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Post by Ex on Feb 18, 2023 11:18:04 GMT -5
Anyone mention Secret Quest yet? I've played it briefly before, and it's good. Secret Quest feels more 3rd generation than 2nd generation because it was released in 1989. It's more of a third gen game in design ethos, even though it appeared on 2nd gen hardware.
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Post by Moulinoski on Feb 18, 2023 11:32:06 GMT -5
Anyone mention Secret Quest yet? I've played it briefly before, and it's good. Secret Quest feels more 3rd generation than 2nd generation because it was released in 1989. It's more of a third gen game in design ethos, even though it appeared on 2nd gen hardware. Ah, that’s why it feels more modern than I was expecting. It does have a certain “NES quality” about it. The manual also mentions the Atari 7800.
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Post by bonesnapdeez on Feb 18, 2023 13:36:54 GMT -5
Yeah the developers weren't shy about admitting that the game was meant to be the "Zelda" of the 2600. A great, complex experience. Definitely read the manual first!!
As far as mentions of the 7800 go... the term "backwards compatibility" wasn't really a known thing yet, so some of these late era 2600 games were described as being "for the 2600 and 7800."
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Post by Ex on Feb 21, 2023 16:04:07 GMT -5
Title: Fathom
Platform: Atari 2600 Region release played: USA Year of release: 1983 Developer: Imagic Publisher: Imagic Graphics: 4/5 Audio: 2/5 Challenge: 3/5 Fun factor: 3/5 Quick Thoughts: Long before Ecco the Dolphin allowed players to control a dolphin there was Fathom. Indeed in this action game the player not only controls a dolphin, but also a seagull. Using the combined powers of the dolphin/seagull team, the player must collect all the pieces of Neptune's trident, while avoiding everything from jellyfish, to angry birds, to volcanoes. The trident is needed to free Neptune's imprisoned mermaid daughter in the ocean deep (not sure why it is). For players who enjoy aquatic themed games, or just really want to be a friggin' seagull, Fathom beckons from beneath the waves. +You can be a dolphin. +You can be a seagull. +Impressive graphics for its platform and time of release. +A fair amount of complexity for an Atari 2600 game. +Difficulty is well balanced. -You'll need to RTFM. -The seagull is a bastard to control. -More "interesting" than it is "fun". -Not much replay value here. -Neptune should put the krabby patties down and save his own daughter.
Ex's time to beat: 10 minutes
Ex's rating: 5/10
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Post by bonesnapdeez on Feb 21, 2023 16:13:57 GMT -5
Always thought that game had a great, understated ambiance. Same goes for Wing War.
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Post by Sarge on Feb 21, 2023 16:18:33 GMT -5
Seagulls, you say?
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Post by Ex on Feb 21, 2023 16:31:47 GMT -5
Title: Plaque Attack
Platform: Atari 2600 Region release played: USA Year of release: 1983 Developer: Activision Publisher:Activision Graphics: 3/5 Audio: 2/5 Challenge: 3/5 Fun factor: 2/5 Quick Thoughts: Plaque Attack is basically Space Invaders inside of some kid's mouth. There's all manner of foods (some good, some bad) flying at the kid's teeth. It's your job as Freddie Fluoride to shoot that food and destroy it, before it touches the kid's pearly whites. As a toothpaste marauder you will endure wave after wave, as this kid just can't stop stuffing his pie hole. Eventually his teeth will all be destroyed, leaving just a high score as a memorial to this brat's bad denture habits. +Well, it's an unusual premise.
+Easy and responsive controls. +Supports auto-fire natively. +An impressive variety of enamel destroying foods. +This kid can regrow teeth! -If this was supposed to be an educational game it failed. -Implies strawberries and cherries are as bad for you as french fries and donuts. -This kid only has 8 teeth to start with, it's already a lost cause.
-I need a mouthrinse tsunami up in here. -Not sure why anyone would want to loop this one. Ex's time to beat: 10 minutes (my first run high score = 7245, you can do better but you won't want to) Ex's rating: 4/10
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Post by Ex on Feb 21, 2023 17:34:37 GMT -5
Yes the graphics and atmosphere were nailed by Fathom, a laudable achievement in that department given the hardware limitations. 2600 games are easy to hop in and out of, and hold nostalgic charm for me, that's why I've been focusing on them so far this theme. There is a Coleco, SG-1000 and Intellivision game I hope to have time to get to though. There's enough interesting stuff to last a year really. My respect for the 2nd gen has gone way up since deep diving into it this year.
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Post by nullPointer on Feb 25, 2023 12:23:15 GMT -5
In the end I was able to put one game in the bag for the month, and thanks to some good insight from you all, I earmarked a few noteworthy 2nd gen games in my backlog to try out. Montezuma's Revenge in particular is one that I've always wanted to take for a spin, and this months theme was a good reminder to do so. I may yet dabble in a bit more 2nd gen gaming before the month is out.
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Post by Ex on Feb 25, 2023 22:15:18 GMT -5
I enjoyed discussing Transylvania with you, as that whole series was new to me. Something I'd play nowadays if I had endless free time for all my gaming interests.
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