Sinister Developments

Cheap & nasty shareware

Sinister Developments was one of the best shareware groups and released five fantastic arcade games. Each was their own take on the original, and it was obvious that a lot of love went into their creations. Fantastic graphics, audio and ultra-smooth gameplay, which felt authentic yet somehow regenerated and fresh.

Only recently, I stumbled upon the Sinister Developments website. I was surprised they still had their old Atari ST software featured with download links. Seeing such Fuji wonders listed on a website was both a shock and a pleasure - a website that also looked like it hadn't been updated in many generations!! Sadly, the download links didn't work. So, I decided to send them an email and kept my fingers crossed for a response. After all, I did not expect to receive any kind of reply from such an ancient website...

Surprisingly, I got a reply straight away from Gordon Gibson! He fixed the broken links and kindly supplied full (registered) versions of each title. Yep, all for free without any strings attached (is it my birthday?). For reference, the incredible Atarimania now has each game featured within its archives.

You've probably watched the brilliant Space Invaders video (above)? Well, check out Galaxians...

The Sinister Archive!

• Centipede - Gordon said they wanted a mix between Centipede and Millipede which worked out well. I found a few bugs but nothing to stop the fun as this is a frantically zany and frenzied version of the classic. A superb conversion. (To bypass the shareware message just press "ESC" key on the language screen).

• Painter - I personally thought this was the weakest of the bunch but it's still enjoyable and very difficult with killer AI (literally). There is also funky stereo music on the Atari STe - yeah!!

• Asteroids - This begins with a familiar intro supporting stereo playback for the Atari STe. Inintially, I found it difficult but, after a few tips from the man himself, I got to grips with it. I still suck at it, but at least I'm "better"!! (To bypass the shareware message just press "F10" key on the language screen).

• Space Invaders - This is my favourite of the bunch. It's a beauty and feels perfectly authentic it screams brilliance. Yet again, the Atari STe features DMA music with stereo sound effects too. (To bypass the shareware message just type in "PEPSI MAX" on the language screen).

• Galaxians - I've always been rubbish at this gamr but it's such a great conversion. I think that Sinister have created one of pure gold and it had me feeling that I'm back in the 1980s. (To bypass the shareware message just press "INSERT" key on the language screen).

The CryptO'pinion?

Sinister Developments' history proves their talent as each game is a brilliant arcade conversion. Just as impressive is the use of various Atari STe enhancements, which is always cool. Oh, did I mention that all these games are now free? :) Come on, that is incredibly generous. Do you feel the Atari love in the air?

Five outstanding arcade games I know every Atari ST/e player is gonna love. Which is your favourite??

Please note - to safeguard this precious archive of Atari ST gaming history, I have stored them in my Dropbox. So, what are you waiting for? Get these Atari ST/e games downloaded right now? I'm sure you're gonna love 'em all!!

Archer Maclean Pool

Fancy a game of pool & a few beers?

Archer Maclean Pool was released in 1992 and is pretty much Jimmy White’s Whirlwind Snooker, but (erm) pool. Snooker is alright, but a game needs to be entertaining, and I find it a struggle to stay awake. Then I thought to myself, what about pool, and I knew I hadn't played Archer Maclean’s Pool for years. So, let's fix that.

Pool is an exciting, fast-paced pub game that's nothing like the dullness of snoozeville snooker. American and English variations are playable with the added option to play tournaments or to set up trick shots. If you've played Whirlwind, then you'll instantly take to its UI, but I doubt any newcomers will struggle as it's instinctive and easy to grasp. A cynic might say that they're the same games with different balls ;)

Wanna see a cute animation from one of my games? Good, here ya' go then...

What a whiz I am at this game! Go on, watch me clear up lol

Pool is illegal without a beer! #fact

Graphics are... well... it's a table with balls on it, so there isn't much to drool over, but the framerates are smooth and prove just what 8MHz can do. The 3D engine works well with fantastic first-person-like views when lining up a shot. Let's not forget the game's comical side with taunting balls, evil-eyed fans, or the flies on the table!! Sound effects are nice and varied, with clinks, plops, and oddly humorous cue-chalking moments.

Play this using the mouse to alter the viewing angle, but don't forget to chalk the cue before setting up the shot with the right amount of power, spin, and direction. There is a range of computer opponents from amateur to godlike, so it's best to practice before taking on the pros (they are incredibly tough!!)

What I love about this game is the superb design, which feels natural and realistic. After your first shot, you realise how superior the hidden mathematical calculations are that make the physics appear so believable. There are near-limitless possibilities for each shot you make, which is quite incredible.

Pool might be a serious game, but that hasn't stopped the balls from taking the Micky...

You know from the very start this is gonna be good. Then the balls get very rude!!

The CryptO'pinion?

Sure, this game is best enjoyed with friends in a pub with heavy double vision, but let’s be honest, we’re all getting old, and the wife wouldn’t be pleased if we came home in a state. So let’s stick to the virtual game, which surprisingly comes in as a close second. I can’t imagine anyone complaining because it’s superb and one of the best Atari ST games out there. It’s fast, entertaining, addictive, and completely faultless.

Download the floppies at Atari Legend.
Hard drive version by 8BitChip!!

Phobia

New box art

ImageWorks released Phobia in 1989 with a gorgeous retro-themed cover. I bought Phobia for only 99 pence, and it was sealed too. The box and contents are in superb condition. The artwork is stunning with lots of colour, action, and a cruel glare from evil eyes. I think this box perfectly reflects the gameplay!

Phobia has all the hallmarks of a potentially outstanding shooter, but it's impossible to get far without a trainer because of its choppy framerate. It's probably a poor port as it pales compared to other ST shooters like R-Type, Alien World, Menace, etc. Maybe I'll be brave and record a gameplay video? Maybe...

• ST Format #1 reviews Phobia but wasn't too impressed with the difficulty - lol wimps!!
• D-Bug has a download with a trainer and hard drive support.
• Stonish has floppy disks, and I liked Timelords #29 Menu CD (1MB).
• Here is a fantastic video recording by Stefan Lindberg.
• My tweet after playing Phobia for a few minutes... ARGGHHHHHH!!!

I should have known this was going to be hard with such a hideous screen.

Annnd this next screenshot is of me and my ship being blown up! Again.

Automation #496

Press 1 for...

Nope, there's none of that with Automation #496 because this intro is based on Rick Dangerous. Well, there's no actual interaction, but we can walk and climb ladders. But it's a cool alternative compared to the usual menus we would have seen. Just control Ricky D. with the joystick, and enter a doorway to select a game to play!!

Credits

E.G.B. - Code

Count Zero - Music

https://demozoo.org/productions/65222/

Roger

Roger the Dodger

Spot... Erm, sorry, Roger is a fast-paced 25-level platformer released by Tobe of MJJ. It offers a frantic run through various Sonic-like levels, collecting jewels for a demanding girlfriend, Georgette. This "platformer" has many jewels - without any ladders and few ledges. So how will Roger complete this task?

Bubbles, of course! All he needs to do is jump on one and, when it bursts, the force thrusts him upwards. If there's another bubble, then the cycle continues, and he uses that momentum to reach other jewels. Roger has limited health, so it's advisable to avoid the sharp spikes that burst on contact, as they drain his energy. Power pills can be collected to compensate for that, but they are few and far between.

Okay, let's take a break from the reading as I have a sexy picture to share...

This is what it's all about, and Georgette is a babe with her luscious red lips!

Quick Reactions R Needed!

Use the joystick to walk left/right, and the fire button helps Roger leap with joy via the bubbles. Once you begin bubble-jumping, it's a matter of adjusting your trajectory towards the next bubble whilst collecting the nearby jewels as you zoom through the air. Burst bubbles reappear after a second or two, and that aspect cunningly allows you to revisit the areas you might have previously missed during this insane journey.

Want a tip? Gotta learn the level layout as you are hopping about like a crazy fool!

Are you getting a little worried about how deranged this game sounds? It's not nearly as stupid as you think because the mechanics of bubble-hopping work brilliantly. In some ways, I got a Sonic vibe from it, but, unlike that hedgehog, Roger is zooming around your screen in all directions with one primary goal.

It's a maddening thrill being Roger, and you'll love it, so let's see another screenshot...

Check out that stride - gotta love those lanky legs!

What about the aesthetics?

The graphics are a mixed bag; Roger's sprite is superb with side-splitting animation - I could watch those lanky legs for hours!! The framerates are frighteningly fast with smooth scrolling thanks to the Blitter. Sadly, the in-game decor is quite a disappointment, with drab backgrounds that only change every 5 levels.

Sound effects are crisp and perfectly suited to the style: I like the explosion sound for the spikes, and the music is magnificent throughout. Well, I say magnificent, but that's because I cannot think of a better word - I could listen to them all day!! This certainly proves that chip music will last forever and rightly so.

Right then, let's see one final screenshot before the gripping climax...

Finally, a different background after the first few levels, and it's much nicer too.

The CryptO'pinion?

Roger is quite a unique experience and feels like an airborne Boulder Dash meets Sonic. It's weird and something I would never have expected to like. It's easy to pick up and play, and I guarantee you won't be able to put down your joystick. Hopping from bubble to bubble is stupidly frantic, and I loved every second of it.

Roger's gameplay is legendary. Enormously addictive with an extreme adrenaline rush!! Play this.

Roger can be found on Demozoo for floppy/hard drive installation.

Tobé's archive is detailed on Demozoo, although he strayed a little ;-)