[From the Activision Winter/Spring 1984 catalog:]
Adventure into unknown worlds! An unpenetrable shield surrounds the planet. Your mission is to ride criss-crossed beams of light -- all the way to the 99th sector. Cast lariats of laser bolts into red zig bombs, yellow chirpers, the evil mother ship, and more! Only you have the courage. Only you have the skill. Only you are the Beamrider!
[From the back of the box:]
3D
DARK. DANGEROUS. DEMANDING.
A web of iridescent blue beams engulfs Earth-Space. You stand watching. Mesmerized at first, you now realize the beams support weapons, frightening creations in different forms. Will you just watch, or will you take actions? Action??!! Then roll up your sleeves, mount these beams and ... ride!!
Animated graphics create a 3-D perspective that virtually pulls you into the screen. Pulsating sound effects intensify the action as a dizzying array of objects zips from beam to beam. Beamrider combines tomorrow's technology with designer Dave Rolfe's fantastic imagination to forge the challenge you'll return to again and again!
[From the instruction manual:]
Beamrider
The Restrictor Shield, 99 sectors deep, now surrounds the Earth. You are the Beamrider, on a mission to clear the Shield. There you must demolish an onslaught of alien frights as you dodge from beam to beam. Sector after sector, the deluge deepens...