Battleship (1996 video game)

Battleship, released in 1996, is a computer adaptation of the classic board game of the same name. Developed by Mindscape, it allows players to engage in a digital version of the strategic guessing game where the objective is to sink the opponent's fleet before they sink yours.

The game typically features both single-player and multiplayer modes. In single-player, players compete against an AI opponent with varying difficulty levels. Multiplayer mode allows players to challenge friends or other players online or via local network connections, depending on the specific release.

Gameplay remains faithful to the core mechanics of the board game. Players secretly position their ships on a grid representing the ocean. They then take turns calling out coordinates to "attack" the opponent's grid. If a coordinate hits a ship, the opponent must announce "Hit!" If it misses, they announce "Miss!" The goal is to deduce the location of all the opponent's ships and sink them by scoring hits on all the squares they occupy. Ships typically vary in length, taking up multiple grid squares.

The 1996 Battleship video game often includes visual and audio enhancements over the traditional board game, such as animated explosions when a ship is hit and sound effects to accompany the gameplay. Different versions may include variations on the basic rules or incorporate additional strategic elements.