Starglider

Unplug the TV!

If I had to name a number of Atari ST games that defined the 80s then Starglider would be right up there with the best of 'em. This is a 3D shooter that somehow appeared from nowhere and totally rewrote the book on how a game like this should be. A whole new generation of gamers got to witness this transition from what we previously saw at home compared to the arcades - and everything looked so cool and performed fast and smoothly.

Today, I wanted to show you a different side to Starglider as it's something that's not known to many, oddly enough. It supports the ST's crisp Hi-Resolution mode which means a loss of colour and an increase in definition thanks to the 640x400 display. Everything else is exactly the same of course and that means the gameplay remains as is.

I've always loved Starglider as it's a perfect blend of action and strategy. The mouse controls are spot-on and the combination of using both buttons to fire/move is extraordinarily efficient. The sound effects are superb and feel somewhat arcade in their style to me. However, it's the opening music that many remember the most. What can I say? Staaaaaaaarrrrrrgliiiiiderrrrrrr from Rainnnnnnbirrrrrrd (insert echo effect). Pure genius.

Yes, this is still a jaw-dropping shooter and plays every bit as good as I remember. A timeless beauty whether you're playing in low or high-resolution so grab yourself either the floppy or hard disk versions right now.

Rainbow Islands

   

Today, I booted up Rainbow Island on my Atari ST and I fondly remembered the time I saw it in our local computer shop. I was instantly hooked by those gorgeous colours and the fun effects, it looked so amazing! After paying lots of cash, I walked home as fast as my lanky legs could carry me! This is probably one of the most famous platformers for the Atari ST and there isn't anything new I could tell you. Waste no more time, play Rainbow Islands!

8BitChip has a download which can be installed onto hard drive!

Old Games Finder has all the floppy disk images.

Fancy a few cheat codes? Of course, you do so type all these on the title screen:

           -> BLRBJSBJ for fast feet.

           -> RJSBJSBR for double rainbows!

           -> SSSLLRRS for super fast rainbows.

           -> BJBJBJRS for the first hint.

           -> LJKSKBLS for the second hint.

           -> LBSJRRWL continues each round.

           -> SJBLRJSR will slow down the baddies.

           -> For infinite lives: choose three credits and hold the QWERTY keys and press fire.

Game Night!

Earlier today, I decided that I would play Ocean's New Zealand Stor which is a belting game. Shockingly, I got further tonight than I have ever done before - so I'm well happy... This is such a cutesy "platformer" with beautiful graphics and sounds. In fact, those sound effects are perfect and the music will ring around my head all night!!!

NewZealand Story is fantastic, tons of fun, very challenging and a beautiful arcade conversion.