Yep, that stupid plumber is now available for the Atari ST. Phew, thankfully, I'm lying!! This is actually an intro screen that was created as a main menu for a demo that was never released. Good old Demozoo informs that it's by Channel 38 and features neat music and a "play area" making good use of those borders!!
My apologies for my video recording, which is pretty poor. A real ST/e performs silky smooth.
Dave Munsie is a legend within the Atari ST world. It's as simple as that. The guy released several outstanding games: Berzerk, Frantick, and Kid GP. Some of his games were even enhanced for the Atari STe.
Asteroidia, as you've probably guessed by now, is a Munsie-take on the Asteroids arcade genre. This means it's hardly going to win an award for originality, but don't be put off because I've a sneaky suspicion this might be worth your time downloading this rock blaster. It's a Munsie game, so that's a given, right?
Forget about a static/no-scrolling screen with vector graphics. Dave is transporting us to a part of space where moving pixels rule, thanks to the Atari STe hardware. Pixels powered by the Blitter chip; scrolling at blistering speeds. Not only that, but you can expect DMA audio. Your monitor won't know what hits it!
To be honest, it's hard to imagine Asteroids looking impressive, but I'll post a screenshot anyhow...
The planet is powered by the Blitter and whizzes by!
Boring old asteroids, right?
As you would expect, the gameplay is predictably asteroids with us controlling a ship chasing lumps of rocks. It's initially quite hard and surely takes some practice because everything moves so fast. Thankfully, the controls are a cinch to master, so it won't be long before you realise how fantastic this alternative conversion is.
Visually, it looks nice, but it's the speed that will impress. Planet Earth swooshes across your monitor and makes you realise how under-utilised the Blitter and Atari STe were by many commercial gaming companies. Mr. Munsie puts them to shame. The audio hasn't been forgotten, and we get DMA support, which plays a short sampled tune. However, it's quite repetitive, so I switched to far better chiptune/sound effects!
Here is the options screen where you can activate the Blitter, flip to PAL/NTSC, and more...
Gotta tip my hat to Mr. Munsie... Blitter, 50Hz, Atari STe / Falcon support. Incredible!!
The CryptO'pinion?
This might be Asteroids, but the twist is how it performs with impressive Blitted graphics zooming about the screen. Not only that, it's like watching a demo that proves how much untapped potential the Atari STe has. That enormously changes and enhances the gameplay mechanics. Factor in the excellent joystick controls, and you know why this is rock-smashingly addictive. One of the most entertaining games I've played.
Blitted graphics or not, this is bucketloads of fun and a superb Asteroids conversion. Highly recommended!
Download Asteroidia from AtariMania Hey, can you beat my high-score below?
Check this out, folks! Marc Johnson needs no introduction, but look at what he created for me when fed with chiptunes (and a bottle of wine). Thank you, mate, this is an awesome logo. Absolutely superb STuff!!
You know me, I love the Atari STe, so I'm always on the hunt for games, demos, and programs that make use of its enhanced hardware. Well, I was flicking through ST Format #58 and noticed a review of a game called Crime Wave, by Dillon Agoma. It appears similar to Super Cars and makes use of hardware scrolling! However, the reviewer didn't seem too pleased with the controls, so perhaps it was a work in progress?
This is a tough one to research because its name is the same as a US Gold game. Plus, no PD library stocked it as Crime Wave was only available directly from the author. I've searched online but found no downloads or information. I have written and posted a letter, so I hope he is living in the same house!
Update July 2017: I've managed to contact Dillon on Twitter. The event log...
June 2016: This is the date I originally posted the letter!
Feb 2017: Sadly, I never received a reply to my letter. (I later found out that he had moved!)
July 2017: I've managed to contact Dillon online and he thinks his disks are in storage :-)
Oct 2017: Nothing turned up there, but he now hopes that those disks are in his attic.
April 2019: I've sent Dillion another message but sadly I've heard nothing back. I hope he's okay but I'm now starting to think this piece of ST history is now lost forever.
