• Tag Archives 1986
  • Enduro Racer (Sega)

     

    Enduro Racer (Sega, 1986)

    http://darth-azrael.tumblr.com/post/164069934688/vgjunk-at-the-big-vgjunk-site-today-its-segas

    Enduro Racer is an arcade racer by Sega that is quite similar to Sega’s other arcade racers of the time including Outrun and especially Hang-On. The behind the vehicle third person view and scaling sprites will be very familiar to anyone who has played those other games.

    Enduro Racer is in some ways more limited and in some ways more advanced than those games. Your vehicle is a dirt bike and on one hand, you can perform wheelies and there are jumps to navigate both of which features add a little complexity to the game. On the other hand, there are no branching paths to choose like in Outrun or even multiple course selections like in Hang-On. Overall though, it is a game worth playing if you are a fan of this sort of racer.

    Enduro Racer was released to arcades in 1986 and there were a few home ports as well over the next few years. In 1987 the Sega Master System version was released. In 1988 the Commodore 64 and a few other computer versions came along and in 1989 an Atari ST version was released. Finally, it was re-released for for the Wii’s Virtual Console in 2008.



  • Gremlins (Atari 5200)

    Gremlins (Atari 5200, 1986)

    http://darth-azrael.tumblr.com/post/160234992351/mastersofthe80s-gremlins-atari-5200-1986

    There have been a number of games based on the Gremlins movie over the years. The first was for the Atari 2600. An Atari 5200 version was developed but it was a substantially different game. This version also appeared on the Commodore 64, Apple II and DOS based computers. All of these were released in 1984, the same year as the movie, except for the Atari 5200 version. At first this seems a bit surprising given that Atari was the one who developed the game, but…

    It turns out that Gremlins for the Atari 5200 was in fact finished in June 1984 and ready for production. However, Jack Tramiel was hired as CEO of Atari around the same time and put a freeze on all new video game related products to concentrate on computer products. By the time Atari decided to continue in the home video game market (largely because of the introduction of the Nintendo Entertainment System) it was 1986 and some old stock, including copies of Gremlins for the Atari 5200, was finally released. Because of the delay, Gremlins was the last official release for the Atari 5200. Incidentally, the Atari 7800 was also ready in 1984 but was delayed for the same reason.

    Screen shots are from atariage.com.





  • Computer Gaming World, January/February 1986

    Computer Gaming World, January/February 1986

    Computer Gaming World was without a doubt the best computer specific gaming magazine. Though it covered various computer platforms back when more platforms were viable, it was DOS/Windows oriented for most of its life. Fortunately, not too much changed when it became Games for Windows. Unfortunately, it didn’t survive long after that. The January/February 1986 issue includes:

    Features

    • Under Fire! – Infantry Combat from Avalon Hill
    • Ultima IV – Review and Playing Tips
    • The Year In Review – Adventure Games in 1985
    • Silent Service – Review
    • Kampfgruppe – A Replay
    • The Gates of Moscow – Review
    • Heart of Africa – Review

    Departments

    • Taking A Peek – Screen Photos and Brief Comments
    • Editorial
    • Commodore Key – Information for Commodore Gamers
    • Atari Playfield – Information for Atari Gamers
    • Reader Input Device
    • Game Ratings – 100 Games Rated

    …and more!