Jump to content

Atari 5200 Guy

Member
 View Profile  See their activity

  • Posts

    6,052

  • Joined

  • Last visited

  • Days Won

    213

 Content Type 

Blog Entries posted by Atari 5200 Guy

  1. Atari 5200 Guy

    Atari 5200 Thoughts

    By Atari 5200 Guy,


    Atari 5200
    The Atari 5200 has been my all-time favorite console for a very long time.  However modern times have not been kind to it.  The machine itself is fine and I don’t mind the RF hook up it received but the controllers have a poor working ratio when not used often.  Which is weird considering most other systems can tolerate months without being used.  The Atari 5200 controllers, however, are a double edged sword. If you don’t use them once a week they fail, if you use them too often they can fail.  It’s hard to find a happy place sometimes.  However the controllers are not what this is about.  I’m just setting up the logic behind my thoughts.
    When it was in production the idea of full analog controllers sounded good… on paper.  Once shown to the public it wasn’t all bad but it was clear that the 360 degree controllers to beat out Intellivision just wasn’t the right answer.  Super Breakout was also considered a poor choice for a pick-in game but it was the only 4-player game ever released for the console. While I loved playing the game when I woke up that Christmas morning to a 5200 sitting in my living room I never found another four player game.  Even as I child I questioned Atari’s decisions.
     

     
    I never had issues with my original Atari 5200 because it got played every single day for hours on end.  Being an only child living where the only time you seen friends was at school made the 5200 my best friend.  I endured and learned how to harness those controllers on a per game basis because each game reacted differently.  Each game approached the analog controls differently. It was a “how well does this work with this game” thought process when getting a new game.  Sometimes the analog controls were great, sometimes they were OK, other times it was like “blah”.  I still say the Atari 5200 port of Pole Position was the best port made because of the analog controls.
    While I now know there were controller “solutions” those were never seen in my area by my mother or me.  So the standard equipment was it.  Which leaves me to the thoughts I have today that I think might have helped the 5200. Ignoring the lack of self centering joysticks, what if Atari gave two controller options where there was a choice of the analog controllers we all know and the option to pick up all digital joystick controllers which would have shared the same controller design?  Another option could have been to include a cable adapter that would accommodate the use of a standard Atari 2600 controller combined with the 5200 controllers.  Similar to what the Wico does.  There were so many things they “could” have done when they knew the original controllers were going to be an issue.
     

     
    Regardless, the 5200 is a great example of how something advanced doesn’t always plan out.  It does showcase some of the best arcade game translations of the time.  It is easy to see all the hard work that went into the system and its library of games. Some of the loved arcade games of the time were represented faithfully on the 5200. Games that easily come to mind are Qix, Joust, Space Dungeon, and Defender.  The unreleased Sinistar is impressive work as well.
    I’m sure I’m missing a few things and I know the truth behind the 5200 costing Atari millions of dollars. I just hope newcomers to the 5200 will find enjoyment and the help they need to keep it interesting.  It still has a lot to offer.
     
  2. Atari 5200 Guy

    To Mod or Not to Mod?

    By Atari 5200 Guy,


    Famicom
    That is the question.  I received a NES Classic Mini which makes it the second one in my collection. It has a controller and that’s it.  No box or anything.  My other one remains little used and stays in its box with all original packaging material.
    I have been debating whether or not to mod the thing by adding more games to it.  I don’t know how many different ways there are to mod it, if it’s an easy process or more trouble than it’s worth.  But it would be nice to see the games I grew up playing that are not part of the original 30 games like Lunar Pool, Zanac, Guardian Legend, and more.
    So if it was you with two NES classic minis would you mod one?  If so what would you use and what games would you add?  
     
    Also…is there a limit to the number of games that can be put on it?
  3. Atari 5200 Guy

    Discovering The Atari ST

    By Atari 5200 Guy,


    Atari ST
    Long story short, I've had my Atari 1040 STe for a few years now but I've never had the urge to do anything with it. Over the last few days I've attempted to find something to spark my interest in it of which I have found a few things. Most of which are games but at least I found something.
    As a music machine it simply can't be beat in my opinion.  The native MIDI feature of the Atari ST line is very solid and I use Sweet 16, a program I'm very familiar with from the Windows 98 days. This much has kept my interest in the machine. I only wish I had a more capable music keyboard to take full advantage of the ST and software.
    Games?  I have found many but I own only two published games; Space Station Oblivion and Super Cycle.  The rest have been dependent on the images I found online.  Most of those don't play well on a NTSC system so I have had hit and miss results. Nevertheless I have found a small library of games I enjoy playing or have tried, liked, and plan to dig into deeper sometime.  A few I was already familiar with from the early MS-DOS days on a 386 system which helped.  Populous was a nice find but the ST gets bogged down a lot as the game progresses...something I can tolerate but also something I am not use to happening in that game.  Railroad Tycoon I spent countless hours on during my 386 days and while I have the images of that game for the ST I have yet to find one that wants to play.  SimCity is a classic and fun on anything that can handle it and the ST is no exception.  There is no difference between the PC and ST versions that I can find. Really well done.
    New contenders I've found are Super Cycle a fun Hang-On style game, Buggy Boy has become a favorite, Nitro is a neat racing game, Spellbound is a beautifully done adventure game but it will make you pull your hair out, and I found a bunch of popular Sega arcade hits. Some good, some not as good as they could have been. And I've only started my journey.
    Which brings me to a somewhat puzzled conclusion: I love my Atari STe.  But I've never ran into a computer that was all over the place before. That is when it came to game software.  I'm trying to figure out why the ST seemed to be a short fad in the US while it dominated in other countries.  If you viewed ads in ST magazines games were plentiful. But the games I downloaded are mostly for PAL systems even when the same title was ported over to American Atari ST owners.  Where are those images?  I browsed ads in lots of START magazine publications as a guide to find what games actually made it over here and 9 out of 10 times the game images I have found are for PAL systems.  It's been fun trying to find them but hectic to say the least.  And some images are in the STX format only which I have not found a way to put those images back on a disk.  It's not that I'm making these disks to sell them...I just want to play them in real hardware and this is the only way I have found most of the games made.for the ST computers.
    It's been said that software publishers didn't trust Atari once Jack Tramiel took over because he would stop supporting a system without warning.  Whether that is true or not who knows.  I can understand that but in the computer world a publisher had full control over their product.  It would be like no one making software for the 386 because the 486 was a couple of years away from a public appearance
    At the end of the day the ST has grown on me.  Some games were weird but then again those 386 days were no different. Hidden gems?  I'd have to put Spellbound on that list so far.  It's a side scrolling adventure puzzle solving game where you can play at your own pace but it is unforgiving.  You only have one life.  The only thing about my STe I've noticed is a lack of support for the features it had including the Jaguar controller ports.  I have yet to find any games that used those.  Otherwise my STe and I are getting to know one another.  My next adventure?  Finding a C development environment so I can make my own games on it.
    If you have an Atari ST I'd like to hear what your favorite apps and games are on it.  Maybe discussing those games someone is stuck on can bring back those days when help was a school yard away.
  4. Atari 5200 Guy
    I have tried many games.  Some with great success, some with not so great results.  Overall I have come to a conclusion on how I see the ST computers.  Close to the end of the ST production run I was heavy into the 386 computer scene.  Good old' MS-DOS commercial and shareware games kept my time occupied.  I never knew nor heard about Atari making ST computers at all.  Atari simply didn't exist.
    In hindsight that was a good thing.  I managed to learn the IBM PC side of computing.  Games I had and would read about were very much hit and miss.  A ton of weird games that made you wonder why you even wasted time on them when you had better games.  Countless nights figuring out the latest SSI release or finding those hidden areas in Wolfenstein 3-D. Breaking into buildings and tapping phones in Covert Action or building the biggest railroad empire in Railroad Tycoon.  Those PC games gave me knowledge I needed when I finally approached the ST. 
    That might sound weird to some but the whole reason why I asked for a 386 in the first place was to learn how to program games.  I had QuickBASIC for that.  So to warm up to the ST I wanted to explore what games it got.  I was surprised to see many of those old IBM games I played on the ST.  My research started with five games: Space Station Oblivion, which I have yet to really get into, Super Cycle (beat this one one week after I got it), SimCity, Buggy Boy, and Test Drive.  The first two I bought, the last three are disk images.  The time between playing those until I pulled the ST back out a few days ago is about two years.  I was serious this time.  I was either going to find games I liked or were at least interesting or the ST was simply going to be a collection item.  I don't see the point of owning a system if I'm not going to enjoy it.
    I've found at least 30 games I enjoy on the ST, only a few I remember from the 386 days.  I wake up in the mornings and I want to play the ST.  I don't want to go to bed because I have to turn off the ST.  The ST has grown on me fast.  Games like Vroom, Goldrunner, Nitro, Spellbound...all make the ST worth having around.  But just like those old 386 games the ST was also plagued with weird games.  But also like the 386 the early games felt like learning tools with most of them not that great.  It's to be expected since it can take a while to learn a new system and to pull all the tricks out of it.
    The ST is a fine system but, unfortunately, was not as well received here in the U.S. as it was in the U.K. and other countries.  I first had to resort to STart magazines to see what all the American ST got.  I ended up resorting to ST Action, a UK-based magazine that reported ST games in great detail.  Once I read a few of those I had a list of games to go find. I quickly became an ST sleuth hunting down what works and what doesn't.
    At the end of the day I have a strong connection to my STe now. I also know know what games I want to keep an eye out for in the wild should I ever get that lucky.  The ST turned out to be a nice machine.  Maybe not as well received as the XL/XE line but still a great staple. I love my ST.
  5. Atari 5200 Guy
    Let's cut out the introduction and get right to it.  Be advised that most of these picks are based on images I've transferred back to disks when possible.
    Bubble Ghost - a game I once played on GameBoy, this game involves guiding a bubble through single screen mazes filled with obstacles that can burst your bubble.  Pop the bubble and it's game over.  Very colorful and enjoyable.
      Buggy Boy - The ST is the only system I've come across that has this simple little driving game.  Collect flags, gain more time while avoiding rocks, walls, and water.  Lacks the computer controlled vehicles found in the arcade but the real of it is here.
      Spellbound - This side-scrolling adventure game has you solving levels to advance. You can carry only one item at a time and falling from high places can hurt you as well as the enemies in the levels.  And you only have one life. Plan your strategy carefully.
      Atax - A vertical shoot 'em up with a few elements from the likes of Gradius.  Colorful and sounds good.  Everything in the game is a hazard including the environment objects.  
      GODS - This side scrolling adventure is one I owned for a 386 PC.  The ST version looks and sounds really great and takes advantage of the hardware in a good way.  Each level is huge and includes enemies, bonus items, and hidden areas and objects.
      Nitro - A neat top-down racing game that I am not very good at...but I keep coming back to this one.
      Populous - A one on one strategy game where you have to modify the landscape for your people to populate and prosper.  As you people grow the more problems you can create for your enemy from floods to creating a volcano.  Gets a bit sluggish on the ST when too much is going on but still fun.
      Vroom - An impressive F1 racing game with a view from the driver's seat.  Easy to pick up and play. Can be challenging.  Amazing speed!
      F1 World Championship (Domark) - Believe it or not, Vroom has a brother.  This one doesn't track lap times.  Game mechanics and goals are the same. More to come as I discover them.  I have a LOT more to try out.  What's your favorite Atari ST games so far?
  6. Atari 5200 Guy
    When I saw the name Hot Wheels pop up in the tons of ST images I found I thought, "Cool!  Hot Wheels has a racing game on the ST".  So I thought I would try it out.  Then the title screen appeared.

    Not the Hot Wheels I was expecting but looks good at least.  I grabbed the controller and tried it out.  It's another top down racer and it doesn't look half bad but it is a bit jittery. 

    And it has tons of settings you can perform.  But don't take my word for it...see for yourself.

    So what's the catch?  As good as it looks the drone cars can sometimes get confused. I raced a five lap race, crossed the finish line, and then...waited.  I kept hearing the other cars bumping into something or each other.  They never came back around after waiting for five minutes.  I pressed the escape key in hopes it would exit the race which it did without question.  I tried the same race again and noticed something weird. Take a look.

    For some reason the drone cars would circle around the finish line after completing a single lap.  Whether it is just on this track or other tracks I have yet to discover but will update with what I discover.  Other than that it is a simple and fun top down racing game and I find the chubby cars visually appealing.  This is one ST game I would recommend as long as it isn't taken seriously.
  7. Atari 5200 Guy
    Bombjack on the ST kind of reminds me of Bomberman Jack on the NES.  Whether they are one in the same or just share similar qualities I can't say but the arcade style game play is fun.  I was only able to accomplish a few rounds because, for me, the controls were wonky which I will get to in a minute.
    The graphics are arcade like as are the controls and sounds however the background music gets repetitive pretty quick.  Thankfully the developers were kind enough to give the player an option to turn off that music. Now about those wonky controls.  They respond OK until you try to run and jump.  With this game it's more like jump and then run.  You can jump as high as you want with just a tap of the button but you can't run and jump.  You have to jump first and then move left or right.  It takes some getting use to.  Otherwise there is a fun game hiding here.

    This game I would recommend to those who enjoy arcade-style game play.  Simply collect the bombs before they explode while avoiding enemies.  I'm not sure if the game gives bonus items to help you out as I've not made it that far yet.  Bombjack is proof that sometimes the smaller games can still be fun.
  8. Atari 5200 Guy

    Jinks (Atari 7800)

    By Atari 5200 Guy,


    Atari 7800
    OK.  Im new to Jinks.  I have read where many people have dogged it.  I have watched video reviews on it where it didn't do so good.  Granted it is not a typical 7800 game I'm use to.  From a technical standpoint it actually does some impressive feats.
      
    I have to admit that I don't belong in those majorities.  On the contrary I find Jinks rather fun.  I did find a few flaws here and there like my ball disappearing all of a sudden or going through objects it shouldn't but the game is sit down classic fun.  It doesn't need twitchy fingers and movements to enjoy the game.  Jinks is more laid back and relaxing.  And I believe that is where the misconception is.
    Jinks is a fun game if you don't approach it as an arcade game because that is something that it's not.  If you just sit down and want to play a game where you can be immersed and have an hour to kill give Jinks a go.  It really isnt a bad game and the sounds in spots are actually quite impressive.
    UPDATE: After I wrote this post I decided to spend a few days on this game.  I can't stop playing it.  I did some research on it and it seems like the 7800 was the only game console to receive a port of this computer game.  I have not yet researched the other versions to see what differences their are BUT...once you know the game's mechanics and what every object in the game does there is a hidden gem inside that plastic cartridge. I have not found any other game on the 7800 that has the sounds like Jinks does.  Then again Jinks is my first game outside of the usual arcade ports on the system.  
    The sounds in this game are what impress me the most.  It is amazing just how far some developers went as to push new features on the 7800.  Jinks really shows just how flexible the 7800 really was even when just using TIA as the sound chip.  I mean...digitized sounds and speech??  It makes me wonder if the 7800 got any more games that did that.  Granted the actual game play sounds are full-on TIA sounds the rest of the game is all digitized sounds.  To me that is impressive.
    I don't know how it faired during the 7800's production run and I don't know what modern gamers who have reviewed this game are basing their opinions on (e.g.; other 7800 games or other Jinks ports) but my opinion stands firm:  Jinks is a hidden gem of a game and has become my number two game on the system right under Asteroids.
  9. Atari 5200 Guy

    Atari 7800 Top Favorites

    By Atari 5200 Guy,


    Atari 7800
    My first 7800 was received in the early 1990s...long after the company stopped making them.  What games I got with it was pretty much all I ended up with.  I admit I had mixed feelings about the system because I wanted to like it, I wanted to enjoy the games, but the controllers were keeping me from doing so.  Often times I forced myself to play it, enduring hand cramps for a couple of hours, just to play it.  The only game I found I liked using the joystick on was Ms. Pac-Man. That's it. So I played that one the most only because it didn't hurt my hands as bad.  And no matter what anyone says...Atari systems before the Lynx and Jaguar, had a sound that is unique to an Atari. I know that doesn't make sense to most but that sound is, in its own way, attractive.  More attention getting than some others.
    Today I have a Frankenstein 7800 in need of a shell with a self-made A/V mod. I try very hard to maintain an original spec integrity with all my systems but this 7800 just wasn't having it.  My library of games is sitting at a lovely 20 games whereas my first library didn't even reach 10 games.  But those system and games came from 3 family members I miss dearly.  What I have now has replaced those initial games plus games I never seen before on the 7800. I am missing Ballblazer, however, which I once thought was a 7800 exclusive title.  Boy was I wrong.
    For fun I thought I would tell what 7800 games have become my favorites over the years.  The 7800 has come very close to replacing my 5200 as number 1 console but not yet...even if it is getting more attention than my 5200.  Anyway...here is my list.  No particular order.
    Asteroids - Asteroids just simply looks stunning on the 7800 and I feel is easily one of the best games on the console.  The visuals are stunning and greatly enhanced by the random atmospheric sounds combined with the fire shots and rock explosions going off in the forefront.  Add a second player for some interesting competition or work together to last as long as possible.  It really is interesting how a simple.game has a lot to offer.  This one is my top favorite.
      Dark Chambers - I am guessing this was suppose to be the 7800's answer for a Gauntlet clone? Maybe trying to compete with Zelda (yeah, right)?  Either way I enjoy the game as it is a nice break from the single screen arcade games once in a while.  It's fun to explore the levels, too.
      Ms. Pac-Man - I have to admit for having only 2 sound channels this game sounds really good. It plays better than the 5200/A8 ports as well.  Everything loved about the Queen of Video Games is here right down to the intermissions.  Another personal top favorite.  This one gets played as much as Asteroids...and, yes, I still use the standard 7800 joystick on this one.
      Xevious - a weird vertical scrolling shooter that I never understood.  However it was one of the initial titles I ended up with and did try to enjoy.  I own this same game on the Famicom and must say that I like the 7800 version better.  It just looks more eye pleasing.  Also, the 7800 version is a bit more forgiving. I really like the fact I have one button for both guns and bombs.  Both versions are fun but I would give the win to the 7800 on this one.  Nicely done, Atari.
      Commando - I don't care for the NES version but play the heck out of the 7800 version.  It is amazing how different these 2 really are. The 7800 feels closer to the arcade to me. I thought the title screen, however, was a bit much but that's a minor thing.  At least even that is more detailed than the other one. 
      Donkey Kong - I'm ashamed to admit I am not a huge fan of DK but I am a lesser fan of DK JR.  However something about playing DK on the 7800 is just pure enjoyment.  I know Atari licensed it from Nintendo, and I know the 7800 trying to compete with the NES just wasn't happening, but to me this was Atari slapping Nintendo in the face.  I only seen 3 of the four mazes present in the 7800 port but those are faithfully present here.  Some arcade animations are missing but, hey, it's still Donkey Kong. Who doesn't like that great big ape?  I didn't at one time but I do now.
      Ballblazer - Across all three Atari platforms this title was on are identical.  Granted the XE and 5200 versions have a little extra but the heart of the game remains unchanged. I found this one addictive.
      Galaga - I'm more of a Galaxian fan but when it comes to the 7800 Galaga fills the bill. I have to admit that the 7800 version is nicely done and I prefer these sounds over the arcade sounds.  This is a 7800 exclusive as no other Atari consoles ever got this game.  Not officially anyway.
      Pole Position II - This pack-in game was a wise choice. Its four tracks helped keep this game from getting boring too quickly. So pick your track and get ready for a race...the Atari way.
  10. Atari 5200 Guy

    First Time Playing Crossbow

    By Atari 5200 Guy,


    A8 Software
    I have had this game called Crossbow in my collection for a while now.  It is for the XE computers.  Tonight, I played it for the first time.  Keep in mind that I have never played this game before let alone heard of it. How did I do?  I got 478,000 points.  I have no clue if that is good or bad because it doesn't take long to start racking up points in this game.

    Did I enjoy the game?  Oh yes!  I even played a second game but did not do as well.  I have yet to discover how to reach the Evil Master.  But I have to admit that this is a really nice piece of software.  The graphics look really good, especially the environments.  The sounds are good and I swear the friends dying is almost digitized.
    I believe this is one of the most active light gun games I have ever played on any console.  Well...almost.  Gumshoe on the NES required a lot of trigger pulling as well but on the Atari this one is easily one of the more trigger-happy games on the system.  That I'm aware of.  One characteristic aspect if the game that I find a bit odd is the cartridge design.  I use to seeing the small gray ribbed edges.  The Crossbow cartridge is different.  Then again it might have done that way because of the XE computers and where their cartridge slots are.  I use an XEGS so I tend to forget about the XE computer design.

    Regardless of the cartridge design it is probably one of the best light gun games on the system.  Im glad to have it.  Y'all need to play this one.
  11. Atari 5200 Guy

    My Summer Decided

    By Atari 5200 Guy,


    Casual
    I believe I have my summer gaming all figured out.  I plan to participate heavily in the forum's Pizza Party with what games I do have PLUS it will be nice to revisit Zelda again...a game I have not played in decades.
    Just tonight Microsoft, for whatever reason, gave me a $5.00 gift card on my account.  I wondered what $5 could do and browse the 360 game store first to see if there was anything of interest there.  My nephew informed me of 360 games that were now free including Crackdown 2, a game that has been on my wish list for years.  The first one is free, too, after they gave it away as a first few Games with Gold feature.  So I already had that one.  Other free games were Supreme Commander 2 (already got from Games with Gold) and Too Human (never heard of it). While browsing for another $5 game I found out i owned Orcs Must Die but I don't ever remember owning that one. Still looking I almost got a game called Final Exam which looked similar to Streets of Rage.  Before I made a final decision I checked games I had pinned to my dashboard.  One game in particular I had been wanting to try out but I ended up buying it instead.  Atari's new Star Raiders.  On top of all that I now have ARK: Survival Evolved (thanks to those developers), Epic gave away the entire Bioshock Collection, Wolfenstein New Order, Maneater (you play as a shark!), and are giving away CMS 18 next week with some other game.  
    So between the Squad Challenges on Atari I/O, new 360 games to play, new top notch PC games, I believe my Summer gaming has been decided.  This may also change as Epic gives more games away. I also play to explore the ST games I found interesting recently.
    What are your gaming goals for this summer?  Are there any particular games you would finally like to obtain or beat that you have not been able to before?  Would love to hear about it.
  12. Atari 5200 Guy
    After all the life changes happening as of late I finally managed to sit down and play a video game on real hardware.  I decided to hook up my STe and the game I picked to play was Lotus Turbo Challenge.  Granted I have not seen this game since the Genesis days so it was nice to see it again.  

    The first thing I noticed were the graphics. To me they seemed to be better than those on the Genesis but on par with those IBM PCs equipped with EGA graphics adapters.  Those were the good ol' days.  Every screen pays tribute to the exotic Lotus sports car.  Screens detail exterior and interior designs and features, there's a 360 degree rotating render of the car, and power house tech sheets for you car buffs.  At its roots, however, LETC is a basic and simple racing game.
    The objective is really simple...place 10th or better to advance to the next race.  Should you cross the finish line in 11th place or higher then the game ends.  Do not pass GO, do not collect $200. Lotus on the ST I believe has nine tracks to race on with pit row.  It offers split screen racing for two players to have fun.  The game offers multiple music tracks to listen to while racing or you can simply turn them off.  The beginning of each track has information about that track including lane closures and pit requirements.

    The visuals of Lotus are very impressive in my opinion and remind me a lot of how Top Gear on the Super Nintendo looked like.  The controls are simple to use with a couple of control options to choose from and is controlled by a joystick.
    Lotus Esprit Turbo Challenge became an instant hit then and it is easy to see why.  It's a nicely made racing game that is easy to pick up and play for one or two people.  Searching EBay for physical copies turned up very little.  Only a few were available from outside the USA.  Prices ranged from $16 to $115 at the time I did a search.  For STe owners this game got a recent upgrade in graphics and sounds and is available on Atari Mania.  This one is a classic!  So grab a buddy and lay asphalt.
     
  13. Atari 5200 Guy

    Famicom Collecting

    By Atari 5200 Guy,


    Famicom
    What started out as a small, innocent adventure has turned into a bit of an obsession.  Up until last year (2021) the thoughts of owning a Famicom system were a dream, an afterthought, a fantasy.  I had an opportunity to import a junk model last year, fix it up, and get a few games I was after.  The library of games I obtained hit a niche in me I had been missing from the good ol' NES years yet I didn't realize I was missing them.  And the visual appearance of the Famicom did not agree with me at first but grew on me over time.
    Now comes the time I get on the level.  Yes I love the 5200 and everything it tried to do.  For many years up until mine literally fried it was my go to source for gaming entertainment.  I played it everyday.  I went a few months without any sort of gaming gear.  Mom surprised me when on my 13th birthday i unwrapped a NES Deluxe Set yet I didn't know what to make of it at the time.  I mean it wasn't Atari after all and the controllers didn't have joysticks.  That little machine forever changed how I looked at video games.  Because of it I stayed off the streets and my desire to read was fed regularly with the Nintendo Power magazine subscriptions. 
    Fast forward to now and sitting in front of me is the little Famicom I repaired and pray it can hold on for many years to come. It has been my go to system for entertainment when time is short.  I don't have a clue what it is about this little red and white console that keeps my interest but I've somewhat latched on to it.  And it's not like I have a whole lot of games for it the NES didn't get.  Albeit I have games that are more arcade-style than anything else and it really isn't technically different than it's NES cousin but at the same time is seems like stepping into a new world.
    I sat down one day and noticed some games were actually numbered.  Namcot, Jaleco, and I believe Irem might have had early game releases numbered.  Namco did for sure because I have number 3.  Knowing that I now have a goal: I would like to try to collect the numbered NAMCOT games for my Famicom.  I did research and came up with a list of 18 titles.  Most of those are famous arcade hits.  I also jotted down a few non-numbered titles as well.

    Why?  It's simple really...most of those are arcade games that don't use Japanese words.  And if they do it isn't enough to take away from the game.  I plan to bounce between the three aforementioned third-party developers just to see what all I can find.  Besides, I'd like to get the test game that was used to sell the system I bought...Choplifter.
    I really have no clue where I'm going with this post other than to share some thoughts.  It does make me wonder how the Famicom would have done if it was released as is against the 7800.  I mention that because this NES flavor seems more 7800 like and got what seems like more arcade conversations than our NES.  I mean Namco was a third party developer!  Their arcade legacy even then was top notch and full of hit titles.  Im actually surprised, though, to see a couple of titles missing.  Either that or I haven't located them yet.  Pole Position and Ms. Pac-Man I have not found for the Famicom yet. Those two are in the 7800 library.
    Hmm.  So if only arcade converts were used would the 7800 and Famicom have put up a lengthy fight?  What do you think?
    No matter what it is a cool little system to own.  I know I have enjoyed it and enjoyed learning about it even more.  I have a few accessories I'm after and a long list of games I'm keeping an eye out for. And while I try to figure out the next game to get I'm going to go and enjoy some SMB action.  
    It's small foot space and the size of the carts make the Famicom easy to collect.  And, in modern times, should be next to any 7800 collection because both offer great games...even at the arcade level.  I have had a whole lot less issues from the Famicom and it's games than I have from an NES and it's games.  If you have small gaming space and want a fun little system to start collecting for then grab a Famicom, either model, and some games.  Stick with arcade converts and you will be fine.  Im sure others here would have some tips as well.
  14. Atari 5200 Guy

    Top 10 Favorite Consoles

    By Atari 5200 Guy,


    Top Favorites
    I remember answering a question asking that if I was stranded on an island what game system would I wish was with me.  Or something like that.  I had some figuring to do as to what systems were my favorites and also had games I could play that I wouldn't get bored with or spend too much time on if power was limited.  I had a few other factors to consider as well such as power requirements and how it connected to a screen. All of that played an important role to my final decision.
    The overall end result was that I gained personal knowledge on what my favorite consoles were in a specific order. Since then, however, I have added a few new members to the collection which has changed that list.  Would you like to know what systems in my collection are my top 10?  Here we go...the end result may surprise you.
     
    #10 - Original PlayStation
    I jumped on the PlayStation after almost a year after it was released.  I had a Saturn alongside it but it soon became clear who the more serious contender was.  Saturn was getting games but only a handful were of any personal interest.  PlayStation had tons of games that I enjoyed playing from Sony Rally Cross, Destruction Derby, and then Gran Turismo came along.  It also rekindled my enjoyment in RPG games with the Final Fantasy series.  It's graphics have not held up well but the games are solid entertainment.
     
    #9 - PlayStation 2
    Yea...one of the best selling, if not the first, consoles of all time is not exactly number one on my list.  Great machine, lots of good games, some of which are still budget friendly, and plays original PS games as well.  I do enjoy it but the only reason I picked up a PS2 way back when was because of Gran Turismo 3 A-Spec. But it sort of took a step back in my opinion.  After playing GT2 on the PS and having over 400 cars to pick from going to GT3 with only roughly 200 cars just felt odd. I also tagged in FF X which was a lot of fun as was Portal Runner.  So why did PS 2 and PS make bottom of my list?  It wasn't the games.  It was costs of initial setups.  While there were 3rd party alternatives, memory cards for those machines were not cheap by any means and regardless of brands in most cases.  And Sony seemed to have the most expensive cards on the market that never came down much in price.  Great console but expensive accessories.
     
    #8 - GameCube 
    Just like the PS2 there was only one reason I was after a GameCube...Metroid Prime.  That game was absolutely awesome!  The visuals and sounds were very impressive and easily one of the best looking games on the system.  But the memory cards required to save game progression, again, keep this one at the back of the pack.  Neat little system though.
     
    #7 - Sega Master System
    Sega's first console to hit U.S. shores wasn't bad but wasn't too impressive either.  It was great to finally be able to play those Sega arcade hits starting from the mid eighties in your living room.  OutRun was the sole reason I wanted one.  And once the systems and games hit clearance bins I started grabbing.  Most games I had were arcade ports, some were originals.  I still say the Master System did a better job with Double Dragon than the NES did but that's my opinion.  The Master System's sound chip is very distinguished and unmistakable.
     
    #6 - XBOX
    The original XBOX surprised me the second I started playing a store demo.  Built like a tank this machine meant business and it showed in every game produced for the thing.  It was extremely nice to finally have a disk based system with no memory cards required.  Forza, RallySport Challenge, Burnout series, Jade Empire, and, of course, Halo showcased the system well.  There were other titles too that did the same but those are what I remember most.  Microsoft making a game console...who would have guessed?
     
    #5 - Atari Jaguar
    The Jaguar should have been better supported.  But even with mediocre library of games it got it is the sexiest system in my collection.  I have lots of fond memories with Cybermorph and Iron Soldier.  Wolfenstein 3-D was entertaining if missing some levels and Tempest 2000?  Don't even get me on that game.  I can spend a whole day on that game without a care in the world.  Want me to become invisible?  Put me on Tempest 2000.  
     
    #4 - Atari 2600
    Of course the 2600 is on this list.  Literally tons of games and fun dominate this console.  Controller options galore and I believe the 2600 was the only console to have paddle and driving controllers.  Not very many games used them but they were there.  This is also the only console synonymous with the name Atari.  Just say Atari and people that have lived it think of the 2600.
     
    #3 - Super Famicom
    When the Super NES there was only one game that interested me... F-Zero.  That was the only game I was after.  Super Mario World came second place.  Then Zelda came out and I lost a few months of my teenage years with that game.  Top Gear made for a great unexpected 2-player co-op game while Gradius III and Super E.D.F. became most played shoot 'em ups.  
    About a year ago I imported its older brother, the Super Famicom.  I never understood why the design changed so much between the two. I remember seeing the SFC in Nintendo Power magazines and loved the design.  When they finally showed the model Americans would get I was confused.  Even when their internals were identical the quality between the two are like night and day. The SFC has a better build quality and feel to it.  Even putting the games in it has a more satisfying experience over the SNES. The only main downside is the curved shape of the carts makes them difficult to stack and they lack end labels.  Otherwise I prefer the SFC over the SNES.  Something about its chubby appearance is more appealing to me.  I only have two games for it, Super Mario World and Darius Twin but it gets played more often than my SNES...and it has F-Zero.
     
    #2 - Sega Dream cast
    The only console I would pre-order along with Sonic Adventure would become my favorite Sega system of all-time.  Sega rekindled my faith in them with the Dream cast and it was one helluva adventure I will never forget.  Subscriptions to the Official Dreamcast magazine started long before I would get my system and game.  But it was a wait well worth waiting for.  With all it had to offer I never expected it to have such a short shelf life.  Easily Sega's best system.  Favorites include Tokyo Xtreme Racing series, Virtually Tennis, Sega Bass Fishing, Skies of Arcadia, Grandia II, Shemue, and Sega Swirl. Thank you, Sega, for that little system.  It's still one helluva ride.
    And now drum roll please....
     
    #1 - Famicom & Atari 5200
    Two consoles now share the number one spot.  There simply was no way I could choose between the two. The 5200 started my gaming career (might as well be as much as I play video games) when I was 7 years old at least.  It's design still mesmerizes me to this day and I never once had issues with my controllers up to the NES when I was 13.  Count it...that's six years.  Of course that's different today mainly due to age.  Time has not been too friendly to my 5200 controllers.  They are getting old.
    The Famicom, on the otherhand, has really grown on me.  If that was the only console I ever had I would be content with it.  While it might not make much sense to some why I would pick it over the NES, which I owe a lot of gratitude to for keeping me off the streets, it has become one of the most played systems in my collection.  I have seven games for it...eight if you count the disk version of Metroid.  It is neat to experience the games Americans never got like Gradius II and Parodius while seeing the differences between games from both parts of the world like Salamander.
    I turn to the 5200 for memories of famed arcade hits that makes up most of its game library.  My sentimental feelings with the 5200 will never change and make it impossible for me to knock it off the number one spot.  It just has an overall incredible experience that simply can't be found anywhere... Not even in emulation.  The Famicom's small size and odd design make it appealing and fun to experience.  And playing the games we didn't get add to that experience.  It is very hard for me to put it down when I have it setup to enjoy.  I didn't see any reason why both couldn't share the number one spot.  My game room, my rules, right?  This way I can enjoy both sides of video game history.
    Favorite 5200 games are Star Raiders, Space Dungeon, Sinistar, Pole Position, and Qix.  Favorite Famicom games are Salamander, Parodius, Tetris, Route 16 Turbo and Gradius II even when I suck at it.
     
    Those are my top ten favorite game consoles...at least at the time of this writing.  My choices are based on great memories I had with them.  Those that didn't make this list are not because I don't like them or play them. I went by the wow factor I got from a system while they were in production. It really is that simple.
     
     
     
  15. Atari 5200 Guy

    Magneto Bugs (A8 Game)

    By Atari 5200 Guy,


    A8 Software
    Magneto Bugs is a one player, dot munching, maze game.  The objective of the game is to get as many of the white dots as possible while avoiding the bugs in the maze.  As you move you leave behind red dots that can attract the bugs.  This game is played with a joystick controller.

    I have spent my weekend trying out this game along with two others I picked up.  I kept coming back to this one.  While it might look like a Pac-Man clone it is far from that game.  The back of the package mentions that there are two mazes but I don't think the publisher actually played the game beyond a short test run.   This game appears to generate mazes randomly as I have not seen two mazes look alike. And these mazes have dead ends and if a bug is chasing you it's curtains.  
    One of the most interesting features has to be the magnifier box.  This box follows your player and is your view window to where you are.  I believe this is only game I have come across to use this feature this way.  I really like the opening tune that was used in a lot of Looney Tunes shorts.  And when you get caught the game says something that I have yet to figure out what it is saying.  You do get to rack up points as you progress and you are timed but this timer keeps track of how long you last.  Complete a maze and it's on to another maze.  You get one life.
    Despite how simple it looks and sounds I found this game to be very addictive.  The real challenge of the game is trying to get all those dots without trapping yourself in a corner or dead end.  As many times as I have played this game I have managed to complete only one maze...just one!  My only gripe is I grabbed the Main Street Publishing version which was a budget title.  It shows as there are no instructions even when the package mentions full documentation and they put the disk inside the shell without a sleeve to protect it.  Then again you get what you pay for.  The game is fun and I would recommend it.  Oh...one more thing...this game was previously released as Tumble Bugs by Datasoft...the same people that made Pole Position, Dig Dug, Moon Shuttle, and others for the A8 computers.
     
  16. Atari 5200 Guy
    Oh man.  Where to start?  I reckon I should start at the beginning.  Star Raiders, as any Atari gamer would know, is the iconic first-person space action adventure game published by Atari in 1979 on their Atari 8-bit home computers and later porting it over to the 5200 and 2600 game consoles.  It is the game that defined that genre which others would follow.  Star Raiders II (the published one and the one that did not get released) took the basics and attempted to improve on them.  Solaris for the 2600 soon followed along with a ST port (of which I have yet to play)...all of which maintained the core essence of the game.
    Enter the 2011 port of Star Raiders for XBOX 360, PlayStation 3, and Windows PC.  After having this game pinned to my 360's dashboard for many years I finally broke down and bought it.  And, I have to admit, I might have made a mistake.  Once the game installed I thought i was going to experience a familiar game.
    For what it is worth the game does look good with modern visuals that are to be expected of modern consoles.  But that is where the good points end.  The sound effects department is very lacking and the game did not keep the first person perspective.  This game stickes with a third person perspective with your ship front and center.

    The Galactic Map is still here but its purpose is not the same as it has been in previous installments.  In all of the other SR games before there was, in essence, a timer that moved things around on the map.  The sole purpose of that game was to defend your starbases from Zylon enemies before they were destroyed.  All previous SR games kept this formula and while this modern SR has Zylon enemies they seem weak.  Very weak.  The bigger Zylon ships are nice models but trying to destroy them is very time consuming and almost frustrating.  The smaller Zylon ships don't even care to come at you.  You spend more time chasing them down than them chasing you down.  The action is simply missing.

    Your ship can morph into three different styles and can be upgraded but I saw no point in the upgrades.  The styles can be changed on-the-fly during missions but the controls to each style makes it hard to learn those controls.  I maxed out my upgrades already but I didn't notice any difference from the first weapon to the last one.  It wasn't like I could kill enemies quicker or home in on targets better.  They seem like a waste of time and feel even more like they have no real purpose.  And each mission I have played so far feels the same as the one before it.  Your weapons also have a limited amount of energy.  Should they run out you then have to run to a recharge base.

    Star Raiders on the 5200 is my number one all-time favorite game.  It has a formula and play style that is solid and simply works.  If this modern game had been called anything else it would have been an OK game but it carries the Star Raiders badge.  Unfortunately those who made the game must not have ever played the original.  Yes, Zylons are still after destroying mankind and there are references to Solaris which is the name given to your home base but it does not have the formula that made the original so important and memoriable.  Everything you knew or thought you knew about Star Raiders was completely ignored and left out of this SR.  In all honesty I woukd not even place this game in the same catagory as all other SR games.  Even the 2600's Star Raiders is far better than this.
    I've tried to be biased as much as possible with this game as I could.  But when you are given the name of a game that is held dear to those that remember that name you better make damn sure you live up to that name.  This game doesn't in my opinion.  I'm going to try to keep playing it because I want to try to get my $5 out of it.  To those who haven't bought this game yet and are considering it...run.  Run as far away from this game as possible.  If you do get it don't go into the game thinking you are playing Star Raiders.  Somebody bootlegged Star Raiders and fluked it up.  I cannot recommend this game when it tries to be a Star Raiders game and fails miserably.
    This game has got me so frustrated I think I'll drag out my 5200 and ST and play those Star Raiders instead.
  17. Atari 5200 Guy

    The First Co-Op Video Game?

    By Atari 5200 Guy,


    Atari 2600
    I probably know what you are thinking.  Let me try to guess.  It's probably the first online multiplayer video game.  It's most likely on a computer of some sort.  It was either on disc, disk, or placed in an obscure place making it hard for people to find.  Am I close?  To answer those: no, no, and no.  And this game might be closer than you realize.
    Long story short my nephew and I decided to play a game together.  The problem was that he wanted to play split a screen on XBOX.  I wanted to spend time anything but XBOX.  We drug out the 5200 and tried a bit of Dig Dug. He said he wanted to play a game with me at the same time, not taking turns.  The 5200 really lacks in that department as most of it's games pit each other one on one for the highest score.  The only two games I had that I knew 2 players simultaneously could play together were Asteroids on the 7800 but that machine was on the injured list.  I grabbed Junior, one game, two controllers, and setup the next game we could try.
    I remembered playing this game in the past with a friend and the game was setup where we were playing together at the same time.  But I couldn't remember the setting.  Thank goodness I had the manual.  We tried a few game settings, some were weird, some were cool, one in particular made itself really step out.
    In modern games the online world is full or gamers playing their favorites with family and or friends in either death match modes or working together towards a single goal known as co-op modes.  In the co-op mode the score no longer matters.  Two or more players working together in a single game can be more enjoyable than going it alone.  It has become a key component in modern day gaming that has helped many game titles become popular and unforgettable.
    Game number 33 of Space Invaders easily fits into the co-op mode.  While the instructions may claim it to be a competitive setting if both players forget about the score and work together to see just how far they can go Space Invaders 33 is sure to entertain.  So, would that place 2600's Space Invaders in the title for.the first co-op video game ever?  I'll let you decide.
  18. Atari 5200 Guy

    Decision In The Desert (A8)

    By Atari 5200 Guy,


    A8 Software
    When it comes to Microprose games I immediately think of those 386 PC days when I spent countless hours on Railroad Tycoon, Covert Action, and Lightspeed.  I never knew that Microprose really started with the C64 and Atari computers making tons of WWII based simulation/strategy games that I missed.  So I started collecting just Microprose games for my XEGS.  Today I write about one of those games called Decision In The Desert.
    I'm not familiar with any of Microprose Commander Series games.  This was a first time experience for me.  Yes, I tried it before but I only viewed the demonstration, I never tried to play the game on my own.  And, I have to admit, I find the game fun but a bit confusing and overwhelming.  Then again I've only played one game and I could not tell you if I won or lost.

    If I was playing as the Brits then, sorry gents, I have more training to go through.
    One thing I have learned about Microprose is their attention to detail.  The on screen graphics are absolutely brilliant, colorful, and well designed, the sounds are pleasing to the ears, and the controls give the player complete control over the game play.  But it doesn't stop there.  The included manual is crammed full of details about the history the game is based on as well as discrete details on how to get the most out of the game.  The 55 page manual is very well written with details from loading the game, key legends for the terrain and unit types, list of keyboard controls, and stories behind each scenario.  The manual alone could take a few days to go through.
    Microprose was one developer that might not have pushed computer hardware to its limits but they definitely defined the simulation and strategy genres for others to follow.  Their Commander Series is no different.  With game play based on real life WWII events, Decision in the Desert is one title that deserves a chance by newcomers and revisited by veterans to the series. 
  19. Atari 5200 Guy

    Tempus

    By Atari 5200 Guy,


    Atari ST
    Tonight I thought I would research applications in attempts of finding anything to allow writing programs for the Atari ST.  I do enjoy writing small programs every now and then.  I turned to some magazines to see what turned up before having to turn to Google.  Doing a Google searched turned up a recommendation for an app called Tempus.  The only one I have on hand is version 1.10 but there are other versions out there.
    What grab my interest right off the bat were the file types it supported out of the box. Along with standard text files Tempus also supports C, Basic, Pascal, S, and Assembly files and a few more.  All of those file types are used to program an ST.  The S files I know were used in developing 7800 games so it may be possible to use a single machine to develop for multiple systems.

    I was loving the colors until I went messing around, clicked on the Fuji logo, and found the Control Panel.  Once I clicked on that the app turned black and white.  I haven't found a way to get the color back.

    I have not messed around with it yet as I am trying to locate the manual to it.  It does look to be self explaining which helps...it's those extra fine details that I might need to know about. Why am I posting this without using the app first?  To let other ST owners become aware of it.  Once I learn more about it I will add an update here.  For now, though, I need to hit the books.
  20. Atari 5200 Guy

    ST Virus (Not a Review)

    By Atari 5200 Guy,


    Atari ST
    I thought about making this just a standard forum post but decided instead to make it a blog post.  This way I have a document on my findings while learning more about the ST.  And now...the rest of the story (I miss Paul Harvey).
    I was doing research trying to find out if Konami actually went through with releasing some games on the ST computers.  One issue of ST Action mentioned it but the next issue that was to continue the story was missing.  My research turned up something more and I landed on Vigilante.  I also seen the disk label:

    This disk image (thanks to Atari Mania) says something about a virus warning.  Now, I can somewhat understand a virus in the IBM and Apple world of computers because they were a bit more popular in our portion of the world.   But an Atari computer getting a virus?  Is it possible?  Can it destroy the computer? 
    I'm going to keep reading those ST magazines to see if anything turns up.  In the meantime if anyone here has more knowledge about those viruses I'm sure that other ST owners here, including myself, would like to know about them p!ease.
  21. Atari 5200 Guy

    VROOM! Literally

    By Atari 5200 Guy,


    Atari ST
    While going through some ST game images I came across the words "Vroom".  No explanation. I have already seen some weird games on the ST so far so why not.  Couldn't be any worse than some I've tried so far, right?  In goes a blank disk, on it goes Vroom which I assumed was some sort of racing game with motorcycles.  Disk done and to the ST I go.  Insert disk, power on.
    Once I saw the title screen and heard the music my spidey senses started going off.  What did I just feed my ST?  Where did all this fancy stuff come from? I grabbed the controller and figured out how to navigate the menu selections.  Start Game!  First track is Fuji.  Nice.  All those years of playing Pole Position should serve me well, right?  Wrong.  Remember the tight hairpin left turn most have went too fast around and ate a billboard?  This game splits it into two short turns!  And there's hills and single lane sections and cars stop or slow down unexpectedly in front of you.  I must have a sick sense of humor because I would sometimes hit a car in front of me or a sign, go airborne like K.I.T.T., only to land and break my car or crash into another sign or a tree.  At times it was comical.
    This game is absolutely beautiful and comes with digitized sounds and music.  Controls are simplistic since you really only have five switches to worry about when using the joystick.  The mouse is used for some race modes of which I have yet to try out.  My only issue is that the game's colors are for a PAL system and are a bit off on a NTSC system.  Those with a TV/Monitor capable of handling the cycle differences might be OK with the faded color look.  Those without such a display might not be able to enjoy the game.  Speed?  This game is fast!  The ST doesn't slow down at all or at least I never noticed it.
    So grab your ST and go VROOM!  I highly recommend this one.  I may have just found my reason to keep my ST out.

    I forgot to write the rules to the game.  Silly me. They are actually simple.  The far right bar in the HUD display is your fuel.  There is a little black line on that bar showing your fuel level.  Keep an eye on it because if you run out then it's game over.
    Races are won by passing the required number of cars per track.  The first track requires 8 cars to be passed.  Each track after that increases the number of passes by 3.  An easy way to tell is to watch your HUD display.  It will display cars of two colors: green and red.  Green cars are the required cars and reds are extras.  Try to maintain at least one red car in you pass count before you cross the finish line.
    Learn the tracks.  Sometimes going slow through the curve portions and then opening it up on straights can benefit you.
  22. Atari 5200 Guy

    F1 (Atari ST)

    By Atari 5200 Guy,


    Atari ST
    This review will be short because this is Vroom's younger brother.  If you haven't read it already I would suggest going and reading my review of Vroom, then come back here.
    F1 has new tracks and a few new menu items.  Missing is the lap timer.  It no longer tracks your lap times.  Tracks include Monaco, Spain, and many more that are part of the F1 World Championship...in 1993, making this an official FIA licensed game.  The animation is still as smooth as Vroom, sounds are the same, cars are the same, tracks are done up very well.
    Those who play and like Vroom will feel right at home with F1.  Now, get out there and win the F1 World Championship!

     
  23. Atari 5200 Guy

    Revisiting Gran Turismo 2 (PlayStation)

    By Atari 5200 Guy,


    PlayStation Reviews
    Today when I checked the mail there was a package in there containing a game I have not seen since the Y2K debate.  This is one PlayStation game I bought as soon as it hit store shelves along with a guide book.  Being a huge fan of the first Gran Turismo this was one game I was highly excited about.  So getting it in the mail was an exciting moment for me.  A game that has eluded me many times was now in my hands, complete and ready...no...begging to be played.
    I spent many months on this game before I traded in all my PlayStation stuff and I might have achieved 50 percent completion.  As time moved on and Forza came out the whole Gran Turismo thing for me sort of faded. Booting up Gran Turismo 2 and seeing the menu screen took me by surprise...again. But this time in a bad way because for the life of me I could not remember the layout of the game's navigation screen.  I had not seen it in so long that it took a while to find my way around again.  Once I spent some time on it the memories started coming back.  Took a while but came back.
    All the tracks in the game were nice to see again. High Speed Ring I remember well.  That's one track that has managed to stay with the series since the first game and I know it has appeared in GT3 and GT4.  Red Rock Valley and Tahiti Road I had forgot about and had to learn all over again.  Those races I discovered under the Sunday Cup, practically the only races available, except for two tracks in the Clubman Cup races, that don't require a license.  
    And that's another thing! The license tests. I got so use to Forza and not having to worry about obtaining licenses to participate in races later on in the game that I completely forgot how difficult getting those licenses were.  I just obtained my B-Class license after having to do most of the tests multiple times just to get a bronze award but, hey, whatever works.
    The one aspect of the game that took me a while to adjust to was the graphics. Granted I could put the game in the PS2 to help out but, I'm old school and the PlayStation needed some exercise. It's funny...

    ...these graphics were once considered top notch.  While the PlayStation games have lived on the system as a whole just has not aged well at all.  I believe it was said that GT2, with as much as they put into it, still didn't make full use of the system's capabilities.  Even if the game does not look as good as it once did it is decent enough and doesn't discourage this old dog from enjoying an old friend's visitation.
    I'm very grateful to see this game in my collection.  This time it's here to stay.  I want to try to get that 99 or 100 percent completion.  I'm hoping I can get most of my favorite old cars back.  I'm starting off with a car I didn't get before...a '91 Nissan Skyline GTS-t Type M with a few mods.  I'm a huge fan of the Skylines so that was a no brainer. But I'm not going to get those cars if I'm sitting here writing this.  My journey begins again with a game I have not seen in decades and I'm looking forward to it.

  24. Atari 5200 Guy

    Famicom Game Ranking

    By Atari 5200 Guy,


    Famicom Game Reviews
    I'm making a blog entry for the Famicom games I own.  I'm going to start ranking them based on how much I play the games.  I can't go by like because I simply like all of them.  Alright, here we go!
    Salamander - pure and simple shooter with a unique story behind it and an awesome soundtrack. I also like the distinctive transparent blue cartridge. Route 16 Turbo - developed by Sun soft of Blaster Master fame this arcade style maze game is simply hard to put down once you start playing it. It's that addictive.  Parodius - another shooter by Konami but this one is more of a cute em up.  Konami took a bunch of their well known characters and threw them in a large bag...and shook it up.  This was the end result. Very fun to play but can be a bit challenging Family Circuit - despite being in all Japanese this is a fun top-down racing game and the first one I've seen like it where the player can change a lot about their car characteristics.  It even has endurance races that can last a while. Gradius II - the sequel to a popular shooter franchise was very impressive with levels that seem to have no vertical or horizontal limits. Very fun to pick up and play but if you are not familiar with it you won't last ten minutes. I've lasted maybe 12 minutes. Tetris - Famicom's Tetris is different than what Nintendo released on the Western NES.  While not as colorful the game stops between levels to add up bonus points resulting in a break for the player. Something the NES version doesn't do.  The music is also different. Ill be back later to add the others.
  25. Atari 5200 Guy

    Salamander (Famicom)

    By Atari 5200 Guy,


    Famicom Game Reviews
    When I first got into emulators I, like many others, discovered computers could play NES games.  I also discovered that some of the game ROMs I was looking at I never heard of before. When did the NES get Gradius II, what was Parodius? And what was Salamander?  I ended up getting what I thought were NES games I had never heard of. In hindsight, and unbeknown to my mind, I was getting Famicom games.  When I fired up Salamander I had no idea that I had unintentionally grabbed what we got (us USA gamers) as Life Force; one of my most top-favorite NES games of all-time.  It looked a bit different to me but I hadn't played Life Force in such a long time I thought that I might had just forgot.  And I didn't get Life Force when I grabbed Salamander so I had no way to compare.
    For those that don't know, Salamander/Life Force is a 2D shoot 'em up developed and published by Konami and ported to many Japanese systems.  This game continues the Gradius series and uses the same ship, known as the Vic Viper, with all its glory. The arcades and NES system received it as Life Force but there are a few differences between the Famicom and NES versions of the game. Why the name and parts of the game were changed is not 100% clear.
    My first experience with this game was on the NES way back in the late 1980s.  I found it at K-Mart, on clearance, for $10. As soon as we got home (a 2-hour drive) the package came open and in went the game.  I spent the next couple of hours playing and getting to know the game.  By the next day I had it all figured out and beat it.  This is Life Force:

    As the game progresses the player picks up capsules.  The number of capsules collected determine the power up item the player can obtain.  Speed, Missiles, Ripple, Laser, Options, and Shield.  I'm not sure how many times you get Speed but there are two missiles, two lasers, and two options.  I believe Ripple is once and I know Shield is once.  The game is comprised of 8 levels, one or two of which are exclusive to the NES/Famicom.  Now...take a look at Salamander.
    Do you notice anything different?  Look closely.  The HUD display at the bottom is completely different and more detailed whereas Life Force's HUD is more primitive.  But there's one more feature Salamander has that Life Force doesn't.  Options. I mentioned in Life Force the player can have 2 Options flying with them. In Salamander it's 3 Options.  I was surprised to discover these differences when I played Salamander for the first time.  Does it make a difference?  Not really.  The HUD on Salamander is more eye catching and the extra option can help.  Once the player gets that third option, however, the game really starts to bog down.  That is something that Life Force doesn't have.  At least not on the same scale.
    So how do I feel about Salamander?  I love it!  While the few things I've pointed out are different it is still the essentially the same game.  Same levels, same music soundtrack, nothing else different.  I have not yet noticed if the game is harder or not.  And I've been playing this game a LOT lately.  I just love everything about it.  If someone were to ask me my favorite NES game I'd pick this one.  If someone were to also ask me what I felt was the best game soundtrack I'd have to pick this one as well.  It's one of those games where everything just fits together perfectly.  I don't have Life Force for the NES but I managed to nab Salamander for my Famicom.  I couldn't be happier.
    Konami is well known for their NES games including Contra, Gradius, and Castlevania series.  For me, Life Force/Salamander is my favorite from them and, as I've said before, my number one all-time favorite NES game.  And now it has become my top-favorite Famicom game.  I'm probably going to need new control pads before too long from the amount of time I spend playing this game.  If you've never played it you should.
×
×
  • Create New...