• Tag Archives Adam
  • Dragon’s Lair (Coleco ADAM)

    The Coleco Adam was a very short-lived computer system based largely on the ColecoVision video game system. Because of its short-lived nature and ability to play ColecoVision games, there were really very few games made specifically for it. One of the few was a port of the arcade game Dragon’s Lair. Released in 1984, the port for the Coleco Adam was the first home port of Dragon’s Lair but others would follow in a couple years. A ColecoVision port was apparently in progress but was never completed.

    The arcade game used a Laser Disc for full motion video. As the player controlling the protagonist Dirk, you had to time all your moves perfectly to avoid death. The Adam port obviously didn’t have a laser disc and was really only loosely based on the arcade game. You still controlled dirk and still had to time things just right but no full motion video and the levels were somewhat different. There were a total of nine levels in this version with the last being the confrontation with the dragon, Singe.

    All things considered it wasn’t a bad port or a terrible game. It just isn’t my favorite type of game. Even the arcade based laser disc version wasn’t really my cup of tea. I find the whole memorizing the timings of specific moves for specific levels to be annoying and frustrating. However, there is no doubt that Dragon’s Lair was revolutionary for its time. Given the fact that there are officially endorsed emulated versions of the arcade game, there probably really isn’t much of a reason to seek out the Adam version unless you are a collector and just love the Adam.

    Screen shots above are all from the Coleco version of the game.


  • K-Power (March 1984)

    k-power_issue_02_1984_mar-01

    Source: K-Power – Issue Number 2 – March 1984

    K-Power was a short-lived magazine by Scholastic oriented towards kids and teens but it had a lot of good content.

    The March 1984 issue includes:

    Features

    • Computer Camp-Out – Everything you always wanted to know about camps but were afraid to ask: Where’s a hacker camp in your area, how to be a counselor and get financial aid.
    • Famous Hackers In History – The first computer wasn’t the PC, it was the CC (Cave Computer).
    • Pinball Bounces Back – Some great computer software (with beeps, buzzers, and bounce) show that flippers are still flapping in living rooms everywhere.
    • Computer Rock & Scroll – A roundup of the latest music software for your computer. Plus, the Talking Heads talk music software.
    • Will Harvey & His Music Construction Set – Meet the creator of the most talked-about music software around.
    • Program Along With Joey Ramone – Joey visited K-Power offices and gave us the go-ahead to program his song “Slug” into the computer. Play it!

    Programming

    • Hacker Heaven – There’s a program here for your computer.
    • Programs – Boooo-o, snore, or ha-ha. What kind of audience response will Your Comedy Debut get?
    • Pixel That! – Pick up the tricks of the computer art trade for your C 64.
    • Puzzle Power – A puzzling ancient disk game that makes you think twice.

    Products

    • Screening Room – Software reviews, strategy, and the latest in new products.
    • Rating Game – Reviews and views on Murder by the Dozen, Major League Hockey, Repton, Murder on the Zinderneuf, and more.
    • Strategy – Aaaaargh! It’s The Bilestoad!
    • Rising Stars – Preview the Timex 2068 and meet Chip, the stuffed computer.

    Departments

    • Editor’s Note
    • Compuzine – K-Power’s computer-news mag.
    • Scrolling in Dough – It’s breezy and warm for 18-year-old weatherman Lee Smith.
    • Silicon Alley – Ready for the hottest scoops from the Valley?
    • Dr. Kursor’s Klinic – Which computers have music capabilities; how a light pen works.
    • K-Net – K-Power’s network talks about the coming computer age.
    • Contest – Send us a 10-line encoder/decoder program, and win a K-Power T-shirt!
    • Graphics Gallery – K-Power’s computer-generated centerfold poster. “Ed’s Synapse” by Mike Newman.

  • K-Power (February 1984)

    k-power_issue_01_1984_feb-01

    Source: K-Power – Number 1 – February 1984

    K-Power was a relatively short-lived computer magazine by scholastic published in the early/mid 1980s and designed to appeal to kids. It was pretty comprehensive, covering programming, games, tutorials, new products and more on a wide variety of platforms. The February 1985 issue includes the following:

    Features

    • A Networking Guide: Reach Out & Access Someone – How and where to hook up; the lowdown on the newest modems and the latest lingo. Plus, a behind-the-scenes look at how a bulletin-board system works.
    • Pirates & Raiders – The computer-abuser subculture. In their own words: why they do it. Their peers say why they shouldn’t.
    • Konnect With The K-Net – A K-Power network hooked up by modem. Win your own modem and go on-line!
    • ‘Whiz Kids’: Networking Goes Prime Time – Computing is cool in this TV hit (even when they fake it – you can run the computer “cheat” program they use on the show).
    • For Dogs Only: Woof Ware – A spoof for computing canines.
    • The Hy Brids – A new software breed is double the fun.

    Programming

    • Hacker Heaven – Programs for ADAM, Atari, Apple, Commodore 64 and VIC-20, IBM, TI, Timex, and TRS-80.
    • Programs – You’ll have to find out what the ?????? program does; we can tell you Symphony in 3D is the latest in electronic meditation.
    • Pixel That! – Translate or improve our Word Twister puzzle and get a chance to WIN a Timex color 2068!!

    Products

    • Screening Room – Software reviews, strategy, and the latest in new products.
    • Rating Game – Reviews and views on Flight Simulator, Zork III, Ultima II, Zaxxon, and Deadline.
    • Strategy – 12 tips for tackling Archon.
    • Rising Stars – Preview the Coleco ADAM and IBM PCjr.

    Departments

    • Editor’s note
    • Compuzine – The first edition of K-Power’s mini-computer news magazine.
    • Scrolling In Dough – Big bucks, limos, and clones: one teen’s inside look at a software company.
    • Silicon Alley – Ready for the hottest scoops from the Valley?
    • Dr. Kursor’s Klinic – How to hook up your own bulletin board; how a graphics tablet works.
    • Contest – Name That Hacker and win a K-Power T-shirt!
    • Graphics Gallery – K-Power’s computer-generated centerfold poster.

    …and more!