megahertz war

I had to "laugh" when I read this article by Andrew Wright from issue #24 of Atari ST Review magazine. How right he was about the times and I do wonder if he had a crystal ball? (if so, it was probably a GEM program). By the mid-90s, the PC industry had taken over to claim (and keep) the crown for the winner of the computer wars. Sure, we were still around but we knew our days were numbered and, for gaming especially, the ST was as dead as a Dodo.

All due to Atari's poor management and their lack of enthusiasm throughout the previous years by restricting the old ST to the same 8MHz they gave it in 1985. So, our beloved Atari TOS computer began fading away into the darkness and, by the late 90s, every ST was probably hidden away inside thousands of attics... I jest, but the millennium days where sure gloomy. Cheer up because it also happened to those Commie computers too!

ST Review Invaders

Get inside your laser cannon!

I've found an ST Review cover disk (#11), and on it is the imaginatively titled ST Review Invaders, a magazine exclusive by Dave Munsie. This is a game I fondly remember, but my first impressions weren't great as traditional elements are altered far too much for my liking. Such as how the cannon moves over a rocky landscape, and I prefer a game like this to remain legit. So, I recall not being immediately impressed.

After a few games, I found myself enjoying this quirky space shooter and the nifty new mechanics, which I think are excellent. Also, I enjoyed the faster gameplay, which is superb and loads of fun - I love how the pesky aliens no longer shoot in predictable straight lines, and their attack patterns are new and interesting. Level two sees them bopping along in a humorous fashion with a Mexican wave following later on!!

The authenticity is altered far too much for my liking, so it's not Space Invaders anymore. But ignore me, because it's a fantastic shooter in its own right, with that 'just one more go' factor. Love it!!

Atari ST menu disks

Astonishing!

Menu Disks... I love them for the opportunity they gave us poor folk who couldn't afford to buy many games. I hate them for prematurely killing the Atari ST gaming scene. Whether they did or didn't is an argument that's been going on for years. It's up to you what to think but you cannot deny how great they are with their superb visuals, music, and scrollers. Like it or not, they are an essential part of Atari ST history.

Some disks are incredible, often by a kid in his bedroom who put commercial companies to shame with jaw-dropping effects. Most are by teams of talented hackers, musicians, artists, and distributors. I have many favourites I adore, like Dream Weavers, Automation, Fusion, Elite, Replicants, FOF, Cynix, D-Bug, FOFT, Zulu, Mad Vision, POV, Bad Brew Crew and more. Ahh, the list is almost endless!

Sadly, not many of us kept these floppies they are getting harder to find. Some have disappeared from existence, which is terrible. Thankfully, a website has taken up the challenge to preserve this part of Atari ST's history. It's called Stonish (now incorporated into Atari Legend) and is run by Bruno Mathieu.

I asked Bruno why Stonish and what he hopes to achieve:

"Stonish.net tries to collect all menu disks made on Atari ST. They are mainly games menus, but it will feature tools, demos and mod menus in the next months. The site provides more than 1600 disks at the moment (more to come). All disks have been tested and some of them have been repaired.

The goal is, of course, to provide a safe database for all disks, but not only. Some crews didn't spread very well their disks. A lot of compilations have been lost since the 80's. So we need to fill the gap: any help is welcome ;) This is the first of the website, which will probably evolve in the next months."

Many disks have now been rescued but there is still lots missing. Please, if you find anything lurking in your attic then consider donating. Stonish is a great website, doing great work, I wish them success!

STay Atari.