Blackhole Assault, a video game for Sega CD, is set in the 22nd century when mankind has the technology to not only explore but also extract resources from the immediate solar system. This necessity emerges from dwindling resource reserves on Earth. The protagonist represents a team of humans who must defend the solar system from alien invaders. Combat centers around one-to-one battles using a Cybernetic Anthropomorphized Machine (C.A.M.), robot fighters designed for this purpose. The game circles around singular rounds of robot combat, with a variety of ten backdrops, including various celestial bodies.
The gameplay offers four modes, the primary being 'Operation BHA', a linear storyline. The exhibition mode provides players with the liberty to define parameters, like choice of robots and battlegrounds, and permits computer-controlled fighters. It also incorporates tournament and league modes for a varied gaming experience.
According to Black Hole Assault, the 22nd century sees earth technology advance to the point where exploration of the immediate solar system is not only possible, but necessary due to resource constraints. Humans are attempting to harvest the resources of the entire solar system but have met with trouble from alien invaders. It is up to a small force of humans who recognize and understand the threat to confront the aliens head on.
The weapon of choice in this game is the Cybernetic Anthropomorphized Machine, or C.A.M. The C.A.M. is a large robot that fights 1-on-1 against alien robots. All of the gameplay in Black Hole Assault revolves around single-round, 1-on-1 robot fighting action. There are 10 backdrops against which to beat up robots, including various planets and moons around the solar system.
The game has 4 different modes. The main story mode is Operation BHA. The exhibition mode allows players to customize matches down to the robots each player will use and the backdrop to play on. The exhibition mode can be configured to allow one or even both fighters to be controlled by the computer. Further, the game has tournament and league modes.