Hey You Got 'Pac-Man'?
Rusty: “Hey you got ‘Pac-Man’?”
Cousin Dale: “No.”
Rusty: “Uh, you got ‘Space Invaders’?”
Cousin Dale: “No.”
Rusty: “You got ‘Asteroids’?”
Cousin Dale: “Nah...but my dad does... can’t even sit on the toilet some days.”
- National Lampoon’s Vacation, 1983 Holiday Greetings From Classic Gamer Magazine
Classic Gamer Magazine Winter 2000 3 ClassicClassic GamerGamer MagazineMagazine #2#2
Reset! 5 11 Raves ‘N Rants — Letters from our readers 6
Classic Gamer Newswire — All the latest news 7 7 New Release Schedule 10
Classic Advertisement — Centipede 1983 12
CG Expo New Product Releases 13 Bushnell Begins Book Review New Venture Classic Remakes Reviewed 15 “Extra Life”
Lost Arcade Classics — ”Stratovox” 20 “Tron” - A gaming retrospect 21 21 15 Reviews: “Dumbo’s Flying Circus” & “Alien” 23
“Ghostbusters” - We ain’t afraid of no game! 25
Atari 2600 Games — ”At the Movies” 27
Classic Gaming Video Shelf 31
“Howard’s Revenge” - Howard Scott Warshaw chats 35 Pac-Man World A Look Back at “Star Wars” games 38 We de-rezz Tron
“The Last Don” - An Interview with Don Thomas 41
My .25 — Movies and Games...the Unholy Mix! 48
Crossword Puzzle — Movie themed 49 61 35 CVG 101 — “Cleaning Your Cartridges” 50
“Catching Up With Buckner and Garcia” 51
Frank’s Video Pinball Palace 52
ColecoVisions “Rocky” 56 Interview with Chris Lion Blows Up “HSW WSH” Classic Gaming on the Web 57 Megaforce Classic Easter Eggs 58
“Deep Thaw” - Chris Lion rips apart “MegaForce” 61
Classic Gamer Magazine Winter 2000 4 by Chris Cavanaugh
Volume 1, Issue 2 Yuletide Classic Remake Frenzy Winter 1999 Felicitations! And since you’ll be dragging out the old Directed by: Chris Cavanaugh Fa la la la la!! Tis the consoles for the holi- [email protected] season for classic video- days, you may as games! If you’re like me, well keep the Executive Producer/Editing chances are you have newer ones Sarah Thomas fond memories of your [email protected] handy, as well. classic games tied in with I’m sure you’ve Script Writers the holiday season. For noticed we’ve been Kyle Snyder me they go together like [email protected] recently been inun- milk and cookies for dated with tons of Chris Lion Santa. While you may classic remakes [email protected] think it’s pathetic that and compilation Patrick Wong some of my greatest Christmas games. I say bring ‘em on! Inside [email protected] memories are about videogames, this issue we take a look at a few of they never failed to bring my family Skyler Miller them including the “new” Atari re- [email protected] together for some of our most en- makes of Pong for the PC and joyable holiday moments. PSX, as well as the new Centi- Darrin Powell [email protected] Looking back I realized just how pede for the Sega Dreamcast. much the Atari and ColecoVision There is also an incredible new Michael Thomasson were a part of the family during the [email protected] Pac-Man hack available for holidays. Like a spoiled child, download to play on your Atari Damien Quicksilver those consoles were always the emulator (turn to the Newswire for [email protected] center of attention. When friends details). Also, check out our review Frank Traut and family visited, we would always on Namco’s Pac-Man World. The [email protected] wind up in some intense competi- game is probably more fun than tion playing four-player Warlords, Lee Seitz you would first expect. [email protected] , and some- Lady Bug Pac-Man times even Smurfs. I would even That’s Hollywood! Cinematography find myself gloating a bit because I Also in this issue, you’ll find our Chris Cavanaugh—layout and design could dock my ship for repairs in Sarah Thomas—photography take on the strange marriage of Michael Thomasson—Cover Artist Starmaster while my older cousin Hollywood and videogames. How Tim had difficulties piloting the ship does Tron, E.T., or Revenge of CONTACT INFORMATION to begin with. Classic Gamer Magazine the Beefsteak Tomatoes hold up 7770 Regents Road #113-293 I highly recommend pulling out today? San Diego, Ca 92122 some of your older systems this We also feature three special e-mail: [email protected] holiday season when people come on the web: interviews: Atari programmer http://www.classicgamer.com to visit. A good round of Combat, Howard Scott Warshaw, Atari combined with some “enhanced” Alum Don Thomas, and we caught Egg Nog, will keep you in the holi- up with Pac-Maniacs Buckner and day spirit. LEGAL JUMBO Garcia. So grab your favorite chair Entire contents © 1999, 2000, Chris Cavanaugh and and get comfortable. Lights! Joy- Classic Gamer Magazine. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. Products named in these stick! Action! pages are tradenames or trademarks of their respective companies. Classic Gamer Magazine and its staff is not affiliated with the companies or products covered in Classic Gamer Magazine. Please consult the “Fair Use Law” before you beef to me. Classic Gamer Magazine Winter 2000 5 Got something to say? Mail us at: Classic Gamer Magazine 7770 Regents Rd. #113-293, Raves San Diego, CA 92122 Or by e-mail: [email protected] ‘n Rants
Twilight, Starflight, First Star I Time for Schnapps and See Tonight... Bratwurst! panded computer coverage has come from the demand of our read- Classic Gamers, Dear CGM, ers, so keep your suggestions I am a thirty-something, ex- Thanks for a great magazine! coming in. Also, we hope to ex- military, turned full-time college stu- FINALLY! I waited a long time for a pand our arcade coverage in the dent, who played a PC game called magazine like this to come out. I'm next issue. Starflight back in the 80s. It was a already a subscriber and have a wonderful game, and I have busted question and a comment: numerous brain cells trying to find How about (in the future per- Honorable the game again. Do you have any haps) reviewing the endless classic Mentions suggestions or hints as to where I computer games? Games like Cas- might find it? I would also like to tle Wolfenstein, Raid Over Mos- We were thumbing find a game called Twilight 2000. cow, or Zork? Ahh...the memories. through a few of the Being a dis- It just makes me want more “mainstream” abled vet allows to dig out my old C64. videogaming magazines a lot of time to And how about Arcade on the newsstands and were very review other games? You guys pleased to find these kind words writ- games, and can't pass those up. ten about us. those two were I love everything “Tips & Tricks Magazine” wrote: great! Any and about the magazine. It all help in this just makes me feel '“As you can guess from the title, matter will be great to read an all Classic Gamer Magazine doesn't nec- greatly new review of a clas- Starflight essarily belong in our "Fanzine Patrol" appreciated. sic game like Combat, column. At 52 pages, its size is for example, in the last issue. The enough to distinguish CGM from the -Ken via e-mail classic advertisements are a blast, eight-page Xeroxed 'zines that we and the Atari cartridge showdown usually feature here - but the bigger Ken, on the website is great. difference is that it's entirely in color. I can't wait for the next issue. With retro-feature articles on games We haven’t located the game Damn I wish it wouldn't take so like Donkey Kong, Publisher Chris itself, but we do know of a website long! Hint, Hint! Cavanaugh admits to aiming for the dedicated to PC games of the past. style and content of the original Elec- Go to www.mobygames.com and -George Albanis, via e-mail tronic Games mag from the early '80s. start your clicking. Here you will In some ways, CGM actually exceeds that standard…” find info on Starflight I and II, as George, well as information on a potential “Electronic Gaming Monthly” wrote: Starflight III. First off, thanks for the kind For Twilight: 2000 information, words. Secondly, next issue will be “Reading this issue of CGM was like there is an Internet mailing list dedicated to the classic games of opening up a box of classic gaming dedicated to this game. Send an adventure (including Adventure!). goodies you haven’t seen for e-mail to: [email protected]. This will also give us the opportu- years . . . A few favorite articles in- com with the phrase “subscribe twi- nity to roll out expanded coverage clude the look back on various ver- light2000” in the body of the e-mail. of the classic computer games as sions of Donkey Kong, a guide to clas- Hopefully that will get you well. Simply put, you can’t talk sic video game collecting and game started. about the adventure gaming genre rarity . . . and an article without talking about the Zork se- remembering the days ries and Scott Adams. Around of ‘80s video maga- here we’re suckers for Castle Wolf- zine “Electronic Games.” enstein, too.
We’d like to note that the ex- Thanks Tips &Tricks and EGM!! Classic Gamer Magazine Winter 2000 6 Bushnell Begins an e-commerce, games, Britmeet 3 New Venture and entertainment network Announced housed on touch screen The U.K. Atari and Chuck E. Cheese terminals located in public classic gaming founder, Nolan Bushnell, currently venues such as airports, event, Brit- serves as Chairman bars, train stations, hotels, meet, will be and CEO of uWink. and restau- held Saturday June 24th, 2000 in com, a business fo- rants. The uWink.com the town of Hertford, England, cused on the Coin-op network offers an inno- which is about 20 minutes north gaming industry. vative range of easy to of London. Based in Culver play arcade games, The show will feature all day City, Ca., Bushnell chat, and other enter- dealer and fanzine stalls, displays and his uWink.com tainment features, com- of rare prototypes, a trading room, team hope to change the face of plemented by a variety all day screening of classic game Internet entertainment by stream- of e-commerce capabilities includ- themed films and videos, single ing it into public venues and estab- ing hotel and airplane reservations. player game tournaments with lishing mass multi-player gaming prizes, a trivia quiz, and an auc- tournaments worldwide. Visit www.uwink.com for details tion. uWink.com will be developing Visit britmeet.co.uk for details
Play Shockwaved Classic Games Online
Midway, Sega, and Atari have teamed up with Shock- wave.com to give you the ability to play classic games online. Choose between Columns, Frogger, Centi- pede, Missile Command, and several others. Midway will soon join the fray by adding Marble Madness, Joust, Defender, Spy Hunter, and Moon Pa- trol to the list.
Go to www.shockwave.com for the fun.
Classic Gamer Magazine Winter 2000 7 Classic Gamer Magazine It’s Beginning to Look a lease is an up- Hosts Online “Atari 2600 Lot Like a Classic dated “Paperboy” and Cartridge Showdown” Christmas! “Rampage 2” for the Nintendo 64, as Would you like a say in which In case you haven’t well as the recently re- Atari 2600 cartridge is crowned the looked at the latest leased “Gauntlet Leg- greatest of all time? Does Enduro game releases, ends.” drive laps around Pole Position? you may be Atari’s impressive Can Joust knock off Defender? surprised by updates include Will Centipede trample Frogger? what’s out there. Pong, Q*Bert, and The decision is yours in the Atari Videogame com- Missile Com- 2600 Cartridge Showdown, hosted panies are releasing a mand for the online by Classic Gamer Magazine. slew of classic up- PC and PSX, Throughout the coming weeks, dates for the Play- and Centipede guests are invited to visit www. Station, N64, Dream- for the Dreamcast. classicgamer.com to vote for their cast, and Game Boy There’s also Nerf Arena Blast, favorites. Game contenders will be Color. under the Atari moniker. Addition- rotated every few days, so visit Namco has just released ally, Atari has plans to release an early and vote often! “Namco Museum 64” for the updated version of Combat some- Winners from each round will Nintendo 64. This compilation in- time in 2000. proceed to further rounds in an at- cludes Galaga, Dig Dug, Ms. Pac- Activision’s gifts to classic gam- tempt to defend their titles. The Man, Galaxian, Pac-Man, and Pole ers include a Space Invaders up- battle will eventually be won when Position. date for the PC, Game Boy Color, the final two games go head-to- Midway’s Christmas offerings PlayStation, and N64. head and a “Greatest Atari 2600 include “Arcade Party Pak,” which So, rejoice this holiday season Cartridge” winner will be features Rampage, KLAX, Toobin’, by flashing back to the 80s with crowned. 720 Degrees, Super Sprint, and these great offerings. ‘Tis the sea- Go to: Smash TV. Another Midway re- son to be classic! www.classicgamer.com
$100,000 Prize Promised to First Video Game Player to Solve Pac-Man’s Mysterious “Split Screen”
An American hot sauce manu- mous Sauce will give $10,000 facturer has offered a $100,000 re- prizes to the first players to score ward to the first Pac-Man player over 1 million points on any of eight who can solve the mysterious different games following Twin Gal- “split-screen” that ends every- axies’ official rules. The games are: body’s game at the 256th board. Ms. Pac-Man, Carnival, Berzerk, An additional $95,000 is set Donkey Kong, Frogger, Rally-X, aside for players who, before Janu- Hypersports, and Tutankham. ary 1, 2000, can break decades-old high scores on fifteen other classic www.twingalaxies.com video games. Rickey’s World Fa-
Classic Gamer Magazine Winter 2000 8 Division “Jerry G” Calls It Quits Software Offers Bet- Citing failing health as the ter Control cause, long time classic videogame collector and seller, Jerry Greiner, For has decided to close shop. Intellivision His immense collection is now Lives CD up for grabs at a discounted rate, and merchandise is moving Division Soft- quickly. ware of Ontario, Canada sells an Also up for sale is the domain adapter called The INTV2PC, name he has used for which allows you to connect your his sales, http://www. Intellivision disc controller to your atari2600.com. It is PC. The device will allow for much Jerry’s hope that once greater precision over the standard the website is sold, the keyboard option. new owner will see that They offer 2 models which go it gets used as Jerry New Games Announced for $30 and $35 dollars. had once envisioned it. for “Intellivision Lives 2” For full details on how to obtain “We. . .intended to make sub- Compilation the device, visit their website at: sections of our website available to other collectors to post their classic
game pages, fanzines, stories, and Intellivision http://www3.sympatico.ca/ Productions division.software/ whatever, if they so desired,” Jerry recently an- stated on his website. nounced the If you are interested in either the games that will be present on the domain or the merchandise, visit Jerry G. at: Intellivision Lives 2 compilation. Many classic games were sorely www.atari2600.com missed on the first effort and will be a welcome addition on their second offering. At present, no release New Pac-Man Hack Now date has been set. Available For Download
Games will include: Rob Kudla has created a new Pac-Man game, free to download, Atlantis, B-17 Bomber, Demon At- for use on Atari emulators. “Pac tack, Beauty and the Beast, Atlan- “Protector” for the Jaguar 26” is actually a hack of “Ms. Pac- tis, Dreadnaught Factor, Dracula, Now Shipping Man” created to look more like the Ice Trek, Dragonfire, Pitfall, Happy arcade version of Pac-Man. Rob Trails, Microsurgeon, Safe Cracker, The long awaited Jaguar game, created it for fun; he wanted to see River Raid, Swords and Serpents, Protector, is now on sale and avail- what the 2600 version of Pac-Man Tropical Trouble, Stampede, Worm able to play. Protector is a might have looked like had it been Whomper, as well as several oth- “Defender” like game featuring over done properly. This impressive ers. 40 waves of play and stunning creation includes blue walls, open- graphics. Visit Songbird’s website ing theme music as well as true-to- www.intellivisionlives.com for details. arcade sound effects.
http://songbird.atari.org http://24.25.144.93/raindog/ Classic Gamer Magazine Winter 2000 9 NINTENDO 64 RELEASE SCHEDULE FOR UPDATED AND CLASSIC RELATED SONY PLAYSTATION GAMES RELEASE SCHEDULE FOR UPDATED AND CLASSIC RELATED GAMES
February 2000 Excitebike 64 January 2000 Road Rash: Jailbreak March 2000 Zelda Gaiden March 2000 Gauntlet Legends First Quarter 2000 Mortal Kombat: Special Forces Asteroids Hyper 64 Battlezone 64 June 2000 Spider-Man Second Quarter 2000 Glover 2
TBA Super Mario RPG 2 Ecco the Dolphin
GAME BOY RELEASE SCHEDULE FOR DREAMCAST RELEASE UPDATED AND CLASSIC SCHEDULE FOR UPDATED RELATED GAMES AND CLASSIC RELATED GAMES
Second Quarter 2000 January 2000 Gauntlet Legends 1942 Pong TBA Ecco the Dolphin TBA Gauntlet Legends Toobin’
Classic Gamer Magazine Winter 2000 10 Official Video Game & Pinball Book of World Records Edited by Walter Day
Sunstar Publishing, LTD. scores, Mr. Day has also included ments. For instance, I was sur- 116 North Court Street high scores for newer consoles and prised to learn that even video- Fairfield, Iowa 52556 $19.95 paperback classic systems. We guarantee game record holders, like rock www.twingalaxies.com reading these scores will inspire stars, trash their hotel rooms. One you to say, “I can beat that!” and of the final chapters even provides Compiled by Twin Galaxies’ drag out your old system. And if a “Where are they now?” section in Walter Day, the Official Video you do beat it, there are detailed case you’re wondering what’s hap- Game & Pinball Book of World Re- instructions on how to submit your pened to many of the record hold- cords is a massive 936 page col- score. ers. lection of videogame high scores. The last quarter of the book tells If you’ve ever become obsessed Not content with just listing ar- some of the more interesting sto- with obtaining a high score, this cade and pinball machine high ries of past videogaming tourna- book is definitely for you.
Extra Life Coming of Age in Cyberspace by David S. Bennahum
Basic Books It’s also a love story. Only in 10 East 53rd Street this case the love is a computer New York, N.Y. 10022 $12.00 paperback and not a girl. The story is proba- www.basicbooks.com bly very accurate for those of us who, on weekend nights, were kept Did you ever feel like a geek company by Castle Wolfenstein growing up? Do you still feel like and the hum of our Apple II. programs in basic, and of course one? David Bennahum’s Extra Life If you grew up in the late 70s is an autobiographical tale chroni- making fun of his friends “Trash and early 80s with any kind of fas- 80.” cling a boy’s struggle of feeling like cination towards computers and an outsider, having to deal with his Extra Life is both hilarious and videogames, you will certainly iden- heartfelt, reminding you of the joys parents’ divorce, and how purchas- tify with Mr. Bennahum’s experi- ing a computer steered him away and frustrations of growing up in ences. He tells of late nights the computer age. from drugs, giving him direction in downloading software (often ille- life. gally) from BBS’s, writing his first CGM Classic Gamer Magazine Winter 2000 11 Classic Gamer Magazine Winter 2000 12 Last August, many new and impressive products made their debut at the Classic Gaming Expo ‘99 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Stella At 20 Volume 2 Once Upon Atari Vols 1 & 2
“Stella at 20” is a video docu- Yars’ Revenge creator, Howard mentary that tells the tale of the Scott Warshaw (interviewed on Atari 2600 - “The Little Engine That page 35), has created an informa- Could,” told by the programmers tive and often hilarious account of who created the games. his days working at Atari. Cyberpunks Entertainment has Featuring numerous interviews excelled in producing this docu- Stella Gets a New Brain with such characters as Todd Frye mentary. The video’s packaging, (2600 Pac-Man), Rob Fulop (2600 which looks exactly like an Atari The Cyberpunks have re- Missile Command), and even 2600 game box, combined with Nolan himself, Warshaw has pro- crisp editing creates a slick presen- released “Stella Gets a New Brain” (at last!) and it has definitely duced the perfect video time cap- tation. sule about life at Atari. Volume 2 of the series takes a been worth the wait. Remember the Arcadia/Starpath Volume 1, titled “House of Video more “nuts and bolts” approach to Games,” captures the spirit of what how the games were created, and Supercharger? It was a device that attached to an Atari 2600, enabling it was like to work on a day to day as a result, can get a bit technical. basis at Atari. You’ll learn about The programmers often talk com- one to play graphically enhanced games via audio tape. Over time, floating frogs, wall walking, and puterese with each other instead of when ceiling sprinklers attack! explaining to the viewer in layman’s the games’ tapes wore out and re- placing them became difficult due Volume 2, titled “The Enemy terms how the games were pro- Within,” tells war stories of the pro- duced. to their rarity. The Cyberpunks have digitally recorded the games grammers vs. management and While it’s fun to place faces with the pitfalls of destitute program- the programmers’ names, I would onto CD’s, so they can once again be enjoyed with your Super- mers suddenly hitting the lottery. hope future volumes include a Warshaw shows off his docu- more lighthearted look at what charger. Games include Phaser Patrol mentary making skills by keeping went into making the games so the interviews interesting, fun, and much fun to play. and Dragonstomper, as well as harder to find games such as Party at a roller coaster pace. For more information, visit www.scottw.com. Go to http://cyberpunks.atari.org/ Mix, Sword of Saros, and Survival for details. Island. But wait! There’s more! The CD doubles as a CD-Rom for your computer, which gives you access to many extras. Stella scans, Stella project notes, Atari promo sheets, 2600 development tools, Atari type fonts, homebrew games, and even a song titled “Atari 2600” can be found. Go to http:// cyberpunks.atari.org/ for det ails.
Nolan speaks out in Once Upon Atari Classic Gamer Magazine Winter 2000 13 Merlin’s Walls and Pesco Yars’ Revenge
The guys at Telegames has Ebivision released released a Game two new games Boy version of the for the Atari 2600 classic favorite, as their follow-up “Yars’ Revenge.” to last year’s re- It’s a fairly straightforward con- lease, “Alfred’s version of the original with an Challenge.” Early added bonus level. The object is to on, show goers fire through a shield, which protects formed a long line the Qotile enemy, and then destroy at Ebivision’s table in hopes of him using your Zorlon Cannon. snagging the limited edition (and The Qotile has two weapons of de- autographed) cartridges, Merlin’s fense. The first, a slow moving Walls and Pesco. homing device, constantly ad- Merlin’s Walls is a difficult and vances towards your ship; the confusing first person maze game. other is a Qotile that has trans- You have 80 seconds to earn formed into a Swirl. If Yars is hit by “redemption” by finding your way either, he will die. out of a maze, where you have After the Qotile has been de- been trapped by “Merlin.” Bounda- stroyed, an explosion results, leav- ries are difficult to discern, so it be- ing a large but temporary debris comes a challenge to maintain any field. If you can find the Ghost of sense of direction. Also, the game Arcade 2000 Yars in this field, you’ll be trans- was programmed in a fashion that ported to an asteroid field where requires the player to turn their Ever dreamed of having a collec- you must attempt to touch the television on its side. Not a very tion of full size arcade games in ghost, giving you a higher energy your home? Obviously space and yield for later levels. money are the main barring fac- The only downside to the game tors, but the folks at Arcade 2000 is that the entire playing field does have a solution. The Arcade 2000 not fit on a single screen. Unfortu- is a full size arcade cabinet for your nately, you need to use your Yars PC, PlayStation, Nintendo 64, to “scroll over” to the enemy loca- NES, Super NES, and Dreamcast tion. This makes planning a decent videogame systems. strategy quite difficult. Being hit by The PC model features a built-in Swirls with no warning is fairly common. 19" Super-Multisync monitor and speakers. Overall Rating: B- Pesco The most impressive feature, easy task with a 25+” set. however, is the arcade style con- While we applaud the release of trols. It features two 8-way sticks new games for the 2600, we be- to play games such as Robotron Nyko’s Wormlight lieve Merlin’s Walls misses the and Crazy Climber, and a standard mark. four-way joystick to play games like If you own a Color Game The other release from Ebivi- Pac-Man and Donkey Kong. There Boy, we’re sure you’ve experi- sion is the Pac-Man clone, Pesco. are also buttons galore, so you can enced the frustration of no back- Although graphically superior to the enjoy arcade-authentic Space In- light source being included. 2600 version of Pac-Man, the vaders, Asteroids, etc. They’ve This often makes it ex- game play remains very much the even thrown in some pinball button tremely difficult to see the screen same. The degree of difficulty has flippers on the side as a place to and can cause you to hold your been upped a bit, but it still boils plug in your flight yoke, steering Game Boy at impossible angles to down to playing a fish-like Pac-Man wheel, or even a Tron joystick. catch light. Of course the result is game. So, what will this model set you that you often catch glare instead. back? $1,550 + shipping. Not Nyko has solved this problem Merlin’s Walls really that bad considering the cost with the Worlmlight. The light at- Overall Rating: D of a full arcade. If you’re on a taches to the Game Boy, requires budget, you can also order the con- no batteries, and has a lifetime Pesco trol panel on its own. lighting source. It is also an excep- Overall Rating: B- Go to www.arcade2000.com for full tionally durable item, surviving the details. many clutches of children at the Visit www.ebivision.com CG Expo. Visit www.nyko.com for details.
Classic Gamer Magazine Winter 2000 14 Review ou’re invited to Pac-Man’s (careful, not all can be done away 20th birthday party! In by Sarah Thomas with this easily!), reach high areas, celebration of our favorite and activate switches. The treas- Y yellow dot’s birthday, gins with Pac-Man making his way ure chests, barrels, and crates ei- Namco has released Pac-Man to his birthday party, ther con- World, a 3D version of the classic only to discover that tain help- game. While at first it may appear his guests, Chomp- ful ob- Namco has released this 3D game Chomp the dog, Baby jects or in order to keep up with the Pac, Pooka (from Dig nothing at Joneses (everyone seems to be Dug), Professor Pac - all. releasing 3D classic games), they Man, Pac-Man Junior, Switches have done a tremendous job at and Ms. Pac-Man, come in keeping with Pac-Man’s personal have all been kid- three dif- style. The game offers three main napped by Toc-Man ferent col- modes of play: Classic, 3D Maze, and his ghostly min- ors and and 3D Quest. ions. Pac-Man must cause The Classic Pac-Man mode is go to Ghost Island and changes just what it sounds like – the origi- complete levels of (opening nal game game play in order to Helivator Action doors, lowering that en- unlock his friends. bridges, etc.) tails guid- However, because Toc- once activated. ing the Man meant to capture The rev-roll is a fun maneuver, dot- Pac-Man, you can bet allowing Pac-Man to run in place eating, Pac’s got an uphill bat- and then shoot off really quickly ghost- tle ahead of him! Along once you release the button (think chasing the way, he’ll find Sonic). It can be used to make it Pac-Man mazes, prizes, enemies, up a steep hill, catapult over a through and an assortment of ramp to reach a far-off area, or various challenges. even attack some enemies. It’s mazes. Ghost Island con- also used to activate helivators As fun sists of six different (platforms that transport Pac-Man and en- themed “stages” of horizontally or vertically across a tertaining as this T Minus 10 for Pac game play. The stages include: space). When Pac-Man rev-rolls is, Pac-Man has Pirate, Ruins, Space, Fun- on a helivator, it causes a fan un- so much more potential in today’s house, Factory, and Mansion; derneath to spin, which in turn gaming world, and Namco has ex- within each stage are 3-4 levels, moves the platform. In addition, celled at adding a 3D spin on the decorated accordingly. 80’s icon. Pac-Man begins his mission at The Maze mode is a 3D version Buccaneer Beach, which is a train- of the Classic, with the same basic ing level; hints are scattered objectives, but a few obstacles and throughout to help you learn his surprising twists have been added. various moves. In the beginning, there are 18 dif- The 3D plumping-up of our yel- ferent mazes to choose from; that low friend has allowed new move- number can increase to 36 after ments to evolve, such as the butt- visiting the Galaxian mazes in the bounce, rev-roll, swimming, jump- Quest mode. ing, and turning metallic. The one-player-only Quest The butt-bounce can be called mode is the area that you’ll proba- upon to open treasure chests, bar- bly spend most of your time. It be- rels, and crates, crush enemies C’mon Get Happy! Classic Gamer Magazine Winter 2000 15 there are rev- have a matching fruit in hanced by the fact that it wasn’t plates which his supply (scattered always as easy as it looked and work in much throughout the level) in became quite addicting to try and the same man- order to open the door. beat. It is wonderful to see that ner as heliva- On the other side of the Namco understood that when cre- tors, except door is generally a P-A- ating Pac-Man World. Pac-Man does C-M-A-N letter or a By hard core gamers’ stan- not move; by switch. Pac-Man must, dards, Pac-Man World could be activating the in order to achieve the considered too easy; it doesn’t rev-plate, full score, collect all the have a lot of the characteristics of something else Professor Pac Prepares letters to spell out PAC- today’s popular games. Howev er, moves. for Beam Up MAN. the overall enjoyment that one Pac-Man has In addition to the fruit found in the original game is cer- also learned a bit about water doors, Pac-Man can also enter tainly present in the 20th Anniver- safety and can now swim. In fact, Galaxian doors (provided he has sary Pac-Man. He is still an ador- not only does he swim, but he can the appropriate able char- dive deep underwater and perform “galaxian” icon) acter, with elegant dolphin jumps to eject him- which will trans- great fa- self back onto dry land. port him to a cial ex- Some levels offer Pac-Man the maze game. pressions, ability to “turn metallic.” If he Each maze that advanced comes across a chrome power-up, you encounter in mobility, it will turn him into a metal ball. the Quest mode and This makes him invincible for a adds to the maze plenty of short period of time and also collection in the chal- causes him to become very heavy. Maze mode. The lenges to He will then sink to the bottom of mazes are similar keep him the water and will be able to break to those in the busy. open those treasure chests located Classic Pac-Man The in the water. game: you run game’s In the beginning of the Quest, around collecting dots while Pac vs. The Galaxians graphics are very Pac-Man is only able to visit a few avoiding, and sometimes eating, attractive, with bright colors and levels; additional ones open once ghosts. The big difference, of creative characters. he has completed others. There course, is that they are now 3D, The only real downfall is that are a couple of different methods in feature themed designs, and have sometimes Pac-Man is a little completing levels: find and ac- obstacles and twists along the way. tough to control with the Play- complish Let’s not forget Pac- Station controller. In one level, every- Man’s overall goal precision control is required in or- thing and here: to rescue his der to dodge arrows shooting up gain a poor friends, who are from the floor while running away 100% now locked in cages. from a monster; this proves diffi- score Each game stage con- cult. (which is tains a captive friend, The learning curve isn’t too very but you’ll need a key steep, but some of the levels are helpful in (which may not be lo- tough enough to make me curse the even- cated in the same level the yellow-man! It does, however, tual res- as the caged friend) to score very high points with me, and cuing of unlock the cage. I’d I am glad that Pac-Man still elicits friends love to tell you what such an endearing reaction. As in and ex- happens once you res- the original game, it is “cute” panding overall Pac Takes Inventory cue all your friends, but I’m enough to pull in casual gamers, gaming possibilities), or run still stuck on the damn Galaxian yet challenging and entertaining through as quickly as possible in level!! enough to keep the more die-hard order to get to the end, save the Pac-Man World offers a clever gamers interested. And as a spe- game, and thus open up further new twist on one of classic gam- cial “classic gaming” note, there is levels to tackle. If you want to try ing’s most beloved character. a level called King Galaxian which and complete the levels in their en- What made the original Pac-Man tests Pac-Man’s ability against his tirety, there are a few things you so much fun was its relative simple old peers! should know along the way. concept of guiding the yellow dot First, you will encounter fruit through a maze, trying to eat all the doors with a picture of a certain pac-dots, and avoiding/eating the fruit on the front. Pac-Man must ghosts. This concept was en- CGM CGM Classic Gamer Magazine Winter 2000 16 Classic Remakes
the freedom to go wherever you rately. like on the battlefield. This allows The music is nothing too obtru- you to take the battle to the ad- sive unless you find techno music vancing insects. It also gives you overly annoying. Sound effects are the ability to find power-ups and cleverly combined using a mix of secret areas, which are sprinkled classic arcade sounds, along with uckily, Hasbro Interactive throughout the levels. all new ones. has jumped on the Sega So, what’s the difference be- Also on the disc is an arcade Dreamcast bandwagon. tween the PlayStation and PC ver- perfect version of Centipede. Their first offering is the sions of Centipede? The graphics Original artwork borders the Lupdated version of the classic Cen- for starters. Centipede takes full playfield, and the controls are tipede. advantage of the Dreamcast’s much easier to utilize than the PSX Game play retains the same power, making the attacking in- version (although it is still difficult to spirit of the PlayStation and PC ver- sects appear beautifully ugly when get that precision placement sions. Players take charge of ma- you get up close and personal with needed to take out the dropping neuvering Wally the Bean Counter them. fleas). in his shooter in an attempt to save Control is also vastly improved, the village and inhabitants of Wee- allowing for greater precision shots; dom from the attacks of the Queen- Graphics: A the shoulder buttons provide Sound: B+ pede and her many toadies. Your smoother strafing techniques. An- ultimate goal is to fight through the Overall Rating: B+ other much needed improvement levels and eventually take on the allows you to change angles more Publisher: Hasbro Interactive Queenpede herself. Unlike the clas- easily. Now you can get right down Developer: Leaping Lizard Software sic arcade version, you now have to Wally’s level and aim more accu- Release Date: December 1999
Classic Gamer Magazine Winter 2000 17 Classic Remakes
Since obtaining the Atari name and properties, it was probably in- evitable that Hasbro would sooner or later remake Pong. We figured it would show up eight or so years the humor! a paddle just isn’t there. It’s diffi- from now, after their well of ideas The folks at Hasbro have even cult to overlook this problem in an had run dry and creativity was un- seen fit to give some personality to otherwise great game. inspired. Gladly, Hasbro jumped the paddles. The chirping/ Currently, the Sony PlayStation on this Atari title while the getting squeaking/baby talking paddles lacks many family oriented 2-4 was good. The result is wonderful. may prove too cute for some, but player games. Hasbro Interactive Almost. for us it’s a nice break from blowing is helping fill that void with games Pong is an extremely fun game appendages off wailing monsters. such as this and The Next Tetris. to play. The idea is still the same: Another creative touch is that as We like the direction Hasbro “Avoid missing the ball for high you advance through levels, your Interactive is taking with its Atari score,” only now you get power- progress is tracked by filling an licenses and hope to see more ups and multi-balls in your quest Atari fuji with color. games like Pong in the future. Al- for the high score. Unfortunately, Pong’s one fault though, one day I do look forward Remember how much fun it was is also its most glaring. Controlling to removing some appendages to play the original Pong with an- the paddle can be extremely diffi- from dragons in an “Adventure” re- other person? The new Pong is no cult and can be quite taxing on make. exception, and competition can be- one’s patience. Trying to get your come fierce. The playfields are ex- paddle lined up for that “edge shot” Overall Rating: B+ tremely varied, utilizing soccer can be unbelievably frustrating, fields, islands, jungles, and ice and missing the ball entirely is a bit Publisher: Hasbro Interactive (featuring penguins that “fart out” too common. We improved after a Developer: Hasbro Interactive multiballs when struck). Hey, we bit of practice, but the precision of Release Date: Now Available said the game had advanced, not
Classic Gamer Magazine Winter 2000 18 Classic Remakes
Road Rash 64
By Jeff Burke
ver the years, we have Oseen many incarna- tions of Road Rash, but this one seems to rise above the rest. This grueling multi-level motorcycle racing game is full of exciting action, from cops on utilizing the varied weapons to bikes, to opponents beating you beat your opponent to a bloody with various weapons, to avoiding pulp. The more weapons you getting knocked off your bike by get, the greater the fun! And surrounding traffic. the more beatings you dole out, Road Rash 64 offers several the higher your score! racing options, including single In the multi-player mode, player Thrash mode (choose a choose from Thrash, Lap track, hop on your bike, and go!), Races, Deathmatch, Ped Hunt, Big Game mode (compete in races, and Tag. Lap races are self- gain cash by winning, progress to explanatory, Deathmatch in- higher courses, and purchase bet- volves causing other riders to cantly. However, to make up for ter bikes), and Multi-player modes crash, and Ped Hunt has you run- the less than impressive graphics, (compete against your friends in a ning over pedestrians. Tag is a Road Rash 64 has terrific sounds, variety of games). The wide assort- twisted version of the playground such as engines revving, cops’ si- ment of weapons ranges from the game where someone is “it,” and rens, pedestrians’ helpless cries, normal (clubs) to the strange (pool thus, deserves to be crashed into! and various “fighting” noises. An cues), but they remain realistic; The ability to compete with other edgy soundtrack rounds out the they’re a friendly reminder to all people is a great addition to Road package. players that these guys are out for Rash 64 and keeps the entertain- Road Rash 64 is one of the best blood! Those with pent up anger ment value high. Who would’ve versions to date and worth the will enjoy punching, kicking, and thought slamming your friend into a money. As a classic gamer, you stop sign could be so might even appreciate the “game much fun! play over graphics” philosophy. The game’s major Although hardcore gamers may downfall is its graph- find playing against the computer a ics. Aside from the bit too easy, Road Rash 64 is excit- nice touch of being ing, addicting, and can certainly be able to leave skid played in an entertainment emer- marks in your wake, gency! the rest of the graphics are disappointing, as most of the riders have Overall Rating: B+ the same generic blockiness/blurriness. Publisher: THQ Use of the Expansion Developer: Pacific Power & Light Pak spruces things up Co.
a bit, but not signifi- Release Date: Now available
Classic Gamer Magazine Winter 2000 19 by Kyle Snyder Stratovox
When I was growing up, there visible. Never mind that two mystery ship in Space Invaders was a quaint little country store heavenly bodies so close to one with any reasonable accuracy). about a mile from home called another would rip each other apart When you strike down a saucer Maloney's. In addition to candy, with gravity. carrying a milk, cigarettes, and trinkets, they This is a video soldier, the featured two arcade games for game, not soldier is their patrons to play. Most of the physics 101! "saved" and biggest hits cycled through this little Now, here's magically place, PacMan, Ms.PacMan, where it gets reappears Centipede, Asteroids, and Galaxian strange. On the back on the among them. Every now and again, moon, several moon. If the however, games that weren't very soldiers are aliens carry a well known or mainstream would standing in a man back to show up. Games like Space vertical line. their armada, Encounters, Omega Race, and They look much he is lost Frenzy all took up residence there, like the stock forever. The in addition to a 1980 Taito title I've "man" graphic game will never seen anywhere else. . . from the also end if all STRATOVOX. Odyssey 2 three of your Stratovox was of the "slide-and- home systems. ships are lost shoot" class of Space Invaders On the left, a to alien variant: use a two way joystick to small armada of collision or control a left-right moving defense flying saucers hovers out of reach firepower, or when all men are base at the bottom of the screen; of the player's weaponry. Every kidnapped. use the lone fire button to launch few seconds, the saucers peel out Okay, so what's the big deal, you missiles at attacking aliens. Yeah, and attack the player with a cluster may be asking yourself. The big been there, done that. Or have we? of missiles. They attack in small deal, is SPEECH! Despite popular The first thing you notice about groups of three, or larger groups of myth, the first game with voices the game is five, with from within was not Midway's Gorf, that the fancy loops Stern's Berzerk, or Sega's Space player's similar to Fury. The soldiers say, "HELP ME!" ship is some of the when abducted by the aliens, actually aliens’ "THANK YOU" when rescued by moving on movements the player, and "LUCKY" at the end a planet in Galaga. of a round when the remaining surface - a Furthermore, soldiers are added up for bonus large these aliens points. yellow have taken a The result is a unique game (sometimes shining to the with elements of various titles from blue) arc of soldiers on the classic era and engaging, a planet, the moon and challenging gameplay. complete occasionally Maloney's store closed about with abduct one of 10 years ago, survived for a few craters! the poor years afterwards as an antique There is grunts. shop, and now sits derelict. also a The Whenever I visit Maryland and smaller saucers carry drive by, I can feel the rush of "moon" on the men adrenalin I got when I'd play the right horizontally Stratovox, and I swear I can hear hand side along the "HELP ME" echoing in of the screen, where once again, very top of the screen (not too the breeze. . . the edge of the planet is all that is difficult a target if you can hit the CGM Classic Gamer Magazine Winter 2000 20 dds are, if you consider your- self a “Classic Gamer,” Avoid Hitting Light Traces and Walls you’ve seen the movie “Tron” This was probably the main reason O 112.4 times. That number you kept feeding quarters into the ma- comes from the fact that we know you chine. How else were you ever going scan the movie to the “Space to pilot a Lightcycle? It didn’t seem to Paranoids” scene and then matter that this was just a graphically straight to when Flynn gets digitized more complex game than and brought into the computer to meet “Surround.” There was no arcade the MCP himself. We don’t have time adrenaline rush better than defeating to screw around! We have Lightcycle two opposing Lightcycles. Certainly a scenes to see, dammit! victorious moment to savor! Face it, this movie is the Classic Overall Level Rating: A+ Gamer’s “Casablanca.” It’s the main reason you bought a DVD player. Overall Tron Arcade Game You’ve also felt the consequences Rating: A+ of openly declaring to “outsiders,” “Yeah! Tron’s a great flick!” then Discs of Tron quickly retreating from their scowls to the safety of rec.games.video.classic It’s not often you get to step inside on the Internet. an arcade game cabinet. It’s also not It’s ok. You’re among friends. We often an arcade game inspires you to at Classic Gamer Magazine believe go outside and hurl Frisbees with great this movie and its actors stand out Tron’s Tank force at your fellow man. Discs of Tron among the greats: Brando. . .De gets much tougher is such a game! Niro. . .and that guy who played “Ram.” on later levels when you become liter- The Arcade cabinet is more like a We know you devour Tron’s video- ally surrounded by hundreds of Grid- booth, which allows you to step inside game counterparts just as ravenously. bugs. This would actually be a fairly to battle against Tron’s enemy, Sark. So we’ve decided, in honor of this clas- blasé game if the bugs didn’t look so Inside you’ll find a dim environment sic motion picture, to run down the impressive when they reproduced. with a cushy carpeted back support, great and not so great games this Overall Level Rating: B+ which makes for comfortable standing. piece of art has spawned. Stereo surround speakers and an en- Try to Enter the MCP Cone ergy disc on the floor complete the ex- Prepare for De-Resolution! This is basically a good game of perience. Breakout. To enter the MCP Cone, The game is reminiscent of the Tron the Arcade Game you need to create a path by shooting scene in the movie where Tron is de- your way through rotating bricks that fending himself against an onslaught of It’s four! four! Four games in one! shield the top of the structure. This is flying discs while returning the favor to The first time you saw this glowing blue easier said than done because the his adversaries. This time the object of beauty in the arcade, you knew it MCP Cone is slowly lowering down on the game is to de-rezz Sark by hitting was going to be a great game. It you, creating a time limit. So break him twice with one of your discs. Doing looked cool, so therefore it had to play through quickly or get de-res’d. so advances you to the next level. cool. The joystick itself belongs in the Overall Level Rating: A The 3-D perspective the screen Louvre! gives and the sound of Sark laughing After you deposited your quarter Destroy All Enemy Tanks after he de-rezzes you are the crown- and pressed the single player button, Guide your tank around a maze, ing touches to a perfect game. you were then forced to choose be- dodging enemy tank fire while trying Overall Rating: A+ tween four directions onscreen. One to unload three shots on your enemy. choice was as good as the next, so you Everyone seemed to have their theo- Tron Hits Home picked one and were then greeted by ries on this game. It was either hide in one of four games. one place (usually near the warp tun- Although the movie bombed at the nel), or stay on the run while blasting box office, the games were a big hit in Enter Flashing Cone Before Time away like crazy. Ricocheting shots the arcades. The next step in arcade Expires were often worth a lucky hit or two and evolution is to bring the games home Aaaah!!! Bugs! Bugs!! This is saved me more than once. After play- for the consoles. probably the easiest of the games on ing this level, it became increasingly The original Tron arcade game the first level. Blast your way through difficult to go home and face your never made it to the console scene. It rapidly reproducing Gridbugs to “Combat” cartridge. was just too complex to do so - even enter the flashing circle. This Overall Level Rating: B+ for the mighty Intellivision. Mattel was Classic Gamer Magazine Winter 2000 21 sorely lacking any Adventures of him. big name licensing Tron This game requires the Intellivoice agreements for the Atari 2600 attachment, so don’t even bother trying Intellivision and to play without it; you won’t have a clue hedged their bets This time take where to go, nor will you know the code on Tron. The re- Tron and keep him to destroy the MCP. The usual band of sults were often running around four bad guys are in your way, including less than spectacu- stories of platforms Recognizers and tanks. lar, but there are a (bisected by the I/O The graphics are a tad on the bland few diamonds in Tower) while being side for the Intellivision and are the bunch. Tron Deadly Discs - Intellivision chased by the “blockier” than usual. MCP’s lackeys. Overall Score: C- This is a largely Tron Deadly Discs forgettable game that has you con- Intellivision tinually going up and down elevators and collecting bits of data while avoid- This game is styled after the arcade ing grid bugs, Recognizers, and enemy game “Discs of Tron.” You play the tanks. You also get to hop a ride on a role of the hero, Tron, and run Solar Sailor, which resembles the (constantly running!) around an arena sword in Adventure. trying to kill opposing warriors with your I also noticed this game recycles a Deadly Disc. The idea is to not stay in ridiculous amount of sound effects from one place for very long and have great Activision’s Megamania. Tron Solar Sailor - Intellivision aim while running and firing at the The game scores a few bonus same time. points, however, for having a unique This game receives bonus marks for (for the time) title screen. featuring a “Recognizer” from the Overall Score: C Tron 2? movie, which you can destroy with a well placed shot. Rumors abound regarding a pro- Overall Score: B+ posed sequel to Tron. One rumor pre- dicts it being a remake of the original, Tron Deadly Discs and another foresees it involving kids Atari 2600 who are transported inside the com- puter. Both of these rumors involve Mattel ported their Intellivision hit by Pixar Studios, who vehemently deny the same name over to the Atari, but any involvement and are supposedly the results were less than spectacular. having a good chuckle over the whole The idea is the same. Move Tron thing. around an arena, flinging your Frisbees Another rumored project is a televi- at the warriors who are trying to do the Adventures of Tron - Atari 2600 sion show entitled “Warriors of Tron,” same to you. On this version, how- which apparently would be produced ever, the graphics aren’t anything to as a weekly series. This concept is write home about. To be honest it Tron Maze-a-Tron scary because it sounds like it could be looks more like the guys from Intellivision created in the spirit of the Power Rang- Mattel’s Baseball game are ers, which would be an awful thing for flinging bars of soap at one another Instead of Tron, this time you get to the Tron faithful. inside the locker room after the big be Flynn, the human who has been The bonus is that even if the movie game. However, the onscreen action digitized to microscopic size and or TV show bombs, we’ll be guaran- is controlled much better with an Atari brought into the computer. teed some great videogames! joystick than the always difficult Intel- This is a mildly fun game which con- livision disc controller. sists of two levels. In the first, find your Overall Score: C way through a maze of circuit boards while fending off Recognizers. In the CGM second level, you meet face to face Pac-Man in Tron The Movie? with the MCP and must match a se- ries of ones and zeroes in order to de- stroy him. Want to see our favorite dot- Impressive graphics, especially eater make an appearance in our in regards to the MCP. favorite movie? If you have the Overall Score: B+ DVD version, it’s quite simple to do.
Tron Deadly Discs - Atari 2600 Go to Chapter 13 (lightcycle Tron Solar Sailor scene) and go to the time of Intellivision 0:45:20
In Tron Solar Sailor, you play Flynn Look on the game grid, which again and must drive your digital mo- Sark is viewing. Voila’. . .It’s Pac! torhome through the computer in an attempt to locate the MCP and destroy Classic Gamer Magazine Winter 2000 22 DUMBO’SDUMBO’S
mans, and mutants in Defender, FLYING when the clowns are being carried hat happens when to the top, they are harmless and you take elements of ™ need to be rescued. Once they get W past the tightrope, they begin to the arcade classics Joust, De- CIRCUS fender, and Kickman, toss in some ride a unicycle back and forth while Disney magic, a clever control A prototype for the Atari 2600 tossing projectiles of some sort at scheme, and engaging game play? poor Dumbo. The message here? You get a delightful cocktail known By Kyle Snyder SAVE THE CLOWNS, AND DON'T as Dumbo's Flying Circus for PISS THEM OFF!! As in the the Atari 2600. This was in- famous human rescuing proce- tended to be another of the Dis- dure, Dumbo can shoot the ney/Atari series of cartridges balloon holding the clown, then that began with Sorcerer's Ap- swoop beneath to catch him prentice, and continued with for points. If the clown falls to Donald's Speedboat Race. the ground however, no pen- Unfortunately, due to the alty is incurred. crash of '83 - '84, neither A bonus round comes Dumbo nor Donald ever saw every few screens involving their games progress beyond something red (I think it's a prototype status. This is a hat, but my friend Alan claims shame as Dumbo's Flying Cir- it's Dumbo's little mouse cus is an excellent game that friend). Whatever it is, it gets would've sold quite well given a flung from one side of the chance. screen and speeds over to the The scenario involves other side. Your goal is to Dumbo flying around under- catch it, which results in bonus neath the big top catching or points and the playing of a popping balloons. The player cutesy little tune. maneuvers the pachyderm with The game play speeds up the joystick, controlling his di- considerably in later rounds, less cutie collides with them, it's so much so that you will find your- curtains in the big top. Addition- self crowded by a quickly lowering ally, if an "evil balloon" is permit- tightrope, smothered by the "evil ted to reach the top of the balloons," and pelted by the angry screen, a tightrope will descend clowns atop the tightrope. one level, restricting Dumbo's This game is not for the claustro- flying area. All is not lost, how- phobic! But for the rest of us, ever, as Dumbo's these Flying evil Circus bal- does not loons disap- rection in the conventional manner, can be point. and using “up” to flap his ears for de- Too bad lift. He flies rather similarly to the stroyed Atari did- ostriches in Joust and the momen- with a n't re- tum is comparable. Balloons rise peanut lease from the floor, which Dumbo can shot. this to catch by colliding with them, or can Be- stores, pop by firing a well-timed peanut ginning but at from his trunk. on the least the The flies in the ointment here second game is avail- are some strange multi-colored pul- screen, various Screenshots Courtesy www.atarihq.com able from sev- sating things that rise at the same clowns appear, eral internet sites as a copied car- speed as the balloons. They slowly making their ascension to the tight- tridge. If you can afford home in on Dumbo, and if the hap- rope by holding onto balloons. it, be sure to grab this Borrowing from the landers, hu- one! CGM Classic Gamer Magazine Winter 2000 23 By Kyle Snyder verse direction, or in some rare cases, stop moving for several seconds. One can see how this eing a fan of horror and would be advantageous. sci-fi, I remember being Next, the prizes are not cute Brather excited to see a video game little cherries and strawberries but For the Atari 2600 version of the claustrophobic cine- astronomical shapes like rockets, matic masterpiece, Alien. space ships, and Saturns. (The when caught and destroyed. Aliens It must be a fantastic and fre- planet, not the car!) that are destroyed are soon regen- netic shoot-em-up, I thought. Finally, we come to the bonus erated Probably one of those three- round. and dimensional type games like CBS' The bo- wander Tunnel Runner or Starpath's Es- nus back cape from the Mindmaster. Only a round is into game of that style could hope to much play capture such a great film experi- like Ac- from the ence. tivison's same Plug in the cartridge and you Free- door at get. . . PAC-MAN ?!?!?!?!? way, the bot- Yes, the programmers at 20th with tom of Century Fox wanted their own much the piece of the maze game pie, so less screen. they created what turned out to be margin Periodi- ALIEN: A Pac Man type game that for er- cally, was better than Atari's own li- ror. You bonus censed version of the arcade clas- move the human straight up the prizes appear in the center of the sic. And in an effort, no doubt to center of the screen (you don't maze and are worth extra points stave off the lawsuit hungry law- even have the option of when snagged. Finally, a secret yers at Atari, several essences of moving left to right) through a tunnel on either side of the screen game play have been tweaked, stampeding "herd" of aliens. The allows both human and aliens to and a bizarre bonus round keeps goal at the top of the screen is a leave one side of the maze and this from being an outright clone. bonus prize. Grab it within eight emerge on the other. Sounds just The player controls a person seconds and you win the points. like a re-write of Pac Man, right? (Lt. Ripley?) running through the Run out of time or get munched by Well, those are the similarities. The maze-like corridors of the space- an alien and you return to the maze differences are what make the ship Nostromo, crushing alien eggs screen. You don't lose a human if game noteworthy. for points. One by one, Aliens you die on the bonus round, you First, the sparkling stars emerge from a door at the bottom just return a little humbled, per- (energizers) appear only ONE AT of the screen (up to three per haps. A TIME. This makes for more stra- maze) It's interesting that certain tegic game to pur- touches are so much closer to their play and sue the arcade inspiration than Atari's ver- discour- hap- sion. For instance, the color of the ages run- less maze walls are blue, just like the ning for a hu- arcade Pac Man. The sound of the quick power man. egg crushing is VERY CLOSE to up. Second, The the original dot munching sound the player human effect and the background siren is has a can present, as well. WEAPON. grab The ads for this cartridge pro- Pressing spar- vided a take off on the original the fire but- kling movie's tag line, "In your living ton causes stars to room, no one can hear you a flame tempo- scream." But when I play Alien, I thrower, rarily turn the tables on find a good solid challenge, clever YES, A FLAME the aliens, at which “Feed Me!” graphics, and excellent sound. In THROWER, to activate in point they turn blue and flee and short, a screaming good front of the player. When the flame are worth increasingly higher points time! thrower is activated, the aliens re- CGM Classic Gamer Magazine Winter 2000 24 By Skyler Miller broken down into three ele- ments: navigating the city map, This year marks the 15th driving, and ghostbusting. The anniversary of Ghostbusters, city map is where you’ll spend the 1984 hit comedy starring most of your time. Here, you Bill Murray, Dan Akroyd, Har- see a complete layout of the old Ramis, and Ernie Hudson. city, which consists of build- Directed by Ivan Reitman and ings, the “Zuul” building, and written by Akroyd and Ramis, the Ghostbusters headquar- the movie grossed almost ters. $240 million in the U.S., A flashing red building is the spawning a sequel, two televi- signal for a ghost call. After sion cartoons, and a variety of moving to the flashing building, video games on several plat- you change into driving mode; forms. the more expensive your car, The video games are what the faster you’ll get to your des- we’re most interested in here, tination. Then it’s time to set up naturally. The first Ghost- the trap, coax the ghost into busters based game arrived on just NES Title Screen position with your proton beams, about every home console and and grab the ugly spud. computer known to man. Designed one. Once this information is en- If he gets away, one of your by David Crane, the extraordinary tered, you are presented with a men will be knocked over, and programmer also responsible for loan of $10,000 to spend on a new you’ll hear the familiar phrase, “He Ghostbusters franchise. There are Pitfall!, Ghostbusters was distinc- slimed me!” If you run out of traps tive due to its business simulation four cars and a selection of equip- or two of your Ghostbusters get elements and multi-objective game ment to choose from including slimed, you must return to head- play. traps, ghost vacuums, marshmal- quarters. The version most people are low detectors, and ghost bait, to Each caught ghost earns you a familiar with is the Commodore 64 name a few. certain amount of money depend- adaptation. After the game finishes With your car packed and ing on how fast you respond. The loading (which takes forever on the ready, it’s time to hit the streets of objective is to earn back more 1541 disk drive), you are immedi- New York. The actual game play is money than you started with before ately treated to a demented- the city’s PK level (the ghost’s sounding voice emissions) yelling, reaches 10,000. If “Ghostbusters! you fail, the game Ha, ha, ha, ha, ends. If you ha!” followed by achieve your goal, the familiar you are allowed to Ghostbusters enter the Zuul theme song. building, where Then a little ball you must get two appears and Ghostbusters past bounces on top of the Marshmallow the lyrics in time Man. If you do with the music that, you win the (Pressing F1 or game, are re- F3 begins the warded with extra game). cash, and given Next, you are an account num- asked to enter ber, which may be your name and used to continue an account num- the game at a ber, if you have
Atari 2600 Classic Gamer Magazine Winter 2000 25 Sega Genesis Sega Master System later time. Atari 2600, Apple II, AtariXE, Com- one with a trap) through a series of As far as movie adaptations go, modore 64, Colecovision, MSX rooms, blasting and trapping Ghostbusters is one of the best. It Nintendo Entertainment System, ghosts. A certain number of ghosts successfully captures the key ele- PC Jr., and Sega Master System. must be busted before you can ments of the movie and packages But the story doesn’t end there. move on to the next level. them into a fun, innovative game. In 1990, Sega released a side- Since 1990, there have been no Although the game play can get scrolling Ghostbusters game for its new Ghostbusters games for the monotonous after a while, the drive Genesis console, but this one was obvious reason that there has not to buy better cars with more equip- related to the previous releases. been a new movie. Rumors of a ment keeps things fresh. You can choose to be Peter, Ray Ghostbusters III have been circu- As far as differences between or Egon (but no Winston – he was lating for years, but whether or not the versions go, all retain the same always left out, don’t ya think?). it ever happens remains to be basic game play elements, but the The object is to make your way seen. If it does, however, you can complexity of the game and the through four different houses, bet that we’ll see some video quality of visuals and sound varies clearing them of ghosts and collect- games to accompany it. from system to system. For exam- ing the pieces of a stone tablet. ple, the Atari 2600 version has only The game’s graphics are distinctly one car with fewer options to Japanese, with super deformed- choose from and is less graphically style characters and CGM pleasing for obvious technical rea- strange looking ghosts. sons. Still, it remains one of the Other Ghostbusters- more complex games for the sys- related releases include tem. The Real Ghostbusters, On the other hand, the SMS an arcade shooter, and version adds more options and bet- an unrelated title of the ter graphics but is missing the same name for the C64’s voices. There are still only Game Boy (a forgettable four cars to choose from, but there action-puzzler). Two is a much larger selection of equip- separate games based ment. The driving sequence is also on the 1989 movie more complicated, as you now Ghostbusters II were re- have to dodge cars and roadblocks leased for the NES and on the way to your destination. In Game Boy. The NES addition, after you make it past the game is your basic plat- Marshmallow Man, there are two form shooter with decent extra levels. In the first, you have graphics and impossible to fight your way up to the top of game play. The Game the building; in the second, you go Boy game, on the other one-on-one against Gozer. Besides hand, is very good, fea- being impossibly difficult, these ex- turing all four Ghost- tra levels add very little in the way busters and unique, ad- of entertainment value. dictive game play. You All in all, the game was released move two Ghostbusters for the Amstrad CPC, Atari 800, (one with a proton pack,
Classic Gamer Magazine Winter 2000 26 Revenge of the Beefsteak Tomatoes
Remember that terrible movie “Attack of the Killer Tomatoes”? Sure it was stupid but it was funny, too! In case you just couldn’t live without a videogame se- quel to that masterpiece, you’re in luck! 20th Century Fox flexed its marketing muscle and dipped into its huge film vault for video game licensing ideas and came up with. . .Revenge of the Beefsteak Tomatoes? I realize they gave up the video game rights to “Star Wars,” but come on! Surprisingly, “Revenge” has some very original components to it. The object is to build 3 brick walls with your bug sprayer over the constantly moving and shooting tomato plants. While dodging their fire, you must also avoid giant attacking tomatoes and the smaller cherry tomato bombs. Hint: Build your walls from the bottom up.
Overall Rating: B
Mega Force
Mega Force is based on the box office flop of the same name. The movie was bad. I mean really, really bad. I also highly recommend it because it’s just that awful. Surprisingly, the game is pretty good! This amazes me because bad movies usually spawn really bad merchandising. Basic premise: Man your Moto Fighter (a flying mo- torcycle) through the desert, and defend your city against various attackers while launching a counterat- tack on the enemy’s city. Since your Moto Fighter gets really lousy gas mileage (you lose one gallon per sec- ond), you need to refuel by shooting the fuel tanks along the way. What really makes this game fun is that you can blow up *EVERYTHING*! - Lakes, trees, and even your own city (and you get points for doing that!).
Overall Rating: B+ King Kong
Rescue the maiden in distress from a giant ape atop a series of levels connected by ladders. The player must ascend the ladders while avoiding projectiles that are rolling towards him. Donkey Kong rip-off? You betcha! And a bad one at that! Tigervision licensed King Kong from Universal but failed to utilize the property to its full potential. When I think of the Big Ape, I envision him at the top of the Empire State Building with airplanes buzzing like flies around his head. It certainly would have been more interesting to fly a plane, trying to bring King Kong into a swan dive to the concrete below. And to think this game was licensed from the company that sued Nintendo (and lost) for ripping off Donkey Kong from them.
Overall Rating: F
Classic Gamer Magazine Winter 2000 27 Raiders of the Lost Ark
I recall experiencing a feverous anticipation when it was first announced that Atari would release a game based on the famous whip-toting hero. I think what I expected to get, and what I finally got were two different things. I always appreciated that Atari took some time with this license in order to make it something unique, rather than rushing it for a quick buck. What I had expected it to be involved Indy run- ning away from giant boulders and gathering treasures to get a high score. Little did I expect that programmer Howard Scott Warshaw would create a fairly complex game in which you guided a funny moving Indiana through a huge quest to locate the Ark of the Cove- nant. A lot of territory gets covered for a 2600 game! Although it could be rather frustrating at times (falling off cliffs, using two joysticks), I think a new benchmark was set for future adventure games.
Overall Rating: A-
E.T.
You either love or hate E.T. for the Atari 2600. In 1982, Howard Scott Warshaw accepted the task to complete E.T. in just six weeks, in order for it to be on shelves for Christmas. This was a monumental task even by 1982’s standards. So, if the game looks a little rushed, now you know the reason. The object of the game is to see how many times you can make your little green alien fall into the pits scattered around various screens. Ok, not really. Ac- tually, you’re supposed to locate the parts of a phone, which have been scattered about several screens. Once you find them, E.T. will “phone home,” which sends a message to his homeworld asking them to send a medical transport because he’s broken his legs falling into the pits so many times. This game sold over one million copies, but unfortu- nately over five million copies were created. Ironically, most of the other copies reportedly ended up in a con- crete landfill in a New Mexican desert.
Overall Rating: C Fantastic Voyage
You and your submarine have been injected into the bloodstream of a dying man. Your mission is to destroy the bacteria and make your way to your evil nemesis “The Blood Clot” (>boo< >hiss<) before your patient flatlines This 20th Century Fox game is largely forgettable and quite boring, which is too bad because the title alone makes you think you’re going to get something really great. “Strap in, kids! This is not going to be a ‘Mediocre Voyage’ by any means!” ‘Fantastic,’ it ain’t.
Overall Rating: D
Classic Gamer Magazine Winter 2000 28 Flash Gordon
While not as bad as the 1980 film which inspired it, Flash Gordon is still some pretty bland stuff. Fly your ship through Spider City (which is a series of tunnels) and rescue the spacemen who are missing. This game was created in the vain of Defender. Many similar elements are present, such as the side- scrolling movement of your ship, almost identical ene- mies, and rescuing people by hitting them with your spaceship. The only unique feature in the game is the map on the lower half of the screen, which lets you know where in the tunnel you are, as well as where the ene- mies and missing spacemen are located. The difficult part is trying to keep your eye on the map at the same time you are trying to get through the tunnels. How- ever, there isn’t any bad Queen music, which is a bo- nus, naturally.
Overall Rating: C+
Halloween
Halloween was reviewed in our last issue as a game “that goes bump in the night.” This is the game that made parents nuts because of its “graphic nature.” I suppose it was fairly gruesome for the time. Although, the sight of blood gushing from the decapitated babysit- ter’s neck is probably more hilarious than grotesque. The idea is to play the role of a babysitter and pro- tect the children in a two story dwelling from the homi- cidal Michael Myers. Good ol’ Mike follows you around, accompanied by his theme song (I gotta get me one of those) while making stabbing motions with his knife. It’s a colorful game with rich, vibrant, spurting reds and lovely brown and olive shag carpeting. Impressive music, too!
Overall Rating: B
Gremlins
Awww! How cute! A Gremlins game! Well, in name anyway. It’s really just a bad Kaboom! clone with a bo- nus round thrown in for good measure. The object is to maneuver your man on the bottom of the screen to catch the cute Gremlins falling from the sky. If you miss one, the Gremlin will eat what appears to be a hamburger (In case you didn’t know, you should never feed a Gremlin after midnight). If he eats the Whopper in question, he will turn into one of those bad Gremlins who smoke cigars, make themselves at home, and monopolize the television remote. Once the level is cleared, you go to the next round and try to destroy the bad Gremlins you just created. Only if they included risqué photos of Phoebe Cates would this game be worth it.
Overall Rating: D Classic Gamer Magazine Winter 2000 29 M*A*S*H
Join the zany antics of the gang from the 4077th M*A*S*H, as they fly helicopters and rescue wounded from the battlefield while avoiding artillery fire! Ok, I admit this game has very little to do with either the movie or television show of the same name, but it’s not too bad either. In one of the games, you race your helicopter against another in a bid to pick up the wounded. Another option has you rescuing paratroopers before they get blown to meaty bits (similar in style to Kaboom!). The third game lets you play doctor by giv- ing you the chance to remove shrapnel from a patient who, graphics wise, appears to have more severe problems than that. This will remind you heavily of the board game you played as a kid - “Operation.” Come to think of it, that guy was quite disturbing looking, as well.
Overall Rating: B-
Porky’s
First off, and this is important, there are no graphi- cally nude high school girls in locker room showers located anywhere within the game. There is a pathetic attempt at one, but don’t get excited about it. Second, don’t attempt to play this game without the instructions. You’ll either just sit in frustration saying, “what the hell?” or worse, you’ll give up and go watch the movie that inspired it instead. Ok, now if you still want to play the game, the ob- ject is to run across a highway and then blow up Porky’s Bar. The part that makes no sense is that if you get hit by a car on the highway, you get knocked into a swamp. The only way out is to use the pole vault and collect four bricks in order to build a ladder. This is extremely time consuming, and the problem will almost certainly resurface the next time you try to cross the highway. You’ll find that the instruction manual is far more entertaining as it contains sexual overtones, which have nothing to do with the game. So, “latch on” to it.
Overall Rating: C - Texas Chainsaw Massacre
This is a groundbreaking parent “freak out” game brought to you by the fine folks at Wizard. Not only is the game violent like its sister game, “Halloween,” but this time you get to play the bad guy, Leatherface. Just because it’s based on the movie of the same name, don’t be fooled into thinking it’s good. In fact, it’s quite poor. Take Leatherface on a countryside run to enjoy the fresh air while he rips people to shreds with his chainsaw. You may as well take a chainsaw to your money if you buy this game.
Overall Rating: D Classic Gamer Magazine Winter 2000 30 "Joysticks" lushi. back room of the arcade. The man- Review by Kyle Snyder However, most of the charac- ager engages in a game of "strip ters personify horrible clichés, such video" with two of the more annoy- One of the things the 80s was as the studly guy who manages the ing female patrons, and of course infamous for was the glut of teen arcade, yet has a bizarre phobia the girls lose. Would you have it sex comedies across the movie about actually playing the games. any other way? The game used in screens of America. This trend be- Then there are the two idiot cous- this scene is an obscure Japanese gan in 1978 with ins who carry out import (look at the goofy cabinet) "Animal House," all of Mr.Rutter’s called "Streaking," where the object and continued with dirty work. They appears to be to shed clothes while films such as make Darryl and avoiding the police, and eating 1981's "Porky's" Darryl from dots. (Hmmmmmmm. . .) and 1984's "Newhart" appear On a scale of one to five, I'd rate "Revenge of the Shakespearian this a 2. It's excellent if you want a Nerds." Now, for by comparison! trip down memory lane to the ar- each of these well And the worst cades of yesteryear, but if you’re written classics, character, by far, looking for good writing and acting, there were at least is King Vidiot, an look elsewhere. I'd recommend ten poorly written, 80's punk to the "Ghostbusters"! cheesy attempts at Nth degree who the genre that went has four mindless straight to video or cable TV. Re- drone gals constantly following him “The Wizard” member "Malibu Bikini Shop" or around. King Vidiot enters into a Review by Chris Cavanaugh "Spring Break"? Of course you deal with Rutter to defeat the best don't. You probably don't remem- player at the arcade and win a real I’m under the impression that ber "Joysticks" either. arcade game of this movie was not made for "Joysticks" opened in the sum- his own. Of an audience of 32-year-olds. mer of 1982 with tepid box office course, K.V. I never saw it when it was sales and has since been slum- loses. Would you originally released, although I ming around the wee morning have it any other doubt it was made for 22 hours of non-network TV, and way? year olds either. USA's "UP All Night." Now for the If you enjoy watching two- The story has some promise. most important hour Nintendo commercials, An influential businessman wants critique, historical then this movie might be to shut down the local game room, accuracy. The ar- your cup of tea. You defi- claiming video games contribute to cade looks ex- nitely have to hand it to Nin- the immorality and poisoning of our actly like one of tendo. This flick was basi- youth. The teens fight back in town those little game cally one giant NES adver- hall, bringing forth photos of the rooms that tisement (consoles, games businessman involved in question- sprouted up in and peripherals!). Universal, able acts, and eventually every- parking lots eve- recognizing a good thing thing gets settled. The kids win. rywhere, com- when they see it, decides to The arcade stays open. plete with neon cash in on this ploy by pro- There are a few likeable charac- lights, dark walls, moting its studio tour as well. ters, such as Eugene, the kind- and rotating stop- These aren’t subtle ads, hearted nerd who endures a few lights. It has a small snack bar, and folks. These are point blank, humiliating pranks in the first few nearly every popular game was punch you in the nose and kick you minutes but later becomes an inte- present. Pac Man, Defender, Aster- in your joystick sales proclama- gral part of the gang. There is also oids, Centipede, and Gorf are all tions. Patsy, the sweet valley girl, who is very visible in the background, and There is somewhat of a plot in- cursed to be the daughter of the even some dark horse hits like Car- volving Corey (Fred Savage) taking businessman, Joseph Rutter. And nival and Zarzon can be seen. The his partially autistic half-brother, for all his disgusting slobbishness, most interesting game has to be Jimmy, out of a Utah institution to "Dorfus" is this movie's John Be- the maze chase game shown in the go on a trek to California. It seems
Classic Gamer Magazine Winter 2000 31 ClassicClassic AdvertisementAdvertisement
19831983
Classic Gamer Magazine Winter 2000 32 Classic Gamer Magazine Winter 2000 33 Jimmy just keeps saying the word vide a dramatic back- geek’s film library “California” over and over, so stage entrance for (the other being Corey decides, “What the hell!” and Jimmy to participate in “Tron”). Lance they hop aboard a Wonder Bread the finals against his Guest plays Alex truck bound west. As luck would foreshadowed neme- Rogan, a typical have it, Jimmy is a real wiz at play- sis, Lucas. Here, Nin- teenager living in ing video games and while at a tendo gets a crack at a trailer park with truck stop, he proceeds to score another plug, as the his mom and 50,000 on Double Dragon game to be played for brother. Alex des- (managing to do this on what ap- the final match-up is perately wants to pears to be the second level). A the soon-to-be- do something with young girl by the name of Haley released Super Mario his life beyond recognizes this as true talent and Bros. 3. It’s simply being the fix-it boy encourages Corey to take Jimmy to amazing that these for the trailer park the video game championships in kids know how to play population. Los Angeles. To raise the money this game and uncover Fate inter- to get to L.A., Corey and Haley use its many secrets with- venes in the form Jimmy’s gaming talents to chal- out ever having played of an arcade lenge all takers at various arcades. it before. game entitled “Starfighter,” which This is how they meet “Lucas,” the Well, I hate to give the ending Alex has become quite skilled at bad boy of video gaming, who pro- away, but I’m sure you can man- playing. As it turns out, the game ceeds to humiliate Corey with his age a guess. I can’t say I’d recom- is actually a tool used to recruit “Powerglove.” Lucas also delivers mend you see this movie to prove Starfighters to fight against an evil the best-worst line of the movie, “I yourself correct, either, but at worst empire in a distant galaxy. Alex love the Powerglove. It’s so bad!” catch it on cable and have a then becomes the reluctant hero Basically the movie is “Rain chuckle or two at its ridiculousness. who must take on Xur and the Ko- Man” meets “The Color of Money” I love The Wizard. It’s so bad! dan armada. meets “The Rugrats.” This movie bombed terribly at The film also includes your stan- the box office but has become dard bumbling, inept adults trying “Tilt” somewhat of a cult classic. to track them down, and not one of Here’s another bad film made Granted the plot is somewhat weak them has a hint of intelligence. in the spirit of “The Hustler.” and some of the characters are a There is Brooke Shields bit cardboard, but the film main- also an odd plays teenage run- tains a good, fun energy from start scene away “Tilt,” a pinball to finish. Two notable perform- played for virtuoso who wins ances include Robert Preston as laughs money by wandering Centauri, the fast talking galactic where Haley the country and recruiter, and Dan O’ Herlihy as accuses one challenging others to Grig, Alex’s loyal co-pilot. of the adults pinball. She even “The Last Starfighter” has re- of child mo- hangs out at a bar in cently been released on DVD and lestation. hopes of scoring includes bonus features such as Ha ha! Get money. No, I’m not widescreen, director’s commentary, it? And, I’ll sure why a 12 year production photos and notes, and give a dollar old girl is allowed to the original trailer. to the first hang out in a bar, It’s interesting to note that no person who but that’s the least of models were used in creating the can tell me the point of Christian this film’s problems. special effects. “The Last Star- Slater’s character. There is a muddled plot that in- fighter” was the first film to utilize The finale takes place at the volves Tilt giving her winnings to a CGI technology (created on a Cray videogame championship, coinci- really bad singer, so he can make computer) on a large scale. The dentally enough at Universal Stu- an equally bad demo for some special effects team claims the dios. After Jimmy wins the semi- poor, unsuspecting record com- visuals would have been much finals, the aforementioned idiot pany. This is another film in the grander had they not been con- adults pursue the kids inside the “so bad it’s good” category. By all strained by the clock due to the theme park. This allows for perfect means check it out when it’s aired time consuming process of render- placement for Universal to promote on cable. ing the graphics the new at the time, “King Kong” If you’ve never seen this movie, attraction. If only the 40-foot ape “The Last Starfighter” do yourself a favor and at least hurled barrels at the kids would this give it a rent. We think “You’re have made a perfect promotion. gonna love it. . .Love it!” “The Last Starfighter” is another What it does do, however, is pro- movie that belongs in every 80’s CGM Classic Gamer Magazine Winter 2000 34 We chat with “E.T.” and “Raiders of the Lost Ark” programmer, Howard Scott Warshaw, about life at Atari, his programming efforts, and his latest crusade.
By Darrin Powell
In 1982, a daring archeologist People smoked marijuana in the named Indiana Jones was thrilling office. Programmers worked all movie audiences across the coun- hours of the day and night. try as he battled poisonous snakes, Games weren't just a job. They runaway boulders, and ruthless were a way of life. Nazis in a fast-paced adventure "We were always making up film called "Raiders of the Lost games," Warshaw says. "And not Ark." just video games. Any kind of Meanwhile, at the offices of the game. We'd play bocci with lemons nation's hottest video game com- Howard deals up anecdotes in in the hallway. We'd pitch pennies. pany, programmer Howard Scott “Once Upon Atari” We'd play poker. Anything we did Warshaw was busy terrorizing his was pretty much games." co-workers with a bullwhip. "People hated it," Warshaw Warshaw says the management "I had a 10-foot bullwhip that I says, laughing. "There's that story at Atari tolerated the wild behavior. got while doing Raiders of the Lost about Atari burying a bunch of "The security department had or- Ark, so I could get into character," them in Arizona. But I have no per- ders to keep the police away from Warshaw says, his voice filled with sonal knowledge about that. Lots of us," he says. "It was a lot like being conspiratorial glee. "When I'd take people tell me the story, but I've a rock star, but without the expo- breaks, I'd go around the hallways, never seen any pictures. I've never sure. We got a lot of money, had sneak up behind people and crack been there myself." total creative freedom and total be- the whip. It was really loud. Like a That's bad news for collectors havioral freedom -- as long as we gunshot." who harbor dreams of leading an kept the games coming out." As the man who programmed Indiana Jones -like expedition into Not everybody could handle the both Raiders of the Lost Ark and the desert to search for a hidden pressure. Some people, Warshaw E.T. for the Atari 2600, Warshaw cache of long-lost "E.T." carts. But says, literally cracked under the holds a special place in the history Warshaw still has plenty of interest- strain. of movie-related video games. ing stories about those early at- "People got carted away to You'd be hard pressed to find two tempts at synergy between Holly- mental hospitals," he says. "That titles that wood and Silicon Val- happened a couple of times. You better rep- ley. were one person working on a pro- resent the ject that the company is spending highs and Freaks and Geeks tens of millions of dollars on. And lows of Hol- you're the sole focus of responsibil- lywood's Future programmer ity." early-'80s and prankster Howard But there was also the satisfac- flirtation Scott Warshaw was tion of knowing you were working with the born in New Jersey on the cutting edge of a popular fledgling and educated in New new technology. The programmers video game Orleans. At the dawn at Atari were doing things with the industry. of the 1980s, he was working as a 2600 that its creators had never Raiders of the Lost Ark was re- programmer at Hewlett-Packard -- envisioned. leased in 1982. A complex quest and hating it. "It was very much like ground with lots of rooms to explore and "I was really bored at HP," he breaking work, and there were puzzles to solve, Raiders pushed says. "And I was something of a times you'd do something and the envelope for adventure games zoo case. But a guy I was working know nobody had ever done it be- on the Atari 2600. It was a critical with, his wife worked at Atari. She fore," Warshaw says. "It was a and commercial success. thought I'd fit in. So I went and ap- team environment, but full of real E.T. was released in 1983. A plied for a job there." individuals. It was definitely the monumental programming effort, it At Atari, Warshaw found himself most fun place I ever worked." sold millions of copies but went on in a free-wheeling environment that to become one of the most ma- was miles away from the buttoned- When you wish upon a Yar ligned titles in the Atari catalog. down world of Hewlett-Packard. Yars’ Revenge began life as a
Classic Gamer Magazine Winter 2000 35 clone of the ar- sponse? ment you could do." cade hit "Star "He In all, the game took eight Castle." It was said, months to complete. Warshaw was Warshaw's first ‘Very proud of the results. Raiders of the assignment at clever. Lost Ark became his second mil- Atari. Now lion-selling title and helped prove "After looking make the value of movie tie-ins. at it, I realized more "It was a brilliant marketing in- that to do Star games.' " novation, the idea of movie tie-in," Castle directly Warshaw says. "But then they real- would pretty Whips ized they only wanted to do hit much suck," War- and movies. You'd wait for a movie to shaw says. "It be a hit, and then jump and say would really not brains quick, do a game. Which is what translate well to Yars’ happened with 'E.T.' " the VCS at all." Revenge Howard cracking the whip went on to be- So he began taking Atari phones home Star Castle apart, pulling out the come a top- selling action title for Atari. War- How did E.T. end up in War- elements he knew would work and shaw's hands? Simple. He was the adding new touches of his own. It shaw's next assignment was Raid- ers of the Lost Ark. Unlike today, only person crazy enough to ac- was the game play that consumed cept the assignment. him most. He wanted a game that when movie tie-ins are a regular part of the marketing scheme, the "No one else would take it, be- would be fun to play with a joystick cause it was such a short dead- and be visually stimulating, too. idea for a "Raiders" game didn't come until well after the movie was line," Warshaw says. "It took them He didn't want to emulate the until the end of July to negotiate look of Star Castle. He wanted to a hit. "I actually flew down to Warner the deal, and they needed it for the emulate the fun. Christmas market, which meant "The reason everything came Brothers studio to meet with Ste- ven Spielberg,” Warshaw says. "I that it had to be done by the first of together in Yars’ Revenge is be- September. That left you with five cause it has an up-down, left-right showed him Yars’ and talked with him and told him my theory about weeks to do the whole game." thing," Warshaw says. "You have a Five weeks. Most games took at vertical axis and a horizontal axis how he was an alien, which got me quote of the month in 'Games' least four months. Warshaw had going simultaneously in the game, his work cut out for him. which I think makes things visually magazine. That was kind of cool." Warshaw had complete creative He met with Spielberg again. "I compelling. . .and I put in the full- spent a couple of hours laying out screen explosion because I wanted freedom with Raiders. He knew he wanted to do an the basic there to be a big pay-off." design of But after programming it, the exploration-style game, but he did- the game, next big challenge was naming it. the world, "Marketing was coming up with n't want to simply duplicate what the landing names for the game," he says. zone, the "The working name of the game Warren Robbi- nette people was Time Freeze. But that seemed buildings, kind of lame. They'd just take any had done with Adventure. the pits two space words and string them where you together. It was really quite pa- "Adventure was a great find the thetic." phone So Warshaw came up with his game. But it was a very elemental, simple parts," he says. own storyline, about interstellar in- Yars’ Revenge "And Spielberg sects fighting a shielded enemy. game," Warshaw says. "It was a ground breaker. It had a goes, 'that's nice. . .but can you do For the name, he indulged in a bit a maze thing, though?' And I'm of alphabetical trickery. huge cult following and I had a lot of respect for it. So my feeling was thinking, 'Geez, Steven, we want to "I named it Yar, which is Ray do something new with this. I don't spelled backwards, because Ray just to do another 'Adventure' was- n't really worth it." think doing a Pac-Man ripoff and Kassar was the CEO of Atari at the calling it E.T. will be much fun.' " time," Warshaw says. "The actual Instead, he wanted to raise the stakes. He pauses and chuckles. "But, title of the game is The Yarian Re- you know. . .it might have been venge of the Razak Solar System. "With Raiders my goal was just to make the biggest adventure better." For Warshaw, program- And Razak is Kassar spelled back- ming E.T. soon became a 24-hour wards." game possible for the VCS," he says. "Not just the most screens, obsession. "I was just working all Of course, Kassar eventually the time," he says. "I had a devel- found out about the prank. His re- but the most different scenarios and the most immersive environ- opment system moved into my
Classic Gamer Magazine Winter 2000 36 house. All my time was spent work- he'd like to bring signers as well as ing. My managers, all they did was some of the spirit of Atari founder, Nolan try and make sure I ate and slept classic game pro- Bushnell. occasionally and stuff." gramming into the "One thing I've E.T. was finished and released current video game always known about on time. It was heavily hyped for scene. He wants to Atari is that it was the Christmas market and sold mil- foster better commu- just a great story," lions of copies. But a lot of gamers nication between pro- Warshaw says. "It were disappointed. grammers and was an amazing "E.T. was a great effort, but graphic designers, to thing, an amazing game players, they don't care strike a balance be- moment in American about the effort that went into a tween presentation business history and cart," Warshaw says. "They care and playability. my personal history. about the game. I would've liked to "I'm just getting Nobody's come close have had more time to work on it." my feet wet again, to touching what it Warshaw still thinks E.T. could getting back into it," was really like at E.T. Box Parody by have been a good game with just a he says. "After many Atari. It was unbeliev- Mark Freid few minor tweaks. His desire, at years of being out of able." the time, was to create a game with games, I realized that games are the Each episode of the series tack- flesh-and- thing I enjoy doing the les a different aspect of Atari. In blood charac- most. And I've done a true George Lucas fashion, War- ters that play- lot of things." shaw produced the final episode, ers could em- That's an understate- "The Agony & The Ecstasy," first. pathize with. ment. After leaving Atari "The fourth one is very informa- On that point, in 1984, Warshaw tion intensive," he says. "This was he thinks he worked a variety of jobs. my tribute and thanks to the classic succeeded. He dabbled in real es- gamers, the people who made the "It was tate, industrial robotics, whole experience possible, the okay," he writing, teaching, and people who played the games. And says. "The photography. so I put out something for the peo- only thing I But these days, his ple who are still solid hardcore was really The much maligned “E.T.” for big passion is video. classic devotees, so they could find disappointed the Atari 2600 Warshaw is fascinated out technical details of the 2600, about was the way you fell into the by documentary film making and what it was actually like, what it wells a bit too much. If I could have now considers video his "primary was like programming it." tuned that down, it would have love." Warshaw understands the de- been better. But fundamentally the "Videography is very complex," votion many gamers feel towards point of the game I think is okay, he says. "It's audio and video and all Atari and the classic videogame the assembling the phone, avoiding about creating images in mind. I al- systems of the '80s. He still likes the people, the whole concept." ways looked at the games, too. Hmmm. Sounds like a good ex- games as a broad- "I do still play, actually," cuse for a new game. E.T. 2000 for cast medium." he says. "I was playing the PlayStation, maybe? Currently, War- Space Invaders the other "Actually," Warshaw says, "I shaw's biggest day, and a little Yars’, I have a good idea for a Yars’ se- video project is a must confess. I still think quel. It's an idea I've had swimming behind-the-scenes it's a fun game." around in my mind for 20 years or look at his days at And he draws a lot of so. I think it would be a really fun Atari. He has fin- satisfaction from knowing game you could do on the VCS or ished three install- that his game creations are the PlayStation. It would be a fun, ments of his "Once still entertaining people. engaging play. One thing people Upon Atari" video "To have had the oppor- don't do anymore, I think, is put in series, with a tunity to provide that ex- really engaging game play. People fourth installment perience, that escape, is so are so concerned about due this year. You incredibly satisfying," he presentation and graphics." can visit Warshaw's web site (home. says. "That's something that will netcom.com/~hsw/) for information last me all my life, that there were Games, Lies and Videotape on how to order the tapes. hundreds of thousands of hours of Game fans will be pleased to Warshaw says "Once Upon Atari" entertainment I was directly re- know that Warshaw is back in the is a no-holds-barred exploration of sponsible for. That's a great feel- video game business. He's cur- the world of Atari's programmers dur- ing." rently working with 3DO. He says ing the heyday of the 2600. He inter- viewed many of his fellow game de- CGM Classic Gamer Magazine Winter 2000 37 of forced per- bought. Instead spective. By of “fights to the hen George Lucas having the finish” duels a la unleashed Star Wars mountains in Vader vs. Obi Winto theatres in 1977, he created more the background Wan, the player than a great film. He forever changed move at a was instead (mis) how Hollywood would design and mar- slower pace treated to try ket movies, particularly on the mer- than the valley blocking laser chandising front. After an avalanche of in the fore- bolts from a Star Wars action figures, T-shirts, plas- ground, an illu- Seeker sent by tic light sabers, and comic books hit the sion of depth your opponent on stores, what better way to immerse the was created. the other side of Star Wars junkie into the film than to Being hit by the arena. The actually let them be a part of the ac- a Walker’s mis- Lightsabers never tion? Naturally, video games were the sile may damage SW: Jedi Arena for the Atari 2600 got within 10 feet of next logical extension in the Star Wars your ship but won’t each other, which merchandising juggernaut. necessarily remove you from the ac- was a major disappointment. If you tion; the Snowspeeder can sustain up destroyed your opponent’s force field Use the to five hits. If it is with the laser bolts in three separate Joystick, damaged, it can matches, you were declared the win- Luke land on one of the ner. Big deal. In 1982, valley’s many crev- Perhaps thinking the way to a true Parker ices for quick repair Jedi’s heart was through the cockpit, Brothers and be back in ac- Parker Brothers followed up Jedi Arena released tion in no time. with Return of the Jedi: Death Star the first The Imperial Walk- Battle. This game re-enacts the final Star Wars ers also have ran- Death Star Battle in Return of the Jedi. video domly placed bomb Manning the Millennium Falcon, you game, hatches, but they must battle Tie Interceptors and fight Star can be destroyed your way through a force field in order Wars: The with one well to get close enough to the Death Star Empire SW: Empire Strikes Back for the placed shot. to destroy it. Once close enough, you Strikes Back, Atari 2600 Sensing a good thing must chip away at the reconstructing for the Atari when they saw it, Parker Death Star while avoiding its Death 2600. The Brothers saw fit to re- Ray. This is a fast paced, challenging premise is simple: Stop the advancing lease another title under the Star Wars game. Unfortunately, the cartridge is a Imperial Walkers from reaching the banner. They also quickly learned that bit on the rare side and can be difficult shield generator by hitting them 48 simply placing the Star Wars moniker to find. Keep scouring the flea markets times with laser fire from your Rebel on a cartridge does not a good game and garage sales for this one. Snowspeeder. The Imperial Walkers make. Star Wars: Jedi Arena had Speaking of rare, Parker Brothers are equipped with tracking missiles, “hit” written all over it. The promise of had intentions of releasing another Star which can be fired from the front as wielding a Wars well as from the rear. If you can keep light saber game enti- your Snowspeeder alive for 2 minutes, to battle tled Re- “The Force Will be With You,” the Star opponents turn of Wars “Main Theme” will play, and you could the Jedi: will be indestructible for 20 seconds. make the Ewok Ad- The Imperial Walker is also capable of heart skip venture. launching smart bombs, which will fol- a beat. This game low your Snowspeeder unless you are Players’ was touted able to out maneuver or shoot it down. hearts in the Empire Strikes Back was a huge hit skipped Parker for Parker Brothers. By offering new alright, Brothers game play on older themes, the replay when they catalog as value remained high. The pace was realized being kept fast and furious, and the simple what they available graphics were enhanced through use had SW: Death Star Battle for the Atari 2600 in Fall of Classic Gamer Magazine Winter 2000 38 1983. Commercially it of movie dialogue, and a The blocky never saw the light of flight yoke to emulate the X- graphics day, but an anonymous Wing controls. Most impor- and lack of collector did snap up tantly, it allowed the player a speech what is believed to be to experience a first person synthesizer the only existing proto- perspective of flying a Rebel just didn’t type of this game. X-Wing into the climactic cut it for Since the game is pri- fray of the Death Star Battle. these vately held, we can only The arcade cabinets were transla- hope that either the built as upright machines tions, as owner will one day but the real enjoyment came noble an share it with everyone in from the sit down units. effort as one form or another or Here you were able to climb they were. another prototype inside, have a seat, and im- In 1984, comes into existence. A merse yourself in the Star Atari re- prototype of the game’s Wars Universe. leased a box was found (empty) The game consisted of quirky with the title “Revenge three levels. The first objec- “Return of of the Jedi: Game 1.” tive was to wipe out the in- the Jedi” The object of the coming Tie Fighters in an arcade game is to guide your outer space dogfight (taking game. To hang gliding Ewok over a few potshots at Vader’s mimic the Star Wars Arcade Stormtroopers, AT-ST’s, Tie Interceptor in the proc- film, the and Biker Scouts, pelt ess). The player then de- game’s action would alternate between them with rocks and scended to the Death Star what was happening on the Moon of maneuver the Ewok to surface to test his aim and Endor and flying the Millennium Falcon the Imperial shield gen- flying skills in an attempt to in an attempt to take out the Death erator to destroy it. (Not knock out the Towers. In Star’s reactor. The first level can only with rocks, I’m assum- the third and final level, you be described as being a “diagonal ing.) As much as I can’t got to pilot your way through scroller.” Hopping on a speeder bike in stand Ewoks, it does the Death Star trench in a the Forest of Endor would earn you the sound as if the play me- bid to fire cannons into the pleasure of dodging trees and booby chanics had the po- Ewok Adventure as featured in exhaust port, which traps while maneuvering yourself to tential to make for a the Parker Brothers Catalog would de- shoot down the pursu- fun game. If you find stroy the ing Stormtroopers. The one of these rare Death Star. point of view definitely carts, be sure to let us know. Or better The movie dialogue, takes some getting yet, send it to us! which was synthesized into used to. Another rarity is simply known as the game, actually helped Atari followed up in “Revenge of the Jedi: Jedi 2.” This enhance the game play. the arcades with “The mysterious game has only its box as a Obi Wan lightly urging you Empire Strikes Back.” clue to its existence. To date, no proto- to “Use the Force, Luke” in However, in an effort to type of the game itself has been found. the trench level was, in cut corners, they simply Judging from the box’s artwork, it fact, a hint to not fire your modified the existing seems to be based on the skiff battle weapons and just avoid Star Wars arcade cabi- scene in Return of the Jedi and fea- the oncoming fire. Not fir- nets with new stickers tures the Sarlacc Pit as one of the main ing on the exhaust port and replaced the Star perils. until Han Solo proclaimed, Wars ROM board with “You’re all clear, kid” would the new Empire Strikes Arcades Get the Force earn you bonus points. Back ROM board. In 1983, Atari released into arcades Parker Brothers made a fairly im- Three new levels replaced the old one of the most stunning games seen pressive, albeit rare, conversion for the ones, allowing the pilot to take on Im- up to this point. The arcade version of Atari 2600 as well as the Colecovision, perial Walkers, hunt down Probe Star Wars was comprised of vector although it just wasn’t the same experi- Droids, and blast through an asteroid graphics, synthesized sound samples ence the arcade version had to offer. field. These conversions are a bit
SW: Empire Strikes Back Star Wars Arcade for the Return of the Jedi Arcade for the Intellivision Atari 2600
Classic Gamer Magazine Winter 2000 39
and The Empire Strikes Back, players could once again play the role of their space heroes. When the Photo by Josh Ling Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) was introduced, Star Wars fans were rewarded with amazing games. Super Star Wars, Su- per Empire Strikes Back, and Star Wars Arcade Ad, 1983 Revenge of the Jedi Game II Proto Super Return of the Jedi featured spectacular and sive “Rogue Squadron” for the Nin- identifiable graphics. Luke actu- tendo 64, and the enormous number of harder to find in the arcades and you ally looked like Luke! Blowing away titles for the PC and Mac. When you may even miss them at first glance, Jawas, driving Luke’s Landspeeder, look at the progression the Star Wars dismissing them as the original Star and being able to switch between char- games have taken, it’s hard to believe Wars arcade game. acters made the titles worthy of the it all started with a small block attacking Star Wars name. an Imperial Walker with the aid of a May the Force Feedback be with you The SNES Star Wars games set a joystick and one single button. So grab Once The Crash of the video game new benchmark in game design for all a joystick and give Empire Strikes Back industry seemed like a distant night- Star Wars titles. Since then, as tech- another whirl on your 2600. And feel mare, Nintendo rose from the ashes nology has progressed, an impressive free to hum along with the music when with its 8-bit Nintendo Entertainment deluge of Star Wars titles have ap- you have “The Force.” System (NES). Once the NES estab- peared. Examples include Sega’s ar- lished itself in the American living cade versions, allowing you to attack room, the Star Wars video game jug- Imperial Cruisers head on, the impres- gernaut returned. Releasing Star Wars CGM
Win an autographed copy of “Phoenix - The Fall and Rise of Videogames” WIN! by Leonard Herman.
Poem Example: Haiku Example: Classic Gamer Magazine is giving away two autographed copies of Leonard Her- There once was a man (A Haiku consists of a 3 man’s authoritative book about the history who would boast, line stanza with a 5,7,5 "I'm the man who can syllable pattern) of videogames. eat the most" Although he ate lots Donkey Kong climbs up But ya gotta earn it! He ate only dots Crazy barrels do descend And occasional side- Die Mario! Die! We’re looking for aspiring Longfellows dish of ghost.
and Maya Angelous! - Damien Quicksilver - too embarrassed to admit
Send either an original classic videogame poem or Haiku and we’ll award Phoenix as Send in your entry (with your contact info) to: a prize in each category. Classic Gamer Magazine Poetry Contest One prize per category will be awarded. 7770 Regents Road #113-293 Winners and select entries will be printed in a future San Diego, Ca 92122 issue. Or e-mail to: [email protected]
Classic Gamer Magazine Winter 2000 40 From Atari to Sony to VMLabs, Donald A. Thomas Jr. has witnessed and worked through the best and worst times of the video gaming industry. MicroTimes Magazine recognized Mr. Thomas as one of the industry's top 100 leaders in 1991.
Mr. Thomas took the time to talk candidly with Classic Gamer Magazine's Patrick Wong about his in-depth website and the video gaming industry; from the fall of Atari to romanc- ing the video game market and her consumers and of course, Classic Gaming.
An Interview with Don Thomas By Patrick Wong
Classic Gamer Magazine: The birth generally better suited for today's titles time. of videogames began with a couple of than someone who was raised playing kids standing around in a soda place the 2600? CGM: What kind of games do you en- playing Pong. What would you say vision your kids, and possibly grand- was the defining moment in history that DT: I suppose that's like asking me if kids, will be playing in the future? transformed videogames from being a the kids today prefer to watch Toy casual, almost obscure, pastime to one Story and Titanic or some old Clark DT: My 16 year old, when he plays that has made a cultural impact on so- Gable film.
CGM: Speaking of movies, there's a CGM: Radio to color TV. . .that's a big CGM: It seems like a sports game scene from the Michael J. Fox movie gap to illustrate the difference in to- can't survive without the Major League "Back to the Future Part II" where the day's gaming. Knowing that the indus- Baseball teams, the NFL logos, or even character Marty McFly goes into the try has changed in so short a time from the WWF wrestlers. Does an athlete's future and visits a futuristic ice-cream & an old AM radio to today's stereo Sony endorsement really make or break a soda place and finds a Nintendo ar- tv, does the future of video gaming title? What's wrong with playing a cade shoot-em up game. Moments scare you? sports game without all the tie-in to pro- later, some kids walk in, watch McFly fessional teams? shoot some cowboys, and are far from DT: Not at all. But I do think some impressed that he was so skilled at this companies are going to suddenly real- DT: I think the easiest way to answer classic shoot-em up. Do you think kids ize that gaming has left behind the that is to consider the alternative. today, looking back at these old classic younger minds and the minds of all Sports games are measured by how games, are far from impressed at what ages who once played video games to real they look. How real does a base- we were playing with back then? relax and have fun, not to be driven ball game look without logos on the Would you agree that today's kids are with virtually real tension the entire players’ jerseys? How about a race car Classic Gamer Magazine Winter 2000 41 without company sponsors? How about thinks that there is any romance behind the retailers and put it into the hands of football with plain helmets and un- the scenes of making and marketing the consumer. Legitimize the decision adorned end zones? Or a soccer game video games, but I don't think that is to have an evening playing video without rotating billboards? Once one their fault. It's the industry's responsibil- games as acceptable as going to a logo enters a game, the obligation is ity to create that romance and exploit it. movie. Make superstars out of the pro- there to license the product. I also think ducers and coders. gamers like to see how specific pro CGM: What can the industry do to teams play in simulations which include help create that much needed romance CGM: Maybe the industry needs to them in the game. between the developers and the play- unite like the movie studios do? ers? CGM: Do you remember Atari's DT: Some of the Spielbergs in the Homerun?
DT: It's not a matter of when the in- dustry "finally gets," it's a matter of when the industry "finally creates." The big TV and movie awards happen due to the industry realizing they benefit most by industry wide self-promotion. I think some very serious entrepreneurs need to form one or more organizations that do nothing but help create stars, foster news coverage, and host awards events. When this happens, video games and similar forms of entertain- ment will become as popular as VHS and Compact Discs. In the meantime, video games may make a lot of money, but the industry will still not be regarded as "glitzy."
CGM: These stars you mention, are these video game stars like Pac-Man and Donkey Kong or are they program- mers?
DT: The programmers, the producers, the soundtrack artists, the animators, the promoters, etc.
CGM: Why does mainstream media ignore video games? Is it because most members of the media may not be informed, or even interested in video games? It seems they’d rather bash video games than celebrate them.
DT: I don't think mainstream media Classic Gamer Magazine Winter 2000 42 but not one of the writers has ever a more "evolved" vision of the future of panies do things in the consumer's in- been invited to a discussion on, let's the gaming industry rather than com- terest. It's natural that consumers al- say, ABC's Nightline. Is there a need peting hardware? ways want more and companies priori- for more serious writers? tize profits. A lot of people do not think DT: Systems do often compete over that the Tramiels spent enough money DT: The writers are there, I think. I software. There's a term for that type of in marketing or any number of other don't think the media infrastructure software. . ."system sellers." For Sega, business areas. I've uniquely been in thinks that the mass it was Sonic, for Nin- both positions: an angry outsider want- market cares much. I'm “I think very highly tendo, it's Mario, and for ing the company to do so much more, afraid they're right. That Playstation, it’s Crash and a frustrated insider realizing that a is why I think the indus- of all the Tramiels. Bandicoot. whole lot more was being done than try needs to band to- anyone realized. gether to create that They were often CGM: Does a standard- thirst in the minds of the ized system seem at all CGM: In a recent article, you wrote masses. unreasonable in my possible? some more details about the Tramiels. view, but if it were There aren't a lot of gamers who know CGM: What would you DT: The consumer bet- much, if anything at all, about them. like to see done to help not for the ter hope not. They bene- Tell us something about them. Are promote the video game fit more from competition. there any interesting stories you'd like image? Tramiels, Atari to share with us? CGM: Since we're bring- DT: That's for the PR wouldn't have ing up all the big DT: For the sake of time, let me just people to analyze and continued on for names. . .you worked for say that they are actually fine people propose. the Grand-Daddy of all and have souls like the rest of us. Jack more than a decade video games: Atari. How built a business from a mindset that CGM: 3DO tried to long were you with Atari was developed during the worst of war standardize the industry more.” and what was your posi- times. His ideals were often ruthless with their system. tion? and he believed that people made their Would a standardized own destinies in the corporate world. video game system DT: I was with Atari from He believed that a better mousetrap unite the industry like it did with the November 1989 through August 1996. I would always capture the lens of the Video Cassette Recorder? held many positions in the areas of di- media and the hearts of consumers, rect fulfillment, customer service, and but when the industries changed, he DT: Not in my opinion. In the home marketing. was wrong. Fortunately for him, he be- movie industry, there are VHS, Laser, came rich when his ideals were more DVD, and some other obscure formats, CGM: Since you worked with the accurately matched to the industry. which give the consumer options. The Tramiel family for a long time, could gaming industry thrives better with you tell us about them and your feel- CGM: As an insider, what was and competition. . .an effort of one platform ings towards them? what might have been accomplished by outdoing the other. It costs the con- the Tramiels? sumer a little more if (s)he wants both/ DT: I think very highly of all the all systems, but that's the price to be Tramiels. They were often unreason- DT: The Tramiels gave life to Atari for paid for the privilege of choice. able in my view, but if it were not for more than a decade than it would have the Tramiels, Atari wouldn't have con- had. Jack founded Commodore which CGM: Would this same competition tinued on for more than a decade was also a monumental part of the that the industry thrives on be its Achil- more. early days of home computing. The les' heel? The one thing that'll keep Tramiels, especially Jack, deserve a this industry from coming together for CGM: In an article you wrote about great deal of honor as well as criticism. the good of it? your days at Atari, you described how Atari was losing a million dollars a day CGM: As an outsider, what could the DT: The movie industry doesn't care before the Tramiels took over. I don't Tramiels have done to keep Atari pros- what format you buy as long as you think any of us can picture working in pering? buy. They'll publish in whatever format an environment like that. consumers want. DT: He should have started making DT: Atari was losing a million dollars a PC clones and publishing PC (MS- CGM: If the video game industry day in 1984. I did not join Atari until licensed) software a very long time thrives on competition, yet has to be 1989. Having spoken to people who ago. On the gaming side, he should more unified, doesn't that contradict were there at the time, I understand have left the hardware business and itself? there was a lot of waste and over- reintroduced updated Atari classics on spending. the new game systems. DT: Milk companies compete, but the Dairy Association wants to know if CGM: There seems to be a lot of bit- CGM: I'm not too familiar with Mr. Ted you’ve, "got Milk?" Flower shops com- terness and resentment from Atari loy- Hoff. I am aware that he was President pete, but FTD reminds us to buy flow- alists towards the Tramiel clan even of Atari before the end and then went ers all year long. If the industry does though at one point under the Tramiels' on to Sega. Tell us about him and your better, then everyone in it does better. direction, the company grossed almost days working with him. $500 million. Why such hard feelings? CGM: Would competing over better DT: He was unusually willing to listen software (with a hardware standard) be DT: Consumers rarely feel that com- and to find ways to resolve issues us- Classic Gamer Magazine Winter 2000 43 ing the best ideas of everyone on his CGM: It seems when Hasbro bought tween 2-3 million for the 8-bits and 1 team. He never took undue credit and the Atari properties, hardly anyone in million of the 16-bits here in the states. was always willing to give credit when the news paid any attention to it (or Would that be accurate? due. It was a pleasure to work for/with they reported the news incorrectly in him. some cases). It's really a shame that DT: That might well be accurate. I everyone has almost forgotten Atari. know they were big numbers. I never CGM: What was his vision for Atari? It's an even bigger shame to learn that saw the records myself. Hasbro only paid $5 million for Atari. Is DT: Eventually, it was Atari Interac- there anything we haven't heard or CGM: In your web site, you mention tive. . .software for PCs and other plat- learned about this acquisition? that Atari was building super- forms. That was the right direction to computers and Unix computers. What go to keep Atari afloat, but Jack wanted DT: You've probably heard what I became of them and why were they nothing to do with it. have heard by now. I haven't heard cancelled at the last moment? much more. You're right, I haven't seen CGM: Your article (found at icwhen. much in mainstream press although DT: They were cancelled when it be- com) on the Hasbro/Atari buyout brings there was a story in the Wall Street came clear that they could not compete up a lot of good, unanswered questions Journal that was very poorly re- the way they thought they could. that have all been ignored by our main- searched. They didn't even know about stream press. May I ask you to specu- the transaction amount of $5,000,000. CGM: You used to write programs for late on some of the answers to the Hasbro paid much more than the prop- the Atari ST didn't you? You owned a questions that you asked in your arti- erties were worth to JTS. JTS had no company called "Artisan Software." cle? Specifically, what happened to motivation to make use of any of the What programs did you write for the the Atari employees at JTS? Atari properties. They were only col- ST? lecting dust and becoming increasingly DT: My observation was that they worthless. Hasbro has started, and will DT: Word Quest - A comprehensive were methodically asked to step away probably continue, to breathe new life word search puzzle generator, Word from their Atari assignments or laid off. into some old Atari classics. Quest 2 - A crossword puzzle genera- The significance was that no one in tor, Graph Maker - Easy graphs with power had any real intentions to try to CGM: Any second guesses as to how simple data, and Transport - Atari Port- make Atari work at JTS. I think most Atari could have turned herself around folio to Atari 16-bit computer file trans- people assumed JTS would try to do in her final years? fer application. something productive with it other than simply absorb the blood out of it. DT: A great product, tremendous sup- CGM: Let's talk about your website, port from third-party, disproportionate ICWHEN.COM. It's a website featuring CGM: And what became of the $25 marketing and advertising at launch, the entire history of computer & video million bridge loan that and all the things that go in games, listed in chronological order. Atari gave up in the “I think most to making these things First, how long did it take you to re- merger? people assumed happen. Once Atari lost all search and sort all the information you that money with Feder- had before putting it on your site? DT: I really don't know JTS would try to ated, I don't think they had specifically except that I much of a chance. DT: I think I've been on it for over 7 don't know that any of it do something years now. went to turn Atari around. CGM: Can you help clear productive with it up the Federated stores CGM: Incredible! Now the site also CGM: How much would confusion? Up here in the features articles you've written over the you estimate Atari is worth (Atari) other than Northeast, I don't think years covering topics like we're dis- with all her properties and simply absorb there are any of their cussing here. Are you a night writer or software titles? stores. Is this the same an impulsive writer? the blood out of Federated that owns DT: It all depends on your Macy's? DT: Hehe. Both I suppose. If the im- perspective and what you it.” pulse hits me at the office, I'll make plan to do with it. It was DT: The Federated Group some quick notes and write later, other- worth $5 million for as of Electronics Stores was a wise, it can happen at any time while long as JTS was willing to regional chain of stores near my computer. settle for that and Hasbro had the capi- similar to Highland, Circuit City, Good tal and willingness to pay it. Rumors Guys, or Best Buy. They had nothing to CGM: Seeing how few books there are circulated over a year ago that it was do with Federated Stores which is a offering a detailed history of video worth about $1 million to Nolan Bush- conglomerate of retail chains such as games, are there any plans for a book nell. I suspect Hasbro would say it's Macy's. Federated Electronics had 67 version? If so, how long before we worth a lot more if someone offered to stores when Atari acquired them. Jack might see it on the shelves? acquire it from them. We'll see what paid roughly $1,000,000 per store. Hasbro does with what they have. DT: I have no plans at this time. I un- Since I doubt Hasbro will ever spin it off CGM: Is Federated Electronics in busi- derstand that underwriters are not easy as a separate company again, I sus- ness today? to come by for that kind of project. pect that "Atari" will ultimately become valueless and some of the individual DT: No, it was discontinued in 1989. CGM: What new articles are you cur- game titles will be all that maintains rently working on? Any more poetry? any worth. CGM: How many Atari 8-bits and ST’s Will the web site also include old video were sold? I heard of numbers be- game magazine articles or interviews? Classic Gamer Magazine Winter 2000 44 CGM: You mentioned Sega and their DT: I.C. When grows whenever I can Saturn; another example of an expen- DT: That depends on when you ask find time to work on it. I have moun- sive toy. It was released with a price the question. The initial designers tains of resource materials still to pour tag of $299 before slowly going down thought the system was pushed to the through. The articles are things I do to $150. What gave Sega the impres- limit early on, then later, software de- when I'm inspired.
Well, here’s the “movie” issue of house. This creates a total lack of con- say, to hell with Classic Gamer Magazine. I guess the tinuity, such that any hope of enjoying text! It’s dull and focus is the blissful union between the movie is crushed. flat! Braille is in movies and video games. Wait a min- Did you know that Street Fighter 3-D! And it’s been around for YEARS! ute! BLISSFUL UNION? Generally, I’d (the game) inspired Street That’s right, we’ve got all the ideas say that movies and video games are Fighter: The Movie, which in turn in- and motivation to make this mag some- like oil and water - they don’t quite mix. spired Street Fighter: The Movie (the thing special. So move aside! CGM’s No, that’s not right. They’re like ammo- game). It could go on forever! The gonna 187 the competition like Chris nia and bleach - they mix, but it’ll KILL game-movie-game-movie-game! Peo- Lion’s Super Breakout high score! But YOU. No, that’s not it either. They’re ple won’t know whether they’re holding I’m not stopping at 9/10! We don’t pub- like your genitals mixed with a blender, a joystick or a ticket stub! lish 9/10 of a magazine! I don’t write ARRRGGHH!! I’m done ranting about movies. . .did 9/10 of an article! Could you imagine Have you ever played Back to the the rant go well? that? If someone only wrote 9/10 of an Future on the NES? That game is a Anyway, before I go, I have to talk article! I mean, the article could end up tragedy. If aliens came to Earth and about the last issue. getting cut off, right in the middle of a the first thing they saw was that video That letter about Pong was neat. It game, they would not hesitate to de- got me thinking; games haven’t really stroy our pathetic planet. ever gotten better than Pong, have How about games turned into mov- they? Have you ever played that old ies? Have you seen that Mortal Kom- computer game “Neuromancer”? In it, bat movie? It is one of the most AW- there were these “Monks of Pong” who FUL movies I’ve seen in my LIFE! And dedicated their entire lives to the mys- what about its SEQUEL? tery that is Pong. CGM I remember reading an article in I was think- Video Games and Computer Entertain- ing the writer of ment quite a while ago. It explained the Pong letter that no one was out to get the rights to could be one of produce the “Gorillas in the Mist” game those fellows. I just to make a Donkey Kong rip-off. hope so. I want Ever since reading that, I’ve wondered, to join the ”Why the hell not?!” because taking a Monks of Pong! time-tried game concept and adding You know some movie elements to it works a what really both- LOT better than making a game that ers me? The attempts to follow the concept of a fraction bit! And movie. Movies and video games are we’re aiming for just two totally different entities. Look 9/10? I’m going at the games you like and look at the higher than that! ones you don’t. When a game is I say 11/10! based on a movie, use Damien’s Theo- These new rem: magazines The amount a game is like its movie TALK 3-D, but counterpart is inversely proportional to the pages are the amount of fun the game is. still dull, boring Try to make something both a video 2-D. I say each game and a movie and you know what page needs you get? Night Trap! Have you ever THREE sides! played that piece of crap game? No? I’ve submitted Good. Yes? I’m sorry. If you are unfa- my prototype miliar with Night Trap, someone de- where the cided to make a movie-game. You pages look watch a movie, and push the button something like at the right time to trap monsters. triangular Sound like fun? It’s not. And to prisms. But make matters worse, in order to know they probably when to trap the monsters, you have to won’t listen to CONSTANTLY switch between cam- me. After all, I’m eras filming different parts of the just a writer. I Classic Gamer Magazine Winter 2000 48 Solution will be posted at: www.classicgamer.com & www.get.to/gooddealgames
Classic Gamer Magazine Winter 2000 49 -By Lee K. Seitz- Cleaning Your Cartridges
people, I can't guarantee that you see. Alcohol evaporates something totally weird won't hap- quickly but as you know, water inally, after months of pen when you try them, so please doesn't. Water causes corro- searching, you find a new don't blame me. sion so the less, the better. Fand sought after cartridge for your Okay, the first rule of cart clean- As you have probably collection. You take it home, plug it ing is don't blow into them! Al- guessed by now, simply take a in your system, and. . .nothing! though I don't know of any studies cotton swab and dip it in the al- The game appears to be dead. that prove it, the conventional wis- cohol. Then rub it up and down Maybe it's just dusty. You take it dom is that all you're doing is along the contacts. You will out, blow on it, and try again. Still blowing moisture right onto probably be surprised by how nothing. Your sense of euphoria the contacts, which will only black the swab becomes. Now has been dashed by a cruel jest make them corrode faster. Al- whatever you do, don't dip it of the fates. Or maybe not! though it may seem that you’re back in the alcohol because Just like everything else, blowing the dust out of them and then you'll just contaminate it. cartridges get dirty over making a cartridge that didn't work You can, however, rotate the time. How dirty depends a second ago work now, it was swab to a clean area as you rub. mainly on the environment they're probably just the fact that you re- You'll end up with three or four kept in, but you probably only care seated the contacts by taking it out "sides" to your swab. While I'm at whether they work or not. and putting it back in. If you must it, I also clean the inside of the car- Well, first let me suggest that blow into them, try using a tridge around the contacts so you clean all the carts you find be- can of compressed air from the dust there doesn't settle cause some of the dirt on the con- your local electronics back on them. tacts is going to stay in your con- store. This is exactly Oh, but you can't get to sole's cartridge slot. Using only what those cans were the contacts because clean cartridges will help prolong created for. there's just more black plas- your system's life. (Think of it as There is a better, tic on that end? Okay, then "safe sex" for your video game sys- more thorough way, al- that's probably an Atari- tem(s).) though it's not as fast. made Atari 2600 cart. If Before I proceed, I must say First, go to your local you look closely, you'll see that neither Classic Gamer Maga- pharmacy and buy some two tabs sticking out at zine nor I take any responsibility for cotton swabs and a small each end next to a "hole." any damage you might do to your bottle of isopropyl alco- Take something like a nail cartridges following any of the ad- hol. The higher the file or knife and carefully vice below. Although the tech- percentage of alcohol, the better. poke it into one of those holes. niques described work for most The rest of the solution is water, (Continued on page 62) Classic Gamer Magazine Winter 2000 50 By Lee K. Seitz “I've got a pocket full of quarters and desire we have been receiving CGM: In an interview in Video and I'm headed to the arcade.” showed us a lot of people wanted a Games magazine, you said a man CD version. named Edgel Groves had recorded Do those words sound familiar? a country and western version of If you're a child of the '80s, they CGM: This project seemed to be Pac-Man Fever. Did it ever see should. They're the opening of on-again/off-again for over a year. commercial release? Jerry Buckner and Gary Garcia's What finally prompted you to actu- hit song, Pac-Man Fever, from the ally do it? B&G: The country version of the album of the same name. The song was never released. Pac-Man Fever single went plati- B&G: It took a while to get all our num (about 1,700,000 copies sold), ducks in a row to make the release CGM: Besides singing "Puck-Man" while the album went gold (roughly possible. instead of "Pac-Man," were there 900,000 sold). Both were released any other differences in the Japa- in early 1982 and quickly rose up CGM: Did you have to renegotiate nese version of Pac-Man Fever? the charts. The single peaked at certain rights with the arcade #9 on the Billboard chart and #3 on manufacturers of each game? B&G: "Puc-Man" was the only the Record World chart. Not bad change in the version for Japan. for two radio jingle writers in At- B&G: We still have and maintain lanta who wrote the song in about all the rights we had on the 1982 CGM: I've seen a reference to a an hour. release. German version of Pac-Man Fever Now, 17 years later, Buckner (called Pac-Man Feiber) sung by and Garcia have re-recorded and CGM: What was involved in re- Gerald Mann. Did you or anyone re-released the album on compact recording the songs? Did you still else do any other versions in differ- disc. Shortly after the re-release, have your lyric and music sheets ent languages? Classic Gamer Magazine got Buck- from when you originally recorded ner and Garcia to take a little time the album? Garcia: I have not heard about the for an exclusive e-mail interview. German or any other different lan- B&G: The original lyric sheets and guage versions. The CD music were gone, so we went on memory and the lyrics [Lee Seitz] Back to Today Classic Gamer Magazine: Let's had printed on [his] website. start with the most obvious ques- CGM: So just what have you been tion: Why re-release Pac-Man Fe- The Record up to since Pac-Man Fever slid off ver on CD 17 years after the origi- the charts? nal album's release? CGM: Who sang what on both the album and CD? B&G: We still are writing, re- Buckner & Garcia: The demand cording, and producing music and Garcia: The vocals are advertising jingles. done by me. CGM: What were your favorite CGM: I know you were video games in the '80s? Do you going to do a tour in still play video games? (If so, Europe when the album which ones?) was released there? Did it actually happen? Did Garcia: [My] favorite game was, you do any touring in is, and always will be Pac-Man. North America? You can order your own copy of B&G: There was never the Pac-Man Fever CD for $15.99 a European tour, but we plus $3.50 shipping and handling did a lot of touring for at www.bucknergarcia. promotion in the U.S. com. CGM Classic Gamer Magazine Winter 2000 51 Welcome to the second install- resolution is higher (objects are sound effects round out this game, ment of my Video-Pinball column. smaller), allowing you to see making it more than just playable. This issue, I will be reviewing more more on the screen at once. recent games. The first one is Pin- Since you can see more at Billion Dollar is an obvious rip- ball Fantasies for the once, you can off of Bally’s ‘Billion Dol- Atari Jaguar. I origi- make better lar Game show starring nally owned a copy for ramp shots, etc. Keith McTeeth!’ with a the Amiga 1200 when it Other than that, Wheel of Fortune type came out and now also I really like the wheel in the middle of have it for the PC. game. You can the playfield. Basically, There are minor differ- change the set- it’s just a fancy bonus ences between the dif- tings on the counting system that ferent platforms, which Jaguar version adds to the game show will be discussed later. to make the theme. Like Partyland Pinball Fantasies is playfield scroll and Speed Devils, you basically 4 pinball faster, allowing have a flipper near the games in one package: you to get a bet- top of the playfield that Partyland, Speed Dev- ter “grip” of is supposed to assist in ils, Billion Dollar, and what's going on. getting the ball up a Stones n’ Bones. Al- Partyland gets ramp. The problem though I like most of the a score of 9 with the flipper in Billion different boards, Party- out of 10. Dollar is the fact that land is my favorite with the flipper is too large. Billion Dollar coming in Partyland Speed Devils Billion Dollar The large flipper could last. is the second game included in work, but it also sits a little too low Partyland has that classic ad- Pinball Fantasies. This is al- to make your shot consistently. I dictive quality that most real pinball most a rip-off of a well known consider this to be a design flaw, machines inherently have. Lots of Williams arcade game called minor to some, but major to me as ramps, an extra flipper to make that ‘High Speed.’ In Speed Devils, it affects the game play. There’s tough ramp shot that builds your you have a flipper near the top not much to do in this game as cyclone value, and great graphics of the playfield that assists in there are fewer targets to hit than are what this table is all about. spelling ‘P-I-T,’ which, when ac- the games already mentioned. All Partyland also delivers that authen- complished, lights the bonus in all, I do not enjoy Billion Dollar in tic “I’m at the carnival” experience, multiplier that you need to roll the slightest. It seems as if they thanks to the graphics and sound over. Speed Devils also has just threw it in the package to give effects. There is even a slot ma- plenty of ramp shots to make, you a higher perceived value. chine feature that spits out random and stationary targets which you I give it a 6 out of 10. point values and bonuses. I do can cycle using your flipper but- Stones ‘n Bones is my second have one minor gripe about these tons. This is pretty confusing ac- favorite board. Lots of eerie sound games for the Jaguar: Since this is tually as you cannot see where effects and spooky graphics really a scrolling game, which means you your ball is going to go anyway add to the game’s overall theme. can only see about 1/3 of the play- (thanks to only being able to see Stationary targets are well laid out field at any given time, everything 1/ 3 of the screen at once), so and do not “cycle” when you hit the on the screen is too large. All luck had better be on your side if flipper buttons, unlike the ones in things considered, this is not a fea- you are to make all of the tar- Speed Devils. A couple of well laid ture you want in a pinball game. gets. Because of this, Speed out ramp shots keep your attention This is where the PC versions are Devils gets a 7.5 out of 10. as you gather more bonus points. superior. While they still scroll, the Nice board layout, colors and This is a great game that keeps
Classic Gamer Magazine Winter 2000 52 you coming back for more! wrong with these games? For Moving on, I spy ‘Super Pin- 8.5 out of 10. starters, the ball “jiggles” as it ball: Behind the Mask’ for the Overall, Pinball Fantasies by moves around the playfield and the SNES. Now this is a pretty decent 21st Century is a pretty camera tries to stay pintable sim. Guess what? You decent pinball sim, offer- with it, making it im- can see the playfield in its entirety ing plenty of challenge possible for you not to on your screen without any scroll- and enough variety to throw up while play- ing! Super Pinball for the SNES capture an avid pinball ing! Seriously, the features 3 different games: ‘Jolly player’s attention for ball movement is that Joker,’ ‘Blackbeard and Iron- more than a few min- annoying. The next men,’ and ‘Wizard.’ These 3 utes. It does have excel- thing that has you games all share one thing in com- lent game play and great scratching your head mon: they all have the same geek ball physics, but not be- wondering how this (but dressed differently) on the ing able to see more of game got through the backglass and playfields! Sorry, I the screen at once really play-testing depart- just think that’s kind of funny. Any- hurts the overall pack- ment is the graphic way, onto the game play. All 3 age. None of these layout and choice of boards have different themes but games are multi-ball, by colors used. The play- all pretty much share the same the way. While I do not fields are designed so number of targets and goals to require this in any pinball horribly that you reach, game, it seems as if can hardly tell the making modern games all have difference be- them pretty that feature, and it would tween the repetitive in have given these games “artwork” and the nature. Speed Devils a little more variety. actual game Fortunately I give Pinball Fantasies (bumpers, targets, posts, etc). the game an 8 out of 10. In Ruiner, you have targets, play is ex- which happen to be airplanes, cellent and Since I am thinking about the buzzing around the upper half that’s what Atari Jaguar, I should also mention of the main board. This is not any game that there is another pinball game only a silly concept but also should be for it called ‘Ruiner Pinball.’ Being creates slow-down in the about. the hardcore pinball fan game. Add over- There is that I am, this game sized flippers to not all that barely deserves a full re- all of these de- much to do view as it is that bad. sign flaws and but make Atari had a couple of you have one some ramp good ideas here, but terrible package. shots, hit somehow they all fell Up to 4 players can Ruiner Pinball some drop short. In Ruiner, you get play, but you will be targets, and get the ball to go into a 2 different games in one hard pressed to find 3 couple of bonus saucers. There is package: ‘Ruiner’ and more people who a multi-ball mode and a skill shot at ‘Tower.’ Pretty descrip- want to be tortured the beginning of each ball, which is tive titles, huh? Ruiner is with you. a way to get some quick points. based on a 50’s budget I give Ruiner Pinball About the only thing I can think of nuclear war movie, and a whopping 4 out of that could have been improved Tower magically zaps 10 and Tower a 3.5. upon was the choice of colors and you straight to hell with- The only reason they variety in game play. Come to out passing go. In fact, got as high a score think of it, the background music is after selecting the Tower as that is because of a little cheesy also but does not board, a screen pops up the music and ruin the games by any stretch of that reads, “Get Ready. speech. You can tell the imagination. Really though, this Welcome to hell, Please that they spent more game is well worth the $10 it costs Stones ’n Bones hold. . .” time on those aspects than the ac- at your local Toys ‘R Us. Get it Basically, Tower is divided up tual game itself. Ruiner Pinball for quick before they’re all gone for- into three screens with three sets the Jag is better left to your kids ever! Even though the boards are of flippers, for the makes of a really who don’t know any better. But different, they vary slightly, so over- long and boring playfield. Ruiner wait! Would you really want your all, I give Super Pinball a score has a whole other playfield to the kids playing the Tower board with of 8 out of 10. right of the main, making this an that big-boobed Devil thing in the “ultra-wide” and totally unrealistic middle of the playfield? I wouldn’t. Dragon’s Fury for the Sega pinball sim. So, what's really Genesis. . .now that’s what I’m
Classic Gamer Magazine Winter 2000 53 talkin’ about! Do you remember package deserves pened. Devil’s Crush for the TG-16? Well, some attention. Gottlieb, king this is that game and more. It’s ba- When it came out, of the hill at sically identical to its TG-16 coun- it retailed for $30 one point, now terpart, but with a couple of differ- but can now be the laughing ent bonus screens. The screen had for $20-$25 in stock (literally) resolution is also a little different as some stores. Way of every ar- is the sound, but most people to go Microsoft! cade owner would never notice. Dragon’s Fury This high quality and operator. has you battling the dark forces of package includes Anyway, the a supernatural world, so prepare seven authentic second reason yourself for the most fantastic time arcade Gottlieb I don’t like of your life! Like ‘Tower’ for the pinball games from Haunted Jaguar, this game has 3 levels of the 30s to the 90s! House is be- pinball playing fun to be had. But Highlights include cause there unlike the Jag pinball, they did this ‘Baffle Ball,’ are 3 levels of one right. On top of the massive ‘Humpty Dumpty,’ and ‘Haunted playing fields here! Sounds “cool,” scrolling playfield, there are 6 bo- House.’ Baffle Ball is not the pin- right? Wrong. Since there are so nus rounds where you will “battle” ball most people think of when they many different levels to the game dragons, vampire bats, live skulls, think pinball. Pinball games from (a “basement,” “main floor,” and and other evil monsters. You do that era did not have flippers, tar- “attic”), it leaves little to no room for have creatures gets, etc. You shot the any type of real game play. The (targets) walking ball onto the playfield and game’s “main floor” layout is almost around the play- hoped that it fell into the non-existent, which is pretty boring field, but some- most “point scoring” sau- if you ask me. One of the only how they seem cers. By the time Humpty games that could get away with the to fit and do not Dumpty came out, they multiple level playing field was Wil- come off as be- had introduced us to the liams’ Black Knight; that game ing cheesy. concept of flippers (6 of kicks ass, but that goes to show Game play is top them!) to gain better con- you the difference between a prop- notch. No jittery trol of the ball. Even erly designed game and a poorly ball movement, though these early flipper designed one. I guess I should great flipper to games existed, they were mention that Black Knight does not ball physics, and not used the way they are have a “basement,” which is a you can see a lot today. The old games’ flip- good thing. I guess I can see why of the screen at pers were installed some people actually like Haunted once (even though it does scroll). “backwards.” Very unique and quite House. It does have a cool theme Tengen did us all a favor by porting challenging! and sound ef- this over for the Genesis. If you Remember, fects and for the only have a TG-16, chances are these older time, was very you already have it or at least know games were different than about it. If you do not have this not designed any other game. game for either system, get it! You to have the As it sits as an won’t be disappointed. ball blasting arcade game, It should also be noted that Ten- around at 90 Haunted House gen made a sequel of Dragon’s mph like they is better left to Fury called Dragon’s Revenge for are today! pinball mechanic the Genesis. It is an original game Haunted wizards than pin- and was not part of the TG-16 House was, ball playing wiz- lineup of video pinball games. I do and still is, ards. not currently own Dragon’s Re- pretty popular Onto the prob- venge but vaguely remember play- among pinball collectors, lems now of shrinking real ing it back in the day. I remember although I cannot under- Baffle Ball arcade games down to the it not being as fun as Dragon’s stand why. Two negative issues PC CD-ROM format. While an Fury/Devil’s Crush. Bottom line: I come to mind. The first and most overall great package, Microsoft give Dragon’s Fury or Devil’s important is the fact that by the literally dropped the ball on a few Crush a 9.5 out of 10. time Gottlieb was making electronic important aspects of the real pin- games, they were the bane of the ball arcade experience. First and Microsoft’s Pinball Arcade was arcade industry. This was partly foremost, you cannot change the featured as a sidebar in my previ- due to Gottlieb selling their pinball tilt or angle of the games! I find ous pinball column, but I did not division to Columbia Pictures. All that they are a little too slow for my talk about it. This really unique hell broke loose when that hap- tastes. You would think that they
Classic Gamer Magazine Winter 2000 54 could have included this in the op- your playfield. My final issue pre- better selection of Gottlieb games tions but apparently, that feature was venting this from being a truly su- to choose from. Some of my per- overlooked. Second, to make the perior pinball playing experience sonal favorites include ‘Big Brave pinball experience more “realistic,” (besides the fact that none of these or Big Indian,’ ‘Royal Flush,’ ‘Close they included the glare of the back- games are overly fun to play) is the Encounters,’ ‘Pop-A-Card or Drop- glass onto the glass of the playfield! ball mechanics. Even on my hi- A-Card,’ and ‘Bank Shot.’ What I Not cool at all. I don’t want to see end computer system, this game would really like is to see Microsoft this on my real pinball game, let seems quite lethargic. The ball fix the “bugs” I mentioned and alone my video-pinball game. In moves “funny” and the flippers come out with a Bally and a Wil- fact, glare can be severely reduced seem a little sluggish. In other liams collection. Ten games each, by how many lights you put in the words, the game has that typical mind you, with a way to adjust the backglass and by the game loc a- Microsoft “game play” that most of slant of the playfield. tion’s lighting. The third issue is a their games seem to have. Those As Microsoft’s Gottlieb Pinball lack of rubber at the end of the into computers know what I mean. Arcade Collection sits, I give it shooter tip! While this makes no dif- Why in the hell did Microsoft an 8.5 for effort, packaging, and ference in the realm of your com- make a Gottlieb collection when historical importance out of 10. puter, it is not realistic and makes there are much better game com- me cringe every time I hear that panies like Bally and Williams to See you next issue as I continue “clinking” sound! Ouch! In a real ar- emulate? In a word, licensing. I my video-pinball ramblings! cade pinball, you always want a rub- am sure it was dirt cheap to secure ber shooter tip so you don’t damage the rights to Gottlieb/Premier. the ball, which in turn would damage They could have at least given us a CGM
Our Premiere Issue Contains:
· Lost Arcade Classic “Warp Warp” · Intellivision, Atari and Coleco Cartridge Reviews · “Games That Go Bump in the Night” - A Guide to the Best Scary Games · “E3” Special Report · Classic Easter Eggs · A Newbie’s Guide to Getting Your Cartridge Collection Started · Video Pinball Games · The Legend of BIRA BIRA - Fact or Fiction? · Atari 5200 - A Closer Look · Classic Gaming Web Site Links · “Doin’ The Donkey Kong” - A Cross Platform Look at our Favorite Ape
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Classic Gamer Magazine Winter 2000 55 from God knows what. It was cally hop- definitely a monstrosity, but it ping to wher- was a monstrosity I had to ever he “I pity da fool who don’t have in order to play Rocky. pleases. own this game!” After popping the cartridge The four In writing this review, I knew in and choosing your boxer and buttoned that line would have to come into degree of difficulty, you are controller play. I felt it best to get it out of the greeted by a very impressive allows for way early on. image of two offen- Rocky Super Rocky Clubber Takes a Nap sive punches Action Boxing was posing to and two de- definitely a show- the electronic fensive blocks. Two gauges at the case game, dem- hum of his top of the screen alert you to the onstrating the theme song. daze and fatigue level of your power of the Cole- This is boxer. A blue square will fill in with coVision. At the where the black when too many shots to the time, when the game begins head are received and the boxer screenshots were to lack a bit becomes dazed. Fatigue results released to the in the game from too many body blows, and a videogame maga- play depart- small gray box will fill with red to zines, they had to ment. Mov- indicate the level of exhaustion. impress upon us ing your Since your best objective is to go that “these are Not an artist’s rendition! boxer is for a knockout, the best strategy is not artist mock- more akin to dole out equal poundings to both ups!” The screenshots showed to moving a Sumo wrestler. The the head and the body. Filling the Rocky Balboa and Clubber Lang instruction manual promises “quick blue box will result in a knockout, duking it out in a boxing ring. The maneuvering.” Don’t count on it. but couple it with a full red box and amazing thing was that they actu- These pugilists tend to your opponent is not ally looked like who they were waddle around the ring likely to get back up. meant to look like. Clubber Lang rather than dance. In This is, of course, (Mr. T) had his trademark Mohawk fact, the closest they the most fun in the haircut, and Rocky had what ap- get to dancing is when “Head to Head” op- peared to be a dumb expression on they fall into a “clinch” tion, where you get his face. and the ref to beat one of your In order to play the has to break friends senseless. game, you had to have it up. Rocky Super Ac- the Super Action Control- Their tion Boxing is not a lers. They look more like movement is Rocky Wins! bad game, but it’s not clumsy weapons than limited to back and forth a great game either. It’s visually game controllers. These and up and down. Never wonderful, but some of that power huge devices feature a at any point are they able could have easily been used to en- joystick, keypad, and to circle each other. hance the game play. roller on top, and four trig- Rocky is always on the ger buttons below. There left and clubber is always Overall Rating: B- is also a plastic guard to on the right. And the shield your trigger fingers referee is always magi- Super Action Controller CGM Classic Gamer Magazine Winter 2000 56 information about your favorite yellow dot. Tons of links, news, photos, and general silliness will keep you coming back for more. http://www. geocities.com/ SoHo/Lofts/8112/ pac.htm
Esotek’s Tron Archive Super Pong Scott Skerchock’s David Winter has created a Tron fan page fea- site dedicated to the origins of tures regularly up- Pong and Pong-like clones. This dated news, rare pic- site offers an in-depth look at the tures, movie and beginnings of videogames and game information, as systems, and has plenty of interest- well as many free downloads. ing historical facts, timelines, bios, Check out the “Toys” section to and pictures to enhance your visit. get a good look at the extremely And, for those of you who “parlez rare Tron action figures and the Francais,” visit their mirrored Lightcycles. French version! ClassicGaming.com http://users.aol.com/esotek/ http://superpong.8m.com “Gaming the way you remember tronmain.html it” is ClassicGaming.com’s motto, as they strive to reunite gamers with their favorite games of old by Videogame Music Archive way of emulation. “Do you know Frogger?” The website, run by Kevin “No, but maybe if you hum a few Atari 2600 Nexus “Fragmaster” Bowen, Jonathan bars. . .” Created by Alex Bilstein, this “Harry Tuttle” Burtenshaw, and Till Here you can find many of labor of love reveals “SYS2064” Oldemeyer, offers those hummable hits once only everything you ever links to other sites with infor- heard in arcades, such as “Galaga wanted to mation on classic videogames Intro” and the “Pitfall 2” theme, as know and emulation, as well well as more contemporary hits about as some more current from such games as Zelda: Oca- the games such as rina of Time and Crash Bandicoot. Atari Quake and Unreal. These musical bits have been 2600, They even offer recorded in the always quirky including free “MIDI” format but a rarity web- that injects all guide; images of hardware, joy- hosting for sites new charm into sticks, cartridge boxes, and labels; that fulfill certain them. and a library with FAQ’s, reference, requirements and http://www. history, maps, Easter eggs, and are related to clas- vgmusic.com/ more. The site also hosts a mes- sic videogames. sage board, classified ads, and an http://www. extremely extensive list of related classicgaming. Want your web- links. com/ site to be consid- Alex has put a lot of time and ered for a listing effort into producing his website First Church and has been recognized by many in this column? for his hard work. of Pac-Man His eminence, the Reverend http://ccwf.cc.utexas.edu/ Just send us your Shoebox, has created a site for all ~bilstein/atari2600nexus/index. particulars. . .website URL, con- that is “Pac.” html tact name, and a valid e-mail ad- Updated regularly, you can be dress to [email protected] sure you are getting the freshest CGM Classic Gamer Magazine Winter 2000 57 Pong versions. ike many Atari program- -Courtesy of “Professor mers, Howard Scott Pac-Man” @ www.clubs.yahoo. Warshaw slipped a few com/pacmanuniversity LEaster Eggs into his games. Auto Racing (Intellivision) Yars’ Revenge If you kill the swirl fireball in mid- air, and then position the Yar so the spot on its back is in the same plane as the black streak, you'll get Warshaw's initials, forwards and backwards: HSWWSH. This egg is sometimes referred to as "The Ghost of Yar." So why write the initials for- wards and backwards? "The rea- son it's like that is to tip off the idea that Yar is Ray backwards and all that," Warshaw says. The five race courses were created as a “globe.” That is, you Raiders of the Lost Ark can drive off one course and go to Warshaw's second game has another one, and by driving in the both his initials and a Yar hidden same direction, you will return to inside it. "For Raiders, you can get the course on which you originally an HSW2 at the end, and you can started. There is even a secret also find a Yar," Warshaw says. drag strip hidden along the way. "There's one point in the treasure room where you're dig- Robotron 64 ging for treasure, and if From the main menu choose you have the right con- “setup” then enter this code for 50 figuration in your in- you look at it real carefully, you'll free lives: ventory, when you notice that each of the pieces of Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, start digging, a Yar will the phone is an H, an S, and a W. Left, Right, C-left, C-right, C-left, fly up through the They're a little abstract, bent C-right. room." around a little, but if you look at them carefully you'll see it," says Yars’ Revenge (GB Color) How to do it: Once you’ve ob- Howard. Want to start at any level up to tained the Chai and the parachute, number 240? Enter “O + O O” at go to the Mesa and fall off. Quickly -Darin Powell the code screen and choose your release the Chai and a Yar will ap- level. pear at the top of the screen. Pong (PSX) To open the FIRST level, press Fathom (Atari 2600) E.T. pause on the "zone" select screen. If you release the mermaid There are all kinds of hidden Then press L1, R1, L1, R1, then seven times, the address for treasures in Warshaw's third game. unpause the game. Imagic’s headquarters will appear Along with his initials, there are hid- To open the SECOND level, at the bottom of the screen. den references to Yars’ Revenge press pause on the "zone" select Or, as Rob Fulop said at “World and Raiders of the Lost Ark. screen. Then press L2, R2, L2, R2, of Atari 98,” “. . .or you could just According to Howard Scott War- then unpause the game. look at the back of the shaw, "When you heal the flower, if To open the THI RD level, press box and get it. It’s you have the right configuration in pause on the "zone" select screen. there, too.” the game, on one level, a flower Then press and HOLD L1, R1, L2, turns into a Yar and flies out of the CGM R2, then unpause the game. well. On the next level, if you do it This also again, it turns into Indiana Jones." opens the se- Have an Easter Egg or cheat
cret pow- code you want to share? Send How to do it: Give seven Reese’s erups in the it on in and we’ll print it here. Pieces to Elliott then find a pit games as which contains a flower. Make it well and the E-mail it to: bloom and watch for the Yar. three classic [email protected] "Also, another thing about E.T., if black and white
Classic Gamer Magazine Winter 2000 58 ReaderReader PollPoll Classic Gamer Magazine wants to be the best darned publication about classic gaming you can get your hands on. By letting us know what game systems you would like us to focus on and any other aspects of classic gaming you would like to see, we will be able to provide you with a more entertaining magazine. This will also let us know your all time favorite games, handhelds, systems, computer, and arcade games. All responses are guaranteed confidential. Please return this entire poll sheet (photocopies accepted) to: Classic Gamer Magazine, 7770 Regents Road #113-293, San Diego, CA 92122, fax to (781) 846-0373, or e-mail your answers to: [email protected]
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Atari VCS/2600 ______Nintendo Gameboy ______Arcadia/Starpath Supercharger ______SuperNintendo ______Intellivision ______Nintendo 64 ______ColecoVision ______Sony Playstation ______Odyssey 2 ______Sega Master System ______Atari 5200 ______Sega Genesis ______Atari 7800 ______Sega Saturn ______Atari Jaguar ______Sega 32X ______Atari Lynx ______Atari 400/800 ______Nintendo 8 Bit (NES) ______Apple II ______IBM PC Compatible ______Macintosh ______Sega Dreamcast ______Other game systems, equipment, computers: ______
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Classic Gamer Magazine Winter 2000 59 Yes! Take me back to the games of yesterday!
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Classic Gamer Magazine Winter 2000 60 By Megaforce...AMegaforce...A MegaMega Farce!Farce! Chris Lion
It was 1982 VERY thin and Unfortunately, this was the be- and my good the pants were ginning of synergy, where a movie friend Roxy and I VERY tight. At gets tied in with anything and eve- went off to see the one point, dur- rything remotely associated. Long most highly antici- ing an unneces- since lost is my Ace Hunter action pated film of the sary side silhou- figure (with tight pants and ‘blow- week: Megaforce. ette shot, I don’t dry grip’). Tragically, the video We were espe- think anyone in game version of Megaforce sur- cially interested the theatre vives to this day. Unlike the instant because that great could have told gratification of the 90s, it took a full new show Enter- you what the six months after the movie was re- tainment Tonight scene was leased for the game to appear on had just shown an about. . .‘it’ was the shelves (and stay there until “in depth” piece on how the US downright hypnotic! We just kept shoved onto the discount racks). I Army actually went out to the set to staring and saying, “What’s he got think the game is just about as ex- inspect the vehicles used in the in there, a potato?” citing as the movie itself, without film, to make sure the filmmakers And what of the “military se- the overacting and blow-dried hair. were not giving away any of our crets” that the US government was Thankfully, the videogame contains “military secrets” to the “commies.” so worried about? Slapping pieces no kissing of thumbs or silhouettes For those of you who don’t remem- of plastic onto a dirt bike and hav- of Barry Bostwick in tight pants. ber the 80s, the commies were our ing it spew out colored smoke, Eventually, Roxy’s mom got enemies, Nancy Reagan was does not a military weapon make. over her fear of Barry Bostwick and president, and the pop group Span- Suddenly I learned what the term bought the game for her “totally dau Ballet was popular (along with “publicity” really meant: bold face awesome Atari 2600.” (Note: eve- a host of other mostly forgotten lying. Roxy tried, but she could rything in the 80s was either bands). never convince me that dirt bikes “totally” or “awesome.” Putting the Upon returning to Roxy’s house, with little plastic shields that fired two together indicated that it was of her mother (still playing Super rockets while spewing multi-colored the highest quality). Even back Breakout after 8 consecutive smoke, then inexplicitly sprouting then, with my limited hand eye co- hours) asked us how we enjoyed wings and flying, could be even a ordination, I played the game in a the movie. Roxy summed it all up remote possibility. totally awesome man- when she said, “Boy, they sure And no, I’m not kidding. ner. wore tight pants!” Roxy was sum- Barry Bostwick couldn’t Recently, I found a marily sent to her room, and I was get work for years after “Mega Force” cartridge. told to go home and not to take this film and Khambatta Yes, it even spells the Roxy to any more “pornographic continued on to make name wrong. . .maybe movies.” some of the biggest they wanted to discern If only Megaforce were porno- pieces of crap in cine- the game from the graphic, it might have been saved. matic history. Apparently, movie. There may be a The plot, if one could call it that, Bruce Willis wanted her number of people out was to save the world from Barry for Hudson Hawke, but there with a fear of see- Bostwick’s tight pants, blow-dried she was busy dooming ing Barry Bostwick in hair, plus, his weird kissing of his another project to obscu- skin-tight pants, or pos- thumb and then waving it towards rity and had to decline. sibly Khambatta’s ‘box Zara (played by Persis Khambatta, Amazingly, the director, Hal office poison’ might also infect the who took bad acting to a whole Needham (“Stroker Ace” (1983), videogame, and this was a way of new level). “Cannonball Run I & II” (1981, somehow alleviating those fears of It was just SO darn awful. Ace 1984), and the BMX classic potential players. Hunter (Bostwick) is the leader of a “Rad” (1986) actually continues to The object of this game is to de- spandex-wearing group of interna- get directing work. Apparently, stroy the enemy’s desert “town,” tional mercenaries. Barry was pacts with the devil do exist. while protecting my own desert
Classic Gamer Magazine Winter 2000 61 “town.” Actually, I’m assuming they ing them skyward. Cleaning Your Cartridges are towns. The “towns” are silos Watching the film and playing (Continued from page 50) with bulbous tops. While Barry the game left me with a sense of You should see the "door" on the Bostwick may not be giving us an intense nausea and the conviction long slot in the middle slide up. eyeful, this game certainly makes that I don’t get paid enough to do Now simply push back on the en- up for it. Six various sized this. Florida recently decommis- tire black cover and the contacts “buildings” (ranging from “average” sioned its electric chair and re- should be exposed. to “well-endowed”) make up the placed it with a VCR and a bootleg At this point, most cartridges will “town.” It looks like they might copy of MegaForce. Unfortunately, work if they didn't already. Occa- have been inspired by a Masters & the Human Rights Commission sionally you’ll have a stubborn one Johnson study. deemed that as “cruel and unusual with harsher corrosion that won't The game’s colors are stagger- punishment.” It was then sug- clean off with this technique. Now ing! The bold use of tan and blue gested that they substitute that with you have to bring in the big gun: a (desert and sky) is stunning, with the videogame version of the film. pencil eraser. Simply rub the just a dash of red for the far off This was eventually thrown out, not eraser up and down on the con- mountains. In a bit of whimsy, they because of the agonizing screams tacts. This goes with the "grain" of even put in four (count’ em) FOUR coming from the condemned, but the contacts from their many inser- tiny palm trees! Who could have a because it took so damn long to kill tions into and removals from con- war in such a paradise? My town them; they were bored to death. soles. Don't over rub, as the was white and yellow, while the en- I implore you to avoid this film eraser can actually remove the emy’s town was black and red (is it and game. It will cause you noth- conductive coating of the contact. just me, or did their town seem. . . ing but heartburn and heartache. Once you do that, your cartridge ‘bigger’?) Then again, MegaForce is difficult will no longer work, no matter how On the plus side, transportation to find; it is banned in most western much you clean it. in the game is one of those cool countries. For a totally You might have problems get- ‘flying motorcycles’ that Ace Hunter awesome reason. ting the eraser to the contacts. Wil- flew so stunningly in the film. How- liam Cassidy once suggested cut- ever, it did not come with plastic CGM ting a slice of eraser and gluing it to shields nor did it spew multi- a Popsicle stick. If that doesn't colored smoke. But it did fly and work, you can try taking the casing that at least made it awesome off the cartridge to better get at the (although not totally). Classifieds contacts. Many systems' car- The enemy in the film was sup- tridges are held together with a posed to be a Qadhafi-like figure screw under the label. This can (today, we would say a Saddam- WANTED: Gamate and Mega lead to a dilemma if the label is in like figure), but in the game the en- Duck cartridges, Timex/ excellent shape. Do you want a emy appeared to be the alien ships Sinclair cartridges, beautiful looking cartridge or one from Space Invaders (except they Voltmace Mark III car- that works? flew horizontally). If any of the tridges, MPT-02/MPT-03 There are a few options. You enemies made it past me, they cartridges, Romtec Color- can use a utility knife to cut a small would instantly be upon my town vision cartridges, and “x” over the screw, carefully peel and it would be half destroyed be- other obscure/odd stuff! the label back, and then fold it back fore I could manage to turn around. Russ Perry Jr, 2175 S down when done. You might also As anyone can tell you, I’m an Tonne Dr. #105, Arlington try removing the label (or peeling it idiot with most video games. I still Hts IL 60005, back enough to get to the screw) struggle with Super Breakout (it’s [email protected] and then re-applying it. If you do my secret shame). However, I this, try heating the label with a hair mastered this game in less than Wanted: Free Classified Ads. dryer. This usually loosens the half an hour (for me to master Keep Russ Perry company! Got some- glue so that you can keep the label ANYTHING in a half hour is un- thing to trade, buy or sell? Too many in good condition if you're careful. heard of). It got so easy, so games or systems clogging your clos- As time goes on, more and quickly, that I actually started to ets? Place a free ad with us which will more cartridges will go "bad," when long for the movie. It was then I appear in our next issue. actually they're just dirty. Keeping ripped the cartridge from the 2600, your cartridges, and thus your sys- Ads are limited to 30 words and must be ran to the kitchen and crammed it classic gaming related. Business ads tem, clean will increase their life- down the garbage disposal. not accepted. Please contact us for time. And hopefully you'll get a life- Where were the skintight pants business rates. time's worth of play out of them as and the blow-dried hair? Where well. was Persis Khambatta and her E-mail your ad to: cav@classicgamer. stilted acting? Not once did I see com billows of colored smoke, or any- Or mail to: Classic Gamer Magazine one kissing their thumbs and shov- 7770 Regents Rd. CGM #113-293 San Diego, Ca 92122 Classic Gamer Magazine Winter 2000 62 ClassicClassic GamerGamer MagazineMagazine
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