Marble Madness

It's all balls!

Of all the games in this wonderful Super Pack collection, it is (ironically) Atari's own Marble Madness which I was looking forward to the least. I've never played the arcade original, but I did have a number of clones back in my Sinclair ZX Spectrum days - and I hated every one of them!! So, we're off to a good start lol.

Shockingly, the ST conversion was programmed by Will Harvey. After all, this is the guy who made the excellent Zany Golf and The Immortal, so my expectations were already high... Ahem...

To be honest, I find the whole Marble Madness concept pointless and frustrating. I've simply no patience to spend any amount of time on something that was obviously designed to torture people like me. However, I must keep an open mind and attack this game just as I would any other... Maybe I've been wrong all these years?

Not exactly off to a great start, so let's take a break for a couple of screenshots...

The first level looks good, but is a cheap imitation with missing decals

Level two introduces us to the enemy - a black ball that loves to play chase... Weird!

So what's it about?

The aim of Marble Madness is to navigate a ball through six isometric mazes that feature tricks like moving platforms, vents and even "monsters" that zap you for valuable time loss. Yes, there's a timer, so the quicker you complete each screen, the more time you accumulate for the next. This idea is pretty cool and forces you to master each level the best you can. Or you could play coop head-to-head, which works well.

The controls are awkward, so you will probably miss that trackerball. Sure, I've no trackball myself, but I found the ST's mouse to be nothing less than useless as I wildly zipped about in every direction except the one I wanted. The joystick proved to be a better choice for diagonal movements, and holding down fire delivers a burst of speed. This is good for climbing slopes or avoiding baddies - just try not to fall over the edge!

Sadly, the controls aren't without their quirks, and sometimes it felt like my blue ball had a mind of its own: many times, I'd move one way only to see it go another! Plus, there are bugs, lots of bugs: level two features an invisible wall that your ball can ignore and drop down into oblivion. Level three crashed on me twice!

Not going well, is it? Well, let's take another break for some more screenshots...

I've dodged two wibbly things, but there's another black ball about to chase!!

Those green blobs are slow and easy to beat. Hang on, what's that vent used for...?

Aesthetics

Graphically, I expected better from the ST. Just look at its title screen if you don't believe me - what were they thinking? The game resembles the arcade levels but feels rushed with many missing decals, bland colours, and weak shadows. It's rubbish compared to other isometric games I've enjoyed on my Atari ST.

The audio is quite poor. The sound effects barely resemble the original, and the music is irritating at best.

Yikes, I really am not enjoying this part of the Super Pack!! Screenshot time...

Level four has some of the most infuriating moments...

...the kind that has you screaming at the poor ST!!!!

The CryptO'pinion?

Okay, I know I have never liked Marble Madness - but - I have kept an open mind. Honestly, I've tried my best, but time has not healed my wounds, and it failed to deliver the slightest hint of enjoyment. Also, the ST appears to have received an incredibly lame conversion that feels rushed and riddled with silly bugs.

Marble Madness is the weakest game in the Super Pack; it's worse than Chopper X, so I think I'll be fine not booting it up again. It feels rushed and without the dedication the ST deserved. I hate it with a passion!!

Do you desire to experience the torture?

Then download the floppies or a hard disk version!!

Eddie Edward's Super Ski

Thick glasses and a funny face!

So far, my Super Pack adventure has been very strong with some huge titles: Arkanoid II: Revenge of Doh, Beyond the Ice Palace, Black Lamp, and Buggy Boy. All are searchable, and Atari ST classics. However, there's always an exception, and that was Chopper X, but we'll say no more about that!

The sixth game in the Atari Super Pack is Eddie Edward's Super Ski, which is basically an "Eddie the Eagle-endorsed" version of Microids' Super Ski. Now, everyone (here in England) admired our lovable sporting icon, a plucky hero who certainly won over the entire nation's heart. Heck, he even got his name on an Atari ST game, which is a gold medal in itself. Come on, far more impressive than the Calgary Winter Olympics!

Hey, before we continue, I think we should view a couple of wintery screenshots...

Okay, there's no music, but the interface is clear and well-designed.

I like the ability to instantly jump into the action and play any of the games!

Oddly, I had trouble running this game on my own STe so I switched over to Hatari and configured that to emulate a basic STf (TOS 1.02). Also, (thanks to AtariMania) I had a good laugh reading the box cover which says: Fly like "the Eagle" on the Ski Jump!!

But is it any fun to play?

Super Ski is a 3D skiing simulator where we compete in slaloms, downhill racing, and a ski jump. Each event is experienced from a third-person perspective with us as Eddie. That basically means we try our best to help keep him on course using our lightning-fast reactions. Which is harder than it sounds...

The races are fast. And I do mean fast! Choose three tracks that increase in their number of twists and turns for a chaotic experience. Controls are superb - move from side to side to steer through as you zoom down the snowy hills (press the fire button to move quicker). To increase your speed, push up for an insane boost!

Competition mode allows multiple players to use the Booking Office to select numbers and their names. Now you can find out who can jump the best and ski the fastest without incurring too many penalties. You might even become a human snowball... Tell me that ain't the funniest thing you never expected to be.

Okay, it's time to view some more screenshots, so brace yourself for action...

If you can handle it, ride low for faster speeds.

I did and even finished without turning myself into a snowball!!

Oh, how I need the practice...

There is a training mode used to practice each of the four events before taking part in the competition. Using this is something I cannot recommend enough, because you will certainly need lots of practice:

• The slalom games are fast, so they require quick reactions to safely navigate each of the progressively difficult tracks. The harder you go, the more winding the path, and all whilst trying to hit through the gates. Wow, these races are insane - dare you hit UP to go even faster??
• Ski Jump is simple and simply awesome. Sure, it's over within the blink of an eye compared to racing, but it's exciting to see Eddie fly like the eagle he was (ahem). I really enjoyed trying to get the speed and angle just right - now all you've gotta do is try and stop. If you can!
• Downhill Racing is very similar to the slaloms, and I suppose, sports fans will hate me for saying that? However, I found it harder because I felt snowblinded due to the lack of colour and visual objects! It's fast, it's furious, it's racing, so crouch down if you can handle the exhilarating pace.

This has got to be one of the best moments in gaming? I never expected to be Eddie the Snowball!!

Aesthetics

Graphically, I'm impressed by Super Ski, which nicely presents an Olympic scene. Everything flows at a frightening pace, but possibly too fast for my old eyes that desired less speed and more frames. We even have foolish spectators standing in dangerous places just waiting to be splattered. Actually, without them, I'd probably go snowblind in this white world. I shouldn't complain because this is brilliant for 1988.

Audio is less impressive with the YM2149 trying to make swooshy/sliding noises and penalty alerts. It's fine, but it could have been better. Sadly, there are no chiptunes to bop along to in the menus or during play.

Looks great, but sounds poor? Well, at least these screenshots show the best of the game...

Looks like the fans are enjoying it?

I wonder if I can entertain them as much as the real Eddie... Yup!

The CryptO'pinion?

You know me, sports games aren't really my bag, baby. I enjoy motorsports and even a few beat 'em ups, but I admit to being pretty much meh about athletics. Regardless, Super Ski is great, but I'm concerned about its lack of variety. We needed more events - like a bobsleigh or even curling!! Of course, they're not exactly Eddie's chosen events, but this would have added a lot more content, which feels quite restricted.

However, the controls are perfectly responsive for each frantic event, and the feeling of zooming downhill is a thrill - it's almost like a snowy version of Vroom! Also, the training mode is a Godsend to help brush up on your skills before foolishly jumping into a competition. Overall, Super Ski is great, especially when playing against family or friends - we had a laugh, and that's good enough for me! Highly recommended.

This Eddie version of Super Ski was a tough find. Thankfully, AtariMania has the correct download.

Chopper X

I promise, no chopper jokes

Chopper X is a vertically-scrolling shoot 'em up released in 1989 by Paradox that places us in the seat of an Assault Helicopter, which is armed with Viper Air To Ground missiles to battle hordes of bad guys. The blurb says this pushes the ST with its stunning graphics. Absolute twaddle, don't believe them for a second!

Anyhow, I should admit that I'm not the biggest fan of the whole vertical shooter genre. In fact, I can probably count on one hand the games that I have enjoyed over the decades: Flying Shark, SWIV, Wings Of Death, Xenon, Xenon II and Lethal Xcess. Most are searchable here, and yes, I'm a freak with six fingers.

Did you get that? Sigh, here are some screenshots instead of bad jokes...

Graphics are clear with lots of sea, tanks, and giant bullets to avoid.

I wish our town were this neat and tidy. Anyhow, more tanks, so let's kill them!

Never go by looks, right?

Upon starting, the first thing that hits you is how crude it looks. Then you pick up the joystick and realise that the controls are as bad because they feel clunky without any swift action manoeuvring your big choppa about the screen. Hmm, that just sounds wrong! Anyhow, it simply doesn't feel right to me.

Shooting down enemies should always be fun, but I'm not so sure Chopper X has the most accurate collision detection system. Perhaps it's the scrolling that throws me, but there are times when killing them (and them killing me) seemed somewhat fake. Plus, our weapon doesn't feel good enough, it's like I wanted more from it... Thankfully, there are powerful Cluster Bombs that help out during those sticky situations.

Let's see some more sea-based screenshots...

Blast everything that you see. Take no prisoners!

At last, we reach the end of the level.

Stick with it!

Each stage is short and static, which is fine because many shooters follow a similar design. However, that means I could soon learn when something was about to appear, and these guys are pretty dumb too: they will blindly shoot in a direction approximately toward your location. So, let's say that you're quite high up, then their bullets are fired diagonally upwards rather than directly towards your current location. A little weird.

Positioning your chopper is important. Erm, I mean, I found it best to be lower on the screen to stay alive as long as possible. Annoyingly, death not only results in a loss of life but also forces you back to replay the entire stage from the beginning rather than the place where you croaked it. Quite infuriating.

Are you ready for two more Toy Town screenshots...

As you can see, the enemy cannot directly fire at your location...

...only in the general direction!

Aesthetics

Graphically, this is poor by ST standards with bland sprites, dreary backdrops and horrendous scrolling. It's one of the worst I have seen, and I include those developed with Shoot'Em-Up Construction Kit.

The funky tune is a saving grace, but this music loops back to the start too quickly and plays constantly. So it isn't long before it grates on your nerves!! Sound effects are lame, especially when you die.

• Midi is supported and is something I'd love to experience - I'm after a Roland MT32. 

• Can anyone help me out??

The 2nd level adds a splash of brown, but still looks dreadful.

I'd lost the will to live by the 3rd level...

The CryptO'pinion?

It looks like my fantastic run through the Super Pack has come to an end with this. Yes, I've never been the biggest fan of vertically-scrolling shoot 'em ups, but the ST has some corkers in its library - like Flying Shark. Chopper X is average, as it's far too easy, dull as dishwater, and I got little enjoyment.

Oddly, this game has its fans, and I've no idea why. Are you a fan? Tell me why in the comments below. For me, there are better shoot 'em ups on the ST, so stay clear of this choppy chopper. Play SWIV instead!!

The floppies can be sourced using Atari Legend and you can lose precious hard drive space by installing this cool version by 8BitChip. Enjoy the torment!!

Buggy Boy

Silly, Screwy Racing

After the joy of Arkanoid 2, we continue our trip through Atari's Super Pack with Beyond the Ice Palace and Black Lamp. Both are already featured [click the links], so let's move on to a favourite of mine, Buggy Boy. What an arcade conversion, and those with a keen memory will remember that I've already covered it.

I made a silly video recording showing Buggy Boy running at dizzy speeds on my 16Mhz Mega STe!! Doesn't create extra frames, but still very exciting to play. Well, I loved it!

Buggy Boy is an arcade classic, for which the Atari ST received an authentic port that looks so colourful. Simple as that. It's fun yet doesn't take itself seriously whatsoever. So you can forget the crucial stuff like road surfaces, tyres, suspension, handling, pit stops, or even the paint job. Nope, just choose which of the five tracks you fancy and then jump into your buggy and race through checkpoints - all against the clock.

Let's not forget the belting cartoon-like visuals for a chance to view a couple of screenshots...

Who doesn't love two-wheel stunts? If Michael Knight can do it, so can I.

Abandoned logs help our cute buggy to leap high into the air!

Fun, Fun, Fun!!

Remember what I said, forget realism. Everything you experience will be completely unrealistic, thanks to roads cluttered with obstacles and wacky physics that perfectly complement the entire silliness and fake theme. The first track is an off-road loop, whereas the others are segmented by checkpoints as you progress. This racer was always meant to be fun, offering silly leaps and two-wheel driving, Knight Rider style!

Points can be earned by collecting flags in the order shown at the top of your screen. Once completed, they begin to flash - so it's a good idea to collect more before that stops. Slalom-style gates are scattered throughout for tons of points, and some offer time bonuses. Heck, you might even see a soccer ball... Go on, kick it.

Football, in a driving game? Yep, check out the screenshots that follow...

Hit that soccer ball like Pele and see what happens to eagle-eyed drivers.

Why not climb those sloping walls to avoid obstacles like annoying rocks.

Forget sim, this is pure arcade!

Buggy Boy's tracks aren't boring, and some of them have weird aspects - such as banked curves like a Scalextric track! Thankfully, these can be used like you're racing at Bristol Motor Speedway. It's superb and an unexpected surprise, which certainly adds to the excitement. However, not all is good; look out for rocks, bushes, or barriers that slow you down or take you for a tumble. Driving head-on into a wall will cause you to explode, and water has never been good for any vehicle. Each bad event forces the loss of precious time!

The joystick controls are brilliant, albeit limited by the hardware itself. Of course, an analogue wheel was always going to be missed, but the weirdest aspect is pushing upwards to accelerate rather than using the button. That's because tapping that switches between your two gears. It's odd, but you'll get used to it.

Arcade fun on your Atari ST? Whatever next? I'll tell you, some more screenshots...

There was plenty of room, but I still chose to leap over that rock. Why not!

Watch out, tunnel ahead! Enter without hitting slap-bang in the wall if you can?

Aesthetics

Buggy Boy hasn't aged badly whatsoever and brought back all my old arcade memories. The sprites are nice, their colours are gorgeously vivid, and the appearance is cartoon-like. The framerate isn't exactly Vroom, but it looks cute and performs smooth enough not to hurt my eyes, ala Cisco Heat and OutRun!!

The audio captures the arcade experience with its ace chiptunes - all produced by the talented Jason C. Brooke. Sound effects are zesty and memorable, with jazzy jingles and funny "boings" as we leap.

So, it looks and sounds great? Do you know what that means? Yep, more screenshots to gawk at...

Bumping into some obstacles slows you down...

...whereas others cause the buggy to realistically tumble. Ahem.

The CryptO'pinion?

It's difficult to find something negative to say about this frivolous racer, but, if I were to be picky, the framerate could be a tad smoother, and I miss the extra audio touches like skidding sounds or when driving through tunnels. But I'm really being picky, because this is an outstanding conversion of the original.

Okay, so it looks, sounds, and plays absolutely great, plus the ability to instantly select your preferred course is a huge bonus. It's authentic, entertaining, and doesn't take itself seriously at all. Plus, it will always keep on dragging you back for more. Buggy Boy is an Atari ST gem, and I love it. So will you. Play it now!

The floppies can be sourced at Atari Legend but, if you have the hardware, I would advice downloading the hack by D-Bug. This not only comes with a fantastic intro but supports faster Atari computers, like my own Mega STe. Absolutely superb!!!

Arkanoid - Revenge of Doh

Doh!

It's time to kickstart my Super Pack adventure with Imagine's Arkanoid: Revenge of Doh. I'm sure everyone has played this at some point in their life because it's such a popular classic and easy to pick up and play.

Our ST conversion was developed by a familiar name from the 1980s, Peter Johnson. This wizball did all the coding and everything you see and hear; quite staggering when you think about it. From the moment this loads up, I'm in love with its authentic intro! Okay, it's short, but it works and features that zappy music!

Check out these screenshots. Crisp, colourful and arcade faithful...

The first level breaks you in, and it wasn't long before I found an M power-up!!

No keyboard, please

Using the mouse, control the Vaus Craft to deflect the energy bolt back and forth, destroying all (destructible) blocks - Breakout style. Guide the bolt depending on how contact is made: inner areas produce a taller vertical direction, whereas outer parts deliver a wide-angled shot. I must say, the mouse controls are excellent - don't think that means easy - because your hand-eye coordination will definitely be tested!!

Each level follows a trippy design to compensate for the rigid format, and later screens are incredibly tricky. Watch out for the aliens who enjoy hovering around to get in the bolt's way and ricochet off at an unexpected angle!! So use the Vaus to nudge them into an early grave when they get too close.

The power-ups are back, and we have a wealth of snappy bonuses to make full use of:

• B - Who doesn't love skipping levels if given the chance?
• C - The Vaus Craft gains velcro!
• D - Split the bolt into eight - can you handle it though?
• E - Bigger is always better, right?
• I - We have a ghost Vaus to make our hits a little easier.
• L - Hit that mouse button because we have weapons!!
• M - Destroys blocks like they're not even there. Amazing.
• N - Splits the bolt, which regenerates to keep on damaging.
• P - Sounds boring but extra lives are incredibly valuable.
• R - The cold of space has shrunken you!
• S - Collect this if things are getting too hectic.
• T - You gain a twin to help you in your quest!

Before you carry on reading, click the green arrow below. Right, now scroll on...

Aesthetics

Graphically, you won't see any mind-blowing artwork, but it's reminiscent of the arcade, using vivid colours. The aliens might be incredibly annoying, but at least these sprites look great. Arkanoid is as bold and colourful as you would expect and shows just how far we have come from the original 1970s Breakout!!

The sound effects won't drive you wild with excitement, but who expected anything beyond dink...dink...dink? The tunes are superb, even if only for mere seconds, but I love their authentic quality.

For an older game based on boring Breakout, this looks and sounds superb. Love it all.

Personally, I think this is one of the hardest levels in the entire game. Just try and get that last block...

The CryptO'pinion?

Usually, I would now mention all the things about a game that narks me. There are none. Yep, I never expected to say that to. I think it's easy to say that Arkanoid took the Breakout genre to a whole new level. This sequel is addictive and infuriating yet drags you back for more. It's everything I would hope for in an arcade conversion and is certainly one of the best. I rate Arkanoid II: Revenge of Doh as categorically outstanding!!

Downloads are available for either floppy or using a spanky hard drive device. And, for those of us that are far too impatient, why not skip a level by hitting the S key during gameplay? All ya gotta do is hit the CAPS Lock key when the title screen is displayed and enter MAGENTA. Sweet!