Justin

I think Atari was pushing the limit of the 2600 at this point.  It's ambitious.  Limitations to the hardware prevented the move to the next logical step to complex games. 

You're right.  I had fun with this game.  And that opening screen was so cool!

As I've said before my first impression of this game was based on a used copy with no papers in 1988.  I had no clue what I was suppose to do.  I was a pro at falling down holes but I simply couldn't figure out the game.  With that I can understand those that got this game new, ripped the cart out of the box without reading the instructions, and started playing.  It was different and it wasn't obvious what was expected of the player like so many other 2600 games.

Now that I "know" what I'm suppose to do in this game I enjoy it and do consider it a hidden gem.  HSW did an amazing job on it.  I've even sent him emails to let him know my experiences with it then and now.  I have a loose and boxed copy.  I would miss this game if it wasn't in my collection today.  The concept of the game actually works.  It just needed a bit more time to work out the small bugs.

I had a 5200 and then an NES so I missed 2600's E.T. completely until I picked up a used system that came with the game.  This is probably one of the better made, adventure rich, games on the 2600.  And it really doesn't flicker at all.

Indeed, it's an impressive feat by HSW given the very little time he had to program & design the game.

Perhaps if the game were released a year prior, then it would have experienced a different fate?