• Tag Archives Atari XE

  • ANALOG Computing (July 1986)

    Posted on by Azrael Comment

    Source: ANALOG Computing – July 1986

    ANALOG computing was probably the best Atari 8-bit computer magazine published in the U.S. (though I suppose some might make an argument for Antic). They dabbled in Atari ST coverage when it came along but for the most part they stuck with 8-bit coverage. The July 1986 issue includes:

    Features

    • The 810 Flip Switch – It was common practice to punch a hole (really a notch) in the side of a floppy disk in order to make it useable as a double-sided disk. The instructions here are to build a switch for the Atari 810 disk drive that accomplishes the same thing without having to clip your disk.
    • RAMcopy! – A type-in program that will automatically copy specified files to a RAMdisk upon startup.
    • An interview with Russell Smith and Wayne Smith – An interview with the people behind the ATR-8000, an Atari 8-bit expansion that adds CP/M capability.
    • The 8-Bit Parallel Interface – Instructions for building a parallel interface for Atari 8-bits.
    • D:CHECK in Action! – A type-in program designed to correctly typing errors in the Action! development system.
    • Cassette LogWriter – A type-in program for printing labels/inserts for Cassettes.
    • Bits & Pieces – Part of a series on Atari hardware. This part focuses on using the joystick ports to control external devices.
    • ST-Log – An insert for the Atari ST. Included are a type-in program for creating function key templates, a program that helps you use fractions instead of decimals in LOGO, reviews o Personal Pascal, Easy Draw and Typing Tutor, a guide to ST software, a column on keyboard and disk I/O in C, and more.
    • Personal Robots – Robots that can be used with Atari computers.
    • Arm your Atari – Using the Armatron robotic arm with an Atari 8-bit computer.
    • Blast! – A type-in sci-fi themed shoot-em-up game.

    Reviews

    • Panak Strikes! – Reviews of various games including Spy vs. Spy Volume II: The Island Caper (First Star Software), The Mask of the Sun (Broderbund), and Ankh (Datamost).
    • Critical Connection – A software/hardware combo designed to allow you to use CP/M devices wth your Atari.
    • RAM Upgrade Kits – Reviews of RAM upgrade kits including the 256K XL RAM Upgrade Kit and the ICD Rambo XL Upgrade Kit (also 256K).

    Columns

    • Editorial – Recent updates to the magazine.
    • Reader Comment – Letters from readers about the Gemini SG-10 printer, Atari ST monitors, sound capabilities of the Atari ST, and more.
    • 8-Bit News – Super BoulderDash released along with a re-release of the original, Microflyte ATC joystick released made especially for Flight Simulator, Star Fleet I released, new Atari 8-bit hardware announced, and more.
    • BASIC Editor – A new type-in program designed to help you accurately type-in BASIC listings from ANALOG.
    • The End User – Financial Cookbook from Electronic Arts for the Atari ST, a real-time clock add-on for the Atari ST, a new Supra hard drive for the Atari ST, CHAT – a new telecommunications software package for the Atari ST, and more.
    • Boot Camp – Graphics programming in machine language.

    …and more!


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  • Super Breakout

    Posted on by Azrael Comment


    atarian_issue2_28

    Source: Atarian – Issue Number 2 – July/August 1989

    There is no doubt that Super Breakout is a classic among video games. It was originally created in 1976 as an arcade game by Atari, the hardware of which was originally designed by Steve Wozniak. Wozniak’s hardware design for this game would influence the design of the Apple II. Breakout was designed to essentially be a one-player version of pong with the object being to destroy the moving walls of bricks at the top of the screen by bouncing a ball off of a paddle. Breakout was ported to the Atari 2600 in 1978 with the enhanced Super Breakout with more game variations and a slightly updated look being released later that same year.

    What’s funny about this particular “review” is that it is another example of Atari continuing to push their old games and hardware vs. moving forward. This review appeared in the July/August 1989 issue of Atarian, Atari’s official magazine. Super Breakout was available for the Atari 2600 (and therefore the Atari 7800) and Atari XE computer and video game systems at the time. The review ends suggesting you should have this game if you don’t already. While I don’t specifically remember this game being available then, I’m quite sure that you could still pick up Super Breakout either at toy stores like Toys R Us or directly through Atari. I would say this genre peaked with Arkanoid which was released about three years before this article was written. I’m all for coverage of vintage games and systems but this was really just Atari trying to sell old stock.

    Super Breakout would go on to be re-released many times for various systems and as part of various compilations too numerous to mention. If you want to play this game, no doubt you can find away fairly easily. If you want an original Atari 2600 or Atari XE version, these are easy to come by too as both are very common. In fact, Super Breakout was the pack-in for the Atari 2600 for a while.



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  • Crossbow (2600, 7800, XE)

    Posted on by Azrael Comment

    atarian_issue2_15

    Source: Atarian – Issue Number 2 – July/August 1989

    Crossbow is an arcade game developed by Exidy and released in 1983. In 1987, it was ported to the Atari 2600, Atari 7800, Atari XEGS and the Commodore 64. This is probably the first light-gun (or light-crossbow in this case) game that I ever played. My local roller skating rink had one circa 1985.


    (Atari 2600)

    The above review (really more of a summary or even advertisement) is from the July/August 1989 issue of Atarian. It isn’t surprising that Atarian didn’t last very long. They were always reviewing or printing other editorial content about years old games as if they were new. In this case we are talking about an arcade game that was released in 1983, ported to various home systems in ’87 and Atarian is treating it as if it were a new release in the Summer of ’89.


    (Atari 7800)

    Having said that, even though the game was a bit dated, the home versions were decent enough, particularly if you were using the light-gun on the Atari 7800 and XE versions. I remember the arcade version the best and will never forget the “Don’t shoot your friends!” announcement you would get when you accidentally shot those you were escorting… The point of the game was to lead a group of adventurers through various locations, shooting anything that was out to harm them. Those you were defending would walk slowly across the screen depending on your protection. It was non-linear in the sense that you could choose your own path to a limited degree and the difficulty depended on the path you chose. This game can be played with a joystick but for best results, use an Atari 7800 or XE system with a light gun.





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