Pac-Man (Atari 5200 review)

Developer: Atari, Inc.
Publisher: Atari, Inc.
Released: 1983

Pac-Man is a maze game that was first released in the Arcade in 1980.

+ Gigantic leap in quality from the Atari 2600 port (1982) and closely mimics the Arcade in gameplay, graphics and sound.

+ Allows you to choose your difficulty from eight different levels, and the cut-scenes convey an abundance of personality.

+ Different coloured ghosts have unique behaviours, which is great for learning patterns and outsmarting them.

+ Tunnels are an inspired feature for a quick escape and the limited energy pills turn the tide for a riveting ghost chase.

+ Collectable fruit adds an enticing risk-reward element, as the huge point bonuses mean venturing into perilous territory.

- Even the lowest difficulty is blazingly fast with aggressive enemies that will result in sudden game overs for novices.

- Despite the maze being intricately designed it's the only one available, leaving you wishing for a bit more variety.

Tomcat: The F-14 Fighter Simulator (Atari 7800 review)

Developer: Absolute Entertainment
Publisher: Absolute Entertainment
Released: 1989

Tomcat: The F-14 Fighter Simulator is an aerial combat game that was also released on the Atari 2600 (1989).

+ Good graphics with cool flight deck details, and the secondary landing / incoming missile displays add to the immersion.

+ Take-off is uncomplicated, and the animation of the deck officer waving you along is a nice presentational touch.

- Cumbersome controls aren't suited to a home console, as the game forces you to use the hardware's buttons / switches.

- Action is mind-numbingly boring and there's plenty of time to have a snooze while waiting for a bogey to appear.

- Dogfighting is the weakest part of the game, as skittish enemies can magically warp a few pixels ahead to avoid you.

- Missile lock-on should be a fun, effective part of the action, but the tracking time is very short and often unreliable.

- Landing is painfully difficult, mainly due to the minuscule 10° altitude safety range that you need to stay within.

Fatal Run (Atari 7800 review)

Developer: Sculptured Software
Publisher: Atari Corporation
Released: 1990

Fatal Run is a vehicular combat game that was also released on the Atari 2600 (1990).

+ Combat is reminiscent of RoadBlasters (1987, Arcade) but with added rear weapons, and the password option is terrific.

+ Shops offer a robust selection of upgrades, repairs and weapons that provide a multitude of ways to tackle each stage.

+ Between stage cut-scenes have neat parallax scrolling, and keeping civilians alive to earn currency is an addicting hook.

- Gameplay is repetitive and the driving is mundane, as there's long stretches where you're waiting for foes to appear.

- If the HUD didn't display your speed, you'd likely have no idea if you're currently running a Basic or Turbo engine.

- Slippery physics make careful manoeuvring between lanes an unnatural task, almost like you're skating on ice.

- Roadside scenery is barren and there's some weird scaling issues where cars and hazards float above the track!

Joust (NES review)

Developer: HAL Laboratory
Publisher: HAL America
Released: 1988

Joust is an action game that was first released in the Arcade in 1982.

+ Action is fast and fluid with an impressive physics engine, and the two-player mode is a fun mix of co-op and battle.

+ Having to collect eggs before they re-hatch creates tension, as does quickly eliminating buzzards to avoid Pterodactyls.

+ Shrewdly, you can override the respawn animation after a death to get back into the action at the most opportune time.

+ Improved control scheme over the Atari 7800 version (1987), as you can use both buttons to flap at normal or fast speed.

- Missing various wave types (e.g. Survival Wave), so the gameplay becomes repetitive much faster than other versions.

- Has some collision detection and clipping issues, and the hit box to defeat Pterodactyls is ludicrously small.

- Less difficulty options than the Atari 5200 (1983) and Atari 7800 ports, and the iconic Game Over text is omitted.

Joust (Atari 7800 review)

Developer: General Computer Corporation
Publisher: Atari Corporation
Released: 1987

Joust is an action game that was first released in the Arcade in 1982 before being ported to the Atari 5200 a year later.

+ Action is fast and fluid with an impressive physics engine, and there's various wave types to keep things interesting.

+ Having to collect eggs before they re-hatch creates tension, as does quickly eliminating buzzards to avoid Pterodactyls.

+ Shrewdly, you can override the respawn animation after a death to get back into the action at the most opportune time.

+ Improved controls vs. the 5200 thanks to digital inputs that negate drifting from the former's non self-centring analog stick.

- However, the NES game (1988) does trump it with its multiple button layout that allows you to flap at normal or fast speed.

- Animation is noticeably choppier than the Atari 5200 version and the ability to pinball off surfaces isn't as prominent.

- Aside from a minor graphical spruce-up, there's not much reason to buy this over the four-year-old Atari 5200 port.

Joust (Atari 5200 review)

Developer: GCC
Publisher: Atari, Inc.
Released: 1983

Joust is an action game that was first released in the Arcade in 1982.

+ Action is fast and fluid with an impressive physics engine, and despite some minor sprite flicker there's no slowdown.

+ Includes various wave types to keep things interesting, and having to collect eggs before they re-hatch is devious.

+ Likewise, the need to quickly eliminate buzzards to avoid deadly Pterodactyls entering creates tension-filled gameplay.

+ Shrewdly, you can override the respawn animation after a death to get back into the action at the most opportune time.

+ There's several difficulty options to cater to your skill level, and the two-player mode is a fun mix of co-op and battle.

- 5200 controller results in some unfortunate deaths, as its lack of self-centring can see you drifting in one direction.

- Allows you to hold down the fire button to avoid continuous tapping, but your bird rises so slowly that it's pointless.

Rampage (Atari Lynx review)

Developer: Atari Corporation
Publisher: Atari Corporation
Released: 1990

Rampage is an action game that was first released in the Arcade in 1986.

+ Stage structure is divided into different cities to aid progression, and the multiplayer mode supports up to four people.

+ Includes four monsters (one exclusive), and recognising what items harm or heal you requires quick thinking.

+ Graphics are gorgeous with beautiful pixel art and animation, along with huge sprites that showcase ample personality.

- Gameplay is mind-numbingly repetitive and there's barely anything new that gets introduced to keep you engrossed.

- Despite taking place in various cities, everything looks the same and the game offers little in the way of scenic variety.

- Action is incredibly zoomed-in, to the point where you can't always see lightning bolts or when a building is about to fall.

Rampage (Sega Master System review)

Developer: Sega R&D 2
Publisher: Activision
Released: 1989

Rampage is an action game that was first released in the Arcade in 1986.

+ Stage structure is divided into different cities to aid progression, and the two-player mode is a fun high score battle.

+ Includes all three monsters from the Arcade, and recognising what items harm or heal you requires quick thinking.

+ Graphics are a huge step up from the NES (1988) and Atari 7800 (1989) ports, with large sprites and great use of colour.

- Gameplay is mind-numbingly repetitive and there's barely anything new that gets introduced to keep you engrossed.

- Despite taking place in various cities, everything looks the same and the game offers little in the way of scenic variety.

- Grabbing onto buildings isn't always reliable and you need to be positioned perfectly in order to bash them.

- Only a single music track which is ill-fitting, and it's a shame more songs weren't written to compliment the locales.

Rampage (Atari 7800 review)

Developer: Activision
Publisher: Activision
Released: 1989

Rampage is an action game that was first released in the Arcade in 1986.

+ Has a whopping 132 stages and your constantly depleting life bar gives the game an edgy survival element.

+ Includes all three monsters from the Arcade, and recognising what items harm or heal you requires quick thinking.

+ Unlike the NES version (1988), continues are limited which is more of an incentive to try and beat your high score.

- Gameplay is mind-numbingly repetitive and there's barely anything new that gets introduced to keep you engrossed.

- Offers very little in the way of scenic variety and without different things to see you never feel like you're progressing.

- Controls can sometimes be unresponsive when bashing buildings, and the hit detection is spotty when punching choppers.

- Graphics and textures aren't as detailed as the NES version, and it's harder to distinguish items from one another.

Rampage (NES review)

Developer: Data East
Publisher: Data East
Released: 1988

Rampage is an action game that was first released in the Arcade in 1986.

+ Has a whopping 128 stages and your constantly depleting life bar gives the game an edgy survival element.

+ There's some mild strategy to staying alive and recognising what items heal or harm you is crucial in the heat of the action.

+ Map detailing which U.S. states you've destroyed is a nice touch that provides a visual reward for your hard work.

- Gameplay is mind-numbingly repetitive and there's barely anything new that gets introduced to keep you engrossed.

- Controls don't always respond as expected and many times you'll falter despite clearly pressing Up to grab onto a building. 

- Unlimited continues don't even reset your high score, so there's little point in trying to top your previous best.

- Only has two of the three playable characters from the Arcade, and the between-stage tips disappear too quickly.

F-18 Hornet (Atari 7800 review)

Developer: Imagineering
Publisher: Absolute Entertainment
Released: 1988

F-18 Hornet is a combat flight simulator that was also released on the Commodore 64 (1988).

+ Take-off is commendably straightforward and you can instantly select any of the four missions from the main menu.

+ Short missions have that 'just one more go' factor, and daring manoeuvres are incentivised with bonus points.

+ Polygon graphics are excellent with a consistent frame-rate, and managing to land the plane is endlessly thrilling.

- Forces you to memorise entire stage layouts from the manual, which negates spontaneity and skill-based reactions.

- Combat is wonky with an unreliable lock-on that's hit-and-miss, and the arc to your missiles never feels natural.

- Limited draw distance makes it tough to spot the exact placement of upcoming enemies and landing strips.

- Convoluted controls, as you need to use the console's Difficulty Switch and Select button alongside the joystick.

Ninja Golf (Atari 7800 review)

Developer: BlueSky Software
Publisher: Atari Corporation
Released: 1990

Ninja Golf is a beat-em-up / sports title that's exclusive to the Atari 7800 console.

+ Course design is brilliant and tasks you with deciphering whether the shortest route will ultimately lead to more peril.

+ On-screen map is super handy for planning your route, as well as showing your proximity in relation to the ball.

+ Beat-em-up sections are very reminiscent of Kung-Fu Master (1989, Atari 7800), with combat having a rhythmic flow.

+ Good range of enemies (some unique to each playing surface) and the neat parallax scrolling doesn't affect performance.

+ Plenty of items available to give you a fighting chance, and the limited shurikens are helpful for long-range attacks.

- Golfing aspect is rather basic and it's a shame that putting wasn't included to increase the drama at the end of each hole.

- Bosses are repetitive with easily exploitable attack patterns, and the lack of in-game music lessens the atmosphere.

Touchdown Football (Atari 7800 review)

Developer: Imagineering
Publisher: Atari Corporation
Released: 1988

Touchdown Football is a sports game that was released on numerous platforms including Atari 8-bit computers (1986).

+ Includes a two-player mode with a great feature of being able to hide your play call by holding down the fire button.

+ Impressive amount of plays on both sides of the ball, including line shifts and audibles at the line of scrimmage.

- However, in actuality the passing game is weak as it's difficult to judge the intended location of your throws.

- Running game only involves the Quarterback and it's almost impossible to gain any noteworthy yardage.

- On Defense, the CPU gives you a nanosecond to choose a formation, which negates much of the strategic gameplay.

- Useless teammates rarely do their blocking job, while letting Wide Receivers speed by them with little resistance.

- Lack of difficulty options hurts the solo experience, and there's no time-outs to stop the clock for a final play.

Summer Games (Atari 7800 review)

Developer: Epyx
Publisher: Atari Corporation
Released: 1987

Summer Games is a sports title that was released on numerous platforms including the Sega Master System (1991).

+ Supports up to eight contestants in multiplayer, and allows you to tailor the specific event(s) you want to compete in.

+ Controls for each event are a nice mix of joystick waggling, timing-based reactions and restrained inputs for variety's sake.

+ 4x400m Relay is a superb game of strategy as you try to monitor energy levels while sprinting against a CPU pacer.

+ Gymnastics is similar to Ski Jump in Winter Games (1987, Atari 7800) and the complex mid-air jostling is rewarding.

+ Platform Diving has a neat risk-reward element, as you can perform an easy dive or gamble using complex rotations.

- Both swimming events lack a CPU pacer and the intensity is lessened without a fellow competitor to race against.

- As with Winter Games, CPU contestants aren't displayed on the leaderboard so winning doesn't feel as impactful.

RealSports Baseball (Atari 7800 review)

Developer: Atari Corporation
Publisher: Atari Corporation
Released: 1988

RealSports Baseball is a sports game that was also released on the Atari 2600 (1982) and Atari 5200 (1983).

+ Good pitch selection available, and easier double plays than the 5200 version as fielders all have cannons for arms.

+ Pace of play has been massively sped up, which allows you to complete a full nine inning game much quicker.

- Batting is awful due to your lethargic swing speed, and when fielding it's difficult to accurately judge the location of fly balls.

- No skill level customisation options, and the brutal CPU often throws you out at first after a hit near the warning track.

- No longer an option to change innings length, no quick pitches and the endearing voice clips have been omitted.

- Having to activate teammates after a play and manually throw the ball back to the pitcher is slow and cumbersome.

- Graphics show no substantial improvements from the Atari 5200 version, which is odd considering the five-year gap.

RealSports Baseball (Atari 5200 review)

Developer: Atari, Inc.
Publisher: Atari, Inc.
Released: 1983

RealSports Baseball is a sports game that was also released on the Atari 2600 (1982) and Atari 7800 (1988).

+ Decent pitch selection / path modifiers, and having a no wind-up variation is neat for keeping hitters off-balance.

+ Analog stick makes a huge difference when batting and gives you total control over swing speed and launch angle.

+ Charming voice clips, you can choose 3, 6, or 9 innings, and there's advance base running moves such as squeeze plays.

+ Fun multiplayer mode and the difficulty handicap is a fantastic way to balance skill levels between novice / expert gamers.

- Having to activate teammates after a play and manually throw the ball back to the pitcher is slow and cumbersome.

- Fielding ground balls is janky, as they often seem to travel straight through a player for a cheap base hit.

- Takes too long for fielders to throw the ball and it's infuriating when you can't turn an otherwise easy double-play.

Motor Psycho (Atari 7800 review)

Developer: Bluesky Software
Publisher: Atari Corporation
Released: 1990

Motor Psycho is a racing game that's exclusive to the Atari 7800.

+ Fans of Pole Position (1982, Arcade) will find enjoyment thanks to the familiar gameplay premise and scoring system.

+ Four race tracks are well designed and the impressive draw distance allows you to see long stretches of upcoming road.

+ Ability to jump crazy heights offers risk-reward, as you accumulate more points in the air than on the ground.

+ Controls are excellent, particularly when downshifting on tight corners, and you can even customise how your bike turns.

- Frame-rate is shaky in areas with lots of bikers, which isn't great in a precision-based racer where every move matters.

- Takes an age to return to the road after a crash, and the awful intro music sounds like a toddler's first song.

- Graphics do little to impress, with colour clashing and sparsely detailed scenery that create a drab backdrop.

Pole Position II (Atari 7800 review)

Developer: General Computer Corporation
Publisher: Atari Corporation
Released: 1987

Pole Position II is a racing game that was first released in the Arcade in 1983.

+ Unlike the original Pole Position (1983, Atari 5200), the race tracks feel distinct in their layouts, with varied scenic backdrops. 

+ Responsive controls, decent speed and the inclusion of puddles on the tracks adds unpredictability to the racing action.

+ Changing low gear from d-pad up to down is clever and allows you to quickly emergency downshift around a tight corner.

+ Scoring system provides a great incentive to keep you playing, even if you're struggling to fully complete the races.

- Questionable collision detection, and CPU opponents often clog three-deep on tough corners, leaving you no room.

- No longer an option to select your chosen number of laps, which is disappointing for players who want extended races.

- Overly smooth graphics look smeared in Vaseline, and the SFX have a weird habit of cutting out when driving on kerbs.

Pole Position (Atari 5200 review)

Developer: GCC
Publisher: Atari, Inc.
Released: 1983

Pole Position is a racing game that was first released in the Arcade in 1982.

+ Practice mode is a welcome feature that provides an opportunity to learn the ropes without other vehicles in the way.

+ Has three race tracks to test your driving and there's an option to switch from four to eight laps for a real challenge.

+ Racing has a good sense of speed and the excellent draw distance allows you to plan manoeuvres well in advance.

+ Analog stick offers ultra precision and squeezing between two competitors is fun thanks to the solid collision detection.

+ Secondary scoring feature means you always have an incentive to play again, even if you don't manage to complete a race.

- Reaching the finish line requires absolute perfection and casual players might be turned off by the lack of margin for error.

- Race tracks are samey and this port is missing a few presentational touches from the Arcade (e.g. billboard advertisements).

Super Huey UH-IX (Atari 7800 review)

Developer: Atari Corporation
Publisher: Atari Corporation
Released: 1989

Super Huey UH-IX is a combat flight simulator that was originally released on the Commodore 64 in 1985.

+ Arcade mode is a brilliant idea, as it allows less patient gamers to avoid take-off and get straight into the action.

+ Flight School is another neat addition, as it slowly teaches you the basics to alleviate an otherwise steep learning curve.

+ Respectable frame-rate, and despite only having two buttons the controls work well and quickly become second nature.

- Reality mode contains only a single mission that can be beaten in a couple of minutes by simply avoiding all enemies.

- Opponents have an infuriating tendency to spawn out of thin air, causing you damage despite having no time to prepare.

- Speed is lacking and unless you look at your speedometer you'll have no clue as to whether you're at 20 mph or 80 mph.

- Bare-bones graphics with only a few random objects scattered around, and the enemy vehicle animation is unimpressive.

Scrapyard Dog (Atari 7800 review)

Developer: BlueSky Software
Publisher: Atari Corporation
Released: 1990

Scrapyard Dog is a platformer that was also released on the Atari Lynx (1991).

+ Deeper gameplay than you might expect, as while exploration isn't necessary it is rewarded with mini-games / items.

+ Lots of opportunities to visit shops that arm you with Special Items that are useful against packs of enemies.

+ Action is more enjoyable when approached as a resource management game and stocking up on items as early as possible.

- Difficulty curve is terrible, as Stage 1-3's sewer demands pixel-perfect jumps to platforms that are located off-screen.

- Doesn't do enough to progress the core concept, as there's very little difference in enemies / hazards after the first world.

-  No bosses except an awful sliding puzzle for the finale, and there's frame-rate dips and jerky scrolling in later levels.

- Manual does an awful job of explaining (or even visually demonstrating) what the huge row of icons are in the HUD.

Ace of Aces (Sega Master System review)

Developer: Artech Studios, Tiertex
Publisher: Sega
Released: 1991

Ace of Aces is a combat flight simulator that was released on numerous formats including the Atari 7800 (1988).

+ Having multiple plane viewpoints is spectacular and there's tons of nuance to staying alive, such as dousing onboard fires.

+ There's real intensity when flying below the clouds to bomb trains and U-boats, especially as you're so close to ground level.

+ Practice mode is great for working on specific missions, and the pre-stage images are clearer than the Atari 7800 version.

- However, the difficulty is more random than on the 7800 and taking damage seems like pot-luck rather than lack of skill.

- Frame-rate is low and it's irritating having to constantly realign your altitude because of delayed button presses.

- No take-off or landing sequences does deter from the game's realistic feel, and there can be huge lulls in the action.

- Rockets have a slow travel speed that makes them pretty much useless, and the droning plane SFX is annoying.

Ace of Aces (Atari 7800 review)

Developer: Nova Game Design
Publisher: Atari Corporation
Released: 1988

Ace of Aces is a combat flight simulator that was released on numerous formats including the Sega Master System (1991).

+ Having multiple plane viewpoints is spectacular and there's tons of nuance to staying alive, such as dousing onboard fires.

+ There's real intensity when flying below the clouds to bomb trains and U-boats, especially as you're so close to ground level.

+ Practice mode is great for teaching you the ropes and working on specific actions you'll end up using in real missions.

- Frame-rate is low and it's irritating having to constantly realign your altitude because of delayed button presses.

- No take-off or landing sequences does deter from the game's realistic feel, and there can be huge lulls in the action.

- Firing rockets is a nail-biting affair for all the wrong reasons, as the ultra-small hit boxes require immaculate precision.

- Pre-mission images are hard to decipher and don't have anywhere near as much clarity as the Sega Master System port.

Super Skateboardin (Atari 7800 review)

Developer: Absolute Entertainment
Publisher: Absolute Entertainment
Released: 1988

Super Skateboardin is a maze game that's exclusive to the Atari 7800. 

+ Map design is expertly crafted, with intricate item placement and distinctive areas that force you to memorise multiple paths.

+ Doors you've already skated through remain open as you navigate around, which is handy when looking for new routes.

+ Controls are excellent and there's some cool sprite animations when objects such as TVs and printers are activated.

+ Once you've switched off each item, it's a race back to the entrance against the clock, which can be moderately exciting.

- Only one layout that doesn't take long to memorise, and the eight-second musical loop will quickly give you a headache.

- Apart from falling off the rooftop, the game is devoid of danger and could have used enemies / hazards to spice things up.

- Skateboarding premise feels tacked on, as there's nothing of substance that relates to the extreme sport.

APB (Atari Lynx review)

Developer: Quicksilver Software
Publisher: Atari Corporation
Released: 1991

APB is a driving game that was originally released in the Arcade in 1987.

+ Has surprising depth that challenges you to multitask, and the upgrade ability gives you numerous ways to tackle the stages.

+ Bite-sized missions are perfect for handheld play, and balancing the timer against finding items off the beaten path is fun.

+ Has charm in spades thanks to the hilarious voice clips, cut-scenes and general tone that plays on every cop stereotype!

- With 99 stages (and no continues) it's puzzling why there are no passwords, and constantly having to restart is disheartening.

- Demerit system is far too strict, especially as civilians aim to bump into your car and cause you to suffer the consequences.

- Could have used a pre-stage map to display the layout, as the result is aimless wandering when you need a gas station.