Fodder Reborn
When Cannon Fodder hit the shelves in 1993, it wasn’t just another game - it was an instant cult classic. Rightly so, it's a cool mix of action, strategy, and a dollop of dark humour thrown in for good measure. I loved the game, and even had the Atari Jaguar version, which played better than I imagined it would using the pad.
The game has us commanding a tiny squadron of soldiers, leading them through jungles, deserts, and snowfields, looking for enemies to blast to smithereens. We could use machine guns and grenades, blowing up little huts and generally running around like the A-Team, killing everything. So much fun!
I was thrilled when Cannon Fodder eventually arrived on the ST. However, this joy was short-lived as it became evident that we had been saddled with a lazy port without proper horizontal scrolling. For me, this has always been a bitter pill to swallow for over three decades. I’m not interested in excuses; a bad workman always blames his tools. Confusingly, this was the same person who gave us Sensible Soccer. Wow!
Fast forward three+ decades, and we finally have a proper Cannon Fodder with horizontal scrolling thanks to Krzysztof (kTz) Jarzyna of Retro Blitter Team (you need an Atari STe or an ST w/Blitter). No need to rub your eyes in disbelief, as it's true - no more jarring screen flips! Now, the battlefield scrolls as your squad advances. So, Cannon Fodder is fully playable without the need to look over our shoulders at the Amiga fanboys. Not only that, but Hospes will soon improve the intro's graphics and feature background music!!
I'd like to tip my (virtual) hat at Krzysztof as he's obviously worked hard hacking away at the code to find ways to improve it. It's still a WIP, but after all these years, we have a fully playable game. That makes me very happy!! So gear up, as we’re finally entering battle in a version the Atari always deserved!!
Here are loads of links to the new game, along with loads of other cool stuff...
- Retro Blitter Team's Cannon Fodder is available for download (*WIP*).
- This ultra-sexy new version has been added to my list of Enhanced Games. Check it out.
- Fancy something different from war? How about skiing with Whipper Snapper Race?
- I couldn't finish without mentioning this classic Golden Dawn intro!!
- kTz and Hospes are featured on Demozoo.
I made a little video, just to show the horizontal scrolling.
If in doubt, lob a grenade as quickly as possible!!
Finally, after decades, I'm actually playing through Cannon Fodder!
Shall I risk wading across the water or look for a better route?
The desert proves tough with hidden traps, so don't get blown up!
The Dukes of Hazzard comes to the world of Cannon Fodder!!
Very tough now, especially with guys off-screen accurately firing at me!
