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  • BMX Simulator (Atari ST)

    Posted on by Azrael 1 Comment

    I think that people, particularly console owners who never owned an 8 or 16-bit computer, underestimate the number and variety of games that were available on those platforms. There were just so many games. Far more than were ever available on a console, especially if we are talking about machines like the Commodore 64. Not all of them are good of course but many were, including many that most people have probably never heard of.

    BMX Simulator is just one example. While initially developed on the Commodore 64, it was ultimately ported to a variety of 8-bit and 16-bit computer platforms, including the Atari ST. Released in 1986, it was very similar to other overhead racers like Super Sprint only with a BMX theme. This wasn’t a terribly realistic simulation of BMX racing despite the name, or at least the tracks were often unrealistically unsafe. There were various obstacles to spice the game including puddles, tires and other things. However, that only added to the fun.

    While a relative few people have probably heard of this game, it got fairly good reviews and is better than many games on the consoles of the day. The graphics were much better too once you start considering the 16-bit computer ports like the Atari ST version.

    Unfortunately, games like this are seldom re-released. While the occasional 8-bit or 16-bit computer game will make it to a modern console in the form of a digital download, it is relatively rare compared to 8/16-bit console re-releases. Perhaps this will change, at least on the Atari side of things with the upcoming VCS. I guess we’ll have to wait and see.

    The photos above are from the Atari ST version of the game. In addition to the original Commodore 64 version, BMX Simulator was also released for the Atari 8-bit, Amiga, MSX and other computer platforms. However, I don’t know of any modern re-releases so check out an original or try it via emulation.

    BMX Simulator (Atari ST)

    http://darth-azrael.tumblr.com/post/181644195676/bmx-simulator-atari-st



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  • Blue Max / Das Boot

    Posted on by Azrael Comment

    pc-games-january-february-1991-059

    Source: PC Games – January February 1991

    Three-Sixty Pacific was known for their simulations and war games on the PC in the DOS days. Though they were only around for about nine years, they produced a number of popular and highly rated games in these genres. This ad is for two of their probably lesser known games.

    The first is Blue Max. Subtitled “The Aces of the Great War”, this isn’t the Blue Max you are probably thinking of if you owned a Commodore 64 or Atari 8-bit computer. That one was an isometric overhead shooter with a World War I theme. Though the theme is the same with this Blue Max, it is a simulator in which you get to fly various World War I era planes. Blue Max had a couple of very unique features. First, it allowed for two player split-screen play for cooperative or competitive play. This is pretty unusual for a simulator. Second, dogfights could optionally be played as turn-based strategy games. In this case a hexagonal map was shown but a frozen 3D view of the current action would also still be shown in a window.

    The second is Das Boot (literally translated “The Boat”). Also a simulator, Das Boot has you controlling a World War II German U-Boat. It was somewhat based on the novel of the same name. This was quite a realistic simulation of a Type VII German U-Boat in 1941 with the player having full control of engines, torpedoes (multiple types) and all other aspects of the submarine. It was far more complex than something like Silent Service.

    Blue Max was available for the Amiga, Atari ST and DOS based PCs. Das Boot was available for the Amiga and DOS. To play either one you’ll have to have an old computer handy or be willing to delve into something like Dosbox or an Amiga emulator.

    The above ad is from the January/February 1991 issue of PC Games magazine.


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  • Omega

    Posted on by Azrael Comment

    video-games-computer-entertainment-issue-11-december-1989-page-180

    Source: VideoGames & Computer Entertainment – December 1989

    Omega (not to be confused with Omega Race) by Origin was really a game ahead of its time given that it was released in 1989. The goal was to build a tank with a certain budget, program it, and then pit your tank against others. As you win battles, your budget increases and you can build better tanks for more difficult challenges. You could even create your own battlefields.

    Omega was ahead of its time in a couple of ways. Part of the game involved actually programming your tank. There were various AI script commands that could be used that were reminiscent of BASIC. There were instructions that allowed control of various functions of the tanks as well as others that allowed communication and coordination between tanks. The code used to program the tanks was cross-platform so Omega players from different platforms could still compete with each other. For a while there was even an official Omega BBS to facilitate this.

    Omega was available for several platforms including the Amiga, Apple II, Apple IIgs, Atari ST, Commodore 64, DOS and Macintosh. The ad above mentions all of these with the Apple IIgs and Macintosh versions “coming soon”. This game has never had a sequel or been remade but I think it would be an excellent candidate to remake today. I’m not aware of anything quite like it. If you want to give this one a try, any of the versions are pretty good and there really isn’t a significant difference in terms of game play. The 16-bit versions will have somewhat better graphics in most cases but it isn’t a big deal for this game. Pick your favorite platform and give it a try.

    The above ad is from the December 1989 issue of VideoGames & Computer Entertainment.


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