The Vodka Demo

Alcohol is good for you

For me, The Vodka Demo stands as a defining moment in the Atari ST demoscene. It pushes 16-bit limitations far beyond (my) expectations. It also bridges the gap between older and newer demo styles, with some rather cool screens. Released by the mighty Equinox in 1991, it showcases some impressive technical wizardry, especially its game-like menu. Of course, each demo pushes the ST to its limits with stunning colours, speed, full-screen displays, and gorgeous YM2149 sounds. It’s pure early 90s black magic.

I'm reaching that point where I always say the same thing: download and play this megademo on a proper Atari ST if you can. It's far superior and the best way to experience this outstanding production.

Demozoo has the download, plus a dedicated group page for Equinox.

Credits

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Fab - Music (Unlimited Bobs screen)

Krueger - Code

Moby - Music (Intro)

Starlion - Code

Steprate - Code

One of those screenshots that does no justice to the smooth movement of colour.

I guess no screenshot ever does a demo justice? Yep, like this one!

Never did I understand the concept of these sprite challenges. Use it in a game!

Wow, this demo is mind-blowing. Love it. Love it. Love it!!!

Oh dear, why did I take these screenshots? Look, just get the demo downloaded.

I love how smoothly the dragon moves. Those eyes though.. Arghh, those eyes!!

A nicely timed capture, and the message is right. The ST is better than Psygnosis thought.

A hidden screen, and it's by one of my favourite groups too!

Yeah, this demo has style by the bucket load!!

No megademo is worth its salt without a cool reset screen :)

A Series Of Raster Effects by smfx

Lovely Rasters

You may remember that I posted a rather cool racer called Rally II back in December? This was unique because it contained no actual bitmap graphics, as it was done using palette swapping. That sounds weird, right? And it is! But it's quite remarkable, fast, and in overscan too. I really enjoyed playing it.

This demo uses the same idea to produce quite possibly one of the best presentations I've ever seen. Yep, I said that. For me, it's up there with classics like We Were @, Virtual Escape, Sea of Colour, Midnight Sun, and many others. However, please use real hardware and make sure you read the documentation in the download. Don't worry, it's not that long, but a great read, especially for non-techies like me.

What's been achieved here is astounding. I can't begin to explain just how mind-boggling this production is, and much of what you witness is in maximum overscan, too. Throughout, the aesthetics are stunning with lovely colours and music. I'm no programmer, but the calculation that must have gone into the coding to bring everything together blows me away. For me, this is one of the best demos ever.

Screenshots do it no justice, but here are a few anyhow. Again, make sure you use a real ST...

Credits and download

• 505 - Music
• Exocet - Graphics
• mOdmate - Graphics, Music
• spkr - Code
• Tat - Code (Minimyser music playback code and tooling)
• Tom - Code
• Evil - Video Recording
• Grab the download from Demozoo, and check out smfx's page. 
• Don't miss out on playing PHF Rally 2 <<- read more!
• The other mentioned demos can be found using the search at the top ↗️

Cool logo, guys!

Yeah!!

Wow, I loved this "simple" effect of a city skyline.

Screenshots aren't great, as demonstrated here... sorry!

Ahh, I bet that will make a great wallpaper!!!

I think this was my favourite effect. I loved the speed, too!

Indeed.

Amadeus Wolf Gang

Something old, something new

I stumbled upon this Megademo by accident when searching for something completely different. Not only that, but this is something I've never heard of and most certainly never seen before (at least my old memory doesn't recall). That's always a great feeling, which whisks me back to those carefree younger years!

The Wolverine Megademo was released in the summer of 1991 by Amadeus Wolf Gang, including contributions by other French groups I hadn't heard of - Titanium, Kids Ghosts Brothers, Genesis, and The Storm Brothers. These are all new names to me, and ones I'm now keen to research further. Gotta love the ST scene :)

The main menu is similar to many productions of this era - a horizontally scrolling landscape provides doorways to each demo. The display moves fast, but the controls are awkward when objects are in your way. Be warned, there is a screen by Titanium that I'd advise you to skip (unless you're still that spotty teenager).

Many demos are old school with rasters, multiple scrollers, and sprites wizzing about. There is also an impressive use of overscan - I especially liked the Evil Dead screen. Intriguingly, there also appears to be a locked door concealed behind a wall – a potential red herring or perhaps a cleverly hidden demo screen waiting to be found! Sadly, it's a shame there's no reset screen or anything dedicated to the enhanced STe hardware.

The Wolverine Megademo might not be the best showcase of what the Atari ST is capable of, but it still has some good screens. I liked it a lot, and if, like me, this is new to you, then get it downloaded. This article is dedicated to Marko Latvanen – a fantaSTic friend who is a pleasure to know, and endlessly helpful!!

Right, ST Nutters - stop reading this boring text and get this excellent demo downloaded. I'll end with some animated captures from my favourite screens to tempt you to download it. Enjoy the 16-bit show...

• https://demozoo.org/productions/64844/
• https://www.atarimania.com/demo-atari-st-wolverine-megademo.html
• If you want more Demoscene STuff, then look to the right under "What's your poison?"

This gave me Carebear vibes! An excellent and colourful screen by The Storm Brothers.

Wolverine Screen by Kids Ghosts Brothers is good; the old school vibes are superb!

Incredibly impressive is the Star Only Demo by Genesis. Could be a screensaver without the other bits!

The Evil Dead by Amadeus Wolf Gang is one of my favourites. Loved this one a bunch!!

Things That Made Us Go Hmmm....

Almost a Megademo

Every so often, I come across a demo I have not seen before, and today, I’ve got a rather good one - Things That Made Us Go Hmmm by The Watchmen. It starts with the above screen, cycling through a range of psychedelic colours that look absolutely stunning!! The main menu plays an original (ahem) tune and also reminds me of Life’s a Bitch by The Lost Boys. From here, you can access a selection of five demos…

> Now There's A Frood. This one features multiple background layers scrolling in different directions, along with a scroller that you’d struggle to read unless you’re an owl! It’s packed with proper old-school effects, executed brilliantly, and paired with some super-duper music.

> A Toaster Called Zippy. I first came across this a while back and absolutely loved it. I even recorded it because I was so taken with its simple yet stylish 3D presentation and that (Mmmm) compelling chip music. Thanks to a couple of cool chaps, I later found out the music is from the movie Fletch - how did I not spot that straight away?

> There's A Flower Dying In The Vase On My Shoulder. Quite possibly one of the strangest title ever! It starts with a simple screen featuring a massive logo and a sweet chiptune. Then, the full-screen scroller kicks in! It’s been done a million times before, but this is still a fantastic screen.

> The Joy Of Sex. No, not what you’re thinking! But if you’re expecting swirling, sexy 3D visuals, you’re in for a treat. This was easily my favourite demo of the lot - not because of full-screen effects or flashy extras (because there aren’t any), but because the 3D itself is superb. The thick, vibrant lines give it a laser-like effect, making it look absolutely stunning.

> The Fifth Screen. This one is a greetings demo packed with... well, greetings and lots of stars!

Another thing I must mention is the incredible artwork on each demo’s loading screen. Overall, this is a superb demo, and I tip my hat to The Watchmen for making me enjoy it as if it were 1992 (how I wish it were).

Demozoo has the download and a dedicated group page for The Watchmen.

Credits

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Chris(tophe) - Code

Ian - Graphics

Mad Max - Music

Zogg - Graphics (additional graphics in 'A Toaster Called Zippy')

Go Ahead Make My Bed

Happy Halloween!

I made a compilation video for Halloween and wondered what it might contain. Well, what's better than Chainsaw Massacre by The Lost Boys? It's an entertaining demo and a great example of the banter between ST groups. I ended my video recording with a scary image taken from Halloween, by The Black Twins.

If you’re too squeamish to watch a Swedish Carebear being mutilated, perhaps you’d prefer to play a game or two instead? But seriously, what's wrong with you? Anyhow, the Atari ST has many scary games in its library, and many I have yet to feature here on AtariCrypt. Yikes, I need to work a lot harder!

Here are some nerve-racking ideas which are highly recommended by yours truly...

• Horror Zombies From The Crypt is the obvious choice - because it's fiendishly superb.
• Ooze is quirky, but there are lots of things going bump in the night to entertain.
• The Curse of Rabenstein, a brand new slice of horror that is jaw-droppingly awesome.
• Frankenstein takes us all on a humorous B-Movie adventure.
• What about gore? Nothing beats Death Chase for immense lust for blood!
• Finally, there is Nightbreed if you dare to try your luck within the disturbed mind of Clive Barker.

Now I'm in the mood for more horror: Brides of Dracula, Munsters, or Night Hunter. Has anyone played 'em?? Let me know what you think in the comments. Oh, and don't forget about ZombieCrypt, which is spine-chillingly cool. By that, I mean it's that lame slideshow I made. Watch it and let me know what you think!

Happy Halloween, folks. And remember, it'll be Christmas soon!! ;^)

Evil Ash, from Evil Dead II, and then featured in ZombieCrypt on the Atari ST.

How cool is that!

Grusel

Comedy Horror

This was one of the first demos I ever bought from a PD library when I became an ST user. The scene was fresh and bewildering for me back then. Plus, I had little money and took the plunge, blindly spending my pennies on something called "Grusel". I miss those days of ordering disks from PD libraries!

Thanks to the insanity of Eckhard Kruse, I've been hooked on graveyards, weird skeletons, and ghosts for over 30 years. Yes, it's silly, but this is an ST classic, and I just had to share it. Grusel can be downloaded from Eckhard's own website (don't forget Ballerburg, an outstanding turn-based strategic shooter you need to play!). This little demo is nothing less than a timeless classic. A childish demo. A masterpiece!

• Grusel can be downloaded from Eckhard's website.
• Please don't forget about Ballerburg, an utter ST classic this one!

Phantom

Wanna see a jaw-dropping Atari ST demo?

The Phantom Demo was released by the Amiga/PC group Arkham, who suddenly appeared on the ST and then vanished. It combines two releases from 1993/94 into one package. The demo showcases impressive visuals and excellent chiptunes composed by Kane Wood. Can you tell that I enjoyed this a bunch!!

My two videos are teasers, but they give a good idea of how fantastic this demo is. Once teased, make sure you watch everything using your own Atari ST computer - because nothing beats real hardware, ever.

The download is available on AtariMania with more of Kane's music on Demozoo.

Enjoy what is nothing less than a blummin' fantastic release...

   

ElefantaSTic

Loooooove this!

This demo was released at Silly Venture 2013 by Genesis Project and is outstanding. I love ElefantaSTic because it breaks from the norm with unique and stunning styles. Plus, the artwork is superb with beautiful effects and a perfectly apt chiptune. This is one of my personal favourites! Downloadable from Demozoo.

Credits

MCH - Music

Mermaid - Graphics, Music

Shadow - Code

Things Not To Do

Good advice

Electronic Images released the most hilarious Atari ST demo I've seen. I tried to record a video, but my emulator messed up the graphics, and the sine scroller (which is beautiful) was jerking like it had a nervous twitch. So I gave up and burned the image to a floppy disk. Nothing beats the real hardware.

Download this utterly stupid demo from AtariMania, then turn up the volume and enjoy the show.

Credits

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4mat - Music
Count Zero - Music
Griff - Code, Text
J.C.B - Graphics (Animation)

Master - Graphics

Midnight Sun

ST GLAM!!

I've just been going through the latest uploads on Demozoo, and there have been many incredible releases of demos, artwork, and music from both the Outline and Sommarhack parties. I'm constantly blown away by what the DHS boys can produce: the video is of Midnight Sun for the Atari STe (running overscan).

Credits for Midnight Sun by Dead Hackers Society

Crazy Q - Music

Evil - Code

Excellence In Art - Other (Sample sequence)

Proteque - Graphics

https://demozoo.org/productions/174400/

Check out these screenshots for an idea of what the Atari ST scene is capable of knocking out. Remember, YouTube is good, but nothing beats the experience when using a real Atari ST/e computer.

#JustSaying :p

Virtual Escape

Jaw-Dropper

After about 6 years, Equinox eventually released Virtual Escape in 1999, and it's one of my favourite demos. The tunes are utterly sexy, with some of the most incredible visuals to blow your socks off!! Those swirling dots are gobsmackingly beautiful, and I love the super-duper fast 3D. It's hard to believe this is on a stock 520 Atari ST. An incredible production that oozes class and is definitely one of the best demos out there.

Don't emulate - experience this using a real Atari ST and crank up the volume!

Credits and Downloads

Furax - Music

Jedi - Music

Keops - Code, Graphics (design)

Mad Max - Music (endpart)

Nova - Graphics

Starlion - Code

You can download Virtual Escape right now off Demozoo.

Democyclopedia mentions each effect, along with the awesome Skyline (see above). 

 

Circus back²STage

Circus back²STage demo for the Atari STe, by BlaBLa, Cocoon & Sector One.

With an unusual style, Circus back²STage is a fascinating Atari STe demo. It features a bucket load of colourful effects in overscan with the most wonderful chip music. Some people hate clowns, but get over it - this is literally one of the best demos I've seen. It's hard drive-installable, and downloads are available on Demozoo.

Flip-O-Demo

Flip Flop Demo

I'm starting my weekend with the exquisite Flip-O-Demo by Oxygene/Diamond Design because it's been updated to support hard drive installation. Originally, it was released in 1993 and contains some of the best artwork and visual fx you could imagine - all whilst playing lovely audio by one of my favourite musicians.

Flip-O-Demo is certainly one of the best examples of Atari ST creativity. Grab it from Demozoo.

Credits
Jess - Music
Leonard - Code
MoN - Graphics
Niko - Graphics
Oxbab - Code
Scavenger - Music
Spiral - Graphics
Wilfried - Graphics

lotsa stars!

You won't believe this!

It’s been ages since I uploaded a video, so I thought it was high time. I’ve had it for a long time, but I should have shared it sooner, because it’s so impressive and deserves to be seen by the demoscene fanbase. Come on, just look at the specs: 1265 zillion+ stars, calculated in real-time and at 50fps. Mind-boggling!!

I would like to see another 16-bit computer try this! So sit back and enjoy the show... 

Credit

No More - Music

Phenomenon - Code, Graphics (Logo)

TiNKer - Graphics (Font)

Download from Demozoo.