Tuesday, October 14, 2025

Square Off






Great, another Tetris...

Some puzzle games just feel right the moment you boot the disk, and Square Off is definitely one of those. Released in 1995 by legend Dave Munsie, this is his take on the Tetris formula - though it's much more. Compared to other versions, it isn’t exactly going to dazzle you, but it is bright and colourful. The audio is the same, really: no-frills, but with plenty of great samples (especially on the Atari STe).

Hey, when did games demand fancy aesthetics to be enjoyable?

At its core, the rules are the same as Tetris: rotate and drop pieces to complete lines, but stack too high and it’s game over. Munsie has added some neat ideas to shake things up: Classic Mode is the purist’s choice, while Arcade Mode ramps things up across twenty levels of steadily increasing difficulty. Each stage demands a set number of lines, with backdrops changing every couple of levels to freshen the view. Later rounds even start with junk blocks already placed, though the occasional fire bomb power-up can help clear some much-needed space when things get tight. And for those lucky enough to have friends (unlike me), there’s a fantastic Battle Mode where you can cunningly punish the other player by dumping extra lines on their board.

The mark of a great game is when you suddenly realise you’ve been playing for ages without noticing. That’s exactly what happened as I grinded through Arcade mode. Square Off takes Tetris and adds just enough to make it feel fresh, thrilling, and different. My only gripe? The music option that does absolutely nothing – at least for me here (4MB STe). Regardless, Square Off might just be my favourite Tetris on the ST/e!!

I had problems with various disks (real hardware), but the adapted version by 8BitChip ran fine.


All screenshots were taken from my very first attempt. Not bad for me!


Hey, what's this? It looks explosive...


Kaboom - blocks cleared!! Yes, I think that will come in handy.


New level, and junk blocks are automatically placed on the board.


Oh dear, things are getting a little mad for me here...


This level starts with junk blocks that make it quite impossible (for me!).


Yep, that's me done. Still, 32530 is a good score!


Dammit, I missed the deadline! I wonder who won?

Friday, October 10, 2025

Enhanced games - part 2






Gem 10

I’ve gone and done it again! Yup, I've picked more random games from the Atari STe's library of enhanced games (the earlier compilation can be viewed here). Of course, some games work on the ST, but all of the ones listed here are enhanced in some way. So, let’s crack on and see which games I've picked this time…

Battletris & Battletris+ are gonna be bundled together for good reason, and fantastic takes on Tetris. Released in 1994 by New Core, each has DMA audio and another extra feature - multiplayer via a null-modem cable to link two computers. Must admit, I don't like the colour scheme, but these games are excellent versions of Tetris. Downloads are available at Atarimania.

Breakdance is a 1998 Atari ST game developed by Paranoia, and inspired by the 1984 Epyx title (I actually remember seeing the adverts for that). Anyhow, it features a cast of demoscene personalities, including Llama, Paranoid, Sage, Grey, Mike/STAX, and 505. The gameplay revolves around performing moves in a rhythm-based format, using the joystick to repeat the dance steps. One of the most stupid games I've seen, but I'll have just one more go... Of course, the DMA audio is supported for these five funky dancers. Download is available at Atari Legend.

Detonator is a 2023 Atari ST/STE puzzle game developed by Tomasz Majewski, and is a remake of the Atari 8-bit original by Best Quality Ltd. The premise is we need to explode a screen-full of bombs. We must strategically move them into place so they detonate in turn (like falling dominos!!). It's a fantatic game I am blumming terrible at and need to do better. Regardless of my skills, all explosions are made using the DMA audio. Downloads are available from Atarimania.

Kuo Vadis was released in 2000 for the Atari STe and is a turn-based style "avoid 'em up" that challenges you to navigate through a moving maze while trying to make the robots collide and kill themselves. I've managed to reach the third level and score 360 points. Pretty poor, I imagine! Can you beat me? Downloads are available at Atari FTP Archive.

Micromachines was originally meant for release around 1994, but a DynaCore's lack of motivation ended that idea. Which is an enormous shame because it had massive potential. Thankfully, Lotek released it in 2006 as a preview for everyone to playtest and see what might have been. As you can imagine, it's a top-down racer like the classic Micro Machines series, featuring miniature vehicles racing through everyday environments. The environment is a bit sparse, but the Blitter is moving the screen fast and in overscan, plus the controls are surprisingly excellent. Ahhhhhh, what might have been... The download (with source code) is available at Atarimania.

Moonfall is set on Frontier Alfa where we assume the role of a pilot navigating between settlements, engaging in trade, and defending against pirates. It's somewhat a mix of Frontier and Starglider(ish) and should have been great, but it's not because of awkward controls. At least they found time for DMA music on the title screen. Download is available at Atari Legend.

Pairs are Gone released by Paradize Games in 2008 and inspired by a mini-game from a silly game on something called the Nintendo DS. It challenges players to clear a grid of face-up cards by pairing adjacent ones - horizontally, vertically, or diagonally. This is one of those games you will play and wonder why you're bothering because it's so easy. Stick with it... After about the third level the game rears it's devious head as it becomes insanely challenging. This is an excellent puzzler with peculiar DMA audio. Downloads are available at Atari FTP Archive.

Skulls is a Minesweeper-style game released in 1993 by Soderberg Software. The objective is to avoid uncovering skulls while strategically revealing safe tiles (groan, it's so tough!). Overscan graphics glide smoothly when guided by your mouse, and all that alongside DMA music too. Slickest minesweeper for the STe? Downloads are available at Atari Legend.

Speed and Skaet Ball looks a bit (ahem) familiar, and is a top-down arena-style sport for 2 players. The idea is interesting, but the damaged parts of the ground prevent this from ever being close to fun. Still, it's Blittery-smooth and features DMA Audio. Could be fun with a friend? Additionally, there is another Atari STe game on the disk called ButosDac, but I'll say no more about that (just keep it away from your kids lol). This download is available at Atarimania.

Tiptronix is a Tron-style game where you control light trails in an arena, aiming to trap opponents while avoiding collisions. Designed specifically for the Atari STe, it could be taking full advantage of the enhanced capabilities, but it's Tron. The download is available at Atarimania.

That was quite a mix of very different games! Some are definitely worth playing, but it's a tremendous shame Micromachines didn't get completed. Still, compiling this list was fun, and all titles have been added to our ever-growing Enhanced Games page. Have you had a look at that yet? Yes, you really should ;)

I hope you enjoyed this second compilation. Stay enhanced... STay Atari STe!!


Pretty cool, if you aren't sick of Tetris yet?


Something you've got to experience at least once in your life lol


Blowing up stuff has never been so difficult.


It's insane, and I loved it! Just don't use the joystick...


Off the chart disappointment, this one. Wow, it could have been something else!


This might have been great, but I didn't take to it at all.


What an unsuspectingly superb game!


Those damn skulls!!


I'm interested in hearing from someone who's played this with a mate.


I thought I'd show the loading screen rather than an in-game shot...

Tuesday, October 07, 2025

Backgammon






Thrills & Spills

There are a few Backgammon games available for the Atari ST. Although I'm hardly proficient, it's a board game I enjoy. To rephrase that last line - basically, I’m the world’s worst player, yet I somehow enjoy it!! Anyhow, ARC released this in 1988, and it remains one of the few commercial GEM-based games. A quirky oddity in itself, but that means the Blitter is used by default, which means this release is an enhanced game for the Atari STe. Well, hardly, but it was fun saying that, and you should click the link to check out this growing list.

For those who don't know the game of Backgammon, the manual is excellent and clearly explains the basic rules to follow. This is a two-player board game that blends strategy, skill, and a bit of luck. It’s played on a board featuring 24 narrow triangles, known as points, which are grouped into four quadrants. Each player starts with 15 checkers and uses two dice to move them around the board in a specific path.

Players move their checkers based on the roll of two dice, advancing them in opposite directions around the board. Each die represents a separate move, so a roll of 3 and 5 means you can move one checker 3 spaces and another 5 - or a single checker a total of 8. The aim is to be the first to move all your checkers off the board (known as bearing off) before your opponent does. You can pit wits against the ST or go head-to-head with a friend. Thankfully, there is a demo mode, which is something you should take advantage of.

If you're now tempted to download this game, then all of this typing wasn't for nothing after all. Here are a few tips: It's wise to focus on building a strong defensive position early on. Try stacking two or more checkers on a space to block your opponent from landing there. Avoid leaving single checkers exposed, as they’re easy targets. Just load it up and have a go, I'm sure you'll enjoy it. If you don't, just boot up Turrican!

Whilst something like Backgammon might not immediately be your obvious gaming choice, I say give it a whirl. It's actually very good, and your Atari ST provides a worthy opponent. Also, GEM works very well as an interface for the original board game, which means it will support Blitter, screen accelerators, and even high resolution. Yep, this is a great game for a night in, so I'm giving it a Steve-Is-A-Bore rating of 80%.

  • Atari Legend has a couple of floppy disk menus to download.
  • The hard disk master, PP/8BitChip, has created a superb version!
  • Still not sure? How about a history and guide on how to play?
  • You've got the Backgammon bug now, eh? There are loads more listed on Atarimania.

I couldn't leave without a couple of gripping screenshots!



Made a mistake, then use the restore option.

Friday, October 03, 2025

Space Zot






Zot o'clock

There are two things I love, my family and. No, I meant beer and travelling through the cosmos!! Do you remember when I roamed (and completed) the vast floppy disk universe in Cosmos Chronicles? Yeah, I spent many hours chatting to shady strangers in World's End bar, and loved every second of it.

But there is some bad news: the bar’s about to run out of booze. As an alliance pilot, I’ve been called in to rescue the situation by retrieving precious cargo (beer!) from a damaged freighter somewhere in the Caissel asteroid belt. The fate of every thirsty patron depends on my flying skills, so there’s no time to waste!

Space Zot, coded in 2023 using GFA Basic by Shaoth (the chap behind the brilliant roguelike Nano Cave), is one of those games that looks like one thing but turns out to be another. At first glance, you’d think it’s a shooter, but it leans more towards something like R0x - a game of avoidance? There are no blasters or lasers; your mission is to grab as many beers as possible. As you can imagine, this is a goal I can easily get behind.

Of course, space isn’t just full of free booze; it’s also packed with rocks hurtling down your lovely SC1224 display. You’ll need sharp reflexes to weave through the space junk. By the third level, things get hairy - faster rocks, trickier angles, and a screen so cluttered you’re gasping for breathing room. Thankfully, the controls are tight and responsive, which is essential when survival depends entirely on dodging rather than blasting.

I first played Space Zot on another world, and now I’ve been enjoying it back home on my Atari STe (a pretty bold statement that I hope doesn't confuse anyone). This is a cracking little game, and even if I’m a couple of years late, it comes highly recommended by yours truly. Right, it's time for another beer run...




You get points for all pick-ups, especially the beers.



Collect the letters for an extra life.



This was my second attempt, and I reached stage 6. Can you beat me?

Wednesday, October 01, 2025

Mega Twins






Chiki Chiki Boys

Once upon a monster-infested time, when the peaceful kingdom of Alurea was overrun by a horde of nasties, leaving the royal castle in ruins. With their father, the brave King, tragically slain, his young twin sons were left powerless to stop the chaos. But time passed, the boys grew stronger, and now they’re ready to take back what’s theirs. Armed with courage, oversized swords, and matching outfits, the dynamic duo set off on a quest to reclaim their homeland - and track down a mythical stone said to hold the key to peace.

I’ve wanted to feature this platformer for ages. It’s been sitting in my downloads folder for several years, and today I finally booted it up! Who says I’m slow? Mega Twins is an absolute corker of a platformer - instantly fun, with slick joystick controls and colourful, comical visuals. The earlier bosses aren’t too tricky - even I managed to beat them - with a few credits! The latter ones are a real challenge for anyone playing solo (so use your extra powers wisely). Wait, that’s right, two people can play at once - which is absolutely fantastic!

The visuals are absolutely superb, with a charming cartoon vibe running throughout the levels. The sound effects are excellent, but oddly, I didn’t notice the lack of in-game music until the underwater stage - probably because I stopped hammering the fire button to figure out how to clobber things down there!

I'd rate this platformer a Double Trouble 85% because it's brilliant with perfect controls, loads of levels, and supports two players. However, be warned, some of the later levels are way too hard without a cheat or better reactions than mine! Enjoy my gameplay video of the opening level before clicking on these links...


The first level is so good that I almost wanted it to continue throughout.


TWO players can, erm, play - at the same time. BRILLIANT!!


We've now gone underwater. The controls are very different, but still cool.


Didn't want to kill this cute beast. But I did.


One of those bosses that moves/jumps too fast for our little hero.


Those blue bats are gorgeous. Then again, everything in this game is!


Probably the best of all the bosses before a Nebulous stage, that is superb.


We're on the way down - as it explodes!



Made it to the end. Wait, no... There is one more boss before we're done.

Friday, September 26, 2025

B SQUAD






A Crusade In Space

My first experience of an ST turn-based strategy game was with Sabre Team. I loved it, and it was one of those moments I wondered why I had spent my life 'avoiding' such games. Sure, I didn’t initially grasp the concept, but once I realised it wasn’t a run-and-gunner, I loved it. Games like this eat away the hours in the best way possible. I enjoy the careful pace, the planning, and the risk involved with every decision.

I suppose I've become a fan of turn-based games now. How did that happen?

B Squad was released in 1996 by Richard Hansell and has elements suspiciously similar to Space Crusade. So if you enjoyed that (stupendous) game, then I reckon you're gonna be head over heels about this one! However, please note this is the demo version and, with a heavy heart, I expect the full version wasn't released. Possibly because few people registered so late in the ST's life? If it had been released a few years earlier, I imagine it would have been a hit(££) like so many other PD/Shareware games within our library.

Before we begin, let's take a look at the first screenshot of my A-Team in action...



As you can see, the user interface is minimal, but incredibly effective.
(iPhone screenshots for this review rather than from Hatari)




User Interface

The story takes us into deep space as our ship docks with another that is (wait for it) infested with aliens! Of course, it is. And their queen has even taken control of the ship’s computers, preventing us from accessing the terminals, which means she also controls the AI droids. The good news is that we're not alone and part of a team of six military soldiers armed, who obviously have never seen any of the Alien movies.

When you first boot up B Squad, you're thrown into the start of a new game without so much of an intro or title music. The user interface is displayed alongside the main gameplay window and features our team and action buttons. Immediately, I'm impressed by this, as there is nothing worse than a chaotic screen of buttons offering functions that could easily have been simplified, as I found with (albeit excellent) Bio Hazard.

  • To the right is our team that shows their name, health, and action points (you can right-click on any to view stats and information that will help with weapons, and more).
  • Underneath are the movement arrows with the option to centre the gameplay screen around that particular character. These also scroll the gameplay window to.
  • The button with the little squares is a map of the ship. Use this!
  • To the right of the map is the button to execute commands.
  • Next to the funky image (of your currently selected) soldier carrying his gun is a "?". This is used to describe the surrounding area of any soldier (similar to Temple of Apshai).
  • Now you have two more boxes that are blank until attacking - the top one informs you of the chance of hitting the enemy (the calculation is based on distance, location, and weaponry). The lower one displays their chances of defence, and feels more like the expected dice roll.
  • Finally, there is a button on the left side of the (erm) left arrow. Use that to end your turn.

See, it takes longer to read that than it does to understand. Let's see another screenshot...


We're inside the lift, which offers access to even more rooms to kill the beasts!




Let's play!

We're in control of six soldiers that we command in turn. Their efforts are executed using "action points" for walking/shooting. Being turn-based, the order of play is Your Turn - ST/Alien Turn - Random Events (before looping back to you again). The random events are a curious addition that works well; they might be something like jammed doorways or lifts failing, but could also be something irritating, such as random teleportation, or an explosion on a lower deck (which always seems to be where your soldiers are standing!).

Getting around is brilliantly easy using a grid layout for soldiers, enemies, and objects. Just select the soldier, and the screen changes to show all possible tiles that can be reached within the turn. Unlike in Space Crusade, walking doesn't need to be performed in one go, as you can move again later. This means you could move, shoot, and leggit (depending on how many action points remain). It's also worth noting that our soldiers need to walk around the team members during this action; you can't merely stride over a taken tile.

Each man (and two women) has their own skills and strengths, which should be taken into account before arming or positioning. Each person is different; for example, Hooper has tremendous strength, so I have him take point. Roxy has high agility with increased movements for each turn. Dorian is expendable, but he is good at chucking grenades. Also, this approach applies to the cargo boxes you find along your travels - inside are grenades, scanners, health packs, or better weapons like flamethrowers, assault rifles, and more.

Remember, check the character's stats. Put the right weapons in the right hands...

  • Roxy is an ex-pirate and is best with an assault rifle (found near the start).
  • Dorian is someone I'm wondering why he's here. A poet, no less, and with poor combat skills. Great.
  • Julius is one of my favourite soldiers and is great with an assault rifle and grenades.
  • Hooper is great with a flamethrower.
  • Tobias is a good all-rounder who is neither rubbish nor excellent. Although if you find a plasma device, then he's your man. Powerful stuff that fwiw.
  • Tallis is a great soldier and skilled with a Needle Gun.

The ship is split into three levels that you access using the elevator (lift!). The current level is free of the Alien Queen, but she has Grubs and Droids roaming the corridors, so it isn't long before you bump into something. There aren't many different enemies to contend with, but they are plentiful in number...

  • Grubs are like a blob filled with explosive gas, so don't let it get too close!
  • Droids are, just as you would expect. And they are armed to the teeth.
  • Nest Warriors are extremely vicious, breathing fire that can affect multiple soldiers who are close together.
  • Look out for Turrets later on, they're being controlled by the Queen, and they fire a powerful laser.
  • Mines are something to obviously avoid. You may need to shoot some to create a pathway.
  • The Nest Queen doesn't move, but it spawns Grubs through four tentacles. She is very strong and has bad breath, so beware! Beat her, and you've won the game.

It's worthwhile exploring everywhere on the current level before deciding to use the lift and venture deeper into the ship. My tip would be to head northwest of your starting location, as many decent weapons are waiting to be taken. And you won't stand a chance against the queen unless you are equipped properly!

Let's see another iPhone shot of my ST's screen in all its fuzzy glory...


The map might be a bit cramped, but it's helpful. Especially when locating members of your team
who were teleported elsewhere during the "Random Events". Can you spot the poor sod?




Aesthetics

The graphics are like an amateur Space Crusade, with a clean design that I love. Okay, I mean only the overhead part, as there is no funky-cool isometric display whenever the combat takes place. With that in mind, each part of the ship is distinct, and with a descriptive text that adds extra depth to your current location (think of Temple of Apshai). Likewise, the user interface is nothing short of legendary, with a clutter-free display. However, and this is my only quibble, I wish our six soldiers had more variety rather than all looking the same.

Interestingly, this game uses the Blitter, which positively affects general performance, especially when displaying new parts of the ship. So (yipee) play using an Atari STe if you can!

As for the audio, there is no music whatsoever, but we have DMA samples for shooting, explosions, cries, and (some) enemy movements. Sadly, our own men don't make a sound when walking. But, thinking about that, I'm sure they're in stealth and wouldn't want to give away their position... Hmm, I know, I know!

Right, it's time for a screenshot break with the Alien Queen spawning Grubs...


The "final" room with the Alien Queen. She's a beast of an opponent who spawns Grubs.
You shall note the computer-controlled turrets? Well, the Queen controls those, so beware!!




CryptO'pinion

I've thoroughly enjoyed playing through until the end (yes, without cheating!!). Most games I feature on my little-known website are deleted after reviewing, as I'm always on the go with something new to play and review. That won't be happening this time. B Squad is one of the best shareware games I've ever played. If you enjoy a tactical slog exploring a spaceship whilst hunting down the baddies, then this is for you. I've only defeated the Alien Queen once and lost two team members, but it's an incredibly tough mission! You won't get anywhere near beating it without exploring every inch of the ship to scrounge for new weapons/helpful items.

Surely I've got something to whinge about? Well, the soldiers could walk faster, and although there are loads of cargo boxes, there aren't enough health packs. My only real quibble is with the random events that occur after the computer has had its turn. That "Random Teleportation" sends one of your teammates to a distant part of the ship. ((Wow, what a whinger! I feel like slapping myself for that last whine because it happens so few times. At worst, it forces you to drop the plans you had to rethink and support that lone soldier))

B Squad is a legendary turn-based game and one I feel fortunate to have discovered (Richard, if I'd have known, I would have registered back in 1996). A terrific demo, and I can only dream what might have been with a full version. Quite literally one of the best games from the ST's homebrew library. Play this!!



I may have lost a couple of men, but I am victorious after killing the Alien Queen!!


It's an unfinished demo version, but I cannot deny how fantastic it is!!

Random ATARI ST articles from the archives