Showing posts with label 1994. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 1994. Show all posts

Saturday, April 25, 2026

No Limit & No Limit II






Tilt Happens

Pinball was massive in the 90s, and the ST got its fair share of digital tables. In 1993, Andreas Kröber released No Limit - if you're wondering why that name, you will soon realise when loading it up (ARGH, my ears lol). This is a good game, but it looks dull as ditchwater without scrolling, and the ball feels more like squidgy rubber than steel. Still, I guess there really were no limits, because a year later, the sequel arrived! This used the hardware scrolling for rapid display and a bigger area. So, it blew away the original.

Flippers are handled by the two SHIFT keys, and when things get hairy, whack that spacebar to tilt the table and hopefully save the ball. Yep, hairy stuff. That's my understanding of Pinball in a nutshell. Of course, the sequel is the one to choose, as it looks better and plays great with nice physics. I love how the smooth scrolling zips up and down the screen! My only quibble is with the odd table with its bizarre snowy theme.

So there you go - play the second game and hit those flippers to bash your ball. Make sure you’re on an STe; otherwise, you’re missing out on the sounds and silky-smooth scrolling. It’s not up there with Obsession, but I would happily put No Limit II alongside Starball as a great alternative on the Atari ST/e.

  • Atarimania has both (unregistered) games to download.
  • No Limits II can be installed onto a hard drive/Ultrasatan thanks to 8BitChip.
  • Check out some of the other Pinball games for the ST/STe.
  • Seeing as both games are nicely enhanced, they've made it onto my list!
  • Check out some more games that work in high-res mode.


The physics/feel of the ball (ooer) might not be the best, but I enjoyed the game.


Look, it even runs in high-res monochrome!!


I reached 1472, not bad, I guess... ahem...


No Limit II seems to have a snowy feel. It's not the most glamorous of tables, is it!


Yeah, it looks poor, but it plays very well in high resolution.



Oh no, another ball out of play... I reached 42,402 points.

Monday, April 20, 2026

European Champions






Football, great...

You know me, I loathe football, and the only time I've bothered was with Team a few years ago. Ugh, "Soccer" is, for me, as dull as dishwater: hardly any goals, the endless diving, and the drama when players act like they’ve been hit by a sniper, when in reality the only thing that touched them was a blade of grass! ;^)

Ocean released European Champions in 1994 for the Atari STe, with support for one or two players. Wait, did I say STe?? Yes, the DMA audio is used for crowd sounds and other effects. And, unlike Team, there are lots of effects played throughout the match, which really lift the atmosphere of our virtual stadium. Plus, the Blitter chip is working away to keep the frame rates up for the little men bravely charging up and down the pitch. Also, I have to admit, the range of pitches is impressive, and the action replays are excellent.

The joystick controls are everything you’d hope for: fast, responsive, and easy to get into without being too easy. Even I can see two people around their Atari STe enjoying this one! Hey, if I liked football, I’d probably be glued to this game for hours. As it stands, I’m still impressed - despite myself. There’s plenty more, too: you can play friendlies, leagues, cups, and even tweak the referee’s temperament if you fancy.

European Champions is polished, responsive, and stacked with features that make the matches very enjoyable. The highlights are my favourite part. I'm feeling brave enough to rate this 90%. However, I still think footballers are overpaid drama queens - but Ocean’s STe kickabout almost makes me see the appeal. Almost.

I believe this was Ocean's final Atari release? If so, what a way to end. Legends!!

  • There are several menus to download at Atari Legend.
  • Atarimania has the original disks available from their archive.
  • European Champions is proudly added to the Enhanced Gaming List.
  • We also have a 'soccer' group, but it's quite lite atm... Any recommendations?


Tension is rising in the box, and things are getting scrappy. Like I'd know...



Score a goal, and it's time for a superb action replay!


Oh dear, a grown man is injured and crying for help. Big girl's blouse!!



Another goal scored, so let's see it again in more detail, please.


What, I actually enjoyed a footy game? Sure did, it's excellent.
Let me know if you agree. Is it better than Sensi Soccer or Kick Off!!

Wednesday, April 01, 2026

Dynabusters+






Blitter Bombing

Following on from the original shareware "Dyna Blaster" release, Dynabusters+ was released a year later by The Sirius Cybernetics Corp in 1994 for the Atari STe (oh, and for the Falcon - a computer I still can't afford). It's like a Director's Cut of their classic game thanks to the colours, Blitter support, and stunning DMA audio. Honestly, the music and sound effects are brilliant; I could happily just sit and listen to the music for ages.

The gameplay is everything you expect - absolute mayhem! But now with better graphics, extra warzones, fresh bonuses, sound effects, bug fixes, JagPad support, and other stuff detailed in the docs. Up to six players can join the explosive party, although there’s no computer-controlled solo mode, which is a shame, as it would’ve added a lot. My daughter and I played the game using the keyboard and joystick, but other combinations are possible with adapters and the enhanced joystick ports. Untested by me as I've no friends, boohoo.

So, blast the blocks, wisely use bonuses to zest the action up further (you can blast the crappy ones). There is a myriad of different types, some nice and some not so nice - I hate when the controls are reversed! Please note that the screenshots are from emulation, and I had some visual glitches in the menus. Thankfully, everything was perfect using my STe (the controls felt better, too). Real hardware is always best.

If you love Bomberman and have a friend or two (or five), this game is dynamite. Oops, sorry!

  • Both games are downloadable at Atari Legend using several cool menu disks.
  • This and loads more 'Bomberman' variants are listed on Atarimania.
  • Watch this video if you’re wondering how much fun can be had playing this game.
  • There are lots of Atari STe games listed in our Enhanced section :-)


My daughter hates those men, but that didn't stop her from loving Dynabusters+!!


I know I always bang on about real hardware being the best, but it really is...


Do you have any idea how tough it was to grab a screenshot of an explosion? lol


But I eventually got the hang of it :)


Don't forget to change the arena, and enjoy killing your family members. Erm...

Wednesday, March 04, 2026

Moomin Slaughter






Beware of Hattifatteners

The UK version of The Moomins was a children's TV show that ran right through the 1980s. It had a gentle pace, whimsical storytelling, with characters like Moomintroll, Moominmama, Moominpapa, and their quirky friends. Quite a captivating TV show; the kind that today’s kids sadly won’t have the pleasure of seeing!

With that in mind, here is a crosshair shooter where we get to kill all of the little bleeders!! Moomin Slaughter was released in 1994 by Scotty and has only one screen where each of the characters appears, like a rather lame Operation Wolf clone. Using the mouse, move the crosshair around the screen, picking off Moomins as they appear, climbing down buildings, escaping through windows, or wandering about. The mouse makes killing these childhood memories rather snappy and surprisingly precise (best with a real ST/e).

The game works on the ST, but is "best" played on the STe, thanks to the DMA audio being put to fine use for the Moomins’ hilarious squeals as they’re being killed. Also, if the realism option is enabled, the Moomins appear only for a short while - and when they're dead, it's game over. So, it's best to disable that realism option to cure the problem. Then the screen is filled with the blighters just waiting to be shot down. Sadly, this is when you discover the annoying slowdown, which is odd considering there's not much to push your Atari ST.

This is a quick blaster and definitely good fun for a few minutes, but nothing more than that, really.

  • Fancy 5 minutes killing Moomins, then grab the download at Atarimania.
  • Look here for a few more crosshair shooters: "PD" and commercial.
  • It uses the DMA audio, so this game is added to our list of enhanced STe games.

You can access this menu at any time by hitting the Spacebar.


Peace reigns through the land... How can I change that?


Kill 'em all, and be quick as they're trying to escape out the windows!!



Destructible scenery and all the Moomins are dead. I'm happy lol.



Ditching realism leads to an endless supply of Moomins for a blood bath!!

Sunday, June 01, 2025

AstroPanic '94






Unexpected little gem

AstroPanic '94 is a shooter by Dan Ackerman and appears to be a remake of the 1986 original by Charles Brannon. It was released in 1994(!), with updates and bonus sounds a year later. The premise is dead simple - shoot the aliens in what feels like a silly mash-up of Space Invaders and Missile Command.

We control a tank that moves left and right along the ground, blasting upwards at a bunch of alien ships. They’re a bit daft, flying around in oddball patterns, so you’ll need to dodge them while banging on the mouse button (you can use the keyboard, but the mouse is miles better). As is real hardware, Hatari would often freeze up, and was painfully slow just to load the game - my Atari STe (4MB/TOS 1.62) ran it flawlessly.

AstroPanic '94 is a no-frills shooter, but loads of fun. Perfect for a quick blast and highly recommended!

Saturday, May 31, 2025

Zero-5






Poor gameplay and my death

Some games sit on the hard drive, gathering digital dust as the years slip by unnoticed. Zero-5 is one of those, I’m embarrassed to admit. Going all the way back to 2016, I posted a short review along with an interview with the game’s creator, Andrew Gisby. 2016! Almost a decade ago. How did that happen?

Anyway, as most of you know, I’ve got a Mega STe sitting proudly on my desk, so I figured it was time to stop everything and fire up this classic shooter. Zero-5 is an Atari STe game (yes, yes... and the Falcon too) that takes full advantage of the enhanced hardware. I would say it’s more of an arcade shooter than a space sim, as it's packed with frantic 3D blasting - with some missions taking us down onto planet surfaces.

My video is a collection of short clips - no long, boring, unedited footage that nobody’s going to sit through anyhow (read the video's description for the clickable links). Let's hope I don't leave it nearly a decade before I play this cracking game again. Enjoy the video and make sure you download the game...

Saturday, May 24, 2025

Obsession






Pinball Dreams

Our gaming community never ceases to amaze me, and I've made many friends over the years. One guy in particular I've known since the days of swappies in the early 90s. Recently, he sent me a gift that made my day. Paul's always been generous and, like me, a fanatic about the Atari ST/e and ZX Spectrum!

Well, his parcel arrived, and inside was something very special indeed. Yes, I now have a blummin excellent copy of Obsession!! I still cannot believe it because I've had this game in the same league as Dungeon Master or Legends of Valour. In other words, one of those titles you dream of owning again, but it will never happen (a bit like the Atari Falcon030!!). At least not without forking out silly money we just don't have.

Anyhow, Unique Development Sweden only released two games for the Atari STe, and blimey, what a pair of Christmas crackers. Substation ended their short career with us, but at least they went out in style - a brilliant first-person shooter with great atmosphere and frantic action. Of course, the other is Obsession, a game I mentioned back in (wait for it) 2015. How the years pass... This is a marvellous game that looks and sounds as good as can be. Well, without leaving the house for your "local" amusement arcade!

Nobody needs me to review Obsession. It's a classic released in the dusk of the 16-bit era. The gameplay is hectic and challenging, and accompanied by superb graphics in overscan. Not only that, but the sound effects are incredible and played alongside funky tracker music. Where were UDS back in 1989?

I will say this: most games are best played using real hardware, but I found this more noticeable with Obsession simply because of the keyboard layout. It's designed for the ST keyboard, using the bottom row to assist as you whack the flipper keys. Emulation with a Mac/PC keyboard doesn't work nearly as well (YMMV).

I will never be able to thank Paul enough for his kindness and generosity. So ignore the fact that I’m terrible at Obsession and boot it up for yourself. Those later years produced some killer titles, and this proves it; Obsession is one of the best “arcade games” on the ST, imho. Oops, I meant Atari STe 🥳

Sunday, June 04, 2023

Rock 'n' Roll Clams






Ugh, I hate seafood!

Rock 'n' Roll Clams is a music-themed arcade game released in 1994 by Caspian Software, a time when most of the (gaming) companies abandoned us for the PC with its lifetime of OS bugs & constant need for patching. Gee, what progress we made. Thankfully, the mid-90s were a great time for the independents who still had lots of Fuji passion - Impact, Bloodhouse, Top Byte, STeam, UDS, etc. Respect to all for STaying Atari.

Tidbit: in 1995, Caspian unleash Zero 5, a superb 3D space shooter for the STe/Falcon. Wanna read more about that, and an interview with the developer? You better click here then :)

Humorously, I've planned to feature this bizarre game about a silly clam for over two years. I've had a desktop folder containing a draft with notes and dozens of screenshots. So what has taken me so long? Well, that's easy to answer - I suck at this more than meagre words could ever describe. So how could I write about a game I struggle with? Then again, AtariCrypt's archives would be empty if I worried about my skills!

So we'd better crack on because we need to see screenshots from the ST & STe...



The opening levels gently introduce the basic mechanics and hazards. (ST)



Two-player mode is hilarious fun because it's so manic! (STe)




So, clams you say?

The storyline goes something like this: Casper the Clam went on a school trip to watch an orchestra with his clam friends. Yes, clams do indeed attend school and have friends. Anyhow, it was really boring for these ocean dwellers who wanted something better. Suddenly, they began to hear distant funky music and (this is my favourite part) needed to know more because "we owe it to Clamkind". So, off they went looking to find the source of this music. However, leaving the safety of Clam Town proved dangerous.

Yep, what they didn't bank on was foolishly getting caught in the net of a fisherman called (wait for it) Mackerel Mac! He needs to make money, so he wants to sell them to Charlie - as food - at Clams 'U' Like (LOL). Thankfully, they escaped that potential hell, so it's up to us to bring back that funky music. That's right, we're here to help Caspar shake, rattle and roll their way from the bottom of the ocean to the Top of the Charts!

Groan... that is so bad, but here are a couple of ST/STe screenshots...


This level features a tough design with two power-ups that I couldn't manage to reach!! (ST)



Two-player mode has extra features, like dropping weights on heads. Even a whale! (STe)




Sounds fishy to me!

I eagerly started my first game, wondering what excitement lay ahead, but that joyful anticipation soon passed as I struggled with the peculiar controls. Casper moves horizontally using a similar rotational mechanic as in Wizball. So the speed of his rotation affects the speed (and direction) of his movements to navigate down through each screen. Expect lots of gentle tapping to achieve the right route through.

From what I've seen, each level is very tall, with us beginning at the top to work our way downwards. Rotate our little clam to travel down through the screens, collecting all the required items before leaving through the exit, which is at the bottom. All levels have their own layout but follow a similar structure with lots of platforms, routes, and nasty seaside critters to avoid like jellyfish, crabs, and spikes. Thankfully, there are checkpoints, so you won't need to restart from the beginning after coming into contact with them.

The concept of Rock 'n' Roll Clams is actually really simple: collect the required items that are dotted about each level and then make your way to the exit. Sounds very easy? Well, no. The baddies are cunningly positioned in crafty locations to make life as difficult as possible, and many will even chase after you, which is hilarious. Anyhow, the level's layout and design often make it frustrating, especially when rushing to beat the timer. Yes, there's a timer! Factor in all this, and the game soon becomes very (ahem) challenging.

As with anything, practice. Learn the controls, and you will begin to make progress, but only to a certain point, I'm sorry to say. Many levels are poorly designed with enemies you can never successfully avoid, and other areas that are quite impossible to reach with a rotating clam! Not only that, but I managed to get stuck on a few dodgy platforms and even suffered a couple of crashes. Perhaps that was down to my Mega STe (4MB/TOS 2.06), but I also had issues using Hatari. Best on the stock STe, I found, but #YMMV

Yeah, I advise that you practice, practice, and practice!! Let's see some screenshots...



The first power-up I found is the crash hat, which made Casper very macho! (ST)



Here we are racing down without bothering to actually play properly! Meh, why not? (STe)




Need a helping hand?

  • The main menu has access to different starting levels.
  • Don't blindly roam about; it pays to be coy and wait until the right moment.
  • We need pick-ups, but if something is taking too long to reach, I say move on and look elsewhere.
  • Yes, there is a time limit. I hate 'em! So collect the clocks.
  • Hidden levels are plentiful and offer great rewards, but not on every level.
  • There are checkpoints, so you don't need to re/start from the beginning. Use 'em!
  • Each level has hats that grant special abilities: the crash helmet makes Casper stronger in all four directions, but it's actually pretty lame, I thought. The propeller hat provides fancy flight, which makes movements a lot better. Hey, is this game missing a weapon? Then look for the gun hat, if you can find it. Finally, the Viking hat is similar to the crash helmet, but only works vertically... yawn.
  • The right side of the screen looks crazy, right? But it's here you can select the power-ups (hats) by holding down the fire button. It's awkward, and I was never impressed with any of them tbh. (I'm a miserable sod!)

Not much in the way of help, was it? Yeah, we'd better break with some screenshots...


Another level with a crazy design, that isn't fun, and stops you from enjoying it. Am I mean? (ST)



Well, at least in this game, we have smiley faces to cheer us up! (STe)




Input & Output

The joystick/pad controls are superb and responsive, so Wizball fans will immediately take to its rotational method of moving horizontally at different speeds. Remember, pushing upwards can help reach items you may have missed. However, that won't compensate much for the effect of gravity if free-falling.

Visually, this is colourful and fun, but also amateur, using tacky backdrops and silly sprites. Interestingly, the Blitter is utilised, so my STe performed well without lag. It also scrolls great on the ST, albeit with a reduced resolution. Heck, even Falcon can play - if you're lucky enough to have one of these beasts!

Now for the audio: let's begin with the effects, which are nothing special and should have been zesty samples. The music fares better with chip (ST) and tracker (STe). Sadly, there aren't nearly enough tunes, so it gets repetitive. Also, I preferred the ST's chiptunes over the grim tracker renditions (sorry, not sorry).

Hey, it was 1994, so am I being too harsh? Maybe, but let's see more screenshots...


Must admit, the seaside level is the best looking of all. Don't get stuck in the sand! (ST)



Another two-player game where we just hoped for the best... most of the time! (STe)




The CryptO'pinion?

This is one of those games I desperately wanted to enjoy - rocking through the levels, taking many screenshots, before delivering a glowing report. Sadly, that isn't to be. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed it to a point, but the basic mechanics of what this game is, and what it desperately hopes to be, fail miserably.

The concept of controlling a ball - horizontally in a vertically-scrolling world feels skewed. It works in Wizball, but that's a horizontally scrolling game. Sadly, Casper is trapped in a cramped and restrictive world with infuriating enemy placement. Not to mention the bugs that prevented me from passing certain areas!

Having said that, there are many redeeming qualities; it plays fast and fluently on all STs, with the STe being best with a larger screen. The support for two players is aces, and this game is miles better with a friend compared with going solo. In fact, my daughter might have found it frustrating (sigh, the iPad generation), yet we had a laugh because she couldn't control Casper properly - is that good or bad?

It's tough to know what else to say about this weird dollop of Clam Chowder. It's certainly unique, but the execution doesn't work well for me, especially in one-player mode. However, that may just be me being a grump. Why not grab the game (floppy disk + hard drive) and take it for a spin (sorry) yourself?

Let me know what you think in the comments below!

Tuesday, May 11, 2021

Winglord





Survival of the Fittest

I don't mind admitting it, but Joust is one of those games that I am terrible at. In fact, I could end this right now because I really am that bad - it's quite humiliating! However, I also have much affection for jousting, no matter the quality of my skills. Joust is something uniquely entertaining that thrills as much as it infuriates (me). So, it was a pleasure to discover that the Atari ST/e has another jousting competitor.

Winglord was originally a shareware game by Victor Bruhn, who has since released it as freeware a few years ago (which is super-cool of him!!). Now, first things first, Winglord can run on either the Atari ST or its sexy sister, the Atari STe. However, Victor originally intended it for the Atari STe as he utilizes the Blitter Chip and DMA Audio. Older STs can still play, but won't get to hear the funky samples and might even suffer some visual anomalies due to the lack of a Blitter that handles the silky-smooth 50Hz display.

We need to stop reading and take a gander at the first screenshot...


I struggle to fly while the computer cleans up. Yup, another drubbing by my faithful Atari ST...



README.TXT

Nobody reads the manual. That's mainly a guy thing, but in this case, it's worthwhile taking a look. There are lots of handy tips, but also a great storyline that is fun to read. Come on, there are nasty wizards, medieval castles and winged unicorns, which is great stuff!! For those who won't read it, here's my take on it:

Guardian Castle is above the villages in the valley. They're under attack by the wizards of the Northlands whos minions have found a way into the tunnels under the mountain atop which it sits.

They have gained control of most of the caverns and passages that run through the ground underneath the castle, as well as a large portion of the castle. Sinister beings now roam through these areas and have crushed all resistance offered by the sentries and the castle's contingent of soldiers. Evil creatures, some mounted by riders, continue to advance into the halls of the castle and through the caverns in a seemingly unstoppable march! (It's not sounding too good, is it?)

Thankfully, teleporting into the skies above the castle are WingLords who are ready to do battle with the invaders. Mounted upon winged unicorns whose beauty is matched only by their quickness and power, they descend into the depths of Guardian Castle and intercept a group of creatures. Two more riders enter the room and an airborne jousting battle begins between the adversaries.

Their powerful Fire Lances easily destroy the enemy riders, while providing their wielders with a shield against the enemy. The enemy is defeated and the Winglord's unicorn steeds use their natural teleportation ability and leave the battlefield to have their lances re-charged.

Now the WingLords wait for another onslaught, ready to do battle with the fire-spitting Yellow Jackets. The Dark Riders are also armed with fire-spitting lances. The Wing Masters, deadly flyers who are immune to missile weapons, and must be jousted against. This war is far from won!


Sounds cool, right? Of course, it does, so let's take a break and check out another screenshot... 



The Apprentice knights are slow but harder than you might think.



Winged unicorns?

Winglord will instantly feel familiar to seasoned jousters. One or two players can compete at the same time, controlled by either the computer or another humanoid that you may have nearby. Each level is of a similar design with platforms that can/will prove to be of strategic use. As with the original, the screens feature a wrap-around design when reaching the edge, but the eggs are gone, and there are new ceiling vents.

There are some alternative changes, and some peculiar ones. Gone are the lanky ostriches for unicorns - and these don't lay eggs. But these majestic beasts love to strut their stuff, just watch them walk - so cool. Battling against knights follows the same format, but they now feature some unexpected traits, and there are even buzzy bees. Best of all, some medieval knights are expert jousters with exceptional skills. Beware!

Once again, let's stop reading my nonsense chit-chat and take another gander at a screenshot...



This isn't good, I'm about to be pounced on or stung to death at any moment!



Know your enemy

All levels have four different enemies, each with its own strengths, control, style and armament:

The Apprentice - these guys are armed with only a lance. You might be fooled into thinking he's going to be an easy opponent. Don't kid yourself, he's crafty and has some nice flying skills. Also, he's immune to your missile attacks. Hang on, a moment... did I just say missile?!!

Yellow Jackets - this is a buzzy bee with suicidal tendancies, which means they're quite tough to defeat. These can, and will sworm, so watch out. They're a little dumb but, as a nest, they are a fanominal force. Perhaps a missile in its face is a good idea to teach them who's boss?

Dark Riders - this guy carries both a lance and a pack of missiles. He's fast, he's brutal and he's a damn tough lancer. Basically, he's gonna kick your ass!! Excellent fighters.

Wing Masters - Winglord shows its true colours when this guy enters the arena. These are jousting geniuses and tough cookies with ferocious combat skills. Be warned!!
 

Hey, it's time for another sexy screenshot!! Brace yourself and be ready...



I tried my best to get a screenshot of a missile hitting a bee! Quite impossible lol.



Controls

The joystick controls feel much like they do with the original ST Joust, which was a massive relief because I was dreading any disastrous changes. Why change a winning system, right? Well, flight and control are perfect, even if you are as unskilled as me. There is an option to choose your preferred 'flap power' that will alter the effect of the vertical force which is applied with each press of the button. Choosing high will gain greater altitude, whereas low offers better control. It's best to experiment with what feels right for you.

Pushing downwards will fire a missile. Yep, you heard me - a missile!! It's one of the most unexpected traits I could have imagined. I must admit, though, at first, it feels weird, but it sure comes in handy against those dopey Yellow Jackets! And who doesn't love blasting rockets? Note, there are some limitations as these work against the Dark Riders and the bees, and can only be used during flight.

I know that you're dying to play this game, but we're not done yet - it's screenshot time...


Mummy, I wanna go home now!



Big Tips!

  • Don't panic.
  • Playtest with the different flap rates to see what suits you the best.
  • Disable the second player; he can be distracting, I found.
  • Disable the second player anyhow as he's far too skilled!!
  • Judge your entrance for a well-timed drop onto your unsuspecting opponent.
  • Don't bang down on the joystick too quickly, unless you enjoy hearing the sounds.
  • Those platforms can make for a good defence.
  • Bonus rounds are a great way to earn extra points.
  • Why are you listening to me? I suck at jousting!
  • For those with skills like mine, hit the Up/Down arrows on the main menu!!



There's a swarm of nasties coming, and my unicorn decides to strut his stuff to look cool. Sheesh!



Aesthetics

Visually, it's more or less Joust and a damn good take on that format. However, being similar to Joust means it's also hardly something to gawk at in wonder! Not only that, but the levels appear to have less detail compared to the official ST conversion. Having said that, it looks nice, and the animations are quite beautiful. I love watching my unicorn walk between the levels just for fun. He just loves to strut his stuff - so cool!!

It would be a crime to end it there without mentioning the framerate. It is smooth - very smooth. In fact, it's smoother than Kojak's bald head drenched in baby oil. I believe this is thanks to the Blitter lurking inside the Atari STe. It's a great thing to see a developer that enjoyed going that extra mile.

The sound effects are made from a selection of samples. All are crystal clear, thanks to the DMA hardware that Victor thankfully used. I only wish he had recorded more for extra pizazz. Sadly, older STs suffer minimal sounds, but Winglord was developed on (and intended for) the Atari STe. Stop moaning and upgrade!

Jousting is fun, but can you handle the heat when it's 6 against 1 like in this screenshot...



Hang on, I've lasted longer than the computer? Time to shoot and beat his score, for once!



The CryptO'pinion?

Joust is one of the best arcade conversions for the Atari ST. With that in mind, Winglord needed to deliver the goods and guess what, it did. The cosmetic changes are nice, and I love the option to use missiles. Also, tinkering with the flap-power attribute is a superb idea, and the option for a second player is just dandy!! The change of theme worked well, as did other differences like the regular use of bonus rounds.

Winglord can't replace Joust; that's impossible, but I don't think it was meant to. As it stands, it's an alternative and something that doesn't disappoint in the slightest. This is so much fun, and I would have liked nothing better than to show you more (in my video), but that was never gonna happen with my skills. Sorry :p

I think this game is a fantastic "clone" of the original, and the differences are great. Best of all, the Atari ST/e has another version of Joust - that's never a bad thing in my opinion. Winglord is absolutely excellent.

- Download from AtariMania -