Cisco Heat

Another racing gem

Here is an arcade game that gets slammed for its jerky framerate and bizarre 90-degree turns! Rightly so, eh? Well, hold on... Similarly to Power Drift, we have a racer that uses the Blitter chip within the Atari STe for a much-needed power boost. It also utilises the extended palette and features incredible DMA digidrums to bop along to. Yet, none of this is mentioned on the game's box to promote it. Why would a company do that? I bet sales would have doubled if a typical STe owner thought their hardware was being used.

Before I begin, let's do a copy/paste from the Power Drift feature, because the same applies here, "...don’t take this for a review - it’s more of an excuse to add another game to my STe Enhanced section. Yes, AtariCrypt actually has a section dedicated to enhanced games! Bet you didn’t even know that, did you? Well, take a look to the right of any page and you shall see a link to this list (WIP - loads more to come)."

I’ve run Cisco Heat on real hardware (STf & STe). It's the same on both, but the STe sounds great and delivers a better framerate, especially noticeable when dodging cars, and everything feels smoother by comparison. Don’t get me wrong - this is still a conversion that’s far too impractical for a 16-bit machine. There are too many cars, obstacles, and hideously hilly roads that help to work against the already struggling framerate.

It’s surprising to learn that the Atari STe code was quietly added by Douglas Little. Makes you wonder if ICE Software wanted to avoid embarrassing the almighty Amiga! Overall, the Atari STe fares better than a Blitterless ST. Dammit, I actually enjoyed playing Cisco Heat on the STe – something I never thought I’d say!

Ratings are as follows: for the ST, I’d say 60% – it’s playable, but your eyes feel like they’ll pop out thanks to the choppy framerate. On the STe, I’m giving it a law-breaking 75% because I could actually enjoy it for more than a few minutes. And my eyes stayed in my skull, and I even “mastered” those horrendous corners.

Far too ambitious for a 16-bit, but give it a try and let me know what you think...

• Atari Legend has the floppies https://www.atarilegend.com/games/cisco-heat
• D-BUG has a cool version http://d-bug.mooo.com/dbugmenu/dbug018_21stC.msa
• PP supports faster computers https://atari.8bitchip.info/SCRSH/ciscoh.html
• DML listed on Demozoo https://demozoo.org/sceners/33816/
• If you’re too lazy to glance right for more enhanced games, just hit this link https://ataricrypt.blogspot.com/enhanced-games.html

Drop the number of cars (ie stupid drivers getting in the way) and we have a good racer!

I love the hills of San Francisco, but sometimes, they're a bit too mad...

Oh no, a dreaded corner is approaching. I hope you've practised O_o

Finally, I'm starting to get to grips with these corners!!

Another corner successfully taken...

Unlike her in the blue car, I'm rocking it!!

Sadly, I'm getting too big for my boots. Or wheels. Either way, I'm eating humble pie.

After a zillion collisions, I'm nearly done. They Think It's All Over...

It Is Now!! Three weird, jiggling cops show up for a boring Game Over!

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 teenage 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!!