Archive for the ‘Activision’ Category
Atari 2600: Fishing Derby
September 5th, 2009 by Sean R.
This ingenious game was created by David Crane Pitfall (Activision, 1982).
Nowadays we take our fishing games for granted, but back in 1980 Fishing Derby was quite the novel concept.
Two fishermen sit on docks on opposite sides of the screen, and by adjusting your line with the joystick, you attempt to hook one of the many fishes swimming below.
Deeper fish are worth more points but require more effort to reel in. The fire button lets you reel in your fish quickly, and timing is key to avoiding the shark prowling along the surface, ready to snatch up anything in his vicinity.
Fishing Derby’s graphics are very good. The fish look like fish, the shark looks like a shark, and the rednecks look like rednecks.
Overall Fishing Derby doesn’t offer much replay value for the solo player, but it does provide some terrific and sometimes hilarious head-to-head action.
Posted in 2600, Activision, Atari
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Atari 2600: Frostbite
September 5th, 2009 by Sean R.
At first glance you’d be tempted to write off Frostbite as “Frogger in the snow” but closer inspection reveals some interesting twists on the old formula.
There’s a river on the bottom half of the screen with four rows of “ice floes” moving across it. Controlling an Eskimo, you must leap across the floes while avoiding birds and crabs.
Pressing the fire button reverses the direction of the ice floe you’re standing on. Each time you jump on white ice, it turns blue and an igloo block is created on the top of the screen.
Once the igloo is fully constructed, you can enter it to proceed to the next stage. Later stages introduce a polar bear that patrols near the igloo.
Frostbite requires strategy and quick thinking. Like most Activision titles, the graphics, sound, and control are first-rate.
Two skill levels and a two-player mode are included. Give Frostbite a try and you’ll be hooked for sure.
Posted in 2600, Activision, Atari
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