just going over the titles in my mind,
and thoughts on which versions, and which games
are really worth playing or including together.
and wondering if the title games, were actually
the best ones to go with..
===================================================================
standalones
Each one of these are 5/5 stars, but only for people
that actually are fans of those titles.
-------------------------------------
space invaders - ok, it's an iconic title, so no problems here, i don't think the sequels were worthwhile, so
no loss there, the graphic sideart looks great. so no issues there.
no, of course, they're not going to recreate the mirrored screen, and features etc.
but will it be the basic black/white, green monitor effect. hmmm.
=================================
galaga / galaxian - galaga is all time classic, so no problems there,
i didn't care for galaxian (to me it was a space invaders clone),
galaga holds up on its own
---------------------
galaga has a lot of question marks - which version will it be? what settings?
will there be a kill screen on level 255/256?
some versions continue at 0, and then level 1 again.
will the 'no shoot' bug still be in there.
obviously, the fast shoot mod option will not be there.
no idea as to which rom version it will be.
galaxian had a lot of versions too, but they
didn't really make a difference, unless they
were the super versions, or bootlegs.
==============================
pac-man / pac-man plus - another alltime greatest hit, pac-man plus is underrated to most, but to pac-man fans
its got its own unique quirks. fine with this one.
---------------------
will pac-man have the killscreen at level 256? maybe a few people will find out.
pac-man plus has one also.
there were 'new chip' versions, along with turbo ones,
but i doubt those will be considered.
namco fixed the roms and versions to allow play on some versions, so it starts
over again (but still playing the 9th key patterns).
i would actually consider getting this.... we'll see how it pans out.
=====================================
capcom fighting series 1
---------------------------
street fighter 2 series - i'm ok with all of these, it's somewhat consistent, but including the two super
versions seems redundant, ever though super turbo has the new super combo in it
street figthter 2 turbo - an alltime classic, unknown rom version
super street fighter 2 - lesser known, but adds 4 new characters, unknown rom version
super street fighter 2 turbo - lesser known, but adds super combos, unknown rom version
-----------------------------------------------------------------
williams model
----------------------------------
rampage - was never a fan of it, but in order to make this 3 player cabinet work, and have extra controls for
the other games, i guess it had to be the title one
---------------------
joust - a 2 player classic, and a great game for one player, some deep strategies for experts, most people
won't last that long in it, and it used a 2 way directional joystick (like galaga),
but can easily be played with a 4/8 way stick
i doubt this version will be the one with 'pterydactyl' hunting bug, where
you could just kill them all day long. it will probably be the fixed bug rom.
---------------------
defender - another alltime great, although with the restructuring of the buttons, will be tricky, although
again, the games difficulty will kill off most people quickly anyways, experts won't be playing this
or buying it for this, unless they alter the controls just to play it.
if anyone hits the 995k mark, to get all the free men until a million,
i would be completely shocked.
---------------------
gauntlet - another megahit, but unless you're an expert at 1 player, only 1 other player can join you, with 255
levels, it's got tons of depth, most people won't get past the first few levels
there were at least 14 rom revisions of this
some had - less food
- regualar
- different difficulties
etc. so no idea which one they will put on here.
---------------------
on paper this looks like a pretty decent 3/4 games, but considering the difficulty of them, unless you really a
certain game, or a set of them, this is a really a subpar collection
from williams, especially with the cramped controls
i would rate this as 3 out of 5 stars for game selection, based on poor controls and layouts.
============================================
atari collection 1
---------------------
asteroids - perfect choice, as a classic game, although the original vector graphics will be lost, the button
controls and boring , repetitive gameplay are all there.
yes, i don't like the game, but after getting through 4 boards, that's all there is to it, and once you master
saucer hunting, you should be able to rack up hundreds of men
and play forever.... i don't see any experts doing that.
it should be popular enough for the casual player to get it though
---------------------
major havoc - a venry unknown, and underated game. super hard to play, again all the look
of the vector display is lost here also. that plus tricky gameplay makes it hard sell.
there were a few rom revisions of this game.
supposedly a 'fixed' version of this game, is coming out next year which allows the gameplay
to end instead of looping at the end.
i doubt many players will actually even get that far.
---------------------
lunar lander - a very simple to learn, hard to play game. its very short, and has very little
replay if you don't get it at first. not very fun, and not a game that anyone would get it for.
that and the original controls are lost.
---------------------
tempest - yes, it was huge when released (but i argue it was a sign of the times, and really has no arcade
legacy besides console sequels), excellent vector graphics, which will be
lost on the lcd, and the iconic spinner... this is an underated game for gameplay, although i argue its just
space invaders all over again. no ones getting to the invisible levels,
the light blue or green any time soon (without level select), so no hardcore players will want this..... i
don't even know they included it on here, super breakout would have been
a better spinner/paddle game
there were a few early broken tempest roms that came out, that had all kinds
of cool debug things, depending on the last 2 digits of your score.
i think this will be the final fixed rom.
---------------------
this is probably the worst collection of all the games, too many games are too hard,
they don't look right, and the spinner control, if not precise, will just make things even worse.
this is probably a 1/5 star collection, with tempest being the only saving grace of them.
===========================================
atari collection 2
---------------------
centipede - an all out favorite classic and standalone game, this one could be all by itself and still sell,
great choice
---------------------
millipede - the lesser known game, and harder for new players, but easier for experts, i dont see anyone caring
for this, or getting it for this,
although its a nice throw in as a sequel
---------------------
missile command - masterpiece of a game, although its way too hard for anyone to play, unless you're a master,
you'll never get to the 0x levels, or get the hundreds of extra cities,
or even see the upper levels, so yes, it's known, but i don't any fans will get it for this
---------------------
crystal castles - an excellent, but underrated game, basically an isometric pac-man.
there's a ton of depth to this game, and most people will never get to level 10 the end.
however, its cute enough, and basic enough that people will last through the first few
levels.
it's brutally hard past level 7, especially since you can't just warp to those latter levels.
there's some longevity to it. but i don't think any dedicated fans will get it for these.
==================================================================================================
so although it looks like a 4/4 for titles, 2 out 4 aren't really that well known, and 2 of those are super
hard..
granted unless you're a centipede expert, you won't see the extra man for everything you kill glitch at 996k
either. i doubt any expert centipede players will buy this either.
there's just too much unknown in the trackball response, and playing it flat, instead of slanted. i think the
trackball might be the right size though, we'll see.
i would rate this as 4/5 stars for game choices.
since the trackball is the key here, if it is precise, it will be an excellent
collection. millipede feels redundant, marble madness would have made this an almost
instant buy (but that would require 2 trackballs for 2 player mode).
=======================================================================
atari deluxe
------------------------------
all the games from atari 1 and 2 plus
liberator
-----------------
a very lesser known inverse missile command game, not really known, and not a fan favorite.
the game has a bug that ends on level 19, and it has never been fixed. EVER.
quantum
-----------------
a lesser known, but supercool underated trackball game. kind of like a freeform qix,
except you are collecting the fuse and particles.
excellent choice for preserving a game, even though it used vector graphics.
it has never been ported, or released on its own before.
gravitar
-----------------
a super hard gravity type game, with mazes and shooting. another lesser known
title. there are some hardcore players out there.
if you can last a few minutes, then you are good. unless you are leeching
points off the select screen.
i doubt people will play this much. but if you want to master something, it has
depth to it.
asteroids deluxe
-------------------
more of the same as asteroids, except harder. yes, you can still saucer hunt,
but its way way harder. you won't be getting the overlay with this.
and if they don't cheap out, the vector graphics will be blue, instead of white
like asteroids.
again, if you don't like asteroids, you won't like this either. even with the
shields. the extra enemies make it a pain and not as minimal as the original.
(which i didn't like either).
================================
this is by far the best value, and best collection with tons of great hits,
well known titles, and variety of gameplay ranging from basic to super hard.
the mixed art of centipede and asteroids looks pretty cool on black also.
although the lesser known titles will never get much gameplay from most people.
the controls will literally make or break how its recieved, and if people will
actually be able to master any of these games.
as its currently looking, most casual players, will never see any of the extended
gameplay, deep levels, ending screens or masterful play that the standalone titles
would..
i give it a 4.5/5 stars overall
=======================================================================
future release
=================
capcom 1
strider
------------
strider or strider hiryu is a classic side scrolling hack and slash,
i only played it home, and never in the arcades, but it does have
appeal to fans of it, and the artwork looks great.
this is a decent choice
final fight
---------------
one of the first iconic 2 player beat em up games, that would become
a huge genre. it has a huge following, and could have actually been
the main game on its own.
good choice
1944 loop master
----------------
the 5th game in the 19xx series of vertical scrolling shooters.
i didn't even know about this game, until i saw it mentioned here.
and I LOVE SHOOTERS. this looks like a good game, but in no way
shape or form should it be here. of course 1942 is a pure classic.
heck, even 1943 or kai should be here. but nope, they stuck this on here.
very poor choice.
ghosts and goblins
------------------
an alltime classic sidescrolling adventure game, with super hard challenge.
i doubt anyone will finish the second loop, especially with the shield. its
incredibly tough. the rest of the gameplay will keep people preoccupied for
the first couple of levels.
i'm pretty sure you can continue, but if you're not that good, you will continue
to die.
you can kill of zombies for millions of points early on to gain men, but that
might be the only way to get to the real ending if you're good.
good choice.
=================================================
so overall 3/4 games are good.
i would rate this as 4/5 stars for fans of 1 or all of the other games.
good variety, and decent controls should make it an easy choice.
=============================================================================
a very mixed compilation of game releases, but who knows what they will release in the future.
if the controls hold up, a couple of these would be worth getting.
getting them for one title or series would only be worth it if you like that particular game,
and don't mind the compromises, in size, controls and screen fidelity.
later
-1