SysInfo is a useful utility that can display a whole raft of details about your Atari ST (it recently helped me diagnose a problem with my Mega STe's audio!). It can diagnose everything from TOS/GEM details to the more technical aspects like the Cookie Jar, VBL, traps & other mind-boggling jargon.
Helpful and perfect for geeks! You can download SysInfo at Atarimania.
After FAR too long, Maggie 25th Anniversary issue was released this weekend!!!
Wow, a lot of time has passed since the previous issue but, the latest edition is now available to view off/online. I'm about to download myself a copy and spend some time reliving my older ST days by reading this ace diskmag. Yes, it's been far too long and I'm incredibly excited!! My congrats to everyone involved!!
Download Maggie #25 for your Atari computer (I prefer this). Or download an HTML version to browse anytime. Also, you can find everything over on their website and the Maggie Team are featured on Demozoo.
Andrei Ellman of Wacko Software created a game made from three classic genres: Pong, Space Invaders, and Pac-Man. This release is different because all three games are playable at the same time. Yep, you heard correctly!
Pong is controlled by holding the fire button and moving up/down. Pac Man is initially quite confusing so read the docs within the download! Space Invaders is easy, left/right moves and pushing up/down fires the gun.
The controls are odd and things get very weird when trying to play everything at once! However, there's only so much my tiny brain could cope with and I found that I could play two games at once. But not three, I had no chance!! Visually, it works well but, if you're struggling to see things properly, then you can alter each game's appearance using the numeric pad. Also, there's an option to invert colours which makes everything look ugly but it's much better on the eyes.
I think Andrei was one crazy, mixed-up kid who had a good laugh when coding this. Don't take it too seriously and practice with the controls because Video Games 1 is ridiculously entertaining. You will love this maddening nightmare!!
The excellent Universal Item Selector by Application & Design Software was released in the UK by ST Club. The Atari ST is blessed with a small, but great, selection of replacement file selectors and UIS is the best. Only this weekend, I trudge through a folder containing over 100 tracker mods, deciding which ones to keep or delete. It was mad so I installed UIS which made the job 100x easier because of its integrated tools.
Here is a game with very few friends: Navy Seals is deceiving and, first impressions, are of an arcade-style platformer. However, this Ocean gem is anything but a typical run and gun 'em all. It's far more ruthless and requires stealth, strategy, and tactics. Extreme personal perseverance is the order of the day because this game requires a committed player willing to spend many hours mastering the levels. No spare time? Then don't bother!
Taking down scumbag terrorists is all part of the job when you're a member of the US Navy SEALS. The mission requires us to sneak into the lion's den, kill everyone, and plant explosives to destroy their stockpile of missiles.
Each map is a layout of platforms within a maze of trigger-happy bad guys. Use covert tactics - so play slowly and carefully to learn the enemy's location. Many practice games will be required to plan the best route from start to end, this is vital and the only way to successfully complete the mission. This is not easy so will not appeal to a casual gamer.
Okay, let's take a look at the first screenshot with gorgeous details and colour palette...
I love the layout of the first level. This is an absolutely fantastic retro gaming design!
Aesthetics
Visually, Navy Seals is a babe with gorgeous graphics that ooze a retro style I admire. I love the beautiful character animation as you run, leap, climb and sneak about. Each level compliments the environment and feels like something from a movie, a cheesy 80s B-movie! Heck, even the screen showing me dead is great. Yep, I said that.
Sound effects do their job very well and the music is an excellent chiptune to bop along to. Liking it a lot!!
Hey, it's time for a screenshot. How about one you will see a lot? Here you go...
Don't expect to beat this game on your first attempt. Or second. Or third. It's rather hard!
The CryptO'pinion?
This is such a difficult game but I also find myself enjoying the challenge. Each level requires the player to learn all aspects thoroughly, so don't expect a cakewalk. There are two drawbacks with Navy Seals: the time limit which I think is far too harsh but I also don't understand why Ocean didn't include a way to unlock each level with passwords?
Navy Seals won't appeal to the casual gamer as it requires strategic thought to figure out an efficient route through all levels - before the timer expires. Can you do it? I hope so because Navy Seals is such a rewarding game albeit incredibly brutal. In fact, brutal might be too namby-pamby a description for this? Gamers were tougher in the 90s...
Hard drive installable versions are available from both D-Bug and 8bitchip.
Wanted was released by Infogrames in 1988 and is a Gunsmoke rip-off with hints of Commando or Ikari Warriors. Ignoring the start, and its dreadful music, we begin as a budding John Wayne wannabe, strolling through the dusty Wild West. The town is inhabited by outlaws and we have a gun. Every guy's dream!
Unlike Ikari Warriors, the screen will automatically scroll as the action comes thick and fast. Whack on the fire button and shoot your way through Dodge City but watch for the enemy and their bullets! These are the slowest bullets on the planet but are extremely precise - I somehow always managed to walk into them. Arghh!! Thankfully, power-ups are available after shooting barrels where you'll find weapons, shields, etc.
Wanted is a good vertically scrolling shoot 'em up and fans of Gunsmoke will love it. Be warned, it's difficult (and there are better games on the Atari ST) but there is something curiously likeable about it. I enjoyed it, so download the hard disk version from 8BitChip with floppies available via Old Games Finder.
Fwiw, I've been to places like Tombstone and Dodge so I'm all ..... Yeehaw!!!!
Cannon Fodder should have been far better for the Atari ST. Alas, it was a rushed lame-ass port. However, cry no more tears for Peter Putnik has upgraded the game to support audio playback of 25KHz digital music - yes, during gameplay. This is making use of the DMA audio hardware lurking inside the Atari STe and (because it's a coprocessor) there is no CPU usage. Thus zero impact on the game's performance whatsoever.
Storage requirements are too much for a floppy! An Ultrasatan or other hard drive device is needed to store your music - this can be anything - instructions are included on how to use convert something from your music library. It's dead easy to do using Audacity. Click on my video, above...
What an incredible upgrade! It's something else with real music blasting from your Atari STe speakers. I'm only gutted this lame-ass Cannon Fodder has an amazing upgrade. Why? Because it's a pile of rubbish with flick-screen horizontal scrolling. This gets you killed too easily and destroys your enjoyment.
I hope Peter uses this technology again - for other Atari ST games - the possibilities are endless!!!
