall off his platform. Tron and Sark can each throw up to three discs at a time. Assuming it isn't destroyed, each disc returns automatically to the player. Tron can defend himself by hitting Sark's discs with his own or by using a deflector, of which he has a limited supply. Sark can additionally attack Tron with high-speed missiles, chaser orbs, and "super chasers", which cannot be deflected. In later levels, platforms begin to move up and down vertically, requiring the player to aim up and down as well. Tron and Sark can bounce discs off the ceiling with the goal of hitting one of his opponent's platforms - if successful, the platform flashes briefly and then disappears, reducing the character's movement or possibly causing him to fall and derez. The platform reappears after about ten seconds. For some levels, a continuously scrolling wall of blocks appears between Tron and Sark; these blocks must be destroyed to open gaps in the wall before either character can hit the other. The game has a total of twelve levels, with Sark becoming more aggressive throughout the game. Once the twelfth level is completed, levels repeat from six to twelve until the player runs out of lives.
In 1996, Next Generation listed the arcade version as number 87 on their "Top 100 Games of All Time". Calling it "One of the first games to attempt a 3D environment", they remarked that the fast-paced and complex gameplay works due to the responsive controls. They also praised the enemy AI as advanced for its time, though they complained that a head-to-head multiplayer mode was an obvious feature that had not been included.
