• Tag Archives Atari 600XL

  • Compute! – February 1984

    Posted on by Azrael Comment

    Compute!, Issue Number 45, February 1984

    compute_issue_045_1984_feb-001

    Source: Compute! – Issue Number 45 – February 1984

    Compute! was probably the best multi-format computer magazine of the 1980s. If you wanted something that covered a particular computer there were probably better choices but if you wanted something that covered all the popular home computers of the time, including Atari 8-bit, VIC-20, Commodore 64, TI-99/4A, DOS, Apple Ii and the Color Computer, then Compute! was an excellent choice. The February 1984 issue includes:

    Features

    • How COMPUTE! Readers Use Their Computers
    • What Makes A Good Game?
    • The Future Of Electronic Games

    Education And Recreation

    • Circus
    • Quatrainment
    • Gotcha!

    Reviews

    • Submarine Simulations For Commodore
    • Computer War For Atari, VIC And TI
    • Flip And Flop For Atari, Commodore 64
    • The Cosmic Balance II For Apple, Atari

    Columns And Departments

    • The Editor’s Notes
    • Readers Feedback
    • Computers And Society: Personal Computers And The Arts
    • The Beginner’s Page: Program Forms
    • Questions Beginners Ask
    • On The Road With Fred D’ignazio: The Book Of The Future: Electric, Unending, And Written in RAWM
    • Learning With Computers: Potentials And Limitations
    • Micros With The Handicapped: Special Education Applications
    • The World Inside The Computer: Computing To Read
    • Machine Language: ML Factors, Part 2
    • INSIGHT: Atari
    • Programming The TI: Foreign Languages
    • 64 Explorer

    The Journal

    • Commodore 3-D Drawing Master
    • Speedy BASIC For VIC And 64
    • 64Key And VICKey
    • Commodore Files For Beginners, Part 4
    • Dr. Video 64

    …and more!


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  • Temple of Apshai Trilogy (Commodore 64, Atari 8-bit)

    Posted on by Azrael Comment

    Temple of Apshai Trilogy (Commodore 64, Atari 8-bit)

    http://darth-azrael.tumblr.com/post/151203779470/temple-of-apshai-trilogy-commodore-64-atari

    Temple of Apshai was one of the very first graphical computer role-playing games, predating even Akalabeth, the precursor to the Ultima series. Temple of Apshai was first released on the TRS-80 and Commodore PET in 1979 by a company called Automated Simulations. Later that company would become Epyx. Temple of Apshai would be ported to a number of popular home computers such as the Atari 8-bit line and Commodore 64 among others.

    There were a number of related games released, a couple of expansions and a sequel. The first expansion, called Upper Reaches of Apshai, was released in 1981 for the Apple II, Atari 8-bit, Commodore 64, TRS-80 and DOS. The second expansion, called Curse of RA, was released in 1982 for the same systems. Temple of Apshai Trilogy which was released in 1985 included improved versions of the original game and both expansions. It was released for all of the original systems except the TRS-80, plus newer platforms like the Amiga, Atari ST and Macintosh.

    For RPG fans or those curious to see what the early days of computer role-playing games looked like then this is a must play. You might as well play the improved Trilogy version and it doesn’t matter too much which port. I have a preference for the Commodore 64 version but the Atari 8-bit version is a good choice too. The only way to play is to track down an original or use emulation. The simplest way is probably to head over to https://archive.org/details/msdos_Temple_of_Apshai_Trilogy_1982 where the DOS version can be played in your browser.

    The box at the top is for the Commodore 64 and Atari 8-bit versions. For a few years it was common to include both versions of a game on a “flippy” disk that included one version on the front of the disk and another version on the back. Screen shots are from the Commodore 64 version of the game.






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  • Sid Meier’s Pirates!

    Posted on by Azrael Comment

    ‘Sid Meier’s Pirates!’

    [VARIOUS] [USA] [MAGAZINE] [1987]

    • Compute! Gazette, June 1987 (#48)


    Sid Meier’s Pirates! was released by MicroProse in 1987 for the Commodore 64. Before this game, MicroProse and Sid Meier were best known for their combat simulation games. Pirates! is a simulation too, but not of the typical kind. It simulates the life of a pirate.

    Pirates! is an open world game. You can roam from the coast of South America to the Gulf of Mexico, Bahamas, and all the way to Bermuda. You can be a privateer for the Spanish Empire, Dutch Republic, the Kingdom of England. or the French colonial empire. Or you can just be a pirate. You aren’t stuck with a particular loyalty throughout the game. There are a variety of things you can do from attacking enemy ships, to hunting pirates, to seeking buried treasure and more. You can even choose a peaceful route and simply engage in trade. There’s no way to “win” the game per say. It continues indefinitely but as your character ages, it gets harder to recruit and fight. The game ends when you choose to retire.

    Pirates! was truly a groundbreaking game. It was unique for its time and hugely influential for many games that came after. Games like Civilization, Railroad Tycoon, Sword of the Samurai and countless others would never have been made if not for the success of Pirates! Reviews were glowing and this was about as successful as a game could be at the time.

    Success on the Commodore 64 led to countless other ports. First to the Apple II in 1987, a little later to the IBM PC also in 1987, then to the Apple IIgs, Macintosh, and Amstrad CPC in 1988. The Atari ST version came along in 1989 followed by the Amiga version in 1990. Even the NES received a port in 1991. Then came the enhanced Pirates! Gold remake for Windows 3.1, DOS, Macintosh and the Sega Genesis in 1993 and even the Amiga CD32 in 1994. Another remake came along in 2004 for Windows, Xbox, Xbox 360, Mac OS X, Wii and the PlayStation Portable. And it still hasn’t ended. A portable version was released in 2008, for the BlackBerry in 2010, the iPad in 2011, and versions for the iPhone and iPod touch in 2012.

    The easiest way to play Pirates! today is probably to get it on gog.com (or Steam if you prefer). However, I believe this is the newer 2004 release. There’s nothing wrong with it and it does have better graphics but I definitely recommend that Commodore 64 fans check out that version if they have never played it. Otherwise, pick the version for your favorite system because they are all pretty great.

    Images above are from the Commodore 64 version of the game.


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