Handheld console fans rejoice, for the "Gameboy" has arrived on the Atari ST, thanks to a piece of public domain software by Ingo Linkweiler. Well, no, it hasn't, but instead we have a program that features three games: Tetris, Pacman and Snake. It runs in GEM - any resolution - and can be installed as an ACC (preferred).
Open the ACC and hit a key to begin. The cursor keys are used to control all games: in Tetris, Left/Right moves the falling blocks, Up turns them around, while Down drops 'em to the floor. Pacman uses them to make haste around his maze of weird 'ghosts'. And Snake is quite the discrepancy, but I enjoyed it. A lot!
The Atari ST has hundreds of nifty ACCs, many of which are games, and I love finding nuggets of ST history like this. Gameboy is a fantastic ACC, and Ingo created something good, especially with Tetris. Sadly, Pacman's controls are quite tanky, and Snake is certainly a challenge! What did you expect in 20Kb? Exactly. So this program is worth checking out because my opinion rules. Ahem, of course, it does...
Click here if you're dying to make GEM cool again. Let me know what you think!
Gameboy Emulator
Wait, don't go!! The fun doesn't need to stop if you're willing to reboot your Atari ST for something different? If so, then The Untouchables have something rather neat for you. It's called the "Gameboy Emulator", and it looks the part with a version of Space Invaders and Tetris which includes a sampled background tune.
Okay, their Space Invaders is harsh and incomplete, but it's smooth and very likeable, at least for one game. Yes, I said one game (hit ESC afterwards). Tetris is excellent and very impressive. It reminds me of what I saw on a friend's Game Boy back in the day. Yup, definitely a nice albeit fake emulator, and I liked it a lot.
Clickety-Click to see more and download the Nuntundu Uboy.
Nesulator
You may be interested in an NES emulator by Ed Cleveland? Sadly, it's power-hungry and requires a lot of processing power - a lot more than the stock 8MHz ST can deliver. Also, it's beta and was never finished, so there's a lot to be desired. However, it's fun, and my Mega STe performed "adequately".
Take a look at NESulator and remember to check out the "Emulation" sections on this website :)
Stonish are having a fantastic year with tons of new additions to their database. I downloaded a few of these cracking menu disks (see what I did there?) and ended up playing through the goodies found on Supremacy #7: James Pond, a Steve Bak classic. Action Fighter, hey, this is good. The Mystic Well, one for geeks! But it was Stunt Car Racer that had me hooked. Well, it's a classic 16-bit racer that hasn't aged at all.
Back in the day, I remembered friends telling me about a new 3D racer by Geoff Crammond. It's a cunning mix of Evel Knievel and (a playable version of) Hard Drivin'. Some games age like a fine wine. This is one.
Let's take a peep at all the drivers. A weird bunch, although High Flyer looks cute...
Genius track design with incredibly cunning tricks and a motley crew to race against!
30 years later...
I booted up Stunt Car Racer and attempted a couple of practice laps, like it was 1989 again. To my surprise, I didn't crash or fall off the track!!! So I played another game and even participated in a league challenge, which I won. Now, I began gleaming with pride because this wasn't like me at all. Normally, I suck at all games. Yup, this success went straight to my head, and I started to get very excited - not easy at my age!
So I dared myself on and practised several different types of wicked tracks, with varying degrees of success. I'm being kind there: The Stepping Stones is a killer, which I think everybody should foolishly attempt, Kamikaze style. It's insane!! The Draw Bridge looks easy but has a nifty trick up its sleeve... I'll not spoil that. And The Big Ramp features a ginormous monster gap, which can only be jumped by going over 200mph. Are you fast enough? There might only be 8 tracks, but they are beauties, and this game proves itself a classic.
Wanna see some gameplay screenshots? Are you up for that? Of course, you are...
I love the way you are dropped in!
Now the fun begins against a blocky opponent.
I thought I was catching him up...
Sigh, I skidded into the dirt - only to watch him zoom away!
This is fun fun fun!!
Practice mode is great for learning the ropes and mastering those difficult parts of most tracks, but I found myself jumping straight into the league to compete against a computer-controlled opponent. These guys are well-balanced - the computer ain't no slouch, but nor is it Jimmie Johnson (ie, impossible to beat). Additionally, you can compete against friends and even hook up your ST to another glorious Atari computer. Or... maybe you have an Amiga friend to link up with? Nah, I didn't think so, but it is an option. ;)
Stunt Car Racer is controlled using the joystick: pushing up accelerates, whilst fire enables turbo boost for extra speed. Pulling down breaks (and can reverse), which comes in handy after falling off the tracks. Turning left or right isn't overly sensitive, but precise and natural, so comfortably realistic. Thus, instantly playable! Mastering the buggy's controls isn't tedious like other similar racers. In fact, it's rather rewarding.
Success will come because this game is playable! A trait often overlooked, and here I triumphed...
You win some, you lose some... Stick with it, and you'll be their hero (click 'em)
Aesthetics!
Graphically, this lacks the polished pizzazz of Lotus 2 or Crazy Cars 3. Thankfully, that is actually a good thing because the framerate doesn't suffer from unnecessary aesthetics. The graphics may look bland, but this simplicity is what keeps the action smooth. I'd rather have that any day compared to nicer aesthetics.
Sadly, the sounds aren't exactly the best I've heard from my ST: there are numerous effects, but that engine noise could have been better (I found myself turning the volume down). I'd love to see this improved with STe DMA effects just like we have in other games [subtle hint directed at Jamie, Jon, and Peter!!]
So, it looks & sounds weirdly acceptable, but moves like a dream! It's screenshot time...
This is always a cool glimpse at the next track, which I love.
In fact, I'd go as far as saying that these images are some of the best in the entire game ;)
The CryptO'pinion?
Stunt Car Racer is fast and furious with wonky tracks that are thrilling to race on, thanks to the spot-on perfect physics. Whether you choose to master the tricky stunts (in Practice mode) or jump straight into a league battle, I guarantee hours of fun. The stunt aspects are addictive, unlike Hard Drivin'. Mr Crammond delivered a truly wonderful racer, which is both incredibly exciting and bucket-loads of fun!!
This is one of the very best Atari ST racers and is worth nothing less than a glorious rating of 10/10.
I'm sure you were expecting this video :@) I've put together a second recording that features even more Atari STe games from the Crypt archives. Once again, just a few seconds of each is shown accompanied by the same groovy background tune by Tomchi. Greetings to all my fellow STe Nutters out there!
Let's check 'em out
+ Uridium - Peter has performed his usual magic and transformed this old clunky shooter into a beauty. + Operation Garfield - I dare you not to laugh at this silly shoot 'em up! + Zool - Good on the ST and even better on the STe. Different to Sonic and fun for a few hours.
+ Giana Sisters - This is what the original should have been like all along! One of the best-enhanced games. + Chronicles of Omega - More colours on the STf but smooth as silk on the STe and with DMA audio. + Substation - Doom for the ST? Well, no it's very different but it's still a BRILLIANT fps game.
+ Stardust - Now we're talking, play this Asteroids and tell me it's not mind-blowing. Superb shooter!! + Heartland 2000 - An Easter Egg with legs but look how smoooooth it runs!! + Zero-5 - The STe goes all Star Wars on us and it's utterly brilliant too. What a cracking game this is.
+ Pac Mania - The original was good but this blows it out of the water!! + R-Type Deluxe - Good old Bod did us proud right until the end. I miss him and thank him for the pics. + Team - I ain't a soccer fan but check out this in overscan. Wow!!
+ Sliders - Looks weird, scrolls like silk, but can you play it? One odd game this. Very odd... + Obsession - Best pinball game on any ST? Very possibly because this is a jaw-dropper Christmas cracker!
I've put together a video recording of 14 Atari STe games. Of course, this isn't complete because there are more games. In the interest of keeping things short and sweet, my video shows a few seconds from each game. With a groovy background tune by Tomchi, which is just gorgeous! I hope you enjoy my humble presentation?
Come on, man! Get to the games...
+ Bombaman - Everyone loves Bomberman and this is a Christmas cracker we both loved. + Escape 2042 - I bought this and so should you. This is incredible. Frustratingly incredible :) + Pacman On E's - The little yellow fella pops ecstasy pills for a furious take on the classic!
+ Alien Blast - Skip by those old bugs to enjoy a tremendous Alien-infested shoot 'em up. + Death Chase - Quite possibly one of the best games I have ever played. Pure gold this one, folks! + Ultimate Arena - Punch like Chuck Norris and kick like Bruce Lee in this beat 'em up.
+ Pole Position - A near arcade-perfect conversion of one of the best racers ever. It is superb. + PouifOuf - Those graphics might look familiar but the gameplay is furiously different - Wow!! + Top Banana - The graphics make your eyes bleed and the sounds are... different... but it's weirdly good.
+ Crackman/Dealer - A different twist on the old pill popper and something you will love instantly love. + Whitewater Madness - Ignore the demo that's been around for years. Play the full version - an AtariCrypt first!
+ Roger - The STe shows us exactly what it's capable of and Spot shines for a truly superb game.
+ Jinks - Something my mind cannot fathom and PP totally destroys that jerky STf original. + R0X - Zoom through the heavens, scaping giant rocks, all for a massive arcade adrenalin rush!
