2016/5/8: Atari 2600: Space Cavern, Titan Axe, Zippy the Porcupine

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VideoGameCritic
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2016/5/8: Atari 2600: Space Cavern, Titan Axe, Zippy the Porcupine

Postby VideoGameCritic » May 8th, 2016, 1:52 pm

Here's a new set of Atari 2600 reviews for you to sink your teeth into. Space Cavern is a re-review (same grade) and the other two are new homebrews from Atari Age.

Comments??

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Rev
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Re: 2016/5/8: Atari 2600: Space Cavern, Titan Axe, Zippy the Porcupine

Postby Rev » May 8th, 2016, 8:58 pm

Nice set of reviews. Zippy the Porcupine looks really interesting and from the gameplay videos I've seen it really does look like Sonic. The only weird part was the jumping from upper to lower screens. Still, for a homebrew this looked crazy good.

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Re: 2016/5/8: Atari 2600: Space Cavern, Titan Axe, Zippy the Porcupine

Postby VideoGameCritic » May 8th, 2016, 9:25 pm

That Zippy review was a strange one. After my first impression I was thinking something below a C. My friends were not impressed and it had a lot of issues.

But then something happened - I found myself playing it every day! Getting a little further. Discovering new things about it. This is a pretty big game (64K apparently).

The math doesn't really add up, but to me this is a B game.

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scotland
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Re: 2016/5/8: Atari 2600: Space Cavern, Titan Axe, Zippy the Porcupine

Postby scotland » May 9th, 2016, 8:20 am

I really want to like a game like Titan Axe, but this is a wakeup call with your review eviscerating the controls. This wouldn't be the first game I really wanted to like, but did not measure up.

At Atariage, it seems to be a batari basic game, and you have to use the button with a direction to do anything. A review on the store page liked the game but also said the controls have a steep learning curve. Here is the beta discussion forum http://atariage.com/forums/topic/235444-titan-axe-beta/?hl=%20titan%20%20axe

I really do appreciate the people continuing to make homebrews, and like to support them while spicing up my retro library. I also appreciate your honest reviews, so I know what to expect if I toss in some Tubmans for homebrew carts.

mbd36
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Re: 2016/5/8: Atari 2600: Space Cavern, Titan Axe, Zippy the Porcupine

Postby mbd36 » May 9th, 2016, 10:30 am

You should review Princess Rescue if you have it or can find it. It's Super Mario Bros. for the Atari 2600.

thrust26
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Re: 2016/5/8: Atari 2600: Space Cavern, Titan Axe, Zippy the Porcupine

Postby thrust26 » May 9th, 2016, 3:24 pm

I haven't played Titan Axe or Zippy (so I have to trust you here), but reading that two new and promising homebrews lack good controls make me sad. Because, even though the Atari 2600 is a very limited platform, there is no reason that the controls are not top notch. Actually precise controls are one of THE key strengths of the Atari 2600.

I have to lookup the threads at AtariAge, if there were any indications why this may have happened. At least fixing this issue should not be a big deal. It only requires a bit more playtesting and good feedback. I hope there will be some fixes soon and that you will retest the new versions.

crimefighter
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Re: 2016/5/8: Atari 2600: Space Cavern, Titan Axe, Zippy the Porcupine

Postby crimefighter » May 9th, 2016, 8:13 pm

Surprised you didn't review Princess Rescue/Super Mario 2600 with this batch. The programmer who did Zippy did Super Mario 2600 first. Some gameplay mechanics were reused here.

snakeboy
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Re: 2016/5/8: Atari 2600: Space Cavern, Titan Axe, Zippy the Porcupine

Postby snakeboy » May 9th, 2016, 9:20 pm

I would like to see a review of Princess Rescue also, but I don't believe the cart is sold anymore in the Atari Age store; the ROM should be available though.

The VGC's feelings about Zippy are similar to how I feel about Princess rescue, though from the Zippy review, it does sound like Princess Rescue is more playable. Even though I curse the awkward, touchy controls whenever I fall to my death, the game is very impressive from a technical standpoint, and if you do take a cautious approach, you can certainly make it far in the game with practice. And despite any shortcomings, I find it very fun and addicting.

crimefighter
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Re: 2016/5/8: Atari 2600: Space Cavern, Titan Axe, Zippy the Porcupine

Postby crimefighter » May 11th, 2016, 11:24 pm

The Critic has a Harmony cart, should be able to download the ROM. I have it.

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BlasteroidAli
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Re: 2016/5/8: Atari 2600: Space Cavern, Titan Axe, Zippy the Porcupine

Postby BlasteroidAli » May 28th, 2016, 4:13 pm

Space cavern deserves an A plus.
Okay the game is not great... but it could have been.


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