Quick viewing(Text Mode)

Premiere Issue Monkeying Around Game Reviews: Special Report

Premiere Issue Monkeying Around Game Reviews: Special Report

Atari Computers Arcade ClassicClassic GamerGamer Premiere Issue MagazineMagazine Fall 1999 www.classicgamer.com U.S. “Because Newer Isn’t Necessarily Better!” Special Report: Classic Videogames at Monkeying Around Revisiting Game Reviews: , Intellivision, etc... Lost Arcade Classic: Warp Warp Deep Thaw Chris Lion Rediscovers His Atari

Plus!

· Latest News · Guide to Halloween Games · Win the book, “Phoenix” “As long as you enjoy the system you own and the software made for it, there’s no reason to mothball your equipment just because its manufacturer’s stock dropped.”

- Arnie Katz, Editor of Magazine, 1984 Classic Magazine Fall 1999 3 Volume 1, Version 1.2 Fall 1999

PUBLISHER/EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Chris Cavanaugh - [email protected]

ASSOCIATE EDITOR Sarah Thomas - zebedeuk@.com

STAFF WRITERS Kyle Snyder- [email protected] Reset! 5 Chris Lion - [email protected] Patrick Wong - [email protected] Raves ‘N Rants — Letters from our readers 6 Darryl Guenther - [email protected] Mike Genova - [email protected] Classic Gamer Newswire — All the latest news 8 Damien Quicksilver [email protected] Frank Traut - [email protected] Lee Seitz - [email protected] Book - Nation 12

LAYOUT/DESIGN Classic Advertisement — Arcadia Supercharger 14 Chris Cavanaugh

PHOTO CREDITS 15 Sarah Thomas - Staff Photographer Machine scan (page 3) courtesy The “New” Classic Gamer — Opinion Column 16 Sean Kelly - Digital Press CD-ROM BIRA BIRA Photos courtesy Robert Batina Lost Arcade Classics — ”Warp Warp” 17

CONTACT INFORMATION Classic Gamer Magazine Focus on Intellivision Cartridge Reviews 18 7770 Regents Road #113-293 San Diego, Ca 92122 Doin’ The Donkey Kong — A closer look at our 20 e-mail: [email protected] on the web: favorite monkey http://www.classicgamer.com Cartridge Reviews 23 SPECIAL THANKS To Sarah. Thank you for all your help and Classic Videogames 101 — A guide to collecting 25 encouragement. I love you! How Rare Do You Like Your Cartridge? 27 LEGAL JUMBO Entire contents © 1998, 1999, Chris Cavanaugh and Classic Gamer Magazine. Reproduction in E3 Special Report 29 whole or in part without permission is prohibited. Products named in these pages are tradenames or Frank’s Video- Palace 37 trademarks of their respective companies. Classic Gamer Magazine or its staff is not affiliated with the companies or products covered in Classic Gamer Coleco-Visions — Spotlight on 40 Magazine. Please consult the “Fair Use Law” before you beef to me. The Legend of BIRA BIRA 41

Classic Easter Eggs 43 1st Issue Dedication Classic Gaming on the World Wide Web 46 To my Mom and Dad who fed my Games That Go Bump in the Night—A classic 47 videogame addiction with an endless gamer’s guide to Halloween games supply of cartridges (and accessories). Also, to my mom who had a never ending quest to obtain the family high Deep Thaw — by Chris Lion 49 Pac-Man score and who would consistently panic when the Beetles raced towards her in Lady Bug. To my dad who could never quite get the hang of any of the games but would play anyway and be a good sport about it when we blew him away at Warlords.

Classic Gamer Magazine Fall 1999 4 by Chris Cavanaugh

In the early 80’s I always looked Intellivision controllers (and wished or missed opportunities to envious forward to the next issue of we had kept our Vectrex system!). and sympathetic ears. “Electronic Games Magazine.” The magic seemed to be back for Since the fun is back in playing Month after month the anticipation us. But it never really left, did it? these classics we thought it only of waiting for the latest edition would We just temporarily stored it away. wise to publish a magazine dedi- nearly kill me. There was no Once again we manned tanks in cated to the games of yore. greater feeling at the time than see- and became . Whether you are a hardcore collec- ing the new issue on the magazine We swore along with Q*Bert, tor, casual hobbyist or just like to rack at my local Long’s Drugstore. swung from vines with Pitfall Harry, play a game of Asteroids every now Arnie Katz, and Joyce and wondered if we could still earn and again we hope you find this Worley delivered, without fail, an those patches. “ magazine fun, informative, and en- informative, entertaining and fun-to- and Quake who?” We even paid tertaining. Inside you’ll find news, read magazine. After the great Pac-Man and E.T. a return visit on reviews, humor, opinion columns, shake-out in the mid- the VCS (although, understanda- where to find the best classic gam- 80’s, Electronic Games released bly, probably not for very long.) ing websites, and of course, “The their final issue. Sadly, it was the On the Internet we found we Legend of BIRA BIRA.” end of an era. weren’t alone. “Finally! Someone While our magazine can only As a video game player, the mid- who understands my quest for hope to achieve the greatness of 80’s was a dark time. Atari was a game cartridges and lost systems!” Katz, Kunkel and Worley’s shell of its former self, Activision Now we trade, sell and auction our “Electronic Games,” we hope you started producing computer games classic favorites freely on the World enjoy this first issue of Classic in order to survive, and the words Wide Web (and keep each other in Gamer Magazine. “video game cartridges” became ob- line to make sure that we aren’t rip- scene words in the hard hit retail ping each other off!) We scour the -Chris Cavanaugh sector. After and flea markets digging through dusty Editor-in-Chief reinvented the home video gaming boxes and when passing a garage industry and the Internet started to sale we can’t help but think, “I won- explode, people began remember- der if there are any rare cartridges ing their gaming roots. We dragged there?” Of course, when we’re our Atari 2600’s out of attics and done searching and weary from the basements, dusted off our Colecovi- day’s hunt we log back on to the sions, and once again cursed at our Internet and brag of our rare finds

Classic Gamer Magazine Fall 1999 5 Got something to say?

Mail us at: Classic Gamer Magazine Raves 7770 Regents Rd. #113-293, San Diego, CA 92122 ‘n Rants

Last August we released the “Fanzine Edition” of Classic Gamer Magazine and asked for your comments, complaints, and general ramblings. (It would appear we were somewhat of a hit!)

Are we 2/3 or 3/8? it in this issue (as well as a few oth- Got the (fanzine) issue last night ers from the original edition). enough? Are they in color? How and was better than expected. much memory do I need? Is 640K By far the most professional and Sacred Bovines! enough? Can I use my CGA informative fanzine that I have read Holy Cow! Holy Good Golly. graphics card? Do they make Pong on the retorogaming scene. Better Classic Gamer Magazine is right paddles for the IBM-PC/XT than several “professional” gaming on the money. I am impressed and compatible mags that I sometimes pick up. I so should all the people who systems? What is the future of am currently trying to collect a receive this incredible publication. pong? Why don’t they have pong in complete run of the original I looked through it a couple the video arcades anymore? Why Electronic Games and Video Game times and I missed any do the kids wear big baggy pants magazines and enjoyed the subscription info. What is cost, and play violent games at the video opening editorial. I think you frequency... basically how does arcade? Games like “eat-the-dots- succeeded in capturing at least a one subscribe? I definitely want a ghost-chasing-power-pills” or fraction of those great mags. subscription. “shoot -the-space-rock.” I’ve even - Jeremy Abig, via e-mail VERY WELL DONE. Keep up seen games that I think are called the great work. “kick-the-guy-really-hard-until-he- >Blush< Thanks for the kind words, - Don Thomas, falls-down-and-can’t-get-up-again” Jeremy. They are always [email protected] and “rip - the - spine - out - of - the - guy - appreciated. However, we are so-he-can’t-get-up-again!!!” (sorry intent on upping our fractional Thanks Don! about the exclamation marks, but standing with you. We’re sure with Good news! Starting this issue that’s just to show how violent they some hard work we can achieve at we are now offering subscriptions. really are!!).Could your web site least a 9/10 standing. We’ll be publishing every three post people’s Pong high-scores? months from this point forward. Mine is 16. See page 45 for all the gory details. Anyway, to sum up, Pong rules. Anonymous Pong Enthusiast And the Smartass Award P.S. I really like Pong. Ape Hallucinating - Anonymous, via e-mail I really tripped out (in a good goes to: way) on the Donkey Kong article Dear Classic Gamer Magazine, Dear Philip Thomas, er, we mean and was glad to see that others I am very interested in classic “anonymous”, know all those specific details that games. I do NOT like the new Today is your lucky day! Just differentiate an arcade/Atari/ games. They are too violent. I like after we received your wiseass let- Coleco/etc...game! It’s a great idea to play Pong. It is not at all violent. I ter, Interactive revealed for a ‘zine and I am looking forward heard they now have a color they would, in fact, be updating to any future issues. version of Pong. Is this true? If so, I “Pong” for the PlayStation. - Luke, via e-mail would be VERY interested in Check out the info on Pong and

playing it. Do they make Pong for other classic related updates in our Thanks Luke. We liked the Donkey the IBM-PC/XT compatible home “E3 Special Report Section”. Kong article so much we reprinted computer systems? Are they fast

Classic Gamer Magazine Fall 1999 6 Raves ‘n Rants cont... Collection 3” for both the PC and The ‘Phoenix’ Speaks the Sony PlayStation. I received the mag yesterday omit , especially Both releases will include and it was GREAT!!!!!!! I’m hoping since it could, in fact, headline one Wizard of Wor and will be emulated that there will be many more to of those CD’s. for 100% arcade accuracy. come! I am grateful for any information you can give me on this. - Leonard Herman, - David Redell, via snail [email protected] mail Author of “Phoenix, The

Fall and Rise of Video

Games”. David, you are in luck! Digital Eclipse is currently in development Leonard, if we can please you then creating the “Arcade’s Greatest we know we’re doing something Hits: Atari Collection 3/Midway right. Thanks! (Ed. note: If you don’t think we’re shameless name droppers, you’ve We’re “scarcely at the pain threshold” got a lot to learn! Now if only Nolan would write to us…) Our first issue was fortunate enough to be reviewed at a German website “Wor” Monger (http://ccc.webjump.com/). Seeing as we didn’t know a lick of German we It’s really nice to see there are decided to run it through Alta Vista’s language translator. As a result, not those out there who still appreciate only do we still not understand German, we’re beginning to question Eng- the value of the Glory Days of video lish as well. gaming. All the hyped-up, 3D environments of today’s games ...We think it’s a positive review….. have only heightened my longing for the oldies. So many beauties In the autumn passed yearly appeared the first edition of have already been released for the the “Classic Gamer of magazines”, one PAPER-LIKES for PlayStation, which is my main classical video games and computers. The compilation of the interest these days (The Atari 1200XL I have no longer functions magazine published by Chris Cavanaugh resembles from reliably). Digital Presses. This has started me obsessing Do not let you by the color Cover be deceptive, contents is about my all-time favorite, Wizard of black-and-white. Are positively noticeable the high-quality pa- Wor. A game which has eluded me, although I did get it for the per, attaching and the obliging/pleasing organization. 2600. The thought of the authentic The first output has a scope from 40 pages, consisting of arcade version being released, play tests, empiric reports, Stories and News. The latters are something I would’ve sworn wasn’t possible back in the 80’s, is almost probably gathered from the Internet majority. The second out- too exciting for me to bear (really!). put is to appear shortly, in addition, the No. 1 is still available. I have already written to Midway The price is scarcely at the pain threshold, he amounts to about it and their response looked inclusive dispatch to Europe 4,50 $. Address and closer infor- more like a form letter to young kids who are trying to pitch ideas to mation on the Website www.classicgamer.com. them. This would suggest that Midway either didn’t read my letter at all or they’re keeping a lid on the release of their next “Greatest Hits” Be sure to visit us on the web! volume. I can’t believe they would http://www.classicgamer.com

Classic Gamer Magazine Fall 1999 7 LICK A VIDEO- HASBRO NABS SOME HOT GAME PROPERTIES CHARACTER It would appear Hasbro is going “classic crazy.” Hot off the of , Americans have chosen Hasbro has hopped on a four-year deal videogames as the topic they most want to with Namco to add 11 properties to its al- see on a postage stamp commemorating the ready huge classic library. 1980’s. The set of stamps will be one of ten recalling each decade of the century. The agreement will give Hasbro the PC rights to develop, pub- lish and distribute games such as Pac-Man, Ms. Pac-Man, and Other stamps commemorating the 1980’s will . They have also obtained multi-platform rights to depict the Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial, the , , , Mappy, and . movie, “E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial” and the . In addition, will create toys, handhelds and candy based on these characters.

The first games are scheduled for release in Fall 2000 to coin- cide with Pac-Man’s 20th Anniversary. DANCE TO PAC-MAN ONCE AGAIN “DOES MY

Remember tapping your toes to the sounds JOYSTICK MAKE YOU of ‘Pac-Man Fever’ in the 80’s? HORNY?”

Well, put your dancing shoes back on! Buck- ner and Garcia have re-released their hit and it sounds better than ever. Sierra has released “Austin Powers: Operation Trivia” for home computers. Pac-Man Fever is now on CD along with other favorites, “Froggy’s Lament”, “Ode to Save the world by answering pop culture trivia ques- Centipede” and “Goin’ Berserk.” tions relating to the 60’s, 70’s, 80’s and 90’s as well as the Austin Powers movies. Visit their website at www.bucknergarcia.com It’s a fun party game to play and features more than for more details. enough questions relating to videogames early days to give you the edge!

Classic Gamer Magazine Fall 1999 8 ATARI ANTIC PROJECT NOW ON THE WORLD WIDE WEB

“Intruder Alert! Intruder Alert!” Kevin Savetz has acquired the rights to publish the library of Atari Antic and STart Magazines on the Web. These magazines focus on the 8-bit Atari Computers popularized in the 80’s. His goal is to There would appear to be a huge fan of classic video- publish every magazine and he is seeking volunteers games lurking in the writing staff of Fox’s “Futurama.” to help him in his quest.

In its short, but funny, first season we were treated to You can visit his website at: Pac-Man, Berzerk and references. http://www.atarimagazines.com or contact Kevin at: Keep your eyes open when watching, as the gags [email protected] tend to come fast and furious.

Check out Futurama, Sunday nights this Fall on Fox.

CLASSIC VIDEOGAMES COLLECTOR’S GUIDE ‘PAC-MAN WORLD’ TO BE VOLUME V NOW AVAILABLE RELEASED This guide is your “ultimate source for classic gaming,” according to Joe Santulli, Editor of the Digital Press fanzine. This print version is 300 pages in length and features classic 8-bit systems including Atari, Bally’s and Channel F and newer systems such as the Sega . The guide is priced at $20.00 for US Namco unveiled the new Pac-Man adventure, Pac-Man and Canada (and is well worth it!). To order the World, at the Electronics Entertainment Expo. guide, contact Joe Santulli or send check or money order payable to Joe Santulli at: Eat, bounce, swim and jump through a factory, fun- house, outer-space and mansions on this PlayStation Joe Santulli 3D platform adventure. Digital Press 44 Hunter Place Also included will be a 3D maze mode as well as the Pompton Lakes, NJ 07442 original Pac-Man . You can also e-mail the Digital Press gang at: [email protected]

Classic Gamer Magazine Fall 1999 9

ARCADE LEGEND ‘DIRK THE DARING’ IS GOING 3D

Hasbro Sets Jaguar Free Hasbro Interactive has released all rights to the “Jaguar” hardware platform. This will allow software developers to create and publish software for the Jaguar system with- out having to obtain a licensing agreement from Hasbro Interactive. However, developers are not permitted to use the Atari trademark or logo in connection with their Blue Software announced they have acquired games. the worldwide rights to release “Dragon’s Lair” in a 3D Songbird Productions Responds by Announcing All format. New Jaguar Game Releases

Once again, you will control Dirk in his quest to res- In response to the above announcement, Songbird Pro- cue the fair princess, Daphney, who is being held by ductions (http://songbird.atari.org) will release a new an evil dragon in the castle of a dark wizard. game for the Jaguar late in 1999 titled “Protector.” This will be a fast paced 2D shooter in the spirit of Defender Original Dragon’s Lair creator, Don Bluth, will be In addition to releasing Protector, Songbird has licensed heavily involved in the project. several unreleased Jaguar games. Titles include “Soccer

Kid” from Krisalis Software Ltd., “” from vis- Dragon’s Lair 3D will be released in time for Christ- ual Impact and “Skyhammer” from Rebellion. At press mas 2000 and will be available in both Mac and PC time no release dates were available for these games. versions. OMC Games Will Debut Two New RPG’s for the Jaguar CD Console In another stunning announcement, OMC Game’s stated that they would release two games, “The Assassin” and “Age of Darkness” for the Jaguar. NEW LYNX GAME NOW The first to be released, “The Assassin,” will be a sci-fi/ AVAILABLE fantasy detective story set in the year 2147. The player will take the role of a detective who sets out to Songbird Productions has announced the release of solve the case to find the murderers of his little brother. “Ponx” for The . OMC Games owner, James Garvin, promises “The As- sassin” will be in the spirit of Hong Kong Cinema flicks. This ball and game’s features include “multiple “The Assassin” will also be released for the Atari XL/XE balls,” “vs. computer” and the ability to play against a on 5 ¼” floppies. Both versions will be released in the human opponent on the same Lynx unit. first quarter of 2000

“Age of Darkness” will be OMC Games’ second release The game retails for $39.95 and is available through and is said to be “the largest game world in RPG history”. the Songbird Productions website at: The world will include 6 planes of existence and over 650

Layers of the Abyss. The player will be able to get a job, http://songbird.atari.org advance levels, cast spells and create custom equip- ment. Age of Darkness will be released late 2000. Visit www.omcgames.com for more information.

Classic Gamer Magazine Fall 1999 10 SONY PLAYSTATION RELEASE SCHEDULE FOR RELEASE SCHEDULE FOR UPDATED AND CLASSIC RELATED UPDATED AND CLASSIC RELATED GAMES GAMES

September ‘99 September ‘99 Golf Paperboy Final Fantasy VII and the Infernal Machine

Third Quarter ’99 October ’99 X-Men Tomorrow Never Dies Bomberman 64 II Pac-Man World Final Fantasy Anthology October ’99 64 November ’99 Gauntlet Legends November ’99 Mortal Kombat: Special Forces Battlezone 64 64

December ’99 Excitebike 64

TBA Super Mario RPG 2 RELEASE SCHEDULE FOR UPDATED AND CLASSIC RELATED GAMES ATARI 2600 “” Q3 ‘99 RELEASE SCHEDULE 1942 () Asteroids (Crave) Available Now Bomberman Quest (Electro Brain) Castlevania II () Mystery Science Theater 2600 (Tim Snider) Magical Mickey Tetris (Capcom) INV Proto (Midway) 2600 Post-it Note Paperboy (Midway) Alphanumeric Madness Yar’s Revenge (Activision) Video Time Machine (Chris Cracknell) Dark Mage Q4 ’99 Edtris 2600 Pac-Man Color (Namco) Rampage 2 (Midway) Rescue Bira Bira This Planet Sucks TBA Pressure Gauge! Visit the Classic Gamer Newswire on the web.

Go to Hozer Video for ordering info: http://www.classicgamer.com http://www.angelfire.com/ma/hozervideo

Classic Gamer Magazine Fall 1999 11 Reviewed by Patrick Wong

systems, postal delivery, office e- parents went on rides. Title: Joystick Nation: How mail, and the Internet." Ms. Herz is There is also a discussion about Videogames Ate Our Quarters, obviously a very busy woman. Western and Eastern cultures Won Our Hearts, and Rewired Our She begins at the birth of where she tries to break down the Minds videogames when a Digital primary differences between DC/ Author: J.C. Herz Equipment Corporation computer Marvel comic art to Japanimation Publisher: Little, Brown and landed on the doorsteps of MIT art. Although in the end she admits, Company. 230 pages. $23.95 and a bunch of students "Of course, to kids playing Comix collaborated in their spare time to Zone or Marvel Superheroes or program a game called "Space Tekken 2, the distinction between t would seem videogames War." From there the book lays out comic book and videogame or Asian are marketed primarily to a timetable and Western is males and whenever a covering completely female shows interest, almost irrelevant. The every guy should stand, everything only categories take notice and wonder, from the “You can't talk they recognize are “What's this girl thinking about?” In legendary about Asteriods, ‘fun’ and ‘not fun’.” Joystick Nation, J.C. Herz Atari 2600 to Pac-Man and She leaves no describes how videogames played today's stone unturned, as an important part in her childhood revolutionary Space Invaders there is even a and tells how “Videogames ate our Nintendo 64. before some link to chapter on Boys quarters, won our hearts and She then Doom, Myst and vs. Girls. She rewired our minds.” follows up plays Pop When first glancing at the with a Mortal Kombat is Psychologist when pages, you'll immediately assume chapter in formed.” she describes a that Joystick Nation is more of a which she woman’s response look back at video games of the describes to beating a 80’s rather than a history of the gametypes in the game Tetris, video game world. Herz fondly by their categories: Action, “Yes! The Mess is vanishing! I can remembers, "I was toggling a Adventure, Fighting and so on. make the Mess disappear! It's not joystick before I learned to read, She sees fit to include a few quick about blowing things up. It's about mastered Breakout stratagems reviews on some of the various cleaning things up. Tetris speaks before memorizing the games, "Batman Returns (a good volumes about the difference multiplication table, conquered Super NES and Sega game), Bram between women and men vis a vis Asteroids before solving the Stoker's Dracula (a bad SNES and videogames." She may be right. mystery of long division." She Sega game), Home Alone and Remember Tetris 2? If Tetris is for would definitely fit the profile of a Home Alone 2 (awful), Hunt for women then Tetris 2 is definitely for hardcore gamer. Red October (worse), Rambo 3, men. Use bombs to clean up the However, soon after, the book The Last Action Hero, Hook, mess! To quote Tim Allen, "More begins an analysis of how Robocop and the Rocketeer (ugh), Power!" videogames relate to other media Wayne's World (bogus)." There is, however, a disturbing and everyday life. She observes, The author tries to cover as chapter on videogame porn where "Videogames are perfect training many topics about gaming as she she writes, "Not coincidentally, the for life in fin de siecle America, can. She includes everything from price and variety of plastic-sealed where daily existence demands the the dark, gloomy pinball parlors of videogame periodicals corresponds ability to parse sixteen kinds of yesterday to the evolution of to the shrink-wrapped magazines on information being fired at today's neon sign covered video the other side of the newsstand, the you simultaneously from arcades. It brought back memories ones that artfully pose topless telephones, television, fax of how kids used to beg to be nineteen-year-old covergirls. It's machines, pagers, personal left at the video arcade at curiously symmetrical: Nintendo digital assistants, voice messaging Coney Island while their Power, Game Pro, Flux, Playboy,

Classic Gamer Magazine Fall 1999 12 Hustler, Juggs." Later in the teenager, surrounded by shanky picture even more. chapter, there seems to be some metalhead kids in their Van Halen underlying sarcasm when she T-shirts and black rubber describes her visit to Nintendo. bracelets." Everyone has to The author seems to resent remember those black rubber Nintendo's wholesome family bracelets! She then tells us how Editor’s Note: Lately this oriented, kid-friendly environment the phrase "YOWIE MOOEY!!!" book has been taking a and goes on to describe Nintendo's became her and her brother's considerable amount of flak in the tip line as the flip side of a phone sibling code word for the last classic gaming community. People sex line. It's disturbing because moment before a situation falls have questioned J.C. Herz’s the Nintendo tour doesn't seem to apart in a game. Like how I would historical accuracy as well as belong in the chapter, yet because say "OH NO!!" and then "BOOM" criticizing her flagrant use of “large” it's there it leaves you with the the game was over. words. impression that reading Nintendo If Joystick Nation were to have Power will eventually lead to Juggs another name, it would be "JoyPad To add fuel to the fire, PBS Magazine and calling Nintendo's Nation." As much of a history and announced recently that a Hotline will lead you to porno 900 sociology lesson the book may be, documentary based on “Joystick number addiction. At least it it doesn't explore the old Atari Nation” is in the works. seems mapped that way. games nearly enough. You can't For those readers looking for a talk about Asteriods, Pac-Man and What are your thoughts on the book about someone reminiscing Space Invaders before some link book as well as the PBS decision? about videogames' glory days, to Doom, Myst and Mortal Kombat Joystick Nation includes a few is formed. There's a continued We’d love to hear from you on the memories. She describes a walk blurring of arcade and video subject! Write to us at: down memory lane while visiting games to computer games that's the American Museum of the likely to continue. It used to be so Classic Gamer Magazine Moving Image: "You look up from a easy to talk about and 7770 Regents Road #113-293 game of Galaxian half expecting to not have to bring up PC games. San Diego, Ca 92122 find yourself back in the mall as a Herz's Joystick Nation blurs the [email protected]

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 (A Haiku consists of a 3 line two autographed copies of Leonard Her- There once was a man stanza with a 5,7,5 syllable man’s authoritative book about the history who would boast, pattern) of videogames. "I'm the man who can eat the most" Donkey Kong climbs up Although he ate lots Crazy barrels do descend But ya gotta earn it! He ate only dots Die Mario! Die! And occasional side- We’re looking for aspiring Longfellows and dish of ghost. Maya Angelous! - too embarrassed to admit - Damien Quicksilver Send either an original classic videogame poem or Haiku and we’ll award Phoenix as a prize in each category. Send in your entry (with your contact info) to:

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 Fall 1999 13 Classic Advertisement 1983

Classic Gamer Magazine Fall 1999 14 by Patrick Wong

"Pause" button on the controllers were almost pixel perfect transla- tari's motto was "Power which was unheard of unless you tions of the arcades. without the Price." It owned an Intellivision. Atari also brought us a special should have read "Power The moment you turned it on feature which made the 5200 at a Price." and were greeted by a giant, multi- "State of the Art" - voice synthe- When Atari took their colored Atari Fuji, you knew it was sization without an add-on acces- low-end computer, the Atari 400, something special. sory. The voice synthesizer in gave her a facelift, a model number The games were equally spe- Atari's RealSports Baseball helped twice the value of the 2600 and cial. The "Super System" brought make America's favorite pastime called her their "Super System," the arcade games home to you. that much more enjoyable. To ac- they also gave her an enormous Even though the Colecovision may tually hear the balls and strikes be- pricetag - $299.95 (I guess it also have had slightly better graphics, ing called out was like hearing had to cost twice as much as the the Atari 5200 had the big name words in the early motion picture 2600). Atari promised she would titles and something the Coleco reels. It was a small step towards be worth every penny and of the games didn't feature (and which no bringing us something we would millions of promises Atari made, arcade experience would be with- later call "Multimedia." This was this was probably one of the few out in the 80s): the intermissions. significant because it provided a they kept to their loyal supporters. Who could ever forget how glimpse into the future as to what The 5200 was Atari's answer to awesome it was to beat the Straw- sports games were going to offer - the Colecovision. From the mo- berry Board in Pac-Man and be not just hearing balls and strikes ment you picked it up you knew awarded by the animated intermis- but hearing commentary and line- you had (as Atari put it) a "Super sion featured in the arcades? Who ups as well. System" in could ever There were also many little your hands. forget the things that may have gone unno- It came “The Atari 5200 awe of play- ticed by . How many re- packaged ing a Pac- member the controller attachment in a huge had the big Man game that allowed two controllers to be box. When arcade games that actually held together to play Atari's Space you opened that resembled Dungeon? One to move, one to the box and the arcade shoot. It may not sound like much picked up Colecovision version? but there was something about it the system, didn't. “ Everyone that made the arcade experience you could remembers that much more enjoyable. Anyone feel the power in your hands. how awful looking, yet fun to play, who played that game would agree Size? This system was BIG - twice the 2600 version was. If the 5200 how great it was just to play a the size of the 2600. She had a would be remembered for anything, game like Space Dungeon at sleek, black design with a silver it would be that it was the first sys- home. strip running across the middle of tem to bring faithful translations of Of course, not every arcade her, four controller ports (the later the arcade home to you. conversion was perfect. These models were made with two) and a From Defender to Dig Dug to ‘imperfect’ games were mainly cre- storage place at the top of the sys- Galaxian to Joust to Mario Bros. to ated by third party developers. Dis- tem where you would store your Ms. Pac-Man to to asters such as ’ controllers, hidden from sight, Pac-Man to Pengo to Pole Position , Q*Bert, : The when they weren't in use. If you and Vanguard, the Atari 5200 had Arcade Game and Fox's Wizard of put the 5200 next to the old style the big arcade games that Cole- Wor made the 5200 look more like and asked someone covision didn't. Add Atari's enor- a "Stupid-System" than anything which one looked "State of the Art", mous trakball along with Centi- super. What happened to Brutus' chances are they would choose the pede, Millipede or Missile Com- head in Popeye? Did the fight start Atari. mand and you'd swear you brought before the game was turned on? The controllers looked futuristic the arcade experience home. Where were the intermissions in as well but ironically ended up be- Sure, the Atari 2600 had the same Q*Bert? No intermission equals no ing some of the worst controllers titles as well, but it didn't stand up arcade experience. Star Wars: The ever made. Atari made sure every- to the 5200's graphics and sound. Arcade Game was just plain awful. one was aware this system had a Games like Pengo and Vanguard (Continued on page 50)

Classic Gamer Magazine Fall 1999 15 “The Classic

By Damien Quicksilver Gamer”

Megahertz with CGA. They say, of Classic: "A work of enduring "Wow!" and leave. He then turns quality." on VH-1. Keep repeating it to yourself un- t can be difficult to write a maga- So, who's the classic gamer? til you can't forget! zine article. You have to sit I Neither!!! Do not assume that old mediocrity down, focus, etc… deserves the term 'classic' any It's not really FUN. Actually, it's Allow me to introduce you to... more than new mediocrity does. quite easy to put off. I'd rather just Do not assume that new excel- play Bomberman on my Sega Sat- Person C: Here is a person of any age. lence is any less deserving of the urn. He knows that a classic is a work term than old excellence is. Drag- What's that? Did I just say I of enduring quality and is not con- ster had good graphics for its was playing on one of the "newer" cerned with how old time...but it SUCKED! systems? Cast out the infidel! But or new a game is. How often do you play wait, hear me out for a moment - I He plays Pac-Man Dragster? How often do am here to RE-DEFINE classic and he plays Burger- you play half of your old gaming for you. Time. He even plays games? Especially the If you like your current defini- newer games like rare ones?! Are you a tion, and feel threatened by a re- Puzzle Fighter and “I am here to "Nostalgic COLLECTOR" definition, then EAT THIS ARTI- Bomberman. He's or are you a "Classic CLE. If you think you're a classic just out to have fun. RE-DEFINE classic " Make a choice! gamer because you have a closet GAMER He refuses to be The time is NOW! Stop full of Atari 2600 carts you seldom, moved by graphics gaming for you.” looking at your games if ever play, then just TURN THE or sounds. It does stop talking about them PAGE. Unless you want to see not matter what his and start PLAYING them! classic gaming encompass both friends think because OLD and NEW and to reject those he's not trying to who cling to either, then DON'T GO (Author’s Note: The opin- show off. It's not a PAST THIS LINE. ions expressed in this arti- gaming image... it's I'm warning you, any line now... cle are those of Damien a gaming lifestyle. He's THE NEW So maybe you're a tad CURI- Quicksilver alone and are not - CLASSIC GAMER. OUS as to what I have to say, even essarily shared by Classic Gamer Yes, I know in all aspects of so- though you may not LIKE it, here Magazine. The Surgeon General ciety today, we are drowning in goes: probably wouldn't want you to eat kitsch. Music, Movies and sur- this page. Ink can be bad for your prise, VIDEO GAMES are all flood- health, although paper is high in Person A: ing us with a sea of mediocrity. Here is a teenager hanging out fiber. Fnord.) Old games can feel safer, if you with his friends. He shows off his just stick with what you know. Playstation and how he has all the True, since there was not the tech- newest and hottest games. He nology to create the pretty cover of then takes them into the computer "good" graphics that modern video room to show them his Pentium-7 games so often have, then there is @ 2000 Megahertz with VooDoo 9 not as great a danger of "judging 4-D acceleration. They say, "Wow!" the book by its cover." But if you and leave. He then turns on MTV. take modern games and just RIP Editor’s Note: So, readers, is

OFF THE DAMN COVER, then you Damien full of donkey doo? Or do Person B: will see that some of the "books" Here is an adult hanging out you agree with him? Drop us a line actually have a "plot." Do not deny with his friends. He shows off his and tell us what you think! that there has always been medi- Atari 2600 and how he has all the [email protected] ocrity! Do not take the "easy" way oldest and rarest games. He then out! Open your eyes and see for takes them into the computer room yourself! Remember this definition to show them his 80/88 @ 4.77

Classic Gamer Magazine Fall 1999 16 by Kyle Snyder

the arcade market. So, they con- Of course, the ug- hen you tacted Namco for the exclusive lies will speed up W ask the rights to manufacture the "next and take on a average Joe or Josephine which mega-hit.” Seemed like a sure rather frantic abruptness to their video game they associate most thing. movements which adds to the chal- with the early 80's, you get a vari- lenge. Oh yes, in addition to chas- ety of answers...Space Invaders, ing you down they are also shoot- Donkey Kong, Asteroids, Galaga, ing at you. and of course, Pac-Man and his Unfortunately, the game never family. Not ONCE will you ever saw a great deal of success. I hear somebody excitedly never saw Warp Warp in person, shout..."OH YEAH MAN!!!! WARP and I only discovered it when I saw WARP WAS AWESOME!!!!!" a wrestling game called Mat Mania This is not to say that the game in a white cabinet with Warp Warp has nothing going for it at all...in artwork on the side. I decided to fact the gameplay and origin is do research in back issues of Re- rather interesting for such an un- Play magazine to find out about known game. this lost classic. I found an article It SHOULD have been big. It with the presidents of Rock-Ola had a lot going for it. Imagine this... and Namco shaking hands over the Spring 1981...Namco, the highly contract for the "next big thing." It's successful Japanese programming a shame really. (Funny that the powerhouse just made fortunes for next hits from Namco were Dig Dug Bally/Midway in 1979 and 1980 and Pole Position.) with Galaxian and PacMan, re- The resulting game is a surreal On the VERY off chance you spectively and were the hot ticket maze & shooting game where you happen to find this game intact, of the industry. Then there was control a little spaceman with a play a few rounds and see if it isn't Rock-Ola, one of the largest manu- four-way joystick. Play begins in a infectious and well done. Or, check facturers of jukeboxes the music large open field with walls being it out on MAME like I did. industry had ever seen. With video the outer borders and two large games being at the biggest high rectangles forming a hallway in the the industry would ever see, it was center. These rectangles flash from only natural that Rock-Ola would time to time with the word “Warp” - see opportunity for expansion into hence the title "Warp Warp." If you enter this warp hallway during the time it flashes, you are transported to a maze comprised of evenly placed squares, much like Exidy's Targ. You can "toggle" be- tween the two screens each time you enter the flashing hallway. Of course, there has to be some kind of baddie, or there wouldn't be too much of a game. From out of the corners, strange creatures, re- sembling giant walking tongues and pointy headed spiders emerge one at a time. The object is to de- stroy these monsters with your gun before they destroy you. Pretty ba- sic pathos for an early video game.

Classic Gamer Magazine Fall 1999 17 Namco's dot-gobbler. The graph- The Dreadnaught ics are very close to the arcade Factor version. The maze is a little stunted as the sprites are rather large, but the walls are the familiar Publisher: Activision blue solid walls of yore. Pac-Man Released: 1983 is the roundest that I have seen System: Intellivision him appear on a classic console, Reviewed by: D.B. Caulfield and the ghosts are well defined, Overall Rating: B+ although the eyes are still not quite right. The fruits actually look BET- Definitely “borrowing” from the TER than in the arcade version! Star Wars saga, Check out the light The Dreadnaught Pac-Man gradiation on the Factor allows you to oranges of the third pilot a Novaray Hy- Publisher: and fourth rounds. perfighter into a (later re-released by INTV) Possibly the face-to-face battle Released: 1983 most welcome and with hulking space System: Mattel Intellivision unexpected detail cruisers. Reviewed by: Kyle Snyder comes after two These “Zorban Overall Rating: B+ boards are cleared! Dreadnaught Battle- Yes, Atarisoft included Dreadnaught Factor crafts” are making a path Pac-Man is quite possibly the the intermissions!! In for a stargate with intentions of de- most translated arcade game of all the first intermission, Pac-Man is stroying the planet Terra. Terra’s time. Versions have appeared on chased right to left by Blinky and only hope is to send a lone pilot in nearly all home platforms from the then emerges as a HUGE Pac-Man a Hyperfighter through the stargate Atari (2600, (Super in order to battle the enemy jugger- 5200 & Pac-Man's naut head on. 7800), first You begin with ten Novaray Hy- Commo- cameo?) perfighters in your arsenal. As the dore Com- chasing the Dreadnaught ship lumbers slowly puters, the now from the right side of your screen, NES, Game scared- stiff your ship passes over it head on Boy and blue ghost! from the left. Your goal is to de- most re- The later stroy the ship by dropping bombs cently on intermis- on the sixteen energy vents located the Play- sions are throughout the vessel while avoid- station. intact as ing their defenses and destroying One of the well and their gun batteries with your laser- better incar- produce fire. Once you pass the ship, you nations however, is largely the same chuckles as their ar- will return to it by traveling through Pac-Man overlooked...the Atarisoft Pac- cade counterparts did. the stargate again. With each sub- Man for the Mattel Intellivision My only real complaint is that sequent fly over, the Dreadnaught (later, INTV would publish the iden- the Intellivision's disc controllers will get closer to accessing the tical game without the “Atarisoft” are not well suited to a game of this stargate. (Tip: Destroy the ships logo on the opening screen). variety. My advice would be to engines first, located in the rear, to Atarisoft's Pac-Man was re- comb the flea markets and thrift slow its progress.) leased just before the great crash stores for the snap-on joystick top- Although this is one of the more of 1983, so not many collectors per, as it makes this game exem- difficult Intellivision games to lo- had a chance to see it shine. In plary. cate, I would highly recommend 1983, the main focus was the Atari You can't go wrong with a little tracking it down as it is definitely a 5200 versus the Colecovision, and Pac-Man, and Atarisoft's Intellivi- gem. the poor Mattel console was left in sion adaptation definitely delivers! the dust. Nevertheless, Atarisoft trans- lated a wonderful version of

Classic Gamer Magazine Fall 1999 18 Intellivision Lives! On Your Computer! By Chris Cavanaugh

button. The standard games, such as the surprisingly complex Utopia, don’t think the console the arcade-like and the Iwars of today have any- “Pac-Manesque” Night Stalker are thing on the console wars of the included. The real gems are the late 70’s/early 80’s. You had a rarer games, such as Yogi’s Ad- choice to make: The Atari 2600 or venture, Brickout, Hypnotic Lights the Mattel Intellivision. For me the and Santa’s Helper, which were choice was always obvious: The never released for a number of rea- Atari 2600. For some reason, I al- sons. Unfortunately, not many of ways felt superior over kids who the unreleased games are avail- owned the Intellivision and would able to play, as many are demos or usually voice my opinion accord- incomplete. Also unavailable for ingly. “Oh, you own that console? play are arcade ports and other li- It’s okay, I suppose,” and then I censed games such as Burgertime would continue to snicker behind being the exception). and the series. their backs while playing Recently, I was glad to learn a As with all , the only “Adventure.” Of course there were CD-ROM titled, Intellivision Lives, thing lacking is the ability to emu- no valid reasons for me to feel as I was being released so everyone late the original console’s control- did. Mattel’s Intellivision was could have a lers. Intellivi- graphically and audibly superior chance to play sion Lives is over the 2600. However, George these great no excep- Plimpton’s attitude on Intellivision games. Intellivi- tion. The commercials made me want to put sion Lives is not gold disc In- my foot through the TV screen. just an Intellivi- tellivision Intellivision owners would recipro- sion controller cate their feelings of superiority by but an encyclo- could be managing a guffaw while compar- pedic history of frustrating at ing Atari’s sports games to the In- the game unit times and tellivision’s. I think Odyssey own- as well. Aside using a com- ers were created so the Atari and from over 50 puter key- board only compounds Intellivision owners could agree on games, there is Night Stalker whom to laugh at. an easy to navigate menu the problem. If a device As I got older and wiser, and which takes the reader on an inter- which allows you to port your origi- had a tad more expendable cash to active journey exploring the many nal Intellivision controller into your blow on my videogame collection, I facets of the Intellivision. PC becomes available, we’ll let you discov- Spacey, if not know. ered an hummable music Overall, we highly recommend Intellivi- plays as you read this CD. The games certainly do sion and the development hold up well, and it’s also a great a few of history, program- nostalgia trip. I also implore any its games mer biographies die-hard Atari 2600 owners who in a thrift and their often- may still have ill feelings towards store and hilarious stories of the Intellivision to give it a whirl. decided how the games You will be surprised at what great to pur- came to fruition. games you are missing out on. chase The CD also in- Just try not to put your foot through them for cludes box art, the monitor when you see George. the sake of pro- Major League Baseball trivia, hidden codes, moting world screenshots and even a Overall Rating: A- peace. From that day forward I commercial featuring a certain have enjoyed the Intellivision im- aforementioned spokesman. Visit : mensely and have learned to for- Oh yeah…it has games, too! http://www.intellivisionlives.com give those who put down my be- Well over 50 original Intellivision for more details . loved Atari 2600 (George Plimpton titles are playable at the click of a

Classic Gamer Magazine Fall 1999 19 by Darryl Guenther

Back in the day when play elements. Donkey arcades and corner mar- Kong seemed to have a kets were after school mind of his own, throwing hangouts, one could ex- barrels whichever way he pect to hear the “whacka- deemed necessary. The whacka” sounds of Pac- fireballs (all levels except Man, the lasers firing up in “rivets” screen) and firefoxes Defender and the crackling, (“rivets” screen) roamed in a shooting sound of Centi- very unpredictable manner pede. There weren’t any (as fire generally does). life-like PCM samples or 3D Other objects such as graphics. That was much springs and mud pies were of the charm of video not “alive,” but they were games of the past; they kept in motion by the forces were unique to themselves. around them. All of the ele- They had characters who ments fit together so well, only lived in that world. that it was easy to be swept These games generated sounds himself continued on as well, star- away into that world. that did not exist previously. Don- ring with all his friends in the Don- Much detail was also placed on key Kong, by Nintendo, was one of key Kong Country series of games. control. It was very easy to find the those games. It had the unique, Now that we’re familiar with the bottom of the ladders. Mario could cutesy sounds necessary for a characters, let’s talk about the also jump off a structure and spring good game. However, not only did game. Donkey Kong was not just back from any of the outer edges. it have the sounds, it also had the based on cute, detailed characters, Timing was the essence, as one cute on-screen characters. In fact, music, and interesting sound ef- never knew what pattern the bar- a couple of the characters were to fects. It was much more! The en- rels could end up in by the time be much more. They became mas- tire package was put together in they reached the player. Many of cots that have stood the test of such a way that it seemed to come these details were left out of the time. to life. The detail ranged from the home system conversions that fol- Back in 1981, Nintendo re- characters themselves to the game lowed. In the arcade version, one leased Donkey Kong (the mis- could leap off the end of a structure translation of “Stubborn Monkey” only to be bounced back up from in Japanese.) It was the brainchild the edge. Many home versions of Shigeru Miyamoto. Mario, origi- (except a few by Atarisoft) just rico- nally labeled “Jumpman”, was said cheted one backwards, without the to have been modeled after Shi- upward spring. Even Nintendo’s geru’s landlord. He didn’t actually home version left out the “spring- become officially labeled as Mario back” jump. until 1982, when he became the There were four screens to the bad guy, capturing Donkey Kong game: The barrels, the rivets, the in Donkey Kong Jr. Later on, elevator and the conveyor belt (left Mario would star with his brother, out in most home conversions, ex- Luigi (not “Loogy” for my Jr. High cept those by Atari and Ocean). peers of the time), in Mario Bros. The rivets screen was always the He then went on to star in the Su- screen that ended the level. Two per Mario series. Donkey Kong different configurations of these Arcade Classic Gamer Magazine Fall 1999 20 levels existed. The Japanese ver- sion version was so bad, why did it Luckily for us, Atari and Atarisoft sion simply cycled through the sell the system?” The answer lies obtained the rights to the home above order. After the rivet screen, in Coleco owning the rights to all computer version. The version for Donkey console system Atari computer systems was much Kong versions. Coleco more accurate. All the music, ani- would fall programmed the mation and intermissions were pre- from the already limited Atari sent. The screens followed the ar- disas- 2600 (VCS) ver- cade’s original order and even fea- sembled sion. This one only tured the conveyor belt screen. structure, consisted of two However, due to the lower resolu- and levels, the barrels tion, the screens were not all that Mario and rivets. The cosmetically appealing and the top would be barrel screen was level of the barrels screen was cut reunited so limited one off. All enemies were included, al- with couldn’t even walk though the fireballs and firefoxes Paula. or fall off the end of were combined into a hybrid of The a level. Subse- sorts. Crazy barrels were unpre- American version differed in screen quently, falling off the level on the dictable, as were the paths the order. Level one was the barrels barrels screen in regular barrels and rivet screen. Level two con- the Colecovision would take. The sisted of the barrels, elevator, and version would spring-back rivet screen. Level three consisted not result in jump was cor- of the barrels, conveyor belt, eleva- death either. rectly imple- tors, and rivets. From then on, Instead, it would mented as well. many other combinations of cause Mario to Also from screens followed. For this reason, drop the ham- Atari came the many people didn’t even know that mer and con- Commodore the conveyor belt level existed. tinue on. In the Vic20 and C-64 Between turns, level progress was VCS version, the versions. As displayed in meters, shown by the player didn’t one would ex- number of Donkey Kongs stacked. even have the pect, the Vic20 The Max was 6 high (150m). satisfaction of version looked As mentioned earlier, many walking off or awful. The home versions spawned from the even reaching crazy thing was, original. In fact, Donkey Kong was the top of the screen before con- NES somebody took the time to cram Colecovision’s flagship packaged tinuing to the next level. all of the intermissions, boards game, practically selling the sys- The rivets screen wasn’t much (conveyor belt too!), animations, tem. However, it was a very rough prettier either. It consisted of 5 lev- (lose turn spin), fireballs, crazy bar- version. The top level was elimi- els that extended across the entire rels, etc. into the 5k available in the nated, placing screen. The fire- Vic! Maybe Coleco should have Donkey Kong on foxes looked even taken some tips from the Atarisoft the opposite side more like poor programmer when they pro- of the barrels renditions of screen, and the ducks. They fireballs and “crazy were not able to barrels” were elimi- travel up and nated. The eleva- down the lad- tor screen was ders; thus, once missing the springs the hammer was (or affectionately used on the fire- called “springers”). ball of that level, Instead, they were the player had to replaced by non- patiently wait for menacing, duck- it to disappear. like firefox wanna- Once a rivet was bees! The rivet screen was removed, the player would intact, except for one level. UnfoAtarir- VCS/2600lose a tur n for falling in the hole. Intellivision tunately, the cute animations, such However, Mario wouldn’t fall. He grammed their 16-24k version of as the dying sequences and inter- would just simply freeze as if he Donkey Kong. missions were missing. were hit by an object and then The Commodore 64 version One may ask, “If the Colecovi- “death” music would play. looked pretty good, however the

Classic Gamer Magazine Fall 1999 21 control was slow and sluggish. sion for the NES. Here we have a Crazy Kong Finding the bottom of ladders could system perfectly capable of recre- be difficult and it was missing the ating the arcade experience at “How High Can You Get?” screen home. What does Nintendo do? and music. Of course, the sound They left out the conveyor screen, was fairly weak due to the “SID” limited the fireballs of the rivets sound chip, which was designed screen to not ascend above the more for second music level, and than raised the games. second All-in-all, level ham- the ver- mer up one sions level to were where the pretty im- can’t pressive reach. Another similar game for their They had (unlicensed copy as far as I know) time, es- the graph- is Crazy Kong. Crazy Kong has a pecially ics, the different sound chip and the music compared sound, eve- is gone. Crazy Kong only throws to the rything, but three barrels at a time and he other op- they chose Colecovision doesn’t move to pick up each one. tions available. to use a smaller cart. The It was more of a corner store/ Over the years, other versions average person didn’t seem to bowling alley discounted game. popped up . In 1987, Ocean know any better. Many didn’t Subtle changes have been made, gained the rights from Atari and know the missing conveyor screen such as changing the level screen created a new C-64 version, as even existed. Those who did, set- to, “How High Can You Try??” tled until Donkey Kong Also, a different graphic is used for Jr. was released. DK Crazy Kong on the other screens. Jr. included all four of The end of the barrel screen the DK Jr. levels, but girders have been cut off at the still lacked animation ladders. and intermissions. Crazy Kong Tips: Strangely enough, The “” level warp can be the version accomplished by climbing up the of Donkey Kong first complete ladder on the barrels (programmed by screen. Tap the joystick until Coleco) was an almost Mario is hanging with one foot off exact duplicate of the and jump to the right. If performed NES conversion. How- correctly, Mario will fall through the ever, the sound was floor and will warp to the second horrible and the resolu- screen. tion not quite as sharp. Another Crazy Kong trick is to Nintendo’s Game get to the second conveyor screen Boy conversion was (it’s faster). Grab the first hammer well done considering it and run to the right side of the was on a small b/w screen as the conveyor travels in Game Boy portable. They even added some that direction. Once Mario well as an Amstrad PC version. additional levels. reaches the far right, he will drop These featured more animation If you ever have a chance to the hammer. However, it will still and all screens were present (even play (or buy) Donkey Kong on one be there. If it is pointed down, it the High Score and Insert Coin of these great machines or home will continue to hammer pies, even screens!). The Ocean versions fol- ports, don’t pass it up. The game when Mario is on other levels. lowed the Japanese version: bar- is 17 years old, but it can sure take Also, on the rivets screen: Don’t rels, conveyor, elevator, and rivets. one back to the past in a heartbeat. use the top hammer, and it will Overall, it was set up as close to turn into “Gold Bars” as a reward. the arcade machine as anything of Also, notice the true Donkey Kong its time for the home systems. image behind the large Crazy Later on the home-front, Nin- Kong image. tendo created their own home ver-

Classic Gamer Magazine Fall 1999 22

COMBAT your bankshots? Atari/Atari VCS (2600) There are a few bugs in this CBS/Atari VCS (2600) Released as “Tank Plus” for Sears game (which enhance game play) Released: 1982 Model Number: CX2601 such as being able to ‘warp’ your- Reviewed by Kyle Snyder Released: 1977 self to the other side of the battle- Programmer(s): , Joe field. You can accomplish this with Overall Rating: B DeCuir, and Larry Wagner a little practice by placing your tank Reviewed by: D.B Caulfield in a corner of the maze, turning Some of the most successful your joystick and moving forward at arcade games from the first wave Overall Rating: A- of video gaming were of the "slide and shoot" variety. The idea was For most of us, Combat to move a laser bunker from left to was our introduction to the right on the bottom of the screen Atari VCS. After what while firing upwards at targets. The seemed like an eternity of most famous of course, is Space having your dad set up the Invaders, which later begat games system to the back of the like Galaxian, Galaga, Astro TV set, we inserted the Fighter, and even Carnival. Some cartridge, flipped the power companies realized that the genre switch and were treated to was getting rather overpopulated, the image of two tanks on so they released games with differ- either side of the screen ent and distinct qualities. One of poised for battle. After the the best of the group is Bally/ reset button was pressed, Combat Midway's arcade hit Gorf. This you and your challenger charged at masterpiece features five different each other with bullets flying. From the same time. You’ll find this screens, four-way directional move- this point forward we knew we maneuver comes in handy for sur- ment, and striking speech capabili- were hooked. prise attacks. ties (for the era). Combat is still an outstanding Combat was originally planned When CBS games licensed Gorf two-player game. What it lacks in to be built into the VCS. If graphics is more than made up for you look inside the origi- in game play. There are many tank nal six-switch model you and fighter plane game variations will see a spot on the to keep even the most jaded clas- motherboard to hold the sic gamer happy. There are tank Combat ROM chip. For battles on empty battlefields and reasons unknown this mazed battlefields, invisible tanks, idea was abandoned and and tanks with bouncing bullets the cartridge came in- (knowing geometry seems to pay cluded with the system. off in this one). The fighter plane We don’t recommend you variations include standard bi-plane install the Combat ROM dogfighting, jetfighters and the yourself as we’ve heard grossly unfair three small planes this can fry your unit. vs. the one large plane (which A sequel, “Combat seems totally incapable of mount- II”, was planned but never Gorf ing any significant attack against released. the three smaller ones). Although these are all strictly Update! An incomplete Combat II for the Atari 2600, certain liberties two player games, who doesn’t re- prototype was discovered by The had to be taken with the game play member wanting to play so badly Atari Gaming Headquarters. in order for it to fit into a 4K car- that you would go at it alone any- Screenshots are available at their tridge. For instance, obviously the way and experience considerable website: www.atarihq.co voice had to be scrapped but we glee in destroying the unmanned accepted that. What is odd how- aircraft and tanks? Besides, when ever, is that CBS reduced the else were you going to practice player's spaceship to a simple left-

Classic Gamer Magazine Fall 1999 23 and-right movement pattern, reduc- not due to memory limitations, but needed fuel stops becoming more ing the great fun of narrowly avoid- due to legal constraints. Atari had scarce along the way. One may ing an 's swooping attack already grabbed the licensing be good at blowing things up, but while moving down and to the left. rights to Galaxian by this time, so with poor planning, the jet may run As a result, the 2600 cartridge to avoid copyright infringement, out of fuel and crash. of Gorf plays CBS omitted The objective of the game is to very flat. How- this screen fly up a river, destroying the en- ever, CBS did from the emy's bridges and fuel supplies. duplicate some home ver- While the enemy may have ships, of the manic feel sion. planes and helicopters along the of the arcade Oddly, if route, the bridges and fuel supplies game in the vari- you play Gal- are the most valuable, and thus, ety of the axian (aka carry the highest point value. screens. The Galactic In- Overall, the game’s graphics first screen is es- vasion) for are nice. It is easy to discern not sentially a re- the Bally As- only what each target is, but also make of Space trocade, it any obstacles around the fighter. Invaders with a plays and The colors are simple; blue for wa- much smaller Gorf sounds ex- ter, green for land, and the ships army of aliens and plays virtu- actly like the missing and planes are obvious. The ally identical to the groundbreaking Gorf - Galaxian wave. I guess player is never left wondering, classic. The second screen fea- that's one way to have a complete "What the heck is THAT?" In fact, I tures a tiny group of attackers with Gorf! was always impressed by the clean one laser cannon. But what a can- look of the graphics. non it is! It fires a long, solid bolt of One drawback with this game, energy towards the player's ship as with most of its generation, is and remains onscreen for a consid- Activision/Atari VCS (2600) maneuverability. Control is limited Designed by erable amount of time. Once this to the very simple forward, right Reviewed by Chris Lion force is destroyed, we are trans- and left, leaving the player with a ported to the blackhole screen, Overall Rating: B+ feeling of very little "real" control. wherein spaceships spiral from a Often, when I would veer off to central point at varying speeds and One of the more unique charac- avoid an object the plane seemed angles to attack the player. This teristics River Raid has compared to keep drifting until I pulled back screen is rather unique as the to other hard. player does not have to destroy all video- There are the aliens to progress. If an alien is games is treats in this game not destroyed, it flies out into the that it is that make it really depths of space never to be seen designed fun. The fuel again. The player simply has to by a tanks are quite survive until the end of the round. woman. I unique. If one On the fourth and final round, the must ad- blows up the tank, player is asked to defeat the Gor- mit when I they are destroy- fian mothership. This monstrosity first ing their ability to flies across the top of the screen, agreed to refuel their plane. dropping yellow bombs. The only review If one leaves the catch is that the ship’s vulnerable this game fuel, it is left for point is a tiny vent on the underside the enemy to supply themselves. my sexist side came out River Raid of the ship. It takes quite a bit of and I worried that there was some A great trick is what I dubbed the skill to aim at such a small target, sort of voice chip installed. I half "gas and blast" - fueling up and but when accomplished, the space- expected to find the game ques- then blowing up the tank. I got my ship shimmers with different colors tioning my moves, wondering why I much needed fuel, earned extra to indicate its destruction. didn't refuel and telling me to JUST points and denied my enemy of All things considered, CBS' Gorf ASK FOR DIRECTIONS. I am fuel. It's a great trick, although it for the VCS is not a bad version of pleased to report that no such chip takes some practice to master. the game, but then again, without exists. Overall, I give River Raid a B+. the voice and the four way direc- The skills required by River It's a fun game with a clear objec- tion, it's not exactly Gorf. Raid do not just entail the typical tive and solid graphics. It plays Interesting side trivia: The ar- hand/eye coordination, but tactical well in a single player mode or cade game's third screen is a re- skills as well. The player navigates against an adversary. make of Galaxian. This screen a jet plane over a constantly was not included in the 2600 cart, changing riverscape with much

Classic Gamer Magazine Fall 1999 24 -By Lee K. Seitz-

by Lee K. Seitz

I discuss here come up in the dis- game boards to help enhance it. elcome to the first CVG 101 W cussions in r.g.v.c. Next came Atari's Pong for homes, column. My name is Lee K. Seitz, First, let's cover the home video based on their Pong coin-op (coin- and I've been actively collecting game systems of the classic age operated) game. Its success classic videogames since the late (roughly 1972-1984). You are spawned numerous imitators, nota- . The purpose of this column probably familiar with some of the bly 's is to help educate newcomers to major systems of the time, particu- and Coleco's Telstar series. the hobby of collecting classic larly Atari's. The Atari 2600 was The first programmable console videogames. Each issue I'll first released as the Atari Video was the , but choose a different topic to explain. Computer System (VCS). When the 2600 was released shortly I hope you find these columns both Atari released its second program- thereafter, which took the lead. educational and entertaining. For mable system, the Atari 5200 Su- Once again, Atari's success cre- my first column, I'm simply going to per System, they went back and ated competitors. Magnavox's first try to define many terms often used changed the VCS to the 2600. truly programmable system, the within the hobby while giving a brief Atari later released the Atari 7800 Odyssey2, was notable for its full history of home videogames. Pro System, which could play both keyboard. Toy company, Mattel, If you're on the Internet, there's games designed for it and the created the Intellivision, which a Usenet newsgroup where collec- 2600. upped the ante on graphics. tors discuss classic video games. Although the Atari 2600 was the Meanwhile, Milton Bradley bought Its name is rec.games.video. reigning champion of the classics, out GCE (General Consumer Elec- , or for short. If classic r.g.v.c it was not the first console. That tronics) and released their Vectrex. you're not familiar with news- honor goes to the Magnavox Od- The Vectrex is unique in that it is groups, I'm afraid it's too big a topic yssey, released in 1972. It was a the only home game system to use to go into detail here. Try a site very simple system that played vector graphics. Vector graphics like DejaNews (www.dejanews. mainly pong-type games. It came are those found in arcade games com) or RemarQ (www.remarq. with overlays to tape to the TV like Asteroids and Tempest, where com). You'll see many of the terms screen and numerous cards and everything is drawn with straight

Classic Gamer Magazine Fall 1999 25 lines. named the Atari 2600/7800 list they're mostly prototypes. The Finally, the technology ante was VGR (Only he knows what that term prototype is used to refer to upped again, this time by Coleco stands for). While the list is still pre-production cartridges, which with their Colecovision. Then around and often referred to, it has fall into two categories. The first is came The Crash....The Crash was not been updated in quite some a cartridge containing an EPROM a period in 1983-84 in which the time so portions of it are outdated. (erasable, programmable read only videogame market took a nosedive. Many lists use the same rarity rat- memory) chip the programmer This was caused by several fac- ings VGR created: C = common, used to test his or her an tors, including a glut of sub-par U = uncommon, R = rare, ER = ex- actual console. In general, the pro- games and the falling cost of home tremely rare, and UR = unbelieva- grammer would erase and reuse a computers. Many video game bly rare. There is also an unofficial cartridge many times during the companies went out of business rating of OC (obnoxiously common) development process, so few of during this time. Most collectors that people use in conversation to these exist. The more highly re- consider this the end of the classic refer to Atari 2600 Combat and garded ones are those that contain era. It took a company new to the such. either a game with some differ- American home video game market A great way to get rarity lists for ences from the commercially re- to turn things around when they leased version or a game that released the Nintendo Entertain- was never released at all. The ment System (NES) in 1985. second type is called "lab As you can see, there are loaners." These were pre- many "classic" systems out there. production, but usually com- You might wonder where you can pleted, games sent to magazines find them and their cartridges for review. Because of the lead (carts, for short). There are sev- time in publishing a magazine, eral places. If you have a lot of game companies had to get the time, but little money, search thrift games to the reviewers early in stores (such as Value Village or order for the review to be pub- those run by the Salvation Army lished at the same time the game or Goodwill), flea markets, and was released. These prototypes yard sales. Some collectors visit were supposed to be returned to thrift stores so often that they've the game company afterwards, coined a word for the act of visit- but many were not. They gener- ing several thrift stores around ally have an official, yet generic town: thrifting. label on them including the ad- If, on the other hand, you have dress to return them to. plenty of money, but not much Finally, let me mention holy time, you might try a classic video grails. These are the games or game dealer. Yes, there really systems that collectors prize are people who have made a most of all. This is fairly subjec- business out of selling old video tive as not every collector con- games. There are no national siders the same game(s) to be their An NTSC “Asterix” Lab-loaner chains that do so, which makes most classic systems is to buy the "holy grail." finding them hard. On the bright Digital Press Classic Videogame One game many collectors de- side, most do their business via Collector's Guide, more com- sire is Chase the Chuckwagon. mail order throughout the country monly known as the Digital Press (In fact, some collectors use the and many are based on the World Guide or DPG. Digital Press phrase "chasing the chuck- Wide Web. Another option is Inter- (www.digitpress.com) is a fanzine wagon" instead of "thrifting.") net auction sites such as eBay dedicated to all home video game Chase the Chuckwagon is an Atari (www.ebay.com) or Amazon (www. systems, old and new, with more 2600 game that was only available amazon.com). emphasis on old. It rates games by mail order from Purina if you Notice I made the distinction of and hardware on a rarity scale of 1 collected enough proofs of pur- time vs. money. That's because (common) to 10 (practically chase from their dog food products. some items are rarer than others. unique). It covers most of the sys- Therefore, it's fairly rare. It's far For example, you'll have no prob- tems mentioned above from the from the rarest 2600 game, but has lem finding an Atari 2600 and a Channel F to the NES. To obtain a taken on a certain among dozen games, while finding a Vec- copy send $20 (for U.S. and Can- collectors. Good luck finding your trex with any games can be quite a ada; $30 elsewhere) to Joe Santulli own holy grails, whatever they may feat. Some enterprising collectors at Digital Press, 44 Hunter Place, be. have created rarity lists of the Pompton Lakes, NJ 07442. games for various systems. The You might wonder what kind of first to do so was Craig Pell, who items get a rating of 10. Well,

Classic Gamer Magazine Fall 1999 26 A Guide to Rating By Mike Genova Your Classic Collection fairly easy to find. Examples are: Video Pinball, Food Fight, , or Battlezone. You may have to look a bit harder, or pay hat defines a rare slightly more money for these, but cartridge? All collec- they can generally be found some- W where. tors have different interpretations of the word, but to me it has a simple Rare (R) - A rare game isn't always meaning: “A cartridge that is what it seems to be. A rare game harder to find than most carts.” in one area may be an uncommon Here we’ll examine the many fac- game in another. I suppose that tors that can make a cartridge rare. could be said for all rarities, but (Examples cited are for the Atari “rare” is sometimes misinterpreted. VCS/2600.) Games such as Millipede, Othello, , or a Basic Pro- gramming cart are rare. These will 1. Low Production Run/ Poor be somewhat harder to find than Sales - A good example of this commons and uncommons, but I have yet to obtain one of them. would be the cartridge "The Music shouldn't take more than a few This just goes to show that once Machine." This cartridge was pack- months to acquire. Most respect- you find a rare cartridge, you could aged with a record and "poor sales able collectors will have these for possibly be holding a one of a kind caused many of these to be re- sale or for auction for fairly cheap in your hand. Who knows, ten called and destroyed" as quoted in prices, but that will vary from one years from now, you may have the the Digital Press Guide Fourth Edi- dealer to the next. tion (DPG). Also, if a game was only remain- distributed in isolated areas around ing, legiti- Extremely the world, it may be a tough find. mate copy of Rare (ER) - that cartridge. An extremely 2. Limited Availability - A rare cart is Next are game which was made available one that most definitions of only through special offers or by people will the various joining a club. Some games made have some types of rarity available these ways are: Quadrun, difficulty find- symbols clas- , Atari Video Cube ing. Buying sic gamers and Purina Foods’ Chase the one on the place on car- Chuckwagon. These factors make Internet from tridges. They it less likely that you will ever find a collector these carts in thrift shops or flea are listed from most com- Dukes of Hazzard would not be the smart- markets. mon to most rare: Atari VCS est idea because you 3. Prototypes - A prototype is Common (C) - Common will more than likely defined as being a game which games, such as , pay a substantial amount of money was never released or is still in its Pac-Man, Combat, Space Invad- for it, or you will be forced to trade pre-production stages. Prototypes ers, or Pitfall! were cartridges pro- something of value from your own aren't generally fun to play because duced in large quantities and en- collection. Finding them at garage of bugs and glitches in the unfin- joyed mass distribution. You will sales, thrift shops, flea markets, ished product, but would highlight most likely find plenty of these at friends or second-hand stores anyone's videogame collection. various garage sale/thrift shop/flea would be less costly, but those Examples of prototypes include markets runs. tend to only have your average commons or uncommons. Ex- Grover's Music Maker and Dukes - An uncommon Uncommon (U) tremely rare carts would include of Hazzard. game is slightly more rare than a Crazy Climber, Chase the Chuck- common game, but can still be Of the games mentioned so far, wagon, Pengo, Rubik's Cube, Pigs

Classic Gamer Magazine Fall 1999 27 in Space and BMX Airmaster. Other System Ultra Rare (UR) - Rarities An ultra rare cart is a one-of-a kind cart because it Do you own any of these other would more than rare classics? Check your attics likely lighten up and basements. On some of these anyone's collection only a few copies are known to if they traded for it. exist. Don't count on finding one of Atari 5200 these at a thrift AE - Parker Brothers shop because it Battlezone - Atari probably won't happen. Chase the Chuckwagon Frisky Tom - Atari

There's always the possi- Atari VCS Meteorites - Electra Concepts bility, but don't get Millipede - Atari your hopes up. An ultra rare cart Intellivision would be classi- Crosswords - Mattel fied as a Sword- Defender - INTV quest: Water- Fathom - world, Fatal Run, - Parker Brothers or Motorodero. Yogi’s Frustration - Mattel Never Released (NR) - This one is Colecovision fairly self- Dig Dug - Atarisoft explanatory. If a Illusions - Coleco cart was never - Atarisoft released it never M*A*S*H - 20th Cent. Fox hit the retail mar- Super Donkey Kong - Coleco ket, was either Chainsaw Massacre never completed, Atari VCS or was completed Vectrex Dark Tower - GCE but exists in proto- Polar Rescue - GCE type form. A proto- Pole Position - GCE type generally has Web Warp - Milton Bradley no labels and sometimes has the 2 label “Lab Loaner” Odyssey on the front of the - Imagic cart. An example Power Lords - NAP of a never re- Q*Bert - Parker Brothers leased cart would Killer Bees - NAP be Qix, Preppie, Dreadnaught Fac- tor, or Zenji. Atari 2600 Tempest - Atari Well, that pretty much rounds out this article The A-Team about rarities. I hope you en- Atari VCS joyed it, and learned some- thing as well. Just keep searching, and believe you can find even the rarest of carts! Classic Trivia: DID YOU KNOW? After Atari shipped its one millionth cartridge of Missile Command for the VCS, programmer ’s bonus was a certificate for a complimentary holiday turkey at Safeway (which he still has to this day).

Classic Gamer Magazine Fall 1999 28 Frankly, we couldn’t believe our eyes. Last May when we attended the Electronic Entertainment Expo at the L.A. Convention Center, we never expected to see so much support given to the classic gaming scene.

Hasbro was there in full force showing off their latest and greatest Atari games including remakes of Q*Bert, Tetris, Missile Command and yes, even Pong.

Nintendo is continuing the Donkey Kong saga and is also taking a shot at updating Tetris for the N64.

Game.com is giving it another whirl with Frogger and Centipede, and Konami is releasing a disc for the PlayStation featuring a slew of lost classics including and .

On the following pages are previews and reviews of the best classic related games we found at E3. The next 12 months certainly promises to be a great one for classic gaming enthusiasts.

Photo by Sarah Thomas Classic Gamer Magazine Fall 1999 29 E3 Special Report Missile Command

More of the same? In this version you get to choose between "classic mode" or an Pong "enhanced mode." Either way, the objective is the same: Protect your six cities from the incoming alien You're kidding, right? To be honest when we first missiles above. heard that Pong was going to be remade we were more than a tad 3-D? skeptical. I mean it seems kind of Why, yes, it is. How did you weird to update the most basic know? The graphics and sound are game of them all. We're glad to re- quite impressive, the missiles being port that Hasbro Interactive has launched from the ground are done an admirable job of bringing change the physics of the ball, nicely detailed, and the resulting this moldy oldie up to date. sometimes causing it to spin explosions are well animated. quickly back towards you or to- Gee, let me guess...it's in 3-D. wards your So, how does it Well, yeah. But what classic up- opponent. play? date isn't? Hasbro definitely scores The envi- Pretty much as you points for game board creativity. ronments would expect as it You can play in various arenas can change has retained its ba- such as on ice, in the jungle and in at the drop sic game play. Be- space. All arenas have rich, vibrant of a hat. At yond the addition of colors as well as detailed graphics. any mo- the upgraded graph- ics, there isn't much ment, the new material here. So, how does it play? board can Quite well, in fact. It did take a convulse in We played this little time to get used to the Play- waves, demo on a PC and Station controller to maneuver the shoot the mouse made it paddle onscreen, but after a bit of spikes upwards, buckle violently, or very easy to place accurate shots practice take a dramatic in the paths of the oncoming mis- we were 'tilt' in your favor. siles. doing a- ok Is it worth it? Is it worth it? (nothing, We think so. If you like the original Missile of With so much to Command then you'll like this ver- course, see at E3 we sion. The same elements are pre- will ever found ourselves sent as well as the expected take the returning several weapon power-ups and the added place of a times to the Has- ability to launch a counterstrike. trusty bro booth to play Based on the demo, we would rec- Atari pad- Pong. It has more ommend it. Don't expect anything dle). Use than enough fea- -shattering; just expect a Mis- of the tures to hold our sile Command with impressive dual interest and graphics and some nicely improved shock controller improved the con- enough challenges to keep it inter- features. trol significantly. esting and addicting. The mini- Numerous power-ups are avail- games within the game, such as a pinball level, are also fun and the able as well as constantly changing The Skinny: Missile Command environments. In one arena, pen- multi-player mode (multi-tap re- guins march across center ice and quired) will certainly bring out your Format: PC and PSX if a penguin is struck it will alter the competitive side. Multiplayer over modem, LAN and the course of the ball. Also, the pen- Internet guins will "lay eggs" which can pro- The Skinny: Pong Hasbro-Interactive/Atari duce multi-balls and paddle power- Publisher: ups. In the jungle arena, spinning Format: PC and PlayStation Release: November 1999 logs in the center constantly Publisher: Hasbro-Interactive/Atari Price: $29.95 (PC) and $39.95(PSX) Release: October 1999 Release: November 1999

Classic Gamer Magazine Fall 1999 30 E3 Special Report

The Skinny: Q*Bert

Format: PC and PlayStation Publisher: Hasbro-Interactive/Atari Release: November 1999 Price: $29.95 (PC), $39.95 (PSX)

Q*Bert Facts and Trivia

· Q*Bert was inspired by the artwork of Dutch artist M.S. Escher.

· The two original titles for Q*Bert were “Snots and Boogers” and “@!#?@”. The first was rejected for code has been used but it's been obvious reasons and the second Q*Bert spruced up by adding a new 3-D was rejected because it was de- cided that no one would know how engine. The sound, timing and "Plot Does Matter" (Apparently) to pronounce it. characters are all here. It just looks In the Q*Bert "enhanced ver- a heck of a lot nicer. · Q*Bert has other enemies besides sion" the wise ones at Hasbro have included a storyline as the frame- Ugg and Coily. He has an online So, how does it play? work to guide our hopping hero hate page devoted to him at: http:// Great! Again, the PlayStation www.free.cts.com/crash/m/ through his quest. controller takes a bit of getting You must rescue Q*Bert’s girl- mhpowell/qbert.html used to with this game, but if it’s friend, Q*Dina, from Coily who has held at a 3/4 angle it works just Pinball hardware was added to the brought her to the Q*Dimension. · fine. arcade machines to generate the The opening scenes of Q*Dina Yes, the spinning discs can still “KA-CHUNK” noise when Q*Bert being kidnapped are humorous, get you out of a jam, but you can falls off the pyramid. entertaining and draw you into the still jump to your death with a game. poorly timed move. In addition to new characters Is the added plot necessary? Of and a newly invented plot, you are course not, but it did seem to add treated to six different dimensions to the game as far as having a goal with six different levels in each (not to achieve. to mention the special secret levels and power-ups). Phew! Is it worth it? #%*? yeah! Then again, I've al- Drumroll ways been a sucker for Q*Bert. I please.... think Hasbro hit a homerun with Wow! This this title one was fun and it and really shows they impressive. are learn- The newly ing to keep expanded the spirit of worlds are amaz- the game ing, yet the game truer to the play has stayed original true to the original. The original while ad- characters Coily, Uggs, Wrong- vancing Way, Slick and Sam are back, as the game well as newcomers Q*Dina and play to the Q*Dirk. next level. For the purists out there, the original version is also readily avail- able to play. The original arcade

Q*Bert in the Q*Dimension Classic Gamer Magazine Fall 1999 31 E3 Special Report

The only complaint I have is Atari Arcade Hits 1 it’s at. The object that it’s extremely difficult to is to eliminate the

maneuver the Pong paddle “junk blocks” on Not just another emulator! using the keyboard in a two your screen be- We were able to get waist deep player game. The precision into the CD-Rom and have come fore your oppo- just isn’t there. nent eliminates out impressed. This CD features: theirs or before Is it worth it? your screen fills · Six arcade perfect (as well as The games are arcade with Tetris pieces graphically enhanced) games perfect and the new artwork (called “topping on one CD for the PC: Tem- The Next Tetris lends a great touch. The out”). pest, Missile Command, Super desktop themes alone are In the mix are the seven stan- Breakout, Asteroids, Centipede worth the price. The “attract dard Tetris pieces, called Tetrami- and Pong. modes” serve as screensavers nos, as well as the new Multiminos,

and you can switch between differ- which are constructed of two or · Archives. Included on the CD is ent themes at the click of the more colors. If pieces of the same a video interview with Nolan mouse. The fact Hasbro Interac- color touch they will “melt” together Bushnell as well as a gallery of tive included them is proof enough to form a larger piece. When a rare game memorabilia. to us that they seem to be "getting piece with mixed colors falls, it will

it". They appear to have a better break apart upon impact to fill any New levels on Tempest. What · grasp as to what the classic gam- gaps below it, causing “cascades”. more needs to be said? ing enthusiast wants: not only the Cascades will clear several rows at game, but also the story behind the once. Clearing out two or more · The interface. The original game. rows will send your opponent’s screen artwork is included as a This is definitely a sign that game board spinning, giving them border to the game. Hasbro is beginning to understand a few moments of disorientation. the potential of their Atari proper- Cascade five or more lines and · Desktop themes. Cursors, ties. your opponent’s board will spin, backgrounds, screensavers - blackout and temporarily turn their the works! blocks into solid gold pieces not The Skinny: Atari Arcade Hits 1 allowing them to create their own · Post your high score on the Format: PC cascades. This is what makes the web. (For bragging rights, of competition fun and the game ex- Hasbro-Interactive/Atari course.) Publisher: cel Release: Now available So it looks good, then? So it looks good, then? Price: $29.95 The various interfaces really No, it looks great. The anima- give it an authentic look and feel. Rating: A tions run at a screaming 60 frames Graphically speaking, it's been per second which really show when emulated perfectly. The main menu you send your opponent’s board makes it simple to choose between The Next Tetris spinning. Clearing rows will send the different games as well as the the blocks exploding outwards. regular or enhanced versions. The old standby... It sounds great too! Catchy Original cabinet title artwork is also Second to Pong, The Next Tet- techno-tunes and Russian favorites included on the main screen. The ris was probably the most popular have been added, but if you don’t enhanced versions contain simple game at the Hasbro-Interactive like those songs you can pop in graphical upgrades, such as a booth. We wanted to hate it. We your own CD to get you into the starry background for Asteroids, looked for reasons. The #1 reason Tetris zone. smoothed out mushrooms for Cen- being that Tetris has been done a tipede, etc... thousand times over! But darn it, Is it worth it? we like it. Tetris has always So, how does it play? A lot! been an addicting Quite well. The controls for one The Skinny: The Next Tetris game and a great time player games are easy to work us- So, how does Format: PlayStation and PC killer. With the newer ing a combination of the mouse it play? features and updated Hasbro-Interactive/Atari and keyboard. The controls for It's still just Publisher: graphics you can’t go Tempest are nearly impossible to as addicting as Release: Now available (PSX) and wrong. We guarantee emulate, but we had somewhat it always has October 99 (PC) you’ll be playing the better luck using a PC . been, but the two-player version for Price: $39.95 (PSX), $29.95 (PC) two player hours. game is where Rating: A+

Classic Gamer Magazine Fall 1999 32 E3 Special Report

Donkey Kong 64

Looks like another Christmas hit for Nintendo The Skinny: This title is sure to please any Format: Nintendo 64 Donkey Kong enthusiast. The demo we played displayed Publisher: Nintendo a full 3D explorable environment Developer: Rare featuring exploding barrels, hand stomping, big jumps and a mini- Release: November 22, 1999 game where you have to pound the Requirements: N64 Expansion Pak bad guys in a maze within a certain (included with game) amount of time. The demo, of Donkey Kong is a franchise that course, only whetted our appetites has yet to be screwed up. Rare has for more. too good a reputation to drop the The final version will be com- ball on this one. This will be the pletely non-linear with fully explor- hands down favorite of the Christ- able 3D environments (a la Zelda mas season. 64). Players will choose between Donkey Kong or as Nintendo is throwing their hat well as from new characters such into the Tetris ring again. Can they as Tiny, Chunky and Lanky. You teach old dogs new tricks on the will be required to move all N64 and is it worth the $60 price five characters down dif- tag? ferent paths through 8 different worlds com- Features include: peting in up to 40 mini- games. · 7 unique play envi-

ronments such as Ja-

How does it play? pan, Egypt, Greece It was all very similar to Super and Russia Mario 64 but with a more fre- netic energy. Like “Mario,” the ability to explore wherever and · Use building blocks whenever you like without time in an attempt to create constraints is a big bonus. one of the "seven won- There is the standard inclu- ders" sion of hidden bonus stages and power-ups such as peanut pistols, · Multi-player action for up to pineapple launchers, and fruit four people. Players can screw grenades which keeps the their opponents by game on a fun, lighthearted sending them level. "garbage" blocks which appear when Is it worth it? lines have been cleared Even if we said 'No,' you'd still buy it, right?

Classic Gamer Magazine Fall 1999 33 E3 Special Report

The New Tetris

· Several play modes including: vealed if you can watch DVD mov- single, ultra (clear as many ies on it. Nintendo “Dolphin” lines as possible), marathon, Apparently legendary game de- System Summary sprint (best score in three min- signer, Shigeru Miyamoto has been utes) and vs. CPU licking his chops at creating the next Zelda adventure for the new CPU console. At E3 he said, “I’d always The Skinny: The New Tetris envisioned what a game like Zelda · 400 MHz Clock Speed

could look like, and with the N64 I Semiconductor Process 0.18 Format: Nintendo 64 · was able to create it. Now, with the micron Copper Technology Gekko processor, I can see an op- Nintendo Publisher: portunity to take game designs to a · IBM Gekko Processor

new level.” Developer: H2O & Blue Graphics Another feature being touted by Release: July 26, 1999 Nintendo is the ability to · Custom Chip Designed by “counterfeit proof” their software. ArtX, Inc. No details on this technology have Price: $39.95 · 200 MHz Clock Speed been divulged but Nintendo’s chair- man, Howard Lincoln told Forbes · Semiconductor Process 0.18 Magazine, “By ‘counterfeit-proof,’ Embedded DRAM Technology we mean to say that we will make it System Memory Nintendo “Dolphin” financially unfeasible for piracy rings to counterfeit Nintendo soft- · DRAM Technology Project ware.” Nintendo claims that the release · Memory Bandwidth In an attempt to steal the E3 of the new console is scheduled to 3.2 GB / second show spotlight away from Sega coincide with the 2000 Christmas Software Medium and Sony, Nintendo released the season, but don’t hold your breath. details on their next generation You can probably expect its re- · Matsushita Unique DVD game console. lease sometime in 2001. Technology The system, codenamed Enhanced Counterfeit Protection “Dolphin,” will be powered by an · IBM 400 MHz copper central proc- essor codenamed “Gekko.” It is designed to be the most powerful chip ever created for a home gam- ing console. Late reports indicate the Dolphin won’t be blowing the PlayStation 2 out of the water but it will be just a bit more powerful. The Gekko will be paired with a 3D graphics chip designed by ArtX, Inc. of Palo Alto, California. Nintendo will also be ditching the cartridge format and incorpo- rating cutting edge DVD tech- Will Nintendo’s “Dolphin” make leaps nology, but they haven’t re- over the PlayStation 2 and the ?

Classic Gamer Magazine Fall 1999 34 E3 Special Report

Frogger is an "enhanced version" in 3-D. This was wholly unnecessary as the improved graphics added nothing to the gameplay. Centipede was good, but far from per- fect. You know exactly the reason why.....the controls. You just can't Game.com get the same precise movement Konami Classics

from a gamepad that you can get Hasbro is sitting on a goldmine and Been there? Done that? from the trakball. Period. Is the ex- they either don’t realize it or they I never used to give much pense so great that a small trakball thought to Tiger’s Game.com. To don’t care. Let’s hope someone at can't be added? It can also be Hasbro digs through some Atari be honest, I thought Tiger had tough to play Centipede when the thrown in the towel with the idea. I boxes and finds The Lynx. It’s a screen is wider than it is tall as the unit whose time has definitely had seen one too many units enemies seem to drop down a little tossed into the bargain bin at Kay come. quicker. Other than those beefs, Bee Toys and even those didn't the game itself played well. seem to sell. Since then it has Konami Classics come to be known as the “lame. Is it worth it? (Tentative Title) com.” Included with the Game.com is Tiger appears to be making a a built-in data organizer, a fully Ten Games on one CD second run at it. They've lowered functional calculator, an appoint- In September Konami is re-issuing the retail price to $29.99 and have ment book, a calendar and a stan- ten authentic arcade games for the given the unit a cosmetic facelift dard 'solitaire' game. These fea- Sony PlayStation. featuring all new colors and a more tures are a nice bonus, although I compact design. That seems to be doubt you'll be dumping your Palm Games: a good start. The second thing Ti- Pilot. Will they take down the ger has going for them is that they Game Boy juggernaut? Of course · Time Pilot have been bought by Hasbro. This, not, but I don't think that’s their in- · Scramble of course, gives them full access to tention. Tiger’s target market is the · the Hasbro/Atari line of games in- casual gamer as opposed to the · cluding Centipede and Frogger. diehard gamer. The games we · Circus Charlie played seem to be intended as · Yie Ar Kung Fu

So it looks good, then? quick time killers and as "comfort · Shao Lin's Road The graphics look great and games." Other games available · Road Fighter have a greater resolution than Nin- include Monopoly, , Duke · Gyruss tendo’s Game Boy, but unfortu- Nukem and Metal Gear. Based on · Roc'n'Rope nately, they are still in black and these improvements, we just may white. (Tiger stated they have no give Game.com a second look. How does it play? immediate plans to incorporate Based on our hands-on play- color.) What’s the real time and obser- bottom line? vations of other How does it play? The bottom line The Skinny: Konami Classics players, the We tested the demos of Centi- is now that Hasbro Format: PlayStation games seemed pede and Frogger. has bought Tiger exactly the We walked away from Frogger Electronics, they Publisher: Konami same as their very impressed. The graphics were should ditch the Release: Now Available arcade counter- crisp and looked identical (sans Game.com and re- parts. color) to the arcade counterpart. release The Lynx to www.konami.com All games The sound emanating from the unit compete against the will feature the was fantastic. The programmers Game Boy. The Lynx was Atari’s original arcade artwork as well as did an admirable job of emulating answer to the handheld wars and the original bugs in the game. Now the catchy Frogger tunes from the had to be discontinued when they that's authentic! arcade version. Also included with ran into their financial problems.

Classic Gamer Magazine Fall 1999 35 E3 Special Report

The Skinny: Space Invaders Format: PC Win 95/98, PlayStation and Nintendo 64 Publisher: Activision Developer: Z-Axis Release: Fall, 1999 Battlezone II Space Invaders MSRP: $49.95 (PC Version)

Based on the original Atari ar- Space Invaders? Again? cade hit, Activision is releasing a se- Yes. Again. We enjoyed the quel to their hit, Battlezone. game on a graphics level. Of course the PC version's graphics (with graphic accelerator) was far superior over the PlayStation ver- sion. (We were unable to play the N64 version.)

Game Features:

· Ten 3D worlds · New weapons · Cut scenes Battlezone II · Power-ups · Twenty different enemies Features Include: How does it play? Spider-Man · Improved, easier to use interface Well, it basically plays like, well, Space Invaders. Aside from the This is not your VCS Version · More multi-player options updated graphics it retains the Unfortunately, we were only same game play: alien invaders shown a running demo loop of Spi- · Improved graphics descend while attempting to drop der-Man, but were amazed by what we saw. A full 3D environment · Players will be able to command gives you the ability to make maxi- over 30 units, including tanks, mum use of Spider-Man's powers. infantry, air support and mobile Villains? How about Venom, assault turrets. Doc Ock and Carnage. (What? No Hobgoblin?) · Run night and day missions on It's too bad we'll have to wait a six different worlds while utilizing year for it! 25 weapons, including guided missiles, mortars, mines and ba- zookas. The Skinny: Spider-Man Format: PlayStation & Nintendo 64 In other words, it will be nothing like Space Invaders the original Battlezone. Publisher: Activision bombs on you. Tougher boss lev- Developer: Neversoft els do tend to keep it somewhat interesting Release: Spring 2000 The Skinny: Battlezone II I've never found Space Invad- Price: $49.95/PSX $59.95/N64 ers to hold up well over time, but PC Win 95/98 Format: this seems to be a decent remake. www.activision.com Publisher: Activision Release: Summer, 1999 www.activision.com

Classic Gamer Magazine Fall 1999 36 the prices of games for the current priate to talk about my favorite past idnight Magic - The time in my first article. game that brought it all systems. I think I paid $1 each for Midnight Magic and Video-pinball games were the M back for me. natural choice for someone like me that day. I remember when I first saw this Long story short, I ended up who loved pinball but could not af- game for the Atari 2600. It was on ford or did not have the room for clearance at a treating myself to a TG-16 (with Alien Crush) later very many of my own when I first video store in one moved out of my parents’ home. of our local malls. that year, but the whole ordeal got You see, my Dad owned a pinball Having played the & videogame business when I was game of the same me back into clas- sic gaming. As I a tiny lad, so games were every- name for the Apple where in the house and garage. All back in the early snatched up countless games kinds of Pins and Vids were avail- 80’s, I thought it able to be played day in and day would be fun, but I at closeout prices, I could not believe out. My brother and I literally grew did not pick it up at up playing (and fixing) games, so it that time as I was how cool the Atari 2600 had be- was only natural that I bring these not yet aware of the things into my adult life. classic video game come. Games like Solaris, Anyway, on to the reason I am collector that was writing: to bring you my perspective brewing inside me. and Defender II were incredible, on the whole video-pinball gaming It is now the late phenomenon. The first game I want 80’s and my Atari but I wanted more. Since the to talk about is Midnight Magic for 2600 had been sit- the Atari 2600. This game was first ting in my closet for about Atari 2600 had Midnight Magic turned out to be such a released for the Apple and Com- 5 years. I was slowly be- modore computers by Broderbund coming more interested in video super machine, I figured that my next favorite system, the Intellivi- back in the early 80’s. Since I had gaming again thanks to a game both of these called Alien Crush for the Tur- sion, also had its share of computers boGrafx-16. Alien Crush was the back then, I funkiest looking video pinball game super-hits. Of the games I remember I had ever seen, but the TG-16 was playing this priced at $200 and came with a found at thrift stores, etc., I game as if really lame game called “Keith there were no Courage in Alpha Zones.” At the discovered that there other video time, I was starting a family and games around could not justify spending $200 + were plenty of excellent titles (other than $60 just to play the latest and Lode Run- greatest video pinball game. So I never even knew existed. ner!). There what did I do? I decided that my was little dif- trusty old Atari 2600 should come Stuff like Pac- Man, Donkey Kong Jr. ference be- out of hibernation. I had seen other Pinball Construction Kit tween the Apple and games I liked sitting right next to and Pinball for the Intel- livision had resurrected the video the Commodore versions, so you Midnight Magic and snatched up can imagine my surprise when I the ones that I thought would be game player in me for good. Since it took a video-pinball first saw the 2600 version. What fun. At the prices they were selling did they do to it?!? The front of the them for, I couldn’t go wrong, espe- game to get me back into the Atari 2600, I thought it would be appro- box showed what looked to be the cially when you compared them to computer version, but the back of

Classic Gamer Magazine Fall 1999 37 the box looked like they had 2600- cause instead of utilizing the Atari ratically at times and does not be- ized it! Oh well, I was sure that it joystick, you must plug in your pad- have properly when you hit it with would still be a top notch game and I dle controllers! the flippers, making your shots a was right. SpectraVision realized that by little tougher than they need to be. Midnight Magic was released by pressing the buttons on your pad- Other than that the game is a blast Atari in the late 80’s as part of their dles, you are simulating what it to play. new revitalizing campaign. Their would feel like if you were playing My final score for Bumper Bash marketing and their games were ab- an actual Pinball machine. is 8 out of 10. solutely brilliant! Bumper Bash is pretty much a Even conven- Video Pinball was Atari’s first though tional attempt at a pinball game for the the 2600 Pinball 2600. Common sense should tell version of game you that this game is primitive as Midnight as it hell. Basically, what we have here Magic is has all is a very slow and boring game. totally the They tried to spice it up a bit by different mak- adding a couple of spinning disks from the ings of on either side of the pop-bumpers, same a good throwing your ball in all sorts of un- game for game. predictable directions. Pretty an- other Two noying if you ask me. systems, banks There was a game by Bally it is a hell of drop- called ‘Fireball’ back in the early of a lot of targets 70’s which featured a spinning rub- fun to play. The game fea- Video Pinball (one bank on each side of ber mat that did the same thing and tures flippers, a few pop-bumpers, a the screen), pop-bumpers, sling- I believe Atari simply copied the couple of sling-shots and some roll- shots, return lanes, rollovers and a idea for Video Pinball. Other than overs. This pretty much covers the spinner complement this game’s the spinning disks, you have a cou- . Midnight Magic for the 2600 features. What really makes it dif- ple of pop-bumpers and lanes with includes several other features which ferent from Midnight Magic are the rollovers, one of which has the ups the ante for the makers of an ex- lanes on the top of the screen. By Atari logo in the middle of it. That’s citing game. Not only are there two rolling over a switch in between the it. flippers at the bottom of the return three lanes, you highlight the let- My final score for Video Pinball lanes, there are also two more half- ters ‘A’, ‘C’, ‘E’ - spelling ACE! is 3 out of 10. way up the playing field! They also Each time you spell ACE, you get threw in a spinner, a bank of drop- rewarded with special bumpers Moving on, we come across an- targets and one hell of a color - other lame Video-Pinball ette that cycles when you multiply game. Zero Zap was for the your bonus! This is one of the TI 994/A home computer. I many features of the later Atari remember getting excited games that has to be seen to be about this game when I saw it believed. It seems the program- in a Triton catalog. Of course mers threw in a little magic of their there were no pics, just a own for some of these games. The fancy worded ad that made way that the ball behaves on the Zero Zap sound like the next playfield is also testament to the best thing to sex. What I really programmers’ ability. It bounces remember getting excited the way you would expect it to, and over was the fact that you the flippers’ interaction is pretty could build your own tables! much right on. Control is very im- Remember kids, this is a little portant in a game like this and Mid- before EA’s Pinball Construc- night Magic is by far the most realis- tion Set. tic Pinball game for the 2600 - pe- Zero Zap In 1997 I finally landed myself a riod. which kick the ball back out of the copy of this game. The person I got My overall score for 2600 Midnight lane that goes down to the out it from warned me and asked ex- Magic is 9 out of 10. hole. actly why I wanted the game. I Now onto the gripe. Bumper knew what he meant after just a Bumper Bash is another Pinball Bash could have been a better few seconds of it booting up. What game for the Atari 2600 and is one of game had the programmers put a a horrible game! I am so glad I did the harder-to-find games for the sys- little more thought into the physics not shell out my hard earned cash tem. This is truly a unique game be- of the ball. It bounces around er- for this piece of garbage when it

Classic Gamer Magazine Fall 1999 38 was originally released. Really, it Its features include multiple flip- Pinball Arcade should not have been advertised pers, drop-targets, pop-bumpers as a regular pinball game as it is and underground lanes (in the form more like Japanese pinball: Pa- of your ball disappearing and reap- chinko. You all know what this is, pearing out another hole). right? For those who don’t, Pa- “Pinball” for the Intellivision also chinko was a wall-mountable thing features some of the better play with a lot of mechan- nails and ics found marbles. in a video- You flipped pinball the “plunger” game, and to shoot a I am marble out happy to Got an itch to play a bit more and hope to report that “realistic” version of pinball on your hell that it fell even the computer? Microsoft’s Pinball Ar- in the right interaction cade may be the ticket. hole. In fact, between Zero Zap is the flip- Microsoft has licensed seven Pachinko pers and classic pinball tables from upside down! Intellivision ‘Pinball’ the ball is and are replicated identically to You start with the ball realistic (well, more real- their arcade counterparts. (really it’s an arrow) at the bottom istic than others!). This is some- of the screen. After pressing thing that many programmers have “Enter,” the arrow goes upwards had a tough time getting right. and proceeds to bounce around Another neat feature (and a the “playfield,” hitting bumpers, first) was the fact that Intellivision’s walls and large “X’s” for points. “Pinball” has multiple screens! Real pinball games, even the vido- That’s right, once you have hit cer- pinball’s of the world are games of tain targets a hole will pop up, and skill. Zero Zap is pure luck and ut- if you can get the ball in the hole, it ter garbage. will be taken to a totally different My final score for Zero Zap is 1 screen! There are a total of three The seven historic tables featured out of 10. different play- are: ing fields. (It would have Even though . The first pinball proto- scored a 2, but “Pinball” has type. This machine utilizes no flip- since you can the typical In- pers. make your own tellivision “table,” I de- clunky, lethar- . The first pinball ducted a point gic feel, this machine to feature flippers. just because it’s game has it such a dumb all. It is chal- Knock Out. Features an animated feature for this lenging, has match on the playfield. game.) great replay value, and . Retro 60’s style fea- Pinball for the sports some of turing pop bumpers. Intellivision is a Bumper Bash the best, if not breath of fresh air! Seems the pro- the best ball physics found in a . A pinball tribute to grammers had more than just a classic system. American History. clue about pinball when they made My final score for Intellivision’s this game. “Pinball” for the Intellivi- Pinball is 9.5 out of 10. . First 3-level sion came out the same year that playfield. “Video Pinball” came out for the 2600. If I were looking to get one Cue Ball Wizard. Features of those systems back then and rounds and combo challenges to only had these two Pinball games keep it interesting. to compare, I would have never chosen the Atari. “Pinball” has just For more details go to: about everything that any real pin- www.microsoft.com/games/pinball ball lover seeks in a game.

Classic Gamer Magazine Fall 1999 39 when the game starts. While not an incredibly groundbreaking n underdog in the arcade game it is very fun A became to play. It’s quirky a winner in the color scheme living room. (purple, yellow and Level 2 Based on Univer- green!), creative sal’s sleeper ar- sounds and crisp land missiles and heat seeking cade game, Cos- graphics make it one rockets. On the second level mic Avenger be- of the more unique ground tanks attempt to halt your came a huge hit and enduring classics. progress by firing missiles. Finally, for the Colecovi- You assume the on the third, and most difficult level, sion. As with Level 1 role of a space fighter who, you find yourself battling it out in an many of their arcade judging by the game box’s underwater cave avoiding torpe- ports, Coleco took a chance in artwork, has the same tailor as does, mines and heat seeking bringing this game to the home Boba Fett. The first level consists rockets. market. However, the gamble paid of flying over I originally played Cosmic Aven- off and encour- heavily guarded ger when it was first released and aged Coleco to go domed cities on recall being perturbed by the fact after more ob- an alien planet. that I was unable to blow up that scure, yet highly As you fire mis- annoying spotlight. To this day I entertaining titles. siles and drop still can’t resist dropping a bomb on If you played bombs on the cit- it and settling for a moral at this game often ies, you must best. enough when it avoid the defen- The transition between levels first came out, I’m sive battery of could have been smoother. One sure you can still UFO missiles, minute you’re destroying the tanks hum along with the and the next you’re faced with a opening theme fanfare Level 3 wall of water. Strange physics on this planet! The tank level is still the simplest of them all as it’s only a matter of flying your ship at ground level and firing your missiles at the advancing tanks. Works like a charm every time. We still recommend this game as long as the difficulty level is set to two or above. And if you are able to blow out that spotlight, please let us know!

Overall Rating: B

Classic Gamer Magazine Fall 1999 40 THE 23rd PSALM of BIRA BIRA side Columbus, Ohio, collector was dismayed to find that they had Bira Bira is my shepherd; I shall not Robert Batina found a carved switched to ALL CLOTHING! want. He maketh me to lie down in wooden figure lying amongst a pile While lamenting his bad luck, he thrift store bins; he leadeth me be- of rare Atari cartridges inside a ventured on to the next thrift store. side the piles of URs; he restoreth Tupperware bowl. Being in a This time he remembered the my Supercharger; he leadeth me in hurry, he grabbed the bowl of car- wooden statue. He grabbed it, the path of functional 4k Rom tridges (including the wooden gave it a rub for good luck and en- dumps. statue) and purchased its entire tered the store. Jackpot! There he Yea, though I search through the contents. When he searched the found a Channel F system with ten bins of the shadow of Pac Man, I bowl he found several hard to find games - for only ten dollars! The will fear no OCs; for thou art powers of BIRA BIRA had been with me; thy Q-Bert Cubes unleashed! and thy Cosmic Avenger they He scanned an image of BIRA comfort me. Thou preparest BIRA, placed it on the Internet and an Atari 2600 for me in the asked people to explain what its presence of Mike N., Paul S., origin might be (and to feel free to etc...; thou anointest my carts channel the powers of the wooden with isopropyl alcohol; my image in their quest for classic sys- VGR list runneth over. Surely tems and games). MagiCard and Tempest prototypes games for the Atari VCS: Brain People did. And The Believers shall follow me all the days of my Games, Strawberry Shortcake, were rewarded. Collectors who collecting; and I will Chase the Starmaster, MASH, Crypts of used the image found new boun- Chuckwagon in the Reef Store of Chaos, Revenge of the Beefsteak ties of old video games. Vectrexes Bira Bira forever. Tomatoes, Commando Raid, and appeared where there were none - Chris “Crackers” Cracknell Miniature Golf. A good find, he before. Double Enders in- thought. He also inspected the ventories grew exponentially and wooden figure more closely. where there were droughts in thrift stores, it now rained Intellivisions. s collectors of classic As Robert described it: The Believers were happy. A small videogames we know “It is about as wide as half the “church” (and cottage industry) was how frustrating it can be when we width of an Atari cart, and almost born. Ahit upon a dry period of finding as tall as the length of 2 Atari carts. Chris Cracknell borrowed the classic cartridges and game sys- It is light wood, with a very dark original BIRA BIRA statue from tems. We know the feeling of stain applied to it, with carvings all Robert and made plaster replicas wanting to spit nails when seeing over it, making it appear as some (with instructions), which he now the mother lode of rare cartridges sort of warrior, with a large menac- sells for $5.00 a pop. He has also walk off with somebody else at the ing face and an amulet. And, on written an original game for the local flea market. We’ve even the back of the figure, there is a Atari 2600 entitled “Rescue BIRA gone as far as appealing to a carving that appears to say: "BIRA BIRA” (actually it’s a modified ver- higher power to end this rare car- BIRA" sion of an “X” rated game, “Jungle tridge drought. Apparently we’ve Fever”) including original label art- been appealing to the wrong higher Not thinking too much of it at the work and an instruction manual. power. time, Robert went to the next thrift He’s even seen fit to write a comic While visiting a thrift store out- store he regulars for classics and strip about BIRA BIRA and his arch

Classic Gamer Magazine Fall 1999 41 nemesis “Mr. Friendly.” proached the bookshelf which held their limits.” If the Legend of BIRA Robert has also entered into the games I didn’t notice anything. BIRA is correct, then I was being plaster BIRA BIRA market and he Feeling frustrated I was about to punished for my greed. Like I said; knows of a good place to get BIRA turn away and end the experiment a long dry spell hit. BIRA bumper stick- when I noticed After about a month of punish- ers if you need such a stack of ment I was once again blessed at a a thing. ColecoVision flea market with the reward of rare While this statue cartridges with Intellivision cartridges. It was such (Saint BIRA?) has its their labels a good haul that I swore off antago- Believers, some feel turned to the nizing BIRA BIRA for the latest lot- he may be satanic or back. “Probably tery numbers. For now anyway. of Voodoo origins, commons,” I So, is the Legend of BIRA BIRA and perhaps peo- thought. I fact or fiction? Are the followers of ple may be selling picked them this idol being led astray? Will their souls for the up and found these Believers one day congre- sake of finding the Looping, Vic- gate at a commune in Sunnyvale, rare cartridge and/ tory, Popeye, California with their leader Robert or system. For the Q* Bert, Frog- Batina (with BIRA BIRA in hand) sake of fairness in ger II: encouraging them to ingest tainted reporting, I decided ThreeDeep, Kool-AID Man cartridges? Is it to try out the pow- SubRoc, Mr. possible that they could perish in ers of BIRA BIRA Do. and bizarre surfing accidents while va- myself. Being some- Frenzy. cationing in Waikiki? what of a skeptic I Pretty good for a It’s hard to say, really. What I do have to admit that I BIRA BIRA Icon drought! know is that I’ve found some pretty didn’t go so far as to actually pur- When I arrived at the neighbor- good cartridges of late. If that chase a plaster statue. I decided hood Goodwill Store, I didn’t find means I have to chant to a fictional instead to wing it, as many others any cartridges but did find a hard to Tiki god in my car then so be it. have, by chanting his name inside find Sears Tele-Games storage Just please don’t call the police if my car before entering thrift stores unit. Again, not bad. Perhaps you see me burning Combat car- and flea markets. Yes, I felt a bit there was something to this BIRA tridges on a pyre and dancing na- foolish. BIRA thing after all. ked to appease the mighty BIRA My first stop was a thrift store Then I hit another long period of BIRA! that has been dry of cartridges and not finding anything. However, I systems for about as long as I can would be remiss in not pointing out remember. I asked BIRA BIRA to that the dry spell didn’t occur until bless me with a good cartridge find. after I had called upon BIRA BIRA I figured this would be a true test to grant me the next lottery num- due to the history of cartridge scar- bers. I figured, “What the hell? city in this store. When I ap- Let’s really push these powers to To visit the official BIRA BIRA website by Robert Battina, point your web browser to:

http://www.infinet.com/~rbatina/ other/birabira.html

To receive more information about obtaining the “Rescue BIRA BIRA” game for your Atari 2600 point your web browser to:

http://www.angelfire.com/ma/ hozervideo

Or visit the “Rescue BIRA BIRA” website at:

http://www.freenet.hamilton.on.ca/ ~ad329/birabin.html

Rescue BIRA BIRA

Classic Gamer Magazine Fall 1999 42

Pitfall: The Mayan Adventure – hen Atari programmer Sega Genesis W be- came irritated by the lack of credit Play the original 2600 version on given to him by Atari management, your Sega Genesis. he decided to “give credit where At the title screen, press “Down” credit is due” in a unique way. and then press the “A” button 26 While programming “Adventure” for times (yes, 26!), then press “Down” the Atari VCS he created a hidden again. room containing a sign which read, “Created by Warren Robinett.” Lit- tle did he know it would become standard in videogame program- Carnival - Atari VCS/2600 ming to create these hidden good- As you turn on the system, keep ies. the fire button pushed Electronic Games Magazine down. A dot will appear was the first to coin the phrase on the top row of targets. “Easter Eggs” when referring to Quickly shoot the dot these hard to find items. We feel before it leaves the this tradition can be kept alive by screen and the message, our printing some old favorites as “Programmed by S. Kitchen” will well as new ones. You never know appear. what may still be out there! Missile Command – Atari VCS/2600 Choose game number 13 and sit idly by while all six of your cities turn to rubble. We know it’s difficult not to spring into defensive action but just let it happen! After all your cities PBA Bowling – Intellivision are destroyed and the wave is com- Choose a 16 lb. ball, 0 slickness, a plete, programmer Rob Fulop’s ini- left-handed bowler, then press the tials “RF” will appear where the far- disc at the 7 o’clock position. As right city once stood. the dot becomes whole, release the disc and score a strike every Asteroids – PlayStation time! (Tip courtesy of Intellivision When the title screen with “Press The Legend of Zelda – NES Lives CD-Rom.) Start” appears, press and hold Get an all-new second quest after So, where’s the “Adventure” Easter down the “Select” button, then completing the first one. Egg we talked about earlier? Well, press the following buttons to play even though it’s the first Easter “Classic Asteroids”: Once you complete the game, en- Egg, it’s still one of the most com- ter the name “Zelda” at the plex to find. We’ll be devoting a Circle, Circle, Circle, Triangle, “Character Name” screen and Square, Square, Circle. larger space to “Adventure” in a voila’, an all new game! future issue. Once you have “Classic Asteroids” running press the “Pause” button and press the following buttons in Have an or cheat code order: you want to share?

Add one life: Up, Down, Left, Send it on in and we’ll print it here! Right, Circle, Square, X, Triangle Add 99 lives: Up, X, Down, Tri- Mail to: angle, Left, Square, Right, Circle Classic Gamer Magazine 7770 Regents Rd. #113-293 Invincibility: Down, Down, Up, San Diego, CA 92122 Up, Circle, Square, Triangle, Trian- gle Or e-mail it to us at: [email protected]

Classic Gamer Magazine Fall 1999 43 Reader Poll 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 or e-mail your answers to: [email protected]

SEX: ___Male ___Female NUMBER OF CHILDREN IN HOUSEHOLD: ______AGE: ______AGES: ___Under 2 ___3-5

MARITAL STATUS: ___Single ___Married ___6-11 ___12-17

HOUSEHOLD INCOME: EDUCATION LEVEL: ___Under $15,000 ___$15,000-$24,999 ___Some High School ___College Grad ___$25,000 - $49,999 ___High School ___Graduate School ___$50,000 - $99,000 ___$100,000+ ___Some College Check off all gaming systems or equipment you own or plan to buy within the next 12 months Plan to Plan to Own Buy Own Buy

Atari VCS/2600 ______Nintendo Gameboy ______Arcadia/ ______SuperNintendo ______Intellivision ______Nintendo 64 ______ColecoVision ______Sony Playstation ______Odyssey 2 ______Sega Master System ______Atari 5200 ______Sega Genesis ______Atari 7800 ______Sega Saturn ______Atari Jaguar ______Sega ______Atari Lynx ______Atari 400/800 ______Nintendo 8 Bit (NES) ______Apple II ______IBM PC Compatible ______Macintosh ______Sega Dreamcast ______Other game systems, equipment, computers: ______

How Much Money Do You Spend Per Week on Video Games? ___Under $5 ___ $5-10 ___ $1-25 ___ $25-50 ___Over $50

How many people (besides you) will read this issue of Classic Gamer Magazine: ______

Your Top Three Favorite Videogame Your Top Three Favorite Computer Games Your Top Three Favorite Arcade Coin- Cartridges Are: (Game and System) Are: (Game and System) Ops Are: (Game)

1. ______1. ______1. ______

2. ______2. ______2. ______

3. ______3. ______3. ______

Classic Gamer Magazine Fall 1999 44 Yes! Take me back to the games of yesterday!

We’ve got what you’re looking for! Tired of searching through pages and pages of videogame magazines trying to find the smallest mention of classic games? Are you a classic gaming enthusiast who spends weekends scouring flea markets searching for vintage games? Or do you just yearn for the “good ol’ days” of videogames? Then we’re the magazine for you! We feature lighthearted, focused articles spot- lighting the classic gaming community. We re- view the oldest, the best, the worst and the re- makes! Previews of upcoming releases! Inter- views with figures from the classic gaming community! Screenshots galore! And much, much more! 4 Times a Year! SUBSCRIBE Subscribe today and let NOW Classic Gamer Magazine

take you back!

Mail to: Classic Gamer Magazine 7770 Regents Road #113-293 San Diego CA 92122 YES! I want to subscribe to CLASSIC GAMER MAGAZINE!

Enclosed is my check or M.O. for $15 made payable to Classic Gamer Magazine

Name …………………………………………………….. Send me the next 4 issues which Address ………………………………………………….. will arrive quarterly.

City …………………………….State……….Zip……….

Classic Gamer Magazine Fall 1999 45 makes up for in content. It’s basi- Dave’s Videogame Classics cally an interactive timeline where tari Gaming http://davesclassics.warzone. you can choose a year between Headquarters com/ 1972-1996 and find out what hap- The emulator capital of the pened in videogame history during Ahttp://www.atarihq.com Keita Iida and crew has Internet. Every videogame system that era. If you do nothing else at amassed an amazing amount of emulator you could possibly want is least go to the site to view the pic- information for the “Atari Gaming here for your Mac or PC. ture of Sesame Street’s Grover. Headquarters.” Filled with pictures, Download classic as well as newer interviews, system and cartridge system emulators. We highly rec- Tomorrow’s Heroes information for everything Atari, in- ommend you download the MAME http://www.tomheroes.com cluding the Jaguar and Lynx. Keita emulator (Multi Arcade Machine “Tomorrow’s Heroes” has a tre- and his staff leave no stone un- Emulator) which allows you to play mendous classic gaming section turned and display their which includes private vast knowledge impres- party videogame ads, a sively. We give this site our chat room, collecting tips, highest recommendation. and the wonderfully written “ Times” I.C. When online newsletter penned http://www.icwhen.com by site owner, Tom Zjaba. Atari alumnus, Don If you’re into Spider-man Thomas, keeps you posted and the likes, be sure to on the latest classic gaming check out his comic book happenings. icwhen.com section as well. also features Don’s online book, The Chronological AdventureVision.com History of Video Games The Adventure Vision and Computers, which is a very unique cartridge- takes you through a histori- based handheld cal timeline of videogames videogame unit which was from 1800 to the present. sold in 1982. The website Definitely a must-read. features screenshots, box- There are also feature arti- shots, sound and video cles as well as a few games files and roms to to play on the site. download. The odds of finding an Adventure Vi- The Blue Sky Rangers arcade perfect versions of vintage sion for yourself are slim to none, http://www.makingit.com/ games. You can also download so do yourself a favor and visit Jeff bluesky/home.shtml older computer emulators such as Folejewski’s Adventure Vision trib- The Blue Sky Rangers were the the Apple II and the Atari 400 and ute page. programmers for the Mattel Intellivi- 800. Chat rooms, message boards sion and games for the and utilities for the emulators round Atari VCS. Their site gives the in- out an incredible site. side scoop of what really happened Want your website to be consid- back in “the days”. Great stories, The Vectrex FAQ ered for a listing in this column? unreleased prototypes of hardware (Frequently Asked Questions) Just send us your particulars.... and software and the hype of what http://www.gamesdomain.com/ website URL, contact name and a never came to exist are all here. games/vectrex.html valid e-mail address. You can also order the incredible Maintained by Gregg Wood- “Intellivision Lives CD” from the site cock, it’s everything you need to Drop us a line via snail mail at: which gives you the ability to play know about the Vectrex game sys- Classic Gamer Magazine most of the Intellivision games on tem. Includes game list, repair tips 7770 Regents Road #113-293 your home computer. and the history of our favorite table- San Diego, Ca 92122 top. It doesn’t appear to have been Or send us your site information via updated recently but then again it e-mail: probably doesn’t need to be! [email protected] http://www.classicgamer.com The History of Home Videogames Homepage http://videogames.org/ What this page lacks in style it

Classic Gamer Magazine Fall 1999 46 A Classic Gamer’s Guide To The Best Scary Games

takes place shrouded in darkness. important mission Your score is not based on points for ith the advent of Fall but on how few matches you use to since she is the W upon us, the appear- light your way! Impeding your only female Smurf ance of ghosts, witches and vam- search are hairy tarantulas, a vam- and I’m sure they pires at our front doors is not too pire bat and a ghost, all of whom would like to guar- far in the distance. Yes, Halloween seem pretty hell-bent on “scaring antee the survival will soon be upon us once again. you to death.” This results in a loss of their species for What better way to spend a Hal- of one of your lives. What this future generations loween’s eve than curled up with game lacks in graphics it more than (whatever species your classic gaming system in a makes up for in sound. Wind, that may be). Along the way, your darkened room, slamming poor Smurf is attacked by crows, playing a scary doors, light- vampire bats and spiders which game while ignor- ening and you must either duck or jump over ing the cries of footsteps to avoid. begging children? all add to a Aside from its childish theme, Pathetically genuinely this game is an appealing side- enough, I can’t scary ambi- scroller. Crisp graphics and crea- think of any! So, ence. Play tive music (particularly in the cas- Classic Gamer this one tle) make this game an enduring Magazine pre- with the winner. sents a list of lights out some of the more popular Haunted House and the volume high for Dracula for Intellivision by scary games to get your maximum effect. Imagic. adrenaline going on a cold, dark We dare ya! One of the truly great games for and rainy night. (We’ll understand the Intellivision, this unique game if you sleep with the light on and Smurf, Rescue From by Imagic barricade the door with your car- Gargamel’s Castle boasts out- tridge collection after playing for Colecovision. standing these.) Ok, so while we game play, admit Smurfs aren’t great graph- Haunted House for Atari exactly horrifying ics and VCS/2600. (however, people who unique This is still considered to be one collect Smurf memo- sounds for of the best “atmosphere” games for rabilia are!) we give an under- the VCS. You play the part of ex- this game a few chill rated sys- plorer (shown as a pair of eyes) of points based on the tem. You an old haunted house (although, I stalagmite caverns play the role seriously doubt there are any “new” and the creepy interior of the Smurf Rescue of Count Drac- haunted houses) and your task is castle. Your mission is to res- ula, Lord of the to find the three pieces of an urn cue cutesy from the Vampires. Your goal is to see how and bring them back to the front clutches of evil Gargamel (never many London residents’ necks you room without losing your nine lives. seen) who has her held hostage can bite before sunrise. Out to get This is not really an easy task since (bondage-style) atop a giant skull you are police officers, armed with most of the time spent in the house inside his castle. This is a fairly wooden stakes, who seem to take

Classic Gamer Magazine Fall 1999 47 advantage of the fact that they can not too sure but pointless simply throw stakes to kill you. I heard it’s game to play You can always escape by turning where the in order to kill into a bat, and we also encourage PMRC takes some time. you to use this bat transformation shelter.) You, So to speak. technique to catch unsuspecting in turn, have to While both victims off guard. Once you’ve bit- avoid the ma- of these ten your victims’ necks, they trans- niacal stabbings games have mute into zombies and you can of Mr. Myers violent send your new legion of the dead who seems to themes, the to exact revenge on the stake- supernaturally graphics are wielding police. For a good old- (illogically) pop out of Dracula hardly what you would fashioned thrill we recommend this nowhere. However, you call “graphic.” But one. Just be sure to have Drac in can turn the tables and stab the Wizard was the true pioneer in bed before dawn, ok? unwanted homicidal lunatic intruder what would later become standard when you find the knife which lays gore in video games. Halloween and The Texas Chain- randomly around the house. You saw Massacre for the Atari are rewarded points for every child for the Atari VCS/2600 by Wizard Games. you deliver unharmed to the “safe VCS/2600 by Xonox. When Wizard released these rooms.” This game at the very A few unique characteristics games, it cre- least gets an stand out in this game. The first ated quite a honorable thing you’ll notice is it’s one of the stink with par- mention for “Double-Ender” cartridges put out ents which, of the eerie mu- by Xonox. (On the other end of the course, just sic which ac- cartridge, you’ll find a game called made us kids companies it. “Spike’s Peak”.) Another unique want them all trait is found in the game play. Be- the more. In In The Texas fore playing the game, you are able retrospect, it’s Chainsaw to choose if you would like to play comical to try Massacre the boy or girl character. Role and determine you get to be choosing in gaming was pretty what the big the chainsaw much unheard of at this point. deal was about these Halloween toting Leatherface. For The object is to rescue your games. They both lack some reason (you had friend from the evil castle of Drac- any real significant game play and a bad childhood, I would imagine) ula AND find your way back out the graphics are rather bland. you chase down victims through a within a certain timeframe. This is However, gruesome stabbings and field and when you manage to also unique since most games of decapitations do seem to make a catch up to them, you proceed to this time period ended when you good selling point. mangle their bodies with your reached the goal of rescuing the Your Craftsman® damsel in distress. (I mean, what job in power tool. exactly did happen after Mario res- Hallow- What stands cued the girl from Donkey Kong?) een is to in the way This game has five levels of chal- play the between lenging fun and is appropriate for a role of frustration scare-themed evening. However, babysitter and the sim- when you look at the “Rainbow and pro- ple glee of Ghost” you have to wonder what tect some churning hu- exactly the programmer was smok- children man torsos ing. in a to your large, heart’s con- Pac-Man (for various systems) two-story tent, are Yeah, so it doesn’t make your hair house cow skulls, stand on end. We know that. But from the fatal Ghost Manor fences, thickets you DO get chased by ghosts! And intentions of The ghost of Jerry Garcia attacks! and wheelchairs. that should count for something, a knife wielding Michael Myers (not It is also imperative that you ration don’t you think? of Austin Powers fame). You have your chainsaw’s gas for maximum to first locate the children (who are decapitation enjoyment. You earn Happy Halloween! hiding) and corral them into “safe 1000 points for each victim and a rooms” at either end of the house. fresh supply of gasoline every 5000 (Why these rooms are “safe”, I’m points. Overall, this is a fun yet

Classic Gamer Magazine Fall 1999 48 When I was in high school, the dence filled my soul with an inner only friend of mine who had an peace I had not felt in years. I

Atari videogame was Rosalind “ pressed start and began to play.

Goldberg. Roz, as we called her, “ I promptly missed the damn ball was from a family that not only three times in a row. owned the most ultimate high tech Trying again, I clicked “start” video game player available—the and again missed the ball. My sec- Atari 2600—but also had a home ond ball shot out from its hiding computer! They were the first on place and slowly drifted down to the block to own a real life home my awaiting paddle. Just before computer - an Apple II. The Gold- the ball hit my paddle, I thought to bergs kicked ass. myself, “Is the paddle working? I spent almost all my free time, Better check!” and whiffed it again. with 4 other neighbors, at the Gold- On the third try, I hit it! Man, I bergs, waiting for my chance to free time playing videogames! For smacked it! I punched it good! play a videogame. My favorite was every second I struggled to get the Maybe not “punched,” but it did . I loved the rain- paddle to hit the ball, Mrs. G had 3 lightly bounce off my paddle. I felt bow bright colors shimmering on hours of solid playing time. That the raw energy just smacking the Trinitron and the goofy little old bag (no hard feelings, right Mrs. something, even if it was only virtu- noises it made. Plus, it was remi- G?) had set us up. Once Roz left ally. I felt electricity surge through niscent of the first (and yes still my town, I figured I would never play me as the ball gently smacked a favorite) videogame: Pong. There video games again. green square and make a cute little was only one problem when I Then fate stepped in. “bloop” sound. As the ball gently played: I sucked. A dear friend had heard me drifted down to my awaiting paddle, I could not hit that ball with the boasting about how “I could have I again felt the surge of confidence. paddle for my life! The Goldbergs been a contender,” far too many Naturally, I missed it. (being such fair people) made sure times and so, he proceeded to pre- However, the fact that I had everyone got a turn until they lost. sent me with a pristine condition made my first shot filled me with a For me that was about 2 seconds Atari 2600, several cartridges and new sense of well being. No, not and was usually to Rosalind’s a cartridge storage case (in well being…more like a sense of mom, Gladys. Suffice to say that smoke). Amongst the collection of immense power! Like greased every afternoon I would wait an games lay my teenage nemesis: lightening, my hand smacked the hour for a chance to play, only to Super Breakout. reset button and I began to play lose to a 53 year old woman who I glared at the black plastic car- again. was suffering the ravages of meno- tridge with its simple text and color- Like a blur, my hands were fran- pause. She was not what one ful graphics that looked nothing like tically spinning the paddle around would call a “gracious winner.” the game and hissed, “We meet as I did battle with “the wall.” Each My friends didn’t laugh at me again.” bing, blip and bloop the game emit- too much because they were get- With its faux wood grain finish ted filled me with a desire to con- ting their asses kicked too. Roz, and easy to use levers, I admired tinue. however did manage to laugh at the sleek lines of the 2600. I let my Finally, at 4:00 AM, after 10 us...a lot. Mrs. Goldberg felt it was hand slide gently over the contact hours of continuous play, with my her place to mock us endlessly. paper finish of the wood grain, my hands tired and my eyes red and She would always say, “No hard fingers gently fondling the six lev- bloodshot, I put the paddle down. feelings, right?” This was after ers. Taking the cartridge out of the While I never managed to get the crushing the ego of a 15 year old plastic holding case (“holds up to entire wall to disappear, I feel that I boy. 16 games!”), I inserted Super grew a lot that day. I faced an old It was not until Rosalind was Breakout. As I picked up the pad- challenge head on and emerged leaving for college that she finally dles my heart began to race; my with sore fingers and a personal told me why her mom played so palms began to sweat. Suddenly, I high score (187). well. The woman slept only 4 felt a calm envelope me and confi- In my heart of hearts, I know hours a night and spent all of her (Continued on page 50) Classic Gamer Magazine Fall 1999 49 Deep Thaw (Continued from page 49) Atari 5200 (Continued from page 15) Classic Gamer Magazine URL Reference that one day I will take my place It lacked both the game play and among the stellar champions of the voice synthesis the arcade Atari and Atari compatible games game featured. Wizard of Wor Here is a quick guide to the World throughout the world. I am now looked the same as the 2600 ver- Wide Web URL’s referenced in this anxious to start on some other sion. Surely the 5200 can do a issue. games that I could not master in better version of Wizard of Wor AdventureVision.com my youth, like Adventure and River than the 2600! They looked almost www.adventurevision.com Raid. I will report on my growth identical. and progress, both as a human be- Other disastrous conversions: Amazon.com ing and as a future Atari 2600 Sega's and Buck www.amazon.com champion. Rogers both lack some boards Atari Gaming Headquarters: As for Mrs. Goldberg, hear this: from the arcade classics. www.atarihq.com “I’m coming for you bitch! I’m There were some splendid third gonna tear your heart out with a party titles as well. Fox's Blue Print Bira Bira Homepage www.infinet.com/~rbatina/other/birabira. spoon, you old hag. No hard feel- and Parker Brothers’ Mr. Do's Cas- html ings, right?” tle were well done. After their other disastrous attempts these stood Blue Sky Rangers—Intellivision Lives out. CD www.intellivisionlives.com Some mediocre titles included Atari's Defender, Pole Position and Classic Gamer Magazine Online Qix; fun to play but far from their www.classicgamer.com arcade counterparts. Surprisingly Dave’s Videogame Classics Special Thanks for Making Atari left out the voice synthesis in http://davesclassics.warzone.com/ This Issue Possible… their conversion of Pole Position even though the 5200 was capable Digital Press of it. www.digitpress.com Bill and Carol Cavanaugh, John While the term "State of the Art" Ebay and Jean Thomas, Ty Cavanaugh, is generally regarded as marketing Shawn Cavanaugh, Cindy Cava- www.ebay.com/ hype (much like Sega’s “Blast naugh, Philip and Annabelle Tho- Processing”) it was the proper Hasbro-Interactive/Atari mas, David and Judy Shapiro, Eric www.hasbro -interactive.com phrase when marketing the Atari www.atari.com and Lory Nagel, Chip and Ann 5200. The Atari 5200 definitely set Pieper, Alex Bilstein, Don Thomas, the standard for all future “State of The History of Home Videogames Home- Ryan Allshouse, Terri Ann Mini- the Art” systems. page chiello, Jayson Hill, Leonard Her- http://videogames.org/ man, Frank Traut, Lee Seitz, Pat- Hozer Videogames rick Wong, Jason Walker, Chris www.angelfire.com/ma/hozervideo Lion, Keita Iida, Darryl Guenther, Sean Kelly, Kyle Snyder, Mike I.C. When Genova, Damien Quicksilver, and www.icwhen.com

Boo Boo the cat. OMC Games www.omcgames.com

Pac-Man Fever CD www.bucknergarcia.com Free Classified Ads Got something to trade, buy or sell? Too many games or sys- The Q*Bert Hate Page www.free.cts.com/crash/m/mhpowell/ tems clogging your closets? Place a free ad with us which will qbert.html appear in our next issue. “Rescue Bira Bira” Site www.freenet.hamilton.on.ca/~ad329/ Ads are limited to 30 words and must be classic gaming re- birabin.html

lated. Business ads not accepted. Please contact us for busi- Songbird Productions ness rates. http://songbird.atari.org

Tomorrow’s Heroes E-mail your ad to: [email protected] www.tomheroes.com

Or mail to: Classic Gamer Magazine The Vectrex FAQ 7770 Regents Rd. #113-293 www.gamesdomain.com/games/vectrex. html San Diego, Ca 92122

Classic Gamer Magazine Fall 1999 50 ClassicClassic GamerGamer MagazineMagazine

Coming November 1999

The Movie Issue Classic Gamer Magazine Classic Gamer Online www.classicgamer.com

Top View