In space, the player's battle computer generates a real-time display of the immediate vicinity, showing enemy ships, missiles, energy concentrations, and Warp Gates.
[6] The game features a Tactical Sector Map that displays enemy bases, the player's ship position, and includes humorous comments.
Dark Star also offers an extensive user-definable menu for customizing screen display, sound effects, skill levels, and keyboard controls.
Dark Star also features a colorful high-resolution title page and offers various customization options for controls and sound.
[3][4][8][9] The original ZX Spectrum cassette release of Dark Star contained a hidden program called Spectacle on the reverse side.
Clues to these password were hidden within the game's high-score table, referencing the Supertramp song "Just Another Nervous Wreck" from the album "Breakfast in America".
[10] Dark Star received generally positive reviews from contemporary gaming magazines, with praise for its graphics and customization options, but some criticism for its difficulty and potential repetitiveness.
Computer and Video Games described the 3D star field as "very pretty" and a "visual treat," while Crash called the graphics "breathtakingly fast" and "smooth," though noting they were not very detailed.