Yet Another 2600 Game Idea

[Pitfall Harry]

Here's an idea for a homebrew game on the 2600 I know the platform is capable of handling:

 

Bop-It, the annoying voice-prompted mimic action toy, can easily be programmed for the VCS.

 

 

Game Setup

 

1. Connect a standard Joystick into the Player 1 controller port.

2. Connect a standard Paddle controller into the Player 2 controller port.

3. Insert Bop-It game cartridge into the VCS game cartridge slot.

4. Power on the console.

5. Select game variation with the Game Select Switch.

6. Press the Fire Button on the joystick and play Bop-It.

 

 

Game Play

 

After pressing the joystick Fire button the game begins. The player will then receive a randomly generated command from the VCS, which must be carried out by the player within 1.5 seconds. When the command is successfully completed in the alotted time, the player is awarded 1 Point and the game continues with a new command randomly generated by the VCS. But as soon as the player makes a mistake, either by taking the wrong action or by failing to act within the 1.5 second time limit, the game ends.

 

 

Command Prompts

 

The VCS will issue commands to the player by one of four ways, depending on the position of the Player 1 and Player 2 Difficulty Switches, as per the chart below:

 

SW1 SW2 Command Method

 

A A Text on TV screen

A B Graphic on TV Screen

B A Audible tone

B B Any of the above three mechanisms at random

 

 

Commands & Required Actions

 

There are five basic commands to which the player must respond within the allotted time.

 

Squeeze It - Player must press the Paddle Controller fire button.

 

Twist It - Player must twist the Paddle Controller knob at least a half turn.

 

Flick it - Player must move the joystick in any direction

 

Switch It - Player must reposition the B&W/Color console switch.

 

Bop It - Player must hit the joystick Fire button, without moving the stick position

 

 

Game Select Switch

 

Game 1: The standard Bop-It game, as described above.

 

Game 2: Two-Player Bop-it. Players take alternating turns responding to the randomly generated commands. The first person to trip up loses.

 

Game 3: The game is now Simon (Atari Touch Me). The player responds to a progressively growing sequence of commands.

 

Game 4: Two Player Simon. Players take alternating turns.

 

 

Notes:

 

- This game is so simple, I couldn't imagine it taking more than 1K of ROM code or more than a week or two for someone who really knows how to program for the VCS.

 

-Because of copyright issues, the game will have to be named something other than Bop-It. Perhaps the names of the Commands will also need to be changed.

 

-If the wizards who brought us Berzerk VE got involved, I'm sure the five Bop-It commands could be implemented as voice synthesized. That would be totally cool.

 

 

Ben

[Thomas Jentzsch]

Totally crazy idea, but sounds funny!

[Cybergoth]

Hi there!

 

Totally crazy idea, but sounds funny!

 

Yes, go for it! This was the sort of silly idea I was looking for when the 1K game programming contest was held this year

 

Greetings,

Manuel

[Thomas Jentzsch]

Yes, go for it!

Nah, where is the challenge?

 

This was the sort of silly idea I was looking for when the 1K game programming contest was held this year

Maybe next year...

[King Atari]

I never did like those Bop-It things.

 

I still think someone should port Dog patch.

[Rob Mitchell]

I still think someone should port Dog patch.

 

Hell yes! Dog Patch rules! Dog Patch ROCKS!

 

That and Smithereens could be the COMBAT of this decade!

 

Rob Mitchell, Atlanta, GA

[AtariDude]

Could someone briefly explain dog patch? Is that really a game or just a joke?

[Rob Mitchell]

Could someone briefly explain dog patch? Is that really a game or just a joke?

 

Two player game:

 

The players are in the lower corners. They have rifles that incline according to the paddle. A third man in the lower center of the screen throws a can up in the air. Both players shoot buckshot at the can in an attempt to ping the can over the opponents head. Only then do you score! The game is fast and furious as the can gets pinged all over the play screen! Bonus points acquired during each hit .. which are awarded to the winner of that round. No points if the can falls to the ground before the players.

 

Early Bally Arcade game (1976-77?) .. ported to the Bally/Astrocade home console in 1981.

 

I am the Astrocade Dogpatch champion for two consecutive years at Cinciclassic!

 

Rob Mitchell, Atlanta, GA

[ATARIPITBULL]

Now that dog patch game sounds a whole lot better than doing a Bop-it game.

 

[Cybergoth]

Hi there!

 

Now that dog patch game sounds a whole lot better than doing a Bop-it game.

 

I'd love to see a VCS port of Dog Patch too

 

Greetings,

Manuel

[King Atari]

Can anyone do a mock shot of this? I'm sure the 2600 could add some good color to this game.