Down and Dirty Reviews: Atari 5200 -- A - Z |
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Greetings all you 5200 fans, here are the 5200 reviews! "There
are lots of improved Atari 2600 games here with far better
graphics and sounds." Unfortunately the same could not
be said for the controls. There are 25 reviews included in this
section so read away.
The scores are out of 100. The graphics, sounds, and game play are out of 10. |
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SCORE / NAME
78
BERZERK (Atari/Centuri, 1982)
This cool arcade classic
is a overhead shooter that features randomly designed levels, tons of killer
robots, and one really nasty smiley face. In the game you play as a man fighting
to survive against an army of renegade robots with only a laser pistol. Perhaps
the coolest feature here in this version is that it even has some great robot
voice samples, a rare feet for the 5200. The game play and graphics are very
repetitive but this Berzerk still plays very close to its arcade counterpart.
"Co-ward! Fight like a Ro-bot!"
For 1 or 2 players (alternate)
graphics: 4
sound: 7
gameplay: 5
Find Berzerk on eBay here!
15
BLUE PRINT (CBS Electronics, 1983)
I bet many of you don't even remember this one, eh? There's a reason!
In this odd game you try to guild a young man through a maze to find pieces
to a cannon in order help his girlfriend that is being chased by a monster
at the top of the screen. This strange fetch quest concept had potential to
be a solid title but the game play is just way too slow especially when you
get those annoying random bombs all the time that take forever to disarm.
Blue Print is a very tough game to like.
For 1 player only
graphics: 3
sound: 2
gameplay: 3
Find Blue Print on eBay here!
StarSoldier's
Game of the Month!
72
CENTIPEDE (Atari,
1982)
During the early 1980's Atari scored big when legendary programmer Ed
Logg (also well known for creating the game Asteroids) made another
popular shooter called Centipede. If you are looking to relive the arcade
experience at home at see why the 5200 is one of the best around. The game
plays well on the standard 5200 controller (which is good because usually
they suck) but it is also compatible with the Atari 5200 Track ball controller
too so it plays even more like the arcade original. This famous shooter looks
so good that the graphics are even better than the Letterbox 7800 version
if you ask me. Although the game was never really too grapically impressive
to begin with, if you love the arcade game be sure to check this out too.
For 1 or 2 players (alternate)
graphics: 6
sound: 6
gameplay: 5
Find Centipede on eBay here!
78 DEFENDER (Atari/Williams, 1982)
Other than the graphics
being a bit blocky and a bit larger, this is a near perfect arcade game of
the classic Defender, one of the cooler shooters of the early eighties! This
version even has the different scrolling backgrounds and giant explosions
that made the arcade game such a impressive title! If you don't know about
this game it is a very chaotic free roaming shooter with tons of enemies,
bullets, and explosions on screen so if you like action then this is sure
to please. Be prepared for a serious challenge as well.
For 1 or 2 players (alternate)
graphics: 8
sound: 6
gameplay: 7
Find Defender on eBay here!
39
DIG DUG (Atari/Namco, 1982)
This is a OK translation
of Namco's freaky digging arcade game but the confusing controller brings
down the score when compared to the 2600 and 7800 versions of Dig Dug. The
big problem happens when your character may not know when to stop here.
For 1 or 2 players (alternate)
graphics: 4
sound: 3
gameplay: 4
Find Dig Dug on eBay here!
The Total Recall
Dud of the Month!
23
GALAXIAN (Atari/Namco,
1982)
So how did Galaxian do on the 5200? Not too good unfortunately. In the
game it's your mission to destroy a large swarm of aggressive alien bugs before
they destroy you. You need precise timing to survive and that's where this
5200 version falls apart. The problems with those 5200 non-recentering controllers
as never been more apparent in this game. Sadly, terrible sound effects, poor
controls, and repetitive game play ruin this classic shoot em up by Namco.
This game was not one of favourites to begin with but this version made it
even worse with a extremely sloppy translation here. Avoid Galaxian.
For 1 or 2 players (alternate)
graphics: 4
sound: 0
gameplay: 2
Find Galaxian on eBay here!
40
JOUST (Atari/Williams, 1983)
This is still a fun medieval fight for the fittest as you attack your
enemies with well timed shots to the head. As the game progresses you'll have
more hazards and more enemies to deal with adding to the high challenge here.
It's an OK arcade translation of this unique action title but it's still too
demanding on that sensitive controller here.
For 1 or 2 players
graphics: 3
sound: 3
gameplay: 5
Find Joust on eBay here!
33
JUNGLE HUNT (Atari/Taito, 1983)
Best to avoid this overly hard adventure/action game featuring an English
explorer trying to save his girlfriend from the deadly jungles and rivers.
Although the graphics are not too bad, the Atari 5200 controller just doesn't
work well here in an action platformer here at all.
For 1 or 2 players (alternate)
graphics: 6
sound: 3
gameplay: 3
Find Jungle Hunt on eBay here!
50
KABOOM (Activision, 1982)
In this unusual game here you guide your water bucket (or buckets) back
or front to catch the falling explosives from the rotten Mad Bomber on the
top of the screen. The graphics are just barely improved over the original
2600 version but overall they are unremarkable and the same goes for the sound.
Kaboom is a very simple and yet very addictive game of catch that's can be
difficult to play on the 5200 stick here.
For 1 or 2 players
graphics: 3
sound: 3
gameplay: 3
Find Kaboom on eBay here!
59
KANGAROO (Atari/Centuri, 1983)
This game is very similar to Nintendo's Donkey Kong but your a
Kangaroo mom trying to rescue your kid from evil monkeys. This game is still
a lot fun and the game play is easy enough for anyone to learn but the challenge
is too high and this is the where the 5200 controller is no help at all.
For 1 or 2 players (alternate)
graphics: 4
sound: 4
gameplay: 5
Find Kangaroo on eBay here!
44
MARIO BROS. (Atari/Nintendo, 1984)
This is a OK version of the old Nintendo arcade game starring Mario and
Luigi. It's an unique two player game with a fair amount of action but the
graphics are kind of choppy on the frame rate and Mario and Luigi heads look
a little small on their fat bodies but it's still playable and better than
the Atari 2600 game.
For 1 or 2 players
graphics: 4
sound: 4
gameplay: 5
Find Mario Bros. on eBay here!
SECOND OPINION!
I think the 5200 had the BEST version of Mario Bros for the home systems.
The only thing it is missing is the falling ice of later levels. It had more
animation than any other home version, including Nintendo's DISAPPOINTING
NES version! While the graphics weren't arcade-perfect, the detail made a
big difference.
-Darryl 3/31/01
65 MEGA MANIA (Activision, 1983)
Mega Mania is a cool and trippy shooter where you have to attack 8 levels of different
enemies like typewriters, blocks of killer cheese, evil hamburgers and other
strange stuff. What makes Mega Mania so original is that each stage has a
different pattern to learn if you want to survive. Your ship even looks a
lot like the Star Ship Enterprise from the original Star Trek. I recommend
Mega Mania if you love simple but fun shoot em ups.
For 1 or 2 players
graphics: 5
sound: 4
gameplay: 5
Find Mega Mania on eBay here!
StarSoldier's Game of the Month!
70
MISSILE COMMAND
(Atari, 1982)
This is a great arcade
translation of the Atari classic complete with more realistic explosions and
it even has that grim doomsday game over screen. In the game you must shoot
down enemy missiles before they reach your cities. The controller doesn't
hurt this game too much which is a nice surprise. Missile Command is still
insanely difficult but it's a safe bet for you Atari 5200 owners.
For 1 or 2 players (alternate)
graphics: 7
sound: 5
gameplay: 6
Find Missile Command on eBay here!
StarSoldier's
Game of the Month!
71
MS PAC MAN
(Atari/Namco, 1983)
This is another great Ms.
Pac Man game on an Atari system. If you don't know the story here; you control
the wife of Pac Man
(or are they still seeing other people?) on a mission to collect all the pellets
from every maze but there are also 4 ghosts trying to hunt you down so it
isn't as easy as it sounds. All four of the arcade mazes are here and the
4 ghosts are aggressive as ever. Not only does the game play just like the
arcade game but it also looks like it too. Unlike Pac Man for the 5200 all
the ghosts now have white in their eyes plus the mazes aren't stretched out
just so it fits the screen. The colours are fairly bright and all the characters
are well detailed too thanks again to the power of the 5200. You'll also be
happy to know that the game sounds just like the original too. Everything
from Ms. Pac Man's sound when she eats a pellet to the dizzy effect when a
ghost gets her is right here. The only problem is that the controller isn't
always responsive when she going around corners so you may die a lot and there
are a few flickers now and again as well.
For 1 or 2 players (alternate)
graphics: 6
sound: 6
gameplay: 6
Find Ms Pac Man on eBay here!
68 MOON PATROL (Atari/Irem, 1983)
This game plays and
looks pretty close to the arcade game but I still prefer the Atari 2600 version
thanks to the weird button set up on the Atari 5200 controller side buttons.
I know I sound like a broken
record bringing up these crappy controllers again but there is no denying
that they effect the game play here and it's very difficult to use the jump
and missile button when you need to because the two buttons are so close together.
Still an amazing game and the scrolling 3D backgrounds were ahead of their
time.
For 1 or 2 players (alternate)
graphics: 8
sound: 7
gameplay: 7
Find Moon Patrol on eBay here!
63
PAC MAN (Atari/Namco, 1982)
Finally! After getting a rather blocky, ugly, and overall disappointing
version on the old Atari 2600 this Pac Man is actually a fairly very
good arcade port that's almost plays like the famous arcade original. There
are a few differences though. The big noticable change is the screen is a
little on the wider side now so it fits on the TV screen better. Other then
a few alternations the game still has all cool Pac Man trademarks like colourful
graphics and cute sound effects. Pac Man is still kind of fun though even
with the odd controller, but be aware that this is a little on the hard side.
For 1 or 2 players (alternate)
graphics: 6
sound: 6
gameplay: 5
Find Pac Man on eBay here!
38
PENGO (Atari/Sega, 1983)
In this weird title you control a penguin that gets to throw ice at the
enemy to destroy them. The control sucks for a game like this because it's
too easy to destroy an ice block and not push it where it needs to go.
For 1 or 2 players (alternate)
graphics: 3
sound: 3
gameplay: 4
Find Pengo on eBay here!
70
POLE POSITION (Atari/Namco, 1983)
This classic
racer by Namco plays very well even with these old 5200 controllers so players
can jump right in here. The game doesn't have the digital voices or any detail
on the signs here but back in the 80's this game on the 5200 was pretty impressive
but even this intense racing game could not save Atari.
For 1 player only
graphics: 6
sound: 5
gameplay: 5
Find Pole Position on eBay here!
38
POPEYE (Parker Brothers/Nintendo, 1982)
Stiff controls again effect yet another 5200 game and its game play negatively.
In the game Popeye the sailor man is trying to win the love of a girl named Olive Oil but so your arch rival and big fat dude Pluto. Some of my problems include not being able to move Popeye up the stairs very
well and that can really cost you in the heat of battle. Maybe Pluto and Olive Oil would be better off together anyway?
For 1 or 2 players (alternate)
graphics: 5
sound: 5
gameplay: 4
Find Popeye on eBay here!
25
Q BERT (Parker Brothers, 1982)
Q Bert on the Atari 5200 doesn't look too bad, the game is colourful and
bright and all the trademark enemies from the arcade are here too. I just
have one question? Why on earth do you have to press a button and the joystick
at the same time just to jump around the board here? This is stupid! Q Bert
is suppose to be a simple and fun action game and they ruined it.
For 1 or 2 players (alternate)
graphics: 4
sound: 5
gameplay: 4
Find Q Bert on eBay here!
BEST GAME FOR THE ATARI
5200
83
QIX (Atari/Taito, 1982)
My current favourite
Atari 5200 game is the underrated drawing game of skill and speed. In Qix
you guide the spaceship Stix to create your own field to conquer the area,
but watch out for the evil Qix itself that destroys you on contact. This is
an intelligent and demanding game that can be played in many different ways
and even the game's controls well.
For 1 or 2 players (alternate)
graphics: 4
sound: 2
gameplay: 7
Find Qix on eBay here!
29
REAL SPORTS TENNIS (Atari, 1983)
Despite the interesting
name, this Tennis game is just a fancy looking game of Pong so don't expect
too much from this. This is definitely a weak Tennis simulation here and you
can throw the player control out the window.
For 1 to 4 players
graphics: 4
sound: 3
gameplay: 4
Find Real Sports Tennis on eBay here!
18 REAL SPORTS
FOOTBALL (Atari, 1982)
Another first generation
Football game that just sucks. In this 6 on 6 Football game all the players
are just one single colour and they don't move very fast either. Old Football
games are usually pretty bad on the old Atari's and this generic 5200 game
easily enforces that!
For 1 or 2 players
graphics: 3
sound: 1
gameplay: 2
Find Real Sports Football on eBay here!
65
RIVER RAID (Activision, 1983)
Here is a fun and challenging vertical scrolling shooter that's similar
to Sega's classic Zaxxon game. Unfortunately this fun game only comes
to the Atari 5200 with some very minor graphical enhancements (I see more mountains.. yay) compared to
2600 game but this shooter still plays very well. Of course the challenge is still here and it just cool to destroy stuff.
For 1 or 2 players (alternate)
graphics: 5
sound: 3
gameplay: 5
Find River Raid on eBay here!
72
SPACE INVADERS (Atari/Taito, 1978, 1982)
Here is a improved arcade translation about the famous group of alien
invaders that want to conquer earth. The game now comes with better alien
animation and better sound effects then the old 1978 original. The aliens
even change after a few levels but the classic shoot them up game play is
still intact. This is a very good upgrade that Space Invader fans shouldn't
miss.
For 1 or 2 players
graphics: 6
sound: 5
gameplay: 5
Find Space Invaders on eBay here!
19 STAR RAIDERS (Atari, 1982)
I never liked this
series and guess what, this is barely upgraded from its 2600 cousin. Oh well at least you don't need a special controller this time (the 5200 pad is 'special' enough) Early
Atari systems just cannot handle a game of this scale and depth so the 5200
is no exception. Star Raiders is another boring flight simulator in 3D that
I can do without.
For 1 player only
graphics: 3
sound: 2
gameplay: 4
Find Star Raiders on eBay here!
37
SUPER BREAKOUT (Atari, 1982)
Super Breakout is sure a fun little title where you break bricks with a ball but way too simple for this
day and age. Heck, it was even too simple for the 1982 era. You have three
modes to try in this game, they are Captivity, Double, and Progressive so
you have some variety at least but why was this dud packed with the original system?
For 1 or 4 players (alternate)
graphics: 2
sound: 1
gameplay: 2
Find Super Breakout on eBay here!
29
VANGUARD (Atari/Centuri, 1983)
This game is actually worst than its Atari 2600 version! Despite the improved
graphics, it's nearly impossible to shoot up and down when you want and this
is especially annoying in those Rainbow stages. I also think the unlimited
continues were a bad idea too since it destroys the challenge. What a shame that this is so lame.
For 1 or 2 players (alternate)
graphics: 5
sound: 6
gameplay: 5
Find Vanguard on eBay here!
-All the reviews here
are written by the StarSoldier unless noted.