• Tag Archives Atari 800XL
  • Versa Computing, Inc.

    Advertisement for VersaWriter, Graphics Composer, Mind Bogglers and Globe Master by Versa Computing for the Atari 8-bit line of computesr from the April 1983 issue of Antic.

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    Source: Antic – April 1983





  • Compute! – February 1984

    Compute!, Issue Number 45, February 1984

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    Source: Compute! – Issue Number 45 – February 1984

    Compute! was probably the best multi-format computer magazine of the 1980s. If you wanted something that covered a particular computer there were probably better choices but if you wanted something that covered all the popular home computers of the time, including Atari 8-bit, VIC-20, Commodore 64, TI-99/4A, DOS, Apple Ii and the Color Computer, then Compute! was an excellent choice. The February 1984 issue includes:

    Features

    • How COMPUTE! Readers Use Their Computers
    • What Makes A Good Game?
    • The Future Of Electronic Games

    Education And Recreation

    • Circus
    • Quatrainment
    • Gotcha!

    Reviews

    • Submarine Simulations For Commodore
    • Computer War For Atari, VIC And TI
    • Flip And Flop For Atari, Commodore 64
    • The Cosmic Balance II For Apple, Atari

    Columns And Departments

    • The Editor’s Notes
    • Readers Feedback
    • Computers And Society: Personal Computers And The Arts
    • The Beginner’s Page: Program Forms
    • Questions Beginners Ask
    • On The Road With Fred D’ignazio: The Book Of The Future: Electric, Unending, And Written in RAWM
    • Learning With Computers: Potentials And Limitations
    • Micros With The Handicapped: Special Education Applications
    • The World Inside The Computer: Computing To Read
    • Machine Language: ML Factors, Part 2
    • INSIGHT: Atari
    • Programming The TI: Foreign Languages
    • 64 Explorer

    The Journal

    • Commodore 3-D Drawing Master
    • Speedy BASIC For VIC And 64
    • 64Key And VICKey
    • Commodore Files For Beginners, Part 4
    • Dr. Video 64

    …and more!


  • Temple of Apshai Trilogy (Commodore 64, Atari 8-bit)

    Temple of Apshai Trilogy (Commodore 64, Atari 8-bit)

    http://darth-azrael.tumblr.com/post/151203779470/temple-of-apshai-trilogy-commodore-64-atari

    Temple of Apshai was one of the very first graphical computer role-playing games, predating even Akalabeth, the precursor to the Ultima series. Temple of Apshai was first released on the TRS-80 and Commodore PET in 1979 by a company called Automated Simulations. Later that company would become Epyx. Temple of Apshai would be ported to a number of popular home computers such as the Atari 8-bit line and Commodore 64 among others.

    There were a number of related games released, a couple of expansions and a sequel. The first expansion, called Upper Reaches of Apshai, was released in 1981 for the Apple II, Atari 8-bit, Commodore 64, TRS-80 and DOS. The second expansion, called Curse of RA, was released in 1982 for the same systems. Temple of Apshai Trilogy which was released in 1985 included improved versions of the original game and both expansions. It was released for all of the original systems except the TRS-80, plus newer platforms like the Amiga, Atari ST and Macintosh.

    For RPG fans or those curious to see what the early days of computer role-playing games looked like then this is a must play. You might as well play the improved Trilogy version and it doesn’t matter too much which port. I have a preference for the Commodore 64 version but the Atari 8-bit version is a good choice too. The only way to play is to track down an original or use emulation. The simplest way is probably to head over to https://archive.org/details/msdos_Temple_of_Apshai_Trilogy_1982 where the DOS version can be played in your browser.

    The box at the top is for the Commodore 64 and Atari 8-bit versions. For a few years it was common to include both versions of a game on a “flippy” disk that included one version on the front of the disk and another version on the back. Screen shots are from the Commodore 64 version of the game.