• Tag Archives Atari 800XL

  • Computer Direct (May 1985)

    Posted on by Azrael Comment

    Source: Computer Entertainment – May 1985


    It seems like in the 1980s there were more mail order places for computers and computer parts then there are internet sites for such things today. That’s probably not really true but it just seems like today it’s best to get everything from Amazon or maybe Amazon. Or possibly Amazon. Ok, once in a while Newegg…or eBay of you are brave. This ad is from a popular (it seemed so to me at the time anyway) mail order business called Computer Direct that sold various computers and accessories.

    Computer Direct was where most of my Commodore stuff came from. While my Commodore 64c itself probably did not come from here (it was a Christmas present), my 1541-II disk drive, monitor, printer, printer interface, my first modem and even a replacement power supply for my Commodore 64 all came from Computer Direct. Their prices were good and the support was great as well. You could return anything within 15 days for any reason and they offered a 90-day replacement policy. They even provided technical support if you gave them a call. Try getting that from Amazon. At least the returns are easy.

    Computer Direct’s later ads were a very hard to miss bright yellow. However, earlier ads (or maybe it was just a limitation imposed by this particular magazine) were a little more subdued. This particular ad happens to be from the May 1985 issue of Computer Entertainment, the short-lived successor to Electronic Games. It features Atari 8-bit related items though they sold stuff for most computers available, including the Commodore 64 of course.

    I’m not sure whatever happened to Computer Direct. I know they were founded in 1979 and I found ads for them through at least 1993. This 1985 ad is one of the earliest I have run across so far. There seem to be a bunch of businesses out there today with the name “Computer Direct” but none of them appear to be related to the original. I think the Internet ultimately put a lot of these companies out of business…at least the ones that could not adapt fast enough. Anybody remember the massive phone book sized Computer Shopper?


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  • Page 6 (February/March 1983)

    Posted on by Azrael Comment

    Source: Page 6 – Issue Number 2 – February/March 1983 

    The Atari 8-bit line wasn’t terribly popular in the U.K. (though the Atari ST would be) but it still managed a few dedicated magazines there. Page 6 is one of those. It was published from December 1982 until Autumn 1998 by which time it had been renamed to New Atari User. The February/March 1983 issue includes:

    • Editorial
    • News
    • Letters
    • Four In A Row
    • Joysticks
    • GTIA – Tutorial
    • Feature Review – Astro Chase
    • Silly Circles
    • Play Your Cards
    • GTIA Text Window
    • Reviews
    • Disk Directory
    • Tiny Text
    • Getting Started
    • First Steps
    • Club Call

    …and more!


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  • Zorro (Atari 8-bit)

    Posted on by Azrael Comment


    https://darth-azrael.tumblr.com/post/189924545445/clownoflove-this-is-me-playing-5-minutes-of-zorro


    Zorro was a platform action/puzzle game released for various 8-bit platforms, including the Atari 8-bit, in 1985. It was released by Datasoft who also released the similar but better known Bruce Lee game the previous year. Graphics and game play mechanics were somewhat similar between the two games.

    However, there were differences as well. Zorro is a slower paced game with more puzzle elements. It consisted of twenty different screens often with some puzzle to figure out or particular action to be performed. Zorro, the title character and your avatar, is of course a sword fighter but he also has the ability to leap high into the air and still land softly, among other talents. The plot of the game, such as it is, involves a kidnapped senorita whom of course you must rescue. You will have to defeat various henchman along the way and ultimately duel with their leader Colonel Garcia.

    Zorro was available for a variety of platforms, including the Atari 8-bit, Commodore 64, Apple II and others. While the graphics differ some between the versions none of them really stand out. Pick your favorite system and give this one a try if it sounds like your cup of tea.

    Images above are from the Atari 8-bit version of Zorro.


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