was not released. It would not be published until several years later by Antic Software as Mars Mission II. Phobos Combining the vertical orientation of the original Caverns with the improved graphics of Caverns II, Phobos was released through APX in 1982, although there are other minor modifications as well. The levels are divided into sub-levels with letters as names; after being killed the action restarts at the top of the sub-level, as opposed to the top of the whole level. The system is similar to the one used in Moon Patrol. Softline stated that Phobos might disappoint Caverns of Mars players, stating that it was "a reinvention of the wheel" and too easy for them. The magazine noted some improvements, such as a pause button and multiple skill levels, but advised that "Mars veterans should wait". The Addition-Wesley Book of Atari Software 1984 gave the game an overall B rating, stating that "whether it is a better game than the original is debatable" and concluding that "it is a good choice for the dedicated arcade game player". Re-releases In 2005, a version of Caverns of Mars was included on the Atari Flashback 2 classic game console. In 2023, the game is set for a March release for Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S, under the title Caverns of Mars: Recharged. Clones Datamost's Cavern Creatures (1983) for the Apple II is very similar. Conquest of Mars (2006) for the Atari 2600 is a direct clone. References Bibliography External links Caverns of Mars 1982 Atari, Inc. version at Atari Mania Caverns of Mars, play-through on Novice settings 1981 video games Atari Program Exchange software Atari 8-bit family games Atari 8-bit family-only games Vertically scrolling shooters Video games developed in the United States Single-player video games