• Tag Archives Atari 800XL

  • 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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  • Antic (February 1985)

    Posted on by Azrael Comment

    Source: Antic – February 1985



    Antic, subtitled “The Atari Resource”, was one of the two largest Atari magazines in the U.S. I always thought of it primarily as an 8-bit magazine but it also later covered the Atari ST. The February 1985 issue includes:

    Features

    • Syntegrated Software – Finally…compatible business applications for Atari
    • Home Loan Analyzer – APX 1983 prize winner – now in Antic!
    • Income Tax Spreadsheet – Preparing tax returns on Atari
    • Drum Synth / Bass Synth – Powerful AUDCTL rhythm section
    • Currency Changer – Convert your drachmas to pesos
    • Beat The Beeps – Turn off annoying keyboard sound
    • Jack Tramiel Declares War! – Antic’s Exclusive Interview With The Atari Chairman

    Departments

    • Game of the Month – Kooky’s Quest
    • Communications – 200+ Atari Bulletin Boards
    • Assembly Language – S.A.M. Handler
    • Education – Music Flashcards
    • Toolbox – Parallel Bus Revealed: Part II

    Software Library

    • Type-In Listings Section
    • Editorial
    • I/O Board
    • Help!
    • Product Reviews
    • Atari Service Centers
    • Advertiser’s List
    • Shopper’s Guide

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  • Computer Palace (Atari 8-bit)

    Posted on by Azrael Comment

    Source: Antic – February 1985



    I used to love ads like this. I could make whole Christmas lists out of one of these ads. Granted, I had a Commodore 64 and this particular one is for Atari 8-bit computer stuff but I always wanted one of those too.

    It’s fun to play with the numbers too. I see that ten single sided 5.25″ disks could be had for the low, low price of $15.95. That’s 1985 dollars so today that would be at least $20…probably closer to double but for simplicity’s sake I’ll say $20. That’s about what you can get a spindle of 50 blank DVDs for today. Actually, if you went for the cheapest you could find you could probably get 100 for that much…

    So let’s see, 1 single sided 5.25″ floppy disk for the Atari could hold a whopping 90 KB of data. That means it would take more than 52,222 floppies to hold what 1 DVD can hold. So a spindle of 50 would be equivalent to more than 2.6 million floppies. That’s more than 260,000 ten packs of floppies…times $20 would be more than $5.2 million…but I’m sure you could get a bulk discount…

    This particular ad is from the February 1985 issue of Antic, a magazine for Atari computers.


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