tetrode kink Posted January 9, 2010 Share Posted January 9, 2010 (edited) I never played Circus Atari BitD. I didn't play it until I picked up a Jakk's Pacific Plug & Play stick a few years ago, which is what got me back into Atari after all these years. It's one of those games I never would have bought, I mean, come on, clowns on a teeter-totter? How juvenile! The sparse graphics don't help. But it was on the stick so I played it, and what a difference playing it makes! So addicting! Can't put it down! Just one... more... play... Now I try not to allow prejudice to affect my opinion of a game; you just never know until you play it. Anyway, after playing it a while on that Jakks stick, I got to thinking, "Hmm, wouldn't this be better as a paddle game?" My first acquisition of some real Atari hardware was a Vader shortly after that. I snagged a copy of Circus Atari about 2 months ago. When I do play paddle games, it makes the rotation before I move back to joysticks... Exactly. [edit]You just can't let a "paddle phase" pass without playing Circus Atari.[/edit] ...I think I have some freakish natural talent for the game. I guess that makes me Circus People. I play the joystick hack of Circus Blasphemy! Good gravy Marie, why? [edit]Never mind, didn't catch that the first time...[/edit] ...we had no idea it was completely derivitive. Turns out: so is Circus Atari, it's a clone of a 1977 arcade machine... Uh, 'round these parts, we call that an arcade conversion. Therefore, "derivative" is the whole point! -tet Edited January 9, 2010 by tetrode kink Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryguy425425 Posted January 9, 2010 Share Posted January 9, 2010 I might be a fan but my 2600JR only came with a joystick. Anyone got a spare paddle ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gigabyte Posted July 9, 2010 Author Share Posted July 9, 2010 I have a set or 2 of paddles, but they don't work. I don't even have a real Atari right now, just my Flashback 2, Activision Anthology, and Stella. With all the game choices, however, I still can't get enough Circus. Stella was slowing down in fullscreen mode, but setting the framerate to 60 and using OpenGL instead of software rendering both seemed to help. In a way, this game makes me sick. How many clowns must be killed for our entertainment? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaybird3rd Posted July 9, 2010 Share Posted July 9, 2010 If you want to play Circus Atari on something other than a real 2600, skip the Jakks joystick; your best option is the 13-in-1 paddle (I wrote a review of it years ago). In my opinion, having the authentic Circus Atari and Arcade Warlords in one plug-and-play unit is enough to justify the purchase price, and they're probably pretty cheap nowadays. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miss 2600 Posted July 9, 2010 Share Posted July 9, 2010 Funny thing is I never owned this game when Atari was in its heyday. Never even played it until the early 90's when I started collecting. Same here... I never had a copy back in the day (and none of my friends did either), so the first time I played it was in an emulator in the 90s. It's super-addicting. --Will I'm the opposite. That was one of the first games I got when I finally got my Atari back in the day because my friend had it. I remember my mom laughing whenever one of the acrobats splatted on the floor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scrabbler15 Posted July 10, 2010 Share Posted July 10, 2010 I played this when it was new and haven't played it since. I remember it being fun, though. I have working paddle controllers, so I'm gonna have to give this one some playing time, again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+atari2600land Posted July 10, 2010 Share Posted July 10, 2010 In a way, this game makes me sick. How many clowns must be killed for our entertainment? It's not my fault I kill clowns. You're acting like I want to. I suck at this game. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JacobZu7zu7 Posted July 10, 2010 Share Posted July 10, 2010 Circus Atari, is alright. I wouldn't call it a favorite, as I liked it better when I first was playing it, same with Video Pinball. Though Circus is better faster action then the dull/slow Pinball. I personally like Thunderball and Acrobats better on Odyssey 2. This wasn't my original feeling, but after practice and playing them, they are somewhat underrated. Human Cannonball is not so bad. Sorta like Sky Diver in the fact, they're timing and precision type games. Not meant to be full of thrill or effect. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scrabbler15 Posted July 10, 2010 Share Posted July 10, 2010 In a way, this game makes me sick. How many clowns must be killed for our entertainment? It's not my fault I kill clowns. You're acting like I want to. I suck at this game. The Clowns knew the occupational hazards when they accepted their job offer. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gigabyte Posted July 10, 2010 Author Share Posted July 10, 2010 Well lucky me finally picked up the cart today, so I'm playing on a real system with a paddle now The only problem? I'm better with the joystick than the paddle! Even though the paddle controls better... I can't figure out why. How about we get a little Circus Atari leaderboard going? Only games played after reading this topic count. Just add your score and initials. Stella is fine, but be sure to set the frames to 60 Delete your old scores; you only get one on the leaderboard. My 1040 sucks, but it's the best I've done recently. 1. 1040 Gigabyte 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigO Posted July 11, 2010 Share Posted July 11, 2010 (edited) Well lucky me finally picked up the cart today, so I'm playing on a real system with a paddle now The only problem? I'm better with the joystick than the paddle! Even though the paddle controls better... I can't figure out why. How about we get a little Circus Atari leaderboard going? Only games played after reading this topic count. Just add your score and initials. Stella is fine, but be sure to set the frames to 60 Delete your old scores; you only get one on the leaderboard. My 1040 sucks, but it's the best I've done recently. 1. 1040 Gigabyte 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. Interesting. It's very unusual for me not to break 1000. What's your high score on the joystick version? I couldn't play it worth beans. You might try practicing on A difficulty for a while then switch back to B. I bet a nickel that will improve your score. Edited July 11, 2010 by BigO Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gigabyte Posted July 11, 2010 Author Share Posted July 11, 2010 My high score on the joystick version is 7,000-something. I really think I'm just not used to the paddles yet (need to build up neural pathways). I'm a beast with a d-pad. I'm going to give it another go in a few minutes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jifremok Posted July 12, 2010 Share Posted July 12, 2010 In a way, this game makes me sick. How many clowns must be killed for our entertainment? It's not my fault I kill clowns. You're acting like I want to. I suck at this game. The Clowns knew the occupational hazards when they accepted their job offer. No they didn't. Do you see the way they flail around while airborne? That's not professional. If the 2600 had better sound they'd be screaming the whole time. Regardless, sucking at this game has great rewards... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zoyx Posted July 12, 2010 Share Posted July 12, 2010 True Atari confession... this is the first time I have every played this game. Really is a great game. High score after about 45 minutes of play... 1318. In true HSC tradition - a picture... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hatta Posted July 12, 2010 Share Posted July 12, 2010 I have a set or 2 of paddles, but they don't work. Clean your paddles! The paddles were one of the most unique things about the 2600. I just cleaned out a Super Pong last night with this stuff, available at your local AutoZone. TV tuner cleaner/contact cleaner from Radio Shack will work too. I like the MAF cleaner though, slightly larger hydrocarbons so they don't evaporate quite as quickly. Gives you more time to work the pot back and forth to smooth out any tarnish that may be on the contact inside. Just stick the nozzle in any available crack in the pot, and blast it. Work the pot until it's dry. You'll be ready to go in 5 minutes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rex Dart Posted July 12, 2010 Share Posted July 12, 2010 In a way, this game makes me sick. How many clowns must be killed for our entertainment? Every. Last. One. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zoyx Posted July 12, 2010 Share Posted July 12, 2010 My favorite clown song - enjoy ... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B5PHaLmIyMc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tetrode kink Posted July 13, 2010 Share Posted July 13, 2010 True Atari confession... this is the first time I have every played this game. Really is a great game. High score after about 45 minutes of play... 1318. In true HSC tradition - a picture... Aww, really, dude? Playing your Atari on a widescreen? Really??! Man, if you must do that, at least get into the menus and tell your TV to stop stretching NTSC signals to 16 x 9. Atari should be played at 4 x 3, as Lord Bushnell intended. -tet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zoyx Posted July 13, 2010 Share Posted July 13, 2010 (edited) @tetrode kink - I'm committing all sorts of sins. svideo instead of RF. LCD instead of CRT stereo instead of mono Harmony cart instead of the original cart The only thing not being done is using an emulator. So not much old school cred for me on this one. Edited July 13, 2010 by Zoyx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Polybius Posted July 13, 2010 Share Posted July 13, 2010 I love circus Atari! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Atari Joe Posted July 18, 2010 Share Posted July 18, 2010 this is one of my favorite games ever i think its great Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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