There are many different boot sector programs to add cool FX to a floppy. This helps prevent virus infections, but we all love the dazzling effects! Some are technically amazing! Bootblock by The Fingerbobs is one of my favourite programs that writes a number of boot sectors, and the one above is Bladerunners!!
Credits: Bootblock was coded by Oberje of Fingerbobs with music by Jochen Hippel.
I love finding awesome programs like this, and it's one of the reasons the ST never fails to impress. I'd bet there are more lurking out there in ST Land. Let me know in the comments what programs you find :-)
Yes, the most annoying game has finally arrived on the Atari ST, and I’ve tried to play it. I managed about 30 minutes before I was ready to chuck the joystick out my bedroom window. The animation above just gives a taste of the misery I endured. I hope you find my suffering amusing - it was absolutely dreadful!
Well, I’ll say this about this maddening game: it looks fantastic as it torments you. The graphics are bright and colourful, and it runs in 1VBL for ultra-smooth scrolling. However, I just don’t get it. Why is the whole world so enamoured with this flappy little flyer? What am I missing? I think that the world gone mad.
I never enjoyed or appreciated this game; I simply hate Flappy Bird so much!
Fools can grab the download from the AtariMania website.
The Seven Gates of Jambala was released in 1989 by Grandslam thanks to talented Thalion sceners. I bought this a few years ago and paid handsomely. Not only because it's by Thalion, but it was sealed in pristine condition: opening it was immense when I got close and breathed in that trapped 1980s air. Mmm!!
The game tells the tale of a lone adventurer who enters the forbidden land of Jambala, a realm sealed by seven magical gates that imprison an ancient power. To restore balance, you must pass through each gate, uncovering fragments of lost knowledge and confronting the evil force hidden at the heart of the land.
This platformer boasts some big names from the ST demo scene. These talented guys knew how to get the most from the ST and prove what this computer is capable of. Unfortunately, like Enchanted Land, it looks and sounds better than it plays. While the basic mechanics are solid, something feels 'off'. The shooting feels awkward, and the momentum and slippery floors are strange, especially on tight platforms.
Frankly, I’m quite disappointed with my purchase and haven’t booted up the game since. I fear it was a hasty reaction born of my disappointment (and I'm being polite there!!). Anyhow, please let me know in the comments if I’m being too harsh about this platformer. Perhaps I’ll revisit it for a proper playtest sometime.
Downloads are available by Klaz (floppy and hard drive w/ trainer). You will need that trainer!!
- SCREENSHOTS -
We begin in a village, but beware the threat of drowning in tiny purple puddles!
Where could these doors possibly take us? Let's knock and find out...
Woo!! It's really creepy down here, and there are monsters, too. Watch out!
The tunnels reminded me of No Buddies Land! You can find THAT on this website too :o)
Mud Pies is one of the oldest Atari ST games we have and stars a kid called Arnold. He loved the circus - until it came to his town, so he threw a pie at one of the clowns. Unfortunately, these clowns aren't known for having a sense of humour and chased after him! There's only one thing left to do - throw more pies!!
Each screen represents a tent in the circus with an invading army of clowns - they're like jelly monsters dressed up as Ronald McDonald! They wander, waving their arms and chucking juggling pins. This invasion lasts forever, but the pies won't! Look for an open door to another tent full of mud pies - and more clowns.
Throwing a mud pie at a clown will see them flying off the screen (even more will score extra points). However, try not to get trapped in a corner; otherwise, you might receive a juggling pin knockout blow!
I can imagine this is starting to sound insane. Well, check out the 1985 graphics and try not to laugh...
Just imagine the look on today's kids if you show 'em this 1985 game. Will they "get it"?
Simple, yet brilliant!
Challenge rooms are different from the standard tents because they have no mud pies, but instead, lots of clowns to avoid whilst grabbing the prizes, for 1000 points. Every 20,000 points, a secret door will appear for the chance to enter into a Mudslinging Round where you have 30secs to throw pies at wandering clowns!!
Don't clown about too much! Getting hit isn't good for your health, and dying shows your body being carried away on a stretcher to the first aid tent. That can happen only three times before it's game over. Talented pie chuckers will be delighted that lives are awarded every 10,000 points. A nice bonus.
Keep an eye on the health meter displayed top/left - this is split into three segments, with the middle one enabling you to run fast. However, this speed is reduced if you become too hungry or overly bloated on burgers and fries. The trick is to keep your health in a happy medium throughout for maximum agility.
Come on, let's pause this reading and take a look at another quality screenshot...
Always frantic, always fun, and always so addictive. This game is eternal!!
Aesthetics
Graphically, this isn't stressing the Atari ST in the slightest. But remember that it was developed and released in 1985, before programmers knew how to push our computer. Having said that, it's got a certain Charley Chuck charm to it and, as a gamer since the early 1980s, I love its retro feel. No, I absolutely love it :)
Spot-sound effects are fine, but it is best to leave the music on. Again, this isn't anything near the quality we are used to hearing, but it's still surprisingly enjoyable. No complaints, it's an old game, remember!
Come on, no game's looks and sounds ever matter. Mudpies certainly proves this...
Oh, just take a look at the high-score table!! Can ya' beat me??? ;-)
The CryptO'pinion?
It's impressive that MichTron (Philip McKenzie and Jeffrey Sorenson) knocked this out for a computer that was practically unknown back in 1985. I can't imagine how exciting that was - and daunting too. When Mudpies came along, it must have been a breath of fresh air to all those rich people who could afford an ST!
Think what you will, but Mudpies is a terribly entertaining take on Food Fight with silly gameplay that transports us back to our youth. Abusing clowns is never dull. I can’t think of a better way to spend an afternoon than slinging mud pies at them. This is so much FUN, and that's what matters. Please, play this game.
Grab a piece of this old skool action for either floppy or hard drive. Enjoy!!
I remember the time I booted up this game, thanks to a cover disk by ST/Amiga Format. I was at college and seeing stunning graphics, without colour clash, was still new to me. This is actually a rather faithful representation of the coin-op, with superb controls and accompanied by the most memorable chip music. The play area might not slide from side to side (as in the arcades), but that isn't required, thanks to our wider resolution ratio when you think about it. Firebird released a classic shoot 'em up here.
Everything you require for a thrilling experience. Stop reading, and play this!!
I love platform shooters; this was developed in 1991 by Imagitec Design for Electronic Arts. The story is simple: pesky aliens are causing grief for us Earthlings. They have pinched a time machine and are using it to alter history and wreak havoc by taking hostages from different periods. This is an attempt to halt their influence... The invention of the wheel. England's King Arthur united the Britons. Japan's technical wizardry!
Yep, we cannot allow it, and the fight is on! So, brace yourself because we are travelling into these time zones to rescue everybody. Thus saving the timeline and protecting our future. Whilst there, we may as well kill each and every bad dude that gets in our way. Yup, it's time to save the day again, so let's lock and load!!
Check out this screenshot and tell me what other run & gunner it reminds you of...
Pick-ups are pretty cool, but something like the Map parts is essential for this huge platformer!!
Are you ready for a challenge?
Zone Warrior is a MASSIVE horizontally scrolling platformer that reminded me of Psygnosis' Baal in looks, with (more than) a hint of Turrican-style action. Each zone is a labyrinth of rooms interconnected by a series of doorways. A total of five time zones need to be saved from the dreaded aliens...
Prehistoric - I really enjoyed this zone because it introduces you nicely into the gameplay style plus there are lots of power-ups and strong map designs compared to most other levels. I also thought the graphics were the best here with great use of the palette.
Egyptian - This is is little disappointing for me because it's basically more of the same design but with a different graphics. However, I found it to be a lot harder and rather frustrating instead of anything close to an enjoyable challenge...
Medieval - Saving the medieval Britons from their alien fate is a brilliant level and definitely on par with the Prehistoric Zone. I must admit, the music here is so gorgeous!
Japanese - I would rate this as the best level of all because it is really challenging, with some great mechanics. Unlike the finicky Egyptian Zone, I found it tough but without the frustration. And the chipmusic is out of this world!!
Holocaust - Sadly I didn't care for this zone... Very frustrating and ultimately annoying!
Travelling most zones is a neat experience with action to keep your trigger finger happy. During the onslaught, look for hostages and a key for the final battle (before you can progress to the next zone).
Each of these periods has its own nasties to contend with, and some cannot be killed, so avoid the Venus flytraps and sharp spikes. But most have legs or teeth, so have your trusty Turrican-inspired weapon ready. This is a rapid-firing gun that performs well and can be upgraded with a wider spread. Also, the spacebar cycles through extra weapons you may have picked up, like bombs and mines. Experiment, but use wisely.
Okay, let's check out another screenshot of Tur...Erm, no, I meant Zone Warrior...
I really enjoyed the prehistoric levels with dinos and cool methods used to avoid them!
Aesthetics?
The visuals are a mixed bag; on the one hand, they look amazing with lush colours and nice details. The sprites are well-drawn and meticulous, especially the stripy dinos from the Prehistoric Zone. The scrolling is great and responsive to our hero's fast/leaping movements, essential to a running-gunner-shooter like this. However, the variety of the backdrops could have been better, especially as things get samey after a while.
Overall, the Medieval and Japanese zones looked the best, I thought. Sexy visuals!
The audio is a blast with great effects throughout. However, it's the music I really loved because everything is composed by Barry Leitch, who created a wealth of fantastic chiptunes. Show-stompingly brilliant audio!!
Variety is the spice of life <incoming sarcasm> so if you like yellows, you will love this screenshot...
The graphics and music may change, but the gameplay is pretty darn familiar for each level...
The CryptO'pinion?
The trouble with Zone Warrior is that it's too easy to lose your bearings. The levels are huge, and wandering from "room to room" can be overwhelming. This is also due to the indistinct visuals, so each area begins to feel repetitive. Thankfully, our zone warrior can collect pieces of a map to help prevent him from getting lost, but I thought it was poorly implemented. Yes, I lost my bearings... a lot... and that spoiled my fun.
With a little more variation in the graphics, to help distinguish between the locations, this would have knocked the spots of other platform shooters. This is a great game with interesting mechanics and incredibly responsive joystick controls. It might whiff of Turrican, but I have really enjoyed being a Zone Warrior!!
Yep, Zone Warrior is a fantastic shooter and comes highly recommended by yours truly. Play it!!
I love anything with swirling dots & sine scrolling, so this intro by Criminals In Disguise is right up my street. The fx are very nice, with beautiful hum-tastic chip music that I can leave playing all day. My video recording is fine, but (you know what I'm going to say) it's best experienced using a real computer for visual perfection and better sound, especially on the Atari STe, so connect it to your speakers and crank up the volume.
This disk contains Jetpac, an awesome conversion of the Speccy original you should play!
Sinister Developments was one of the best shareware groups and released five fantastic arcade games. Each was their own take on the original, and it was obvious that a lot of love went into their creations. Fantastic graphics, audio and ultra-smooth gameplay, which felt authentic yet somehow regenerated and fresh.
Only recently, I stumbled upon the Sinister Developments website. I was surprised they still had their old Atari ST software featured with download links. Seeing such Fuji wonders listed on a website was both a shock and a pleasure - a website that also looked like it hadn't been updated in many generations!! Sadly, the download links didn't work. So, I decided to send them an email and kept my fingers crossed for a response. After all, I did not expect to receive any kind of reply from such an ancient website...
Surprisingly, I got a reply straight away from Gordon Gibson! He fixed the broken links and kindly supplied full (registered) versions of each title. Yep, all for free without any strings attached (is it my birthday?). For reference, the incredible Atarimania now has each game featured within its archives.
You've probably watched the brilliant Space Invaders video (above)? Well, check out Galaxians...
The Sinister Archive!
Centipede - Gordon said they wanted a mix between Centipede and Millipede which worked out well. I found a few bugs but nothing to stop the fun as this is a frantically zany and frenzied version of the classic. A superb conversion. (To bypass the shareware message just press "ESC" key on the language screen).
Painter - I personally thought this was the weakest of the bunch but it's still enjoyable and very difficult with killer AI (literally). There is also funky stereo music on the Atari STe - yeah!!
Asteroids - This begins with a familiar intro supporting stereo playback for the Atari STe. Inintially, I found it difficult but, after a few tips from the man himself, I got to grips with it. I still suck at it, but at least I'm "better"!! (To bypass the shareware message just press "F10" key on the language screen).
Space Invaders - This is my favourite of the bunch. It's a beauty and feels perfectly authentic it screams brilliance. Yet again, the Atari STe features DMA music with stereo sound effects too. (To bypass the shareware message just type in "PEPSI MAX" on the language screen).
Galaxians - I've always been rubbish at this gamr but it's such a great conversion. I think that Sinister have created one of pure gold and it had me feeling that I'm back in the 1980s. (To bypass the shareware message just press "INSERT" key on the language screen).
The CryptO'pinion?
Sinister Developments' history proves their talent as each game is a brilliant arcade conversion. Just as impressive is the use of various Atari STe enhancements, which is always cool. Oh, did I mention that all these games are now free? :) Come on, that is incredibly generous. Do you feel the Atari love in the air?
Five outstanding arcade games I know every Atari ST/e player is gonna love. Which is your favourite??
Please note - to safeguard this precious archive of Atari ST gaming history, I have stored them in my Dropbox. So, what are you waiting for? Get these Atari ST/e games downloaded right now? I'm sure you're gonna love 'em all!!
Archer Maclean Pool was released in 1992 and is pretty much Jimmy White’s Whirlwind Snooker, but (erm) pool. Snooker is alright, but a game needs to be entertaining, and I find it a struggle to stay awake. Then I thought to myself, what about pool, and I knew I hadn't played Archer Maclean’s Pool for years. So, let's fix that.
Pool is an exciting, fast-paced pub game that's nothing like the dullness of snoozeville snooker. American and English variations are playable with the added option to play tournaments or to set up trick shots. If you've played Whirlwind, then you'll instantly take to its UI, but I doubt any newcomers will struggle as it's instinctive and easy to grasp. A cynic might say that they're the same games with different balls ;)
Wanna see a cute animation from one of my games? Good, here ya' go then...
What a whiz I am at this game! Go on, watch me clear up lol
Pool is illegal without a beer! #fact
Graphics are... well... it's a table with balls on it, so there isn't much to drool over, but the framerates are smooth and prove just what 8MHz can do. The 3D engine works well with fantastic first-person-like views when lining up a shot. Let's not forget the game's comical side with taunting balls, evil-eyed fans, or the flies on the table!! Sound effects are nice and varied, with clinks, plops, and oddly humorous cue-chalking moments.
Play this using the mouse to alter the viewing angle, but don't forget to chalk the cue before setting up the shot with the right amount of power, spin, and direction. There is a range of computer opponents from amateur to godlike, so it's best to practice before taking on the pros (they are incredibly tough!!)
What I love about this game is the superb design, which feels natural and realistic. After your first shot, you realise how superior the hidden mathematical calculations are that make the physics appear so believable. There are near-limitless possibilities for each shot you make, which is quite incredible.
Pool might be a serious game, but that hasn't stopped the balls from taking the Micky...
You know from the very start this is gonna be good. Then the balls get very rude!!
The CryptO'pinion?
Sure, this game is best enjoyed with friends in a pub with heavy double vision, but let’s be honest, we’re all getting old, and the wife wouldn’t be pleased if we came home in a state. So let’s stick to the virtual game, which surprisingly comes in as a close second. I can’t imagine anyone complaining because it’s superb and one of the best Atari ST games out there. It’s fast, entertaining, addictive, and completely faultless.
ImageWorks released Phobia in 1989 with a gorgeous retro-themed cover. I bought Phobia for only 99 pence, and it was sealed too. The box and contents are in superb condition. The artwork is stunning with lots of colour, action, and a cruel glare from evil eyes. I think this box perfectly reflects the gameplay!
Phobia has all the hallmarks of a potentially outstanding shooter, but it's impossible to get far without a trainer because of its choppy framerate. It's probably a poor port as it pales compared to other ST shooters like R-Type, Alien World, Menace, etc. Maybe I'll be brave and record a gameplay video? Maybe...
ST Format #1 reviews Phobia but wasn't too impressed with the difficulty - lol wimps!!
D-Bug has a download with a trainer and hard drive support.
Stonish has floppy disks, and I liked Timelords #29 Menu CD (1MB).
Here is a fantastic video recording by Stefan Lindberg.
My tweet after playing Phobia for a few minutes... ARGGHHHHHH!!!
I should have known this was going to be hard with such a hideous screen.
Annnd this next screenshot is of me and my ship being blown up! Again.
Nope, there's none of that with Automation #496 because this intro is based on Rick Dangerous. Well, there's no actual interaction, but we can walk and climb ladders. But it's a cool alternative compared to the usual menus we would have seen. Just control Ricky D. with the joystick, and enter a doorway to select a game to play!!
Spot... Erm, sorry, Roger is a fast-paced 25-level platformer released by Tobe of MJJ. It offers a frantic run through various Sonic-like levels, collecting jewels for a demanding girlfriend, Georgette. This "platformer" has many jewels - without any ladders and few ledges. So how will Roger complete this task?
Bubbles, of course! All he needs to do is jump on one and, when it bursts, the force thrusts him upwards. If there's another bubble, then the cycle continues, and he uses that momentum to reach other jewels. Roger has limited health, so it's advisable to avoid the sharp spikes that burst on contact, as they drain his energy. Power pills can be collected to compensate for that, but they are few and far between.
Okay, let's take a break from the reading as I have a sexy picture to share...
This is what it's all about, and Georgette is a babe with her luscious red lips!
Quick Reactions R Needed!
Use the joystick to walk left/right, and the fire button helps Roger leap with joy via the bubbles. Once you begin bubble-jumping, it's a matter of adjusting your trajectory towards the next bubble whilst collecting the nearby jewels as you zoom through the air. Burst bubbles reappear after a second or two, and that aspect cunningly allows you to revisit the areas you might have previously missed during this insane journey.
Want a tip? Gotta learn the level layout as you are hopping about like a crazy fool!
Are you getting a little worried about how deranged this game sounds? It's not nearly as stupid as you think because the mechanics of bubble-hopping work brilliantly. In some ways, I got a Sonic vibe from it, but, unlike that hedgehog, Roger is zooming around your screen in all directions with one primary goal.
It's a maddening thrill being Roger, and you'll love it, so let's see another screenshot...
Check out that stride - gotta love those lanky legs!
What about the aesthetics?
The graphics are a mixed bag; Roger's sprite is superb with side-splitting animation - I could watch those lanky legs for hours!! The framerates are frighteningly fast with smooth scrolling thanks to the Blitter. Sadly, the in-game decor is quite a disappointment, with drab backgrounds that only change every 5 levels.
Sound effects are crisp and perfectly suited to the style: I like the explosion sound for the spikes, and the music is magnificent throughout. Well, I say magnificent, but that's because I cannot think of a better word - I could listen to them all day!! This certainly proves that chip music will last forever and rightly so.
Right then, let's see one final screenshot before the gripping climax...
Finally, a different background after the first few levels, and it's much nicer too.
The CryptO'pinion?
Roger is quite a unique experience and feels like an airborne Boulder Dash meets Sonic. It's weird and something I would never have expected to like. It's easy to pick up and play, and I guarantee you won't be able to put down your joystick. Hopping from bubble to bubble is stupidly frantic, and I loved every second of it.
Roger's gameplay is legendary. Enormously addictive with an extreme adrenaline rush!! Play this.
Roger can be found on Demozoo for floppy/hard drive installation.
Tobé's archive is detailed on Demozoo, although he strayed a little ;-)
