There are many different boot sector programs to add cool fx onto a floppy. This helps prevent virus infections but we all love the dazzling effects! Some are technically amazing! Bootblock by The Fingerbobs is one of my favourite programs that writes a number of boot sectors and the one above is Bladerunners!!
Credits: Bootblock was coded by Oberje of Fingerbobs with music by Jochen Hippel.
There are many boot sectors to choose from and I love finding awesome programs like this. There are more lurking out there somewhere in ST Land. Let me know in the comments below what programs you find.
I said I wouldn't do it... but... here we are!! Yes, the most annoying game has arrived on the Atari ST and I've played it. Well, tried to as I managed about 30 minutes before I felt like throwing the joystick out my bedroom window. The animation, above, is just a slice of the hell I went through. I hope y'all have a giggle at my pain - it wasn't fun whatsoever lol
Well, I will say one thing about this maddening game, it looks great as it torments you. The graphics are bright and colourful plus it's running in 1VBL which means the scrolling is ultra-smooth. However, I just don't get it so I'm left wondering why the entire world appears to be in love with this flappy little flyer? What are they seeing that I'm not? Or is it me? :o
I never reached a point where I started to appreciate or enjoy this game. I simply hate Flappy Bird so much!!!!
Those who feel brave (or IMHO foolish) can grab the download from the AtariMania website.
The Seven Gates Of Jambala was released in 1989 by Grandslam thanks to many talented sceners at Thalion. I bought this a few years ago and paid handsomely too. Not only because it's by Thalion, but it came sealed and in pristine condition: opening it was immense, especially when I got close and breathed in that trapped 1980s air... Mmm!!
There are some big names associated with this platformer, which I'm sure many will recognise from the ST's demo scene. These talented scenes knew how to get the most from the ST and prove what this computer is capable of - when programmed by people who didn't make excuses. Sadly, as with Enchanted Land, this is another that looks and sounds better than it plays. Don't get me wrong, the basic mechanics are good but there's something "off". I don't like how he shoots plus the momentum/slippy floors are weird. Especially when at the edge of a tight platform!
Am I being harsh? Perhaps I'll return to this for a proper playtest and review? Let me know in the comments! Downloads are available by Klaz (for floppy and hard drive - plus a trainer). You will need that trainer...
- SCREENSHOTS -
We begin in a village but beware the threat of drowning in tiny purple puddles!
Where could these doors possibly take us? Let's knock and find out...
Woo!! It's really creepy down here and there are monsters too. Watch out!
The tunnels reminded me of No Buddies Land! You can find THAT on this website too :o)
Mud Pies is one of the oldest Atari ST games we have and stars a kid called Arnold. He loved the circus - until it came to his town so he threw a pie at one of the clowns. Unfortunately, these clowns aren't known for having a sense of humour and chased after him! There's only one thing left to do - throw more pies!!
Each screen represents a tent in the circus with an invading army of clowns - they're like jelly monsters dressed up as Ronald McDonald! They wander, waving their arms and chucking juggling pins. This invasion lasts forever but the pies won't! Look for an open door to another tent full of mud pies - and more clowns.
Throwing a mud pie at a clown will see them flying off the screen (even more will score extra points). However, try not to get trapped in a corner otherwise, you might receive a juggling pin knockout blow!
I can imagine this is starting to sound insane? Well, check out the 1985 graphics and try not to laugh...
Just imagine the look on today's kids if you show 'em this 1985 game. Will they "get it"?
Simple, yet brilliant!
Challenge rooms are different from the standard tents because they have no mud pies but instead, lots of clowns to avoid whilst grabbing the prizes - for 1000 points. Every 20,000 points, a secret door will appear for the chance to enter into a Mudslinging Round where you have 30secs to throw pies at wandering clowns!!
Don't clown about too much! Getting hit isn't good for your health and dying shows your body being carried away on a stretcher to the first aid tent. That can happen only three times before it's game over. Talented pie chuckers will be delighted that freebie lives are awarded every 10,000 points. A nice bonus.
Keep an eye on the health meter displayed top/left - this is split into three segments with the middle one enabling you to run fast. However, this speed is reduced if you become too hungry or overly bloated on burgers and fries. The trick is to keep your health a nice happy medium throughout for maximum agility.
Come on, let's pause this reading and take a look at another quality screenshot...
Always frantic, always fun and so addictive. This game is eternal!!
Aesthetics
Graphically, this isn't stressing the Atari ST in the slightest. But remember that it was developed and released in 1985 before programmers knew how to push our computer. Having said that, it's got a certain Charley Chuck charm to it and, as a gamer since the early 1980s, I love its retro feel. No, I absolutely love it :)
Spot-sound effects are fine, but it is best to leave the music on. Again, this isn't anything near the quality we are used to hearing but it's still surprisingly enjoyable. No complaints, it's an old game remember!
Come on guys, how a game looks and sounds never really matters. Mudpies certainly proves this...
Oh, just take a look at the high-score table!! Can ya' beat me??? ;-)
The CryptO'pinion?
It's impressive that MichTron (Philip McKenzie and Jeffrey Sorenson) knocked this out for a computer that was practically unknown back in 1985. I can't imagine how exciting that was - and daunting too. But when Mudpies came along it must have been a breath of fresh air to all those rich people that could afford an ST!
Think what you will, but Mudpies is a terribly entertaining take on Food Fight with silly gameplay that transports us back to our youth. Abusing clowns is never boring - I can't imagine a better way to spend an afternoon than slinging mud pies at them. This is so much FUN and that's what matters most. Play this.
Grab a piece of this old skool action for either floppy or hard drive. Enjoy!!
I remember the first time I booted up this game thanks to a cover disk, by ST/Amiga Format. I was still at college and seeing stunning graphics, without colour clash, was still new to me. This is actually a rather faithful representation of the coin-op with superb controls and accompanied by the most memorable chip music. The play area might not slide from side to side (as in the arcades) but that isn't required thanks to our wider resolution ratio when you think about it.
Firebird released a classic shoot 'em up with Flying Shark. It's got everything you require for a thrilling experience.
I love platform shooters; this was developed in 1991 by Imagitec Design for Electronic Arts. The story is simple, pesky aliens are causing grief for us Earthlings. They have pinched a time machine and are using it to alter history and wreak havoc by taking hostages from different periods. This is an attempt to halt their influence... The invention of the wheel. England's King Arthur united the Britons. Japan's technical wizardry!
Yep, we cannot allow it and the fight is on! So, brace yourself because we are travelling into these time zones to rescue everybody. Thus saving the timeline and protecting our future. Whilst there, we may as well kill each and every bad dude that gets in our way. Yup, it's time to save the day again so let's lock and load!!
Before we begin, check out this screenshot and tell me what other run & gunner it reminds you of...
Pick-ups are pretty cool but something like the Map parts is essential for this huge platformer!!
Are you ready for a challenge?
Zone Warrior is a MASSIVE horizontally scrolling platformer that reminded me of Psygnosis' Baal in looks with (more than) a hint of Turrican-style action. Each zone is a labyrinth of rooms interconnected by a series of complicated doorways. A total of five time zones need to be saved from the dreaded aliens...
Prehistoric - I really enjoyed this zone because it introduces you nicely into the gameplay style plus there are lots of power-ups and strong map designs compared to most other levels. I also thought the graphics were the best here with great use of the palette.
Egyptian - This is is little disappointing for me because it's basically more of the same design but with a different graphics. However, I found it to be a lot harder and rather frustrating instead of anything close to an enjoyable challenge...
Medieval - Saving the medieval Britons from their alien fate is a brilliant level and definitely on par with the Prehistoric Zone. I must admit, the music here is so gorgeous!
Japanese - I would rate this as the best level of all because it is really challenging, with some great mechanics. Unlike the finicky Egyptian Zone, I found it tough but without the frustration. And the chipmusic is out of this world!!
Holocaust - Sadly I didn't care for this zone... Very frustrating and ultimately annoying!
Travelling most zones is a neat experience with constant action to keep your trigger finger happy. During the onslaught, look for hostages and a key for the final battle (before you can progress to the next zone).
Each of these periods has its own nasties to contend with and some cannot be killed, so avoid the Venus flytraps and sharp spikes. However, most have legs or teeth, so have your trusty Turrican-inspired weapon ready. This is a rapid-firing gun that performs well and can even be upgraded with a wider spread. Also, the spacebar cycles through extra weapons you may have picked up like bombs and mines. Experiment but use wisely.
Okay, let's check out another screenshot of Tur...Erm, no, I meant Zone Warrior...
I really enjoyed the prehistoric levels with dinos and cool methods used to avoid them!
Aesthetics?
The visuals are a mixed bag; on the one hand, they look amazing with lush colours and nice details. The sprites are well-drawn and meticulous, especially the stripy dinos from the Prehistoric Zone. The scrolling is great and responsive to our hero's fast/leaping movements, essential to a running-gunner-shooter like this. However, the variety of the backdrops could have been better, especially as things get samey after a while.
Overall, the Medieval and Japanese zones looked the best, I thought. Sexy visuals!
The audio is a blast with great effects throughout. However, it's the music I really loved because everything is composed by Barry Leitch who created a wealth of fantastic chiptunes. Show-stompingly brilliant audio!!
Variety is the spice of life <sarcasm incoming> so if you like yellows, you will love this screenshot...
The graphics and music may change but the gameplay is pretty darn familiar for each level...
The CryptO'pinion?
The trouble with Zone Warrior is that it's too easy to lose your bearings. The levels are huge and wandering from "room to room" can be overwhelming. This is also due to the indistinct visuals so each area begins to feel repetitive. Thankfully, our zone warrior can collect pieces of a map to help prevent him from getting lost but I thought it was poorly implemented. Yes, I lost my bearings... a lot... and that spoilt my fun.
With a little more variation in the graphics, to help distinguish between the locations, this would have knocked the spots of other platform shooters. This is a great game with interesting mechanics and incredibly responsive joystick controls. It might whiff of Turrican but I have really enjoyed being a Zone Warrior!!
Yep, Zone Warrior is a fantastic shooter and comes highly recommended by yours truly. Play this!!
I love anything with swirling dots & sine scrolling, so this intro by Criminals In Disguise is right up my street. The fx are very nice, with beautiful hum-tastic chip music that I can leave playing all day. My video recording is fine, but (you know what I'm going to say) it's best experienced using a real computer for visual perfection and better sound, especially on the Atari STe, so connect it to your speakers and crank up the volume.
This disk contains Jetpac, an awesome conversion of the Speccy original you should play!
