Saturday, September 07, 2019

Atari 520 STFM Super Pack


Update!!!!

Every Atari Super Pack game is now featured, so use the search function at the top/right of this website. Those wondering what games won then click here for my final thoughts on this great Atari ST giveaway. Enjoy the read! :)



I've had an idea...

And this is something that I've been thinking about for a while but somehow never managed to get around to doing. Let me begin by saying that my first Atari computer was (shock) the 520 STFM model and this beautiful machine came bundled with a ton of games called the Super Pack. I remember that Christmas well and this new computer was quite remarkable with jaw-dropping speed, sounds, colours and immense next-gen gameplay!!

Until that day, I'd only ever owned a ZX Spectrum so booting up Xenon for the first time was, well, mind-blowing. Pure witchcraft!! Don't get me wrong, I loved my old Speccy but this was another level completely. So, I figured it would be a fantastic(?) idea to replay each of the bundled games and relive Christmas Day all over again.


The games...

Arkanoid II Revenge of Doh, Beyond the Ice Palace, Black Lamp, Buggy Boy, Chopper X, Eddie Edwards Super Ski, Ikari Warriors, Marble Madness, Quadralien, Rana Rama, Return to Genesis, Road Wars, Seconds Out, Starquake, Summer Olympiad, Test Drive, Thrust, Thundercats, Wizball, Xenon, and Zynaps. Phew, 21 games!!!

As you can see, seven games are already searchable right here on AtariCrypt - so click their links to see what I thought. Thankfully, there are many remaining and a few which I've not played since that first Christmas so I'm very excited to see how well they've aged over the last three decades. Yes, I'm talking to you Seconds Out!!


You excited? I know I am...

I'll begin my Super Pack journey alphabetically which means starting with Imagine's colourful breakout, Arkanoid: Revenge Of Doh. The last time I enjoyed a decent brick buster was Bolo a few years back [what a classic] so I hope this lives up to all my expectations. Let the joyride through the Super Pack begin - watch this space :)


Greetings to Róbert Tercsi and Marko Latvanen for
their help hunting down images and information


7 comments:

  1. Good idea mate! Expect to relive some great moments of your videogame past. We had bundles here too but they often came along with books and utilities and even a schoolbag was provided. Everybody knew that you bought an st to study mainly 😁

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    Replies
    1. Really? I know it wasn't all games here (hence the curriculum pack for example) but there were a lot of game packs. I think this will be an adventure. I love Arkanoid 2 which I've just posted - but I'm STILL really bad at it lol

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  2. I think the idea is original. Don't think it has been done before for the st, in that event.I agree. Atari sold different packs through the years with different contents. Your journey has just begun 😁 Arkanoid is a relevant choice indeed though it's not the easiest game. I wasn't good at it as well, this game required speed, concentration and nerves of steel 😁 But the conversion of the arcade game was outstanding.

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  3. Hi there,

    I hope you don't mind me asking?
    But would you consider selling your complete Super Pack if the price was right?

    Cheers

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    Replies
    1. Not in a million years. Fwiw there are boxes that appear on eBay from time to time and I know Róbert Tercsi has made replicas too. Great package this one!

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    2. Haha no problem at all :)

      I've got it saved in my watch list.
      The near identical Summer Pack seems to be really rare as a complete package?

      I only let a recent complete Super Pack go because the ST it's self wasn't actually working.

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    3. that's a shame :/ Usually when STs break it's the PSU. I intend to replace mine with the one Exxos sells. Fwiw, I've never had the Summer Pack, when I upgraded to the STe it had no games with it. Just computer. Only my very first ST had a pack (this Super Pack). Happy days :)

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