• Tag Archives Stargate

  • Atarisoft

    Posted on by Azrael Comment


    Atarisoft

    http://darth-azrael.tumblr.com/post/177671538230/atarisoft

    Atarisoft was a brand used by Atari, Inc. to sell games for competing systems. Atari themselves typically only developed games for their own systems (Atari 8-bit computers, Atari 2600, Atari 5200, etc.) so Atarisoft titles were mostly developed by third parties. Atarisoft was only around as a brand for about two years (1983-1984), until the Atari consumer division was sold to Jack Tramiel.

    It seems to me that Atari could have done better by focusing on selling their own systems and making these games exclusive, at least for a period of time. Despite the short amount of time the Atarisoft brand was used, a relatively large number of games were produced. Twenty titles were released on at least eight different systems (home computers and video game consoles other than Atari). A number of others were partially developed but cancelled before being completed after Atari was sold.

    The above ad includes the earliest releases from Atarisoft for the Commodore 64, VIC-20, IBM (DOS) and TI-99/4A.



    📂This entry was posted in Computer Arcana Retro Games 📎and tagged

  • Stargate (Atari 2600)

    Posted on by Azrael Comment

    Stargate (Atari 2600)

    http://darth-azrael.tumblr.com/post/161085049092/stargate-atari-2600

    Stargate was the arcade sequel to Defender and is sometimes known as Defender II. The original arcade game was Stargate but most home ports were retitled Defender II because of copyright concerns. The Atari 2600 version was originally released as Stargate but a later release changed the name to Defender II. Other ports include the Atari 5200, Atari 8-bit computers, Atari 5200, NES, Apple II and DOS. The arcade version was also included in Midway Arcade Origins released in 2012 though it was also titled Defender II and not Stargate.

    The game itself is similar to defender but with many more enemies and a stargate that serves different functions depending on the circumstances. For example, it may be used to transport your ship instantly to where a humanoid is in trouble or it may be used to skip levels.

    Stargate/Defender II was a very good game though it never really came close to the popularity of Defender. The Atari 2600 port was also very good which was not always the case with arcade translations.





    📂This entry was posted in Atari 2600 Retro Games 📎and tagged