Archive for the ‘Atari Inc.’ Category
Atari 2600: Combat
January 3rd, 2009 by Sean
This game is an enigma. In the 1980′s, all of my friends detested Combat, often poking fun at its plain graphics and simplistic gameplay.
However, 30+ years later, everybody I know that owns an Atari 2600 swears up and down that it’s one of the greatest games ever made.
Each of the game’s 27 variations challenges you to out shoot your opponent over a 2 minute, 16 second time period.
The tank variations have loads of options including different maze layouts, guided missiles, bouncing missiles, and even invisible tanks. Read the rest of this entry…
Posted in 2600, Atari Inc., Games, Reviews
Atari 2600: Bank Heist
December 4th, 2008 by Sean
Bank Heist for the Atari 2600 may look like another generic maze game, but it’s actually quite interesting. For one thing, it accurately depicts what it was like to be a gangster in the 1930′s. Man, things sure were a lot blockier back then 
As you cruise around a maze in a vintage automobile, you pull off bank robberies by running over white pillar symbols. Three cop cars are in hot pursuit, but they can be eliminated by dropping dynamite sticks behind your car.
Since the dynamite takes a second or two to detonate, careful timing is required. As you eliminate cops, new banks appear, and after you’ve robbed nine, you can exit the maze and receive a free tank of gas for your troubles.
The graphics in Bank Heist aren’t much to look at, with the exception of those nifty old-time cars with the spinning wheels.
Bank Heist is more involved than your typical maze game and takes a few plays to get the hang of it, but once you do it’s quite satisfying, especially in the later stages where the action becomes fast and furious.
Posted in 2600, Atari Inc., Games, Reviews
Atari 2600: Dig Dug
November 26th, 2008 by Sean
At first look, Dig Dug for the Atari 2600 doesn’t look so hot. Those smooth horizontal lines are a far cry from the grainy “dirt” of the arcade coin-op version, and let’s face it – those square “rocks” look awful.
If you give it a chance though, you’ll discover the same brand of timeless gameplay that made the arcade game such a hit.
Your little man, known as Dig Dug is easy to control as he tunnels through dirt, pumps his enemies with air, and drops rocks on them. Oh how I miss the days when games didn’t need to make any sense.
All the key elements of the arcade are present, including the fire-breathing dragons and vegetable bonuses. There’s only one skill level, but it’s challenging enough. When enough enemies congregate on the screen, they tend to flicker, but it doesn’t really detract from the gameplay.
Yes, the background graphics are rough, but the cycling color schemes look good and the audio is remarkably faithful to the original. Dig Dug is surprisingly deep, and knowledgeable players will employ all sorts of tactics to conquer each screen.
Even with the slightly underwhelming graphics, Dig Dug for the Atari 2600 always proves to be extremely enjoyable. It’s too bad the game seems to get overlooked by Atari fans.
Posted in 2600, Atari Inc., Games, Reviews
Atari 2600: Chase the Chuck Wagon
November 24th, 2008 by Sean
Chase the Chuck Wagon is one of the most famous games for the Atari 2600 system. Available only via an old Purina dog food promotion, this cartridge is extremely rare and highly sought-after by collectors.
Chase the Chuck Wagon is also regarded as being pretty awful, but that’s not entirely true. It may be a rehashed maze game, but it does feature multiple mazes, a bonus screen, a dog with a little wagging tail, and a nice-looking chuck wagon at the top of the screen.
Not too shabby, although I still haven’t figured out why colliding with the dogcatcher causes an explosion sound. Perhaps Spectravision was recycling the sound effects from another one of their games?
Posted in 2600, Atari Inc., Games, Reviews
Atari 2600: Circus Atari
November 10th, 2008 by Sean
Circus Atari is a fun little game with two clowns bouncing each other off a teeter-totter, trying to burst three rows of balloons moving across the top of the screen.
Although this retro game borrows heavily from Breakout, Circus Atari is faster and a lot more entertaining.
The paddles provide precise control, and the fire button can be used to “flip” the teeter-totter at any time. The higher balloons are worth more points, and clearing the top row of red balloons will earn you a free guy.
There are a nice variety of options, including some that incorporate moving barriers. These barriers often make your job easier, as they let your clown bounce around longer on the top of the screen.
The balloons are just rows of moving squares, but the tiny, square-headed clowns look funny, especially when they splatter on the ground, legs still kicking.
Even with its basic graphics and gameplay, for a game that came out in 1978, Circus Atari still offers enough challenge to keep you busy for a while.
Posted in 2600, Atari Inc., Games, Reviews
Atari 2600: BMX Airmaster
October 13th, 2008 by Sean
This late-arriving 2600 title released in 1989 boasts some respectable visuals and top-notch music, but it’s not very easy to play.
BMX Airmaster includes three different bike events: half-pipe, quarter-pipe, and a ramp jump.
In the half-pipe you ride from side to side, flying into the air and performing stunt combination’s.
The instructions don’t explain how to perform the stunts, but they don’t take long to figure out. Read the rest of this entry…
Posted in 2600, Atari Inc., Games, Reviews
Atari 2600: Battlezone
October 6th, 2008 by Sean
This amazing first-person tank game looks and plays flawlessly. In fact, this Atari 2600 edition is arguably more playable than its 3D arcade cousin.
The action is fierce. Enemy tanks turn on you quickly, and the “super tanks” are fast and elusive.
Flying fighters approach in zigzag patterns, forcing you to shoot or be shot.
The slow red flying saucers don’t present a threat, but being worth 5000 points, they’re a constant distraction.
Like the UFO’s in Space Invaders, you just can’t resist taking a shot at them. Read the rest of this entry…
Posted in 2600, Atari Inc., Games, Reviews
David Crane: Classic Game Programmer
September 25th, 2008 by Sean
David Crane started his programming career at Atari, making games for the Atari 2600.
After meeting up with co-worker Alan Miller in a tennis game, Miller discussed with him a plan he had to leave and found a company that would give game designers more recognition.
From this meeting, he left Atari in 1979 and co-founded Activision, along with Miller, Jim Levy, Bob Whitehead and Larry Kaplan.
His games have won many awards while he was at Activision.
David Crane is best known as the designer of Pitfall!, a game that stayed at the top of the charts for 64 weeks.
Other Activision hits written by David Crane include Dragster, Fishing Derby, Laser Blast, Freeway, Grand Prix and Skateboardin’. Read the rest of this entry…
Posted in 2600, Activision, Atari Inc., NES 8-bit, Photos