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Review Episode 20

In episode 20, we first jump forward to the year 3097 to compete in the fastest and most competitive game in the universe, Ballblazer. Then we jump back to the time when pinball was king to play a bit of David’s Midnight Magic.

Show Notes

Ballblazer

David's Midnight Magic

  • Publisher by
    • Atari Corp - 1987
    • Broderbund - 1982
  • Developed by David Snider
  • Downloads:

Review Episode 19

In Episode 19, we try out a few sport ball games. First, we have the opportunity to play One-on-One Basketball between the legendary Dr. J and Larry Bird. Next, we won't go soft on our review of the baseball game Hardball.

Show Notes

One-on-One: Dr. J vs. Larry Bird

Hardball

  • Publisher by
    • Atari Corporation - 1981 (Atari Program Exchange: Tape & Disk), 1982 (Atari. Brown cartridge) 1987(XL/XE Silver box), 1988 (XEGS Box)
  • Developed by Atari
    • Dan Thompson
    • Mimi Doggett (Graphics)
    • Edger Noel Bogas (Sound)
  • Downloads:

Review Episode 18

In Episode 18, we take a trip back in time to World War II. First, we play as an allied commando dropping Into the Eagle's Nest to rescue our captured men, attempt to blow up the compound, and make our escape. Then we change sides and play as a German commander during operation Barbarossa as we attempt to strategically take Russia in Eastern Front 1941.

Show Notes

Into the Eagle's Nest

  • Publisher by
    • Atari (USA) - 1988
  • Developed by Pandora Software
    • Kess Beekhuis (Coding & Sound)
    • Robin Chapman(Graphics)
    • Andrew Challis (original programmer for C64 version)
  • Downloads:

Eastern Front 1941

Review Episode 17

In Episode 17, we take a double shot at some light gun games. First, we head out to the country to help Grampa rid his farm of all sorts of critters in Barnyard Blaster. Then we hit the big city to deal out some street justice in Crime Buster.

Show Notes

  • How a light gun works (Note: This is just one of many on YouTube)
  • Gun Assist by Matthew Ratcliff: (Antic Magazine August 1988, Volume 7, Number 4, Page 43)
  • Sharp Shooter by Matthew Ratcliff: (Analog Magazine Issue 76, Article on page 10, Listing on page 35. 1989)

  • Configure Light Gun on Altirra

    Adding a Light Gun Device

    1. In the main menu, select INPUT, the INPUT MAPPING.
    2. Select the Add… button and give this controller a new name. For example, “Light Gun/Pen” and hit Enter to accept this name
    3. Now hit the Edit button
    4. Select Add Controller… button
      • Select the Controller dropdown and select, “Light Pen” and select “OK”
    5. Now you’ll have a list of mappings that appear
      • Select “Axis 1 to none” and select the Edit button
        • Select the Source dropdown and select “Mouse Pos X (Light Pen) and select, OK
      • Select “Axis 2 to none” and select the Edit button
        • Select the Source dropdown and select “Mouse Pos Y (Light Pen) and select, OK
      • Select the line that starts with “Gun trigger” and select the Edit button
        • Select the Source dropdown and select “Mouse LMB”, or “Mouse RMB” if you prefer to use the right button to fire your gun and select, OK
      • Select the line that starts with “On-Screen” and select the Edit button
        • Select the Source dropdown and select the opposite Mouse button that you chose before. So, instead of “Mouse LMB”, you choose “Mouse RMB” and select, OK
      • Select the OK button again to exit the Edit Input mapping screen
      • Check the box next to your newly created Light gun and then select the Close button to exit the Input Maps screen

    Zeroing in your Aim

    Chances are your shots won’t be dead center in your cross-hairs. If this is the case you're need to make some adjustments. I loaded up the game, “Sharp Shooter” (See link above) and used that to zero in my round by playing with the numbers.
    1. Select Light Pen/Gun from the Input dropdown. This will allow you to adjust the offset of your shots in relation to your crosshairs.
    2. Select Light Pen/Gun from the Input dropdown.
    3. You don’t have to change these values too much.
      • For me, I see the horizontal to 1 and the vertical to 13 and it was pretty much dead on.
    4. Before you start shooting, select the mouse button you mapped to “On-Screen”. In my case, that was the right one. This will make your crosshairs have a circle around them.
      • This tells you you’re in “game mode” and are ready to shoot at the baddies on the screen
      • If you don’t do this, your shots just end up at the bottom right of the screen.

Barnyard Blaster

  • Publisher by
    • Atari (USA) - 1987
  • Developed by
    • James Zalewski
    • Joe Simko (Music)
  • Downloads:

Crime Buster

  • Publisher by
    • Atari (USA) - 1988
  • Developed by Atari
    • James Zalewski
    • Ron “Art” Andrzejewski (graphics)
  • Downloads:

Review Episode 16

In Episode 16, we have a band of Brøderbund brothers. First, we put on our gi's with glee to storm the warlord Akuma's castle to save the beautiful princess Mariko in Karateka. Then it's time to dig into a puzzling platformer to find some gold with Lode Runner.

Show Notes

News

Karateka

  • Publisher by
    • Atari (USA) - 1988
  • Developed by
    • Jordan Mechner (Original game creator) for Brøderbund Software
    • Robert Cook (Atari conversion) from Sculptured Software
    • Francis Mechner (Music)
  • Downloads:

Lode Runner

Review Episode 15

In Episode 15, we take to the skies during WWII and battle the Axis powers to become the Ace of Aces. Then the federation needs you once again to take out the invading Zylon Empire in Star Raiders II

Show Notes

News

  • Going forward, we're omitting the “Where to Buy” section from our reviews

Ace of Aces

Star Raiders II

Review Episode 14

In Episode 14, we serve up a bit of surf and turf. First we put everything at “steak” by entering the BattleZone. Then find out if the submarine simulator GATO is a fresh catch?

Show Notes

News

BattleZone

  • Publisher by
    • Atari (USA) - 1987
  • Developed by Atari, Inc.

    • Downloads:

GATO

Review Episode 13

In episode 13, we have a “Dandy” of a show where we crawl through two dungeon based shooters. First, we review the XEGS game, Dark Chambers. Then we pit it against the 8-bit arcade version of Gauntlet. Who will be victorious?

Review Episode 12

In episode 12, we feature two space behemoth themed games. First we rumble with the side scrolling Thunderfox and then snake our way through an exhaust port in the budget game Sidewinder II.

Show Notes

News

Airball

Head Over Heels

Review Episode 11

In episode 11, we go isometric when we review two games with similar angles. First, we'll pump you up with Airball and then see if the budget game Head Over Heels is something to flip over.

Show Notes

News

Airball

Head Over Heels

Review Episode 10

In episode 10, we’ll put on the gloves and get in the ring to go toe to toe with Accolade’s boxing game, Fight Night, and although revenge is sweet, will Jeff Minter’s Revenge II, a follow up to Revenge of the Mutant Camels, be a tasty treat?

Show Notes

News

Fight Night

Revenge II

Review Episode 9

In episode 9, we conjure up a magical review while battling evil, in Necromancer, and we strap on jetpacks and blast off to rescues human souls trapped by an alien force in the budget game Excelsor.

Review Episode 8

In this episode, we take a shot at playing the light gun game Crossbow and say, “shuriken” (sure-I-can ☺) to reviewing the budget game Ninja.

Review Episode 7

In Episode 7, we'll have a lip-smacking review of Food Fight and we'll put our lives on the line for you by participating in the deadly budget game Death Race!

Show Notes

News

Food Fight

  • Published by
    • Atari Corp (1987)
  • Developed by
    • John Sanderson, General Computer Corporation (GCC)

Info:

Downloads:

Where to Buy:

Other Reviews and Info:

Death Race

  • Published by
    • Atlantis Software (1987)
  • Developed by
    • Simon Leck

Info and Downloads:

Other Reviews and Info:

Review Episode 6

In this episode we hop into our Valkyrie space fighters and shoot up some Jaggie saucers to review LucasFilm's, "Rescue on Fractalus!" and we'll go full tilt on one of Kieren's budget game, "Advanced Pinball Simulator".

Show Notes

News

Rescue on Fractalus!

  • Published by
    • Atari Corp (1987)
    • Epyx (1984, US) & Activision (1985, UK)
  • Developed by
    • Lucasfilm Ltd.
      • David Fox (programmer)
      • Loren Carpenter (programmer)
      • Charlie Kellner (graphics)
      • Gary Winnick (graphics)
      • James St. Louis (graphics)
      • Douglas "Crock" Crockford (graphics)
      • Peter Langston (sound, and team lead)
      • Charlie "Dragon" Kellner (sound)

Info:

Downloads:

Where to Buy:

Other Reviews and Info:

Advanced Pinball Simulator

  • Published by
    • Codemasters (1989)
  • Developed by
    • The Oliver Twins: Philip & Andrew Oliver (designers)
    • Hassan Mehmet (Atari code)
    • Terry Lloyd (Atari graphics)
    • David Dunn (Atari sound)

Info and Downloads:

Other Reviews and Info:

Review Episode 5

Just in time for winter here in the northern hemisphere, we’re reviewing Summer Games! So grab your sunscreen, power up your Atari, and on your mark...get set...go!

Review Episode 4

It's been awhile since our last episode due to summer vacations, family time, and just fun in the sun, but we hope our little interview episode was enough of a XEGS fix. In this episode, we review three ports of two classic arcade games, the new homebrew Pac-Man Arcade, Atari's original Pac-Man and Donkey Kong. Previous guest contributor, Kieren Hawken joins the team and brings with him two more budget games; the top down space shooter Warhawk and the pub dart game 180!.

News

Pac-Man Arcade

  • Published by
    • Perry "TEP392" Thuente - Atari 8-bit homebrew cart, 2012
    • AtariAge - Atari 5200 cart, 2012
  • Developed by
    • Atari Inc. - original 1983 Ms. Pac-Man game
    • Perry Thuente, with contributions from MrFish and others - Pac-Man Arcade hack
  • Based on NAMCO's 1980 arcade game

Where to Buy:

Links:

Other Reviews and Info:

Pac-Man (mini review)

  • Published by Atari Inc., 1982
  • Developer Joe Hellesen
  • Based on NAMCO's 1980 arcade game

Links

Donkey Kong

  • Published by Atari Inc., 1983 & Atari Corp., 1988
  • Developed by Landon Dyer (code & graphics), Brad Fuller (sound), Atari Inc.
  • Based on Nintendo's 1981 arcade game

Where to buy:

Links:

Other Reviews and Info:

Warhawk

  • Published by Firebird, 1986
  • Developed by Andrew Betts (code), Rob Hubbard (music)

Links:

180!

  • Published by Mastertronic, 1986
  • Developed by Binary Design:
    • David Forward (code)
    • Steve Pickford & Jeremy Pickford (graphics)
    • Jason C. Brooke (music)

Links:

Interview Episode 1

In our first interview episode, David sits down with homebrew creator, tep392 (AKA: Perry Thuente) to discuss his latest creation, Pac-Man Arcade. Hear how he was able to make such a spot on version of the classic arcade game and get some early insight into some of his upcoming projects.

Review Episode 3

In Episode 3, we find out if the Choplifter! will be an uplifting experience, and we break out our loupe and peer into Crystal Castles to see if it's a cut above. Also, Kieren Hawken is back but this time he'll be bringing with him some of that British class live to our little show. We'll all review two budget titles; L.A. SWAT and Yogi Bear & Friends in The Greed Monster.

News

Choplifter!

  • Published by Atari Corp., 1988
  • Developed by Steve Aguirre, Sculptured Software
  • Based on 1982 Brøderbund Software original, by Dan Gorlin

Links:

Other Reviews and Info:

Crystal Castles

  • Published by Atari Corp., 1988
  • Developed by The Software Factory
  • Based on Atari Inc. unreleased 1984 prototype, by Paul Metz and William Jahnke

Where to buy:

Information Sources:

Other Reviews and Info:

L.A. SWAT

  • Published by Mastertronic, 1986
  • Developed by Randy Platt, Sculptured Software

Information Sources:

Other Reviews and Info:

Yogi Bear & Friends in The Greed Monster

  • Published by Hi-Tec Software, 1990
  • Developed by Russell Knight (code) & Rich Morton (graphics), PAL Developments

Information Sources:

Other Reviews and Info:

Review Episode 2

In Episode 2, we take to the skies with Blue Max, then dive down to the sewers to join the Mario Brothers. We also touch on Joust and Zaxxon, two games that share many similarities to our featured reviews. Kieren Hawken is back with more budget titles and we finally get to our user feedback.

New Theme Song

News

Missing Links (Ep 1.: Missile Command)

Mario Bros.

  • Published by Atari, 1988
  • Developed by Sculptured Software

Information Sources:

Other Reviews and Info:

Joust

  • Developed and published by Atari, 1983

Where to buy:

Information Sources:

Other Reviews and Info:

Blue Max

  • Original disk version (1983)
    • Published by Synapse Software (aka SynSoft in the UK) & U.S. Gold
    • Developed by Bob Polin
  • XEGS cartridge port (1987)
    • Published by Broderbund / Atari
    • Developed by Sculptured Software

Where to buy:

Information Sources:

Zaxxon

  • Published by Sega, 1983
  • Developed by Ron J. Fortier, Datasoft
  • (Disk and tape versions published by Datasoft and others)

Information Sources:

Other Reviews and Info:

Kieren Hawken on Budget Games

Review Episode 1

In our first review episode, we review EA’s Archon to find out if the game is good or evil. Then we set our sights on the XEGS packaged light gun game, Bug Hunt. We also have user submissions from Shinto, the host of the The Atari Jaguar Game by Game Podcast and Kieren Hawkin who introduces his new UK Budget Games segment. This time he reviews Fruit Machine Simulator and puts in his two pence on our two featured games.

Archon: The Dark and the Light

Other reviews & references:

Other ports:

  • Archon was ported to the Apple II, Commodore 64, Amiga, IBM PC, Apple Macintosh, NES, Amstrad CPC, ZX Spectrum, and PC-88
  • Archon II: Adept - 1984 sequel for Apple II, Atari 8-bit, Commodore 64, Amiga, Amstrad CPC, and ZX Spectrum. Unfortunately, was never released on cartridge
  • Archon Ultra - 1994 remake for MSDOS, by Free Fall Assoc (published by SSI)
  • The Unholy War - 1998 spiritual successor by Paul Reiche III for PlayStation, by Toys for Bob (published by Crystal Dynamics)
  • Kombat Chess - mini-game (similar to Archon) within 2004’s Mortal Kombat: Deception for PS2, Xbox, GameCube, and PSP
  • Archon: Conquest - 2009 iPhone remake, by React Games. Licensed by Free Fall. Available today, via App Store!
  • Archon: Classic - 2010 Windows remake, by React Games. Available today, via Steam!

Where to buy:

Information Sources:

Bug Hunt

Other reviews & references:

Where to buy:

Contributor Segments

Episode 0

In our first episode, we introduce the hosts, give some background on the Atari XE Video Game System, and give you an idea of what to expect in future episodes. It's time to crack some ZEGS!