• Tag Archives retrogaming

  • Computer Gaming World (January 1990)

    Posted on by Azrael Comment

    Source: Computer Gaming World – Issue Number 67 – January 1990

    Computer Gaming World was, overall, the best computer gaming magazine out there. In it’s later days it became Games For Windows. Though it still maintained its quality for the most part, it didn’t last very long after that. The January 1990 issue of Computer Gaming World includes:

    Features

    • Digital Dogfights in ‘Air Warrior’ – A review of Air Warrior, an online World War I air combat game that could be played via GEnie via an IBM PC, Amiga, Atari ST, or Macintosh. This was a game ahead of its time.
    • Microprose’s ‘Sword of the Samurai’ – A review of Sword of the Samurai for the PC. This is a strategy game set in feudal Japan.
    • Hero Wanted: Inquire Within – Hints for the game Hero’s Quest from Sierra for the PC.
    • Who Ya’ Gonna’ Boot? – A review of Ghostbusters II for the IBM PC (Commodore 64 version listed as coming soon). This was a sequel game based on a sequel movie. While the original Ghostbusters game was an absolute classic, this one was a bit of a letdown.
    • Spartans in Spitfires – A review of Their Finest Hour, a Battle of Britain simulation for the PC (Amiga and ATari ST versions listed as coming soon).
    • Heart of Darkness – A review of The Dark Heart of Uukrul from Broderbund for the Apple II. This was a fantasy RPG.
    • ‘Popcorn Not Inclued II’ – A review of Mean Streets from Access for the PC.
    • Hitler’s Navy – A review of Kriegsmarine, a World War II naval simulator for the IBM PC (Amiga, Apple II, and Atari ST versions also available).
    • Sierra’s ‘Hoyle’s Official Book of Games’ – A review of Hoyle’s Book of Games: Volume I from Sierra for the PC. This package includes a variety of card games that can be played alone or with others.
    • ‘Blitzkrieg at the Ardennes’ – A review of this game for the Amiga. This is a turn-based World War II strategy game.
    • Nobody Does It Better – A review of License to Kill for the IBM PC (Amiga, Atari ST, and Commodore 64 versions listed as planned). This game is based on the James Bond movie of the same name.
    • The Psychology of Computer Games – Two statistical psychologists look at the psychology of computer games based on statistics from Computer Gaming World.
    • Origin’s/CGW’s ‘Omega’ Tournament – An ongoing monthly tournament featuring Origin’s Omega. This was a game in which you could create automated futuristic tanks that could battle tanks that others created.
    • The Secret History of ‘Sword of the Samurai’ – A look at the history and creation of Sword of the Samurai.

    Departments

    • Editorial – A look at the state of the industry and of the magazine from a new editor.
    • Taking a Peek – A brief look at upcoming games including The Blue Angels, Hardball II, Dethtrack, The Manhole, Playmaker Football, and Pocket Rockets.
    • Rumor Bag – Rumors about Epyx bankruptcy and what’s to come of some of their products. Plus a future Cinemaware WWI game, modem play on the next Leisure Suit Larry, and more.
    • Over There – A look at new games released in the U.K. including Betrayal, Blade Warrior, Final Battle, and others.
    • Inside The Industry – The latest gaming related news including Nintendo practices being referred to the Justice Department, Software Toolworks acquiring Mindscape, and more.
    • Letters From Paradise – Letters from readers about Sargon 4, multi-system coverage (or the lack thereof), and more.

    …and more!


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  • ANALOG Computing (July 1984)

    Posted on by Azrael Comment

    Source: ANALOG Computing – Issue Number 20 – July 1984

    ANALOG was one of the most popular Atari 8-bit computer magazines in the U.S. It was published from 1981 to 1989. It had all the typical stuff you would expect in 8-bit computer magazine of the 1980s including reviews, type-in programs, and more. The July 1984 issue includes:

    Features

    • The Winners (ANALOG’s Favorite Games) – ANALOG editors pick their all time favorite games. Some of these games include Star Raiders, MiG Alley Ace, Breakout, Boulder Dash, Archon, Miner 2049er, Missile Command, Pac-Man, Gateway to Apshai, Donkey Kong, Pole Position, Choplifter, M.U.L.E., Agent USA, Shamus, Wizard of Wor, and others.
    • Buzz-zap! – A type-in maze game in which you control a bee who must avoid killer strawberries and other obstacles to make it back to the hive.
    • Bacterion! – This type-in game is described as a sort of sequel to Robotron though it plays more like Asteroids.
    • What Is It? – A type-in educational game for younger kids in which they must type the name of the object that appears on screen.
    • AlterDOS – A type-in program that modifies DOS to recognize files other than AUTORUN.SYS as the autorun file on a disk.
    • Auto Line Numbering+ – This type-in program will assist you in writing your own programs by autonumbering them and performing other tasks.
    • ConTEXT – This type-in program will convert Letter Perfect word processing files into a more standard format that can be used with other programs on the Atari.
    • Stars 3-D in Action! – Action! is a programming language and IDE provided on cartridge and available only for Atari 8-bit computers. This type-in program is rewrite of a previously published type-in program in ANALOG rewritten here in Action!.
    • Bounce in Action! – An Action! version of a previously published type-in program in which you place obstacles to change the direction of a bouncing ball. This version has higher resolution and more colors than the original.
    • Scredit – A type-in program for helping you to design smooth scrolling screens.

    Product Reviews

    • Boulder Dash – A review of the classic Boulder Dash by First Star Software.
    • Universe – A rather ambitious (for its time) sci-fi adventure game that shipped on four disks and cost $89.95.
    • Seven Cities of Gold – An action/adventure/strategy game from Electronic Arts in which you play the role of a sixteenth century Spanish conquistador.
    • Movie Maker – This software allows you to create animated movies 30 to 60 seconds long.

    Columns

    • Reader Comment – Readers write in about modem usage.
    • Griffin’s Lair – Reviews of educational software with an emphasis on typing skills this month, including Mastertype, Type Attack, Typo, and Touch Typing.
    • Our Game – Game development in which the readers participate.
    • BASIC Training – Useful BASIC tips for those writing games including using vector routines and ways to speed up games.
    • Boot Camp – An ongoing assembly language tutorial. This edition covers multiplying numbers.

    …and more!


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  • Big K (August 1984)

    Posted on by Azrael Comment

    Source: Big K – Issue Number 5 – August 1984

    Big K is a gaming magazine that was published in the U.K. in the 1980s. It mostly covered the popular home computers of the time and included type-in games. The August 1984 issue includes:

    Games Programs

    • Mines! for BBC – A type-in game in which you have to navigate a minefield and rescue damsels in distress.
    • Space Seeker for Spectrum – Avoid obstacles and find prizes in this type-in game for the ZX-Spectrum.
    • Speed Arena for VIC-20 – A type-in racing game for the VIC-20.
    • Boggle for ZX81 – A type-in computerized version of this word game for the ZX81.
    • Platform Leaper for Spectrum – A type-in game in which you must make from one platform to another to the top of the screen while avoiding robots.
    • Planet Electro for VIC-20 – A type-in space battle game for the VIC-20.

    Utility Program

    • Sprite Creator for CBM 64 – A type-in program that lets you create your own sprites on the Commodore 64.

    Software Reviews

    • Pick of the Month – A review of Aviator by Acornsoft for the BBC Model B. This is a flight simulator with wireframe graphics.
    • Review Pages – Reviews of Deep Space (Spectrum), Red Meanies (Dragon 32), Rubble Trouble (BBC Model B), Trom (Spectrum), Horace Goes Skiing (Commodore 64), Heathrow Air Traffic Control (BBC Model B, Electron, Spectrum), Transistors Revenge (BBC Model B), CityAttak (Commodore 64), Wheeler Dealer (Commodore 64), Red Alert (Commodore 64), Fruity Freddy (BBC Model B), Odyssey (Commodore 64), Jammin (Commodore 64), Flint’s Gold (BBC Model B), Mindbender (Spectrum), Zodiac (Commodore 64), Pit Stop (ColecoVision), Triad (Commodore 64), Space Shuttle (Atari 400/800/XL), Klartz & The Dark Forces (Dragon 32), Zalaga (BBC B), and more.

    Hardware

    • 68000 Assembler Part 2 – Part 2 of an assembly language programming tutorial for the Motorola 68000.
    • Boost Your Beeb’s Memory – A guide to adding an additional 2K of RAM to the BBC Model B.
    • Wonder Widgets – A look at some joysticks from Wico along with various other controllers, plus a plotter for the Aquarius, and expansion module for the Electron (including printer port, two ROM slots, and a joystick port), a new keyboard for the Spectrum, and more.

    Features

    • A Windy City Wind Up – Coverage of the Summer Consumer Electronics Show in Chicago. Some new items on display there include the Commodore Plus 4 and Commodore 16, the Atari 7800, Star Wars The Arcade Game and Frogger II for various systems, a variety of Activision games including H.E.R.O., Zenji, Space Shuttle, River Raid, Pitfall II, and lots more.
    • Where Are Next Year’s Games Coming From? – The lack of originality in many recent games and where gaming is going in the future.
    • The Image Benders – A look at specialized computers for creating special effects including Quantel’s Paintbox and Mirage.
    • Atari Graphics – The third part in a series on graphics on Atari 8-bit computers. This part covers manipulating the display list to create jewel-like effects, redefine character sets, and more.
    • Richard Taylor’s Spectrum Graphics – Creating animation on the Sinclair Spectrum.

    Regulars

    • On-Line News – Seiko introduces computer watch, Dragon 32 support dries up, Sabre Wulf released, new fast load program for the Commodore 64, Imagine faces financial difficulties, Atari releases Pole Position on various home systems, and more.
    • Classic Games of Our Time – A look back at Atari’s Star Raiders.
    • Dorkslayer – A look at a first batch of games created with The Quill adventure writing tool including Barsak the Dwarf, Devil’s Island, Mindbender, Magic Castle, and Spyplane among others.
    • Charts – A list of the top 30 games and top video games (for dedicated consoles). At the top of the first list is Jet Set Willy and at the top of the second list is Pole Position.
    • He Wrote One – An interview with Terry Watts, a programmer at K-Tel.
    • Zip Code – A look at things going on in the U.S. market including Apple’s comeback with the Macintosh and IIc, Atari tries to recover from previous year’s losses, Commodore and RCA may join forces, new ColecoVision games, and more.
    • Books – A look at some computer related books including Step-By-Step Programming on the BBC Micro, Awesome Games For Your Atari Computer, Crazy Games For Your Commodore 64, Astounding Games For Your Apple Computer, and Exploring Adventures on the BBC.
    • Arcade Alley – A look at the Tazmi TX1 three screen racing game.
    • Letterbase – Letters from readers about submitting programs to Big K, game censorship, back issues, and more.

    Competition

    • Win a Trip to Florida, U.S.A. – Though short on details, entering this competition could win you a week in Florida.

    …and more!


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