angusjake Posted February 25, 2003 Share Posted February 25, 2003 I just rediscovered this game on the 2600, and it occurred to me it is truly brilliant, not to mention very difficult. I was astonished with the 'realistic' and precise gameplay action. In addition, it has very good graphics. Are there any Gravitar 'veterans' out there who can give some tips as I am (even with all my many years of gaming experience) finding the game quite tough to advance in levels. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thomas Jentzsch Posted February 25, 2003 Share Posted February 25, 2003 I just rediscovered this game on the 2600, and it occurred to me it is truly brilliant, not to mention very difficult. I was astonished with the 'realistic' and precise gameplay action. In addition, it has very good graphics. How about Thrust then? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Mitchell Posted February 25, 2003 Share Posted February 25, 2003 Are there any Gravitar 'veterans' out there who can give some tips as I am .. finding the game quite tough to advance in levels. The game whips you! So you have to practice .. I prefer the 5 button Starplex controller to play this LR*TF game! I can get into a zone playing Gravitar .. And yes Thomas .. Thrust is a teensy more brilliant than Gravitar! Rob Mitchell, Atlanta, GA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StanJr Posted February 25, 2003 Share Posted February 25, 2003 Gravitar is WICKED hard, and impossible past the first galaxy (for me at least) Someday I will have a copy of Thrust to try. I've played it on the emu, but I have mega crappy joystick so I can't fully appreciate its glory. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
King Atari Posted February 25, 2003 Share Posted February 25, 2003 I love Gravitar, it's sort of like an advanced Asteroids. My advice: Take it slow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cassidy Nolen Posted February 25, 2003 Share Posted February 25, 2003 I like the psuedo-Lunar Lander part to it. I wonder if that could be the way to do the LL port mentioned last week? Cassidy Great game. I just played it for the first time this last week. I just got my silver label one (loose of course), and I had never opened my sealed red one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Godzilla Posted February 25, 2003 Share Posted February 25, 2003 Thrust, and all of its variants since, are just glorified Gravitar remakes. It is a testament to how great the gameplay of Gravitar is that even more modern systems (like the genesis (subterrania,) nes (solar jetman,) etc) have played host to Gravitar rip-offs. But there is something magical about the original, I agree. 2600 thrust took me FOREVER to figure out that your tractor beam actually doesnt work close to items (even though the instruction manual gives you the impression that it does.) For the longest time I just thought my 2600 thrust was defective. I never had that problem with Gravitar, I can tell you that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Mitchell Posted February 26, 2003 Share Posted February 26, 2003 Before there was Thrust, there was Gravitar. Before there was Gravitar, there was Asteroids. Before there was Asteroids, there was Lunar Lander. Before there was Lunar Lander, there was Space War. Thus was the progression of top down space games .. and Atari made it all magic! Please someone update Space War .. and make a Lunar Lander game! And make Gravitar harder! (Sorry Stan!) Rob Mitchell, Atlanta, GA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Nathan Strum Posted February 26, 2003 Share Posted February 26, 2003 And make Gravitar harder! You sir, are a sick man. My best score on 2600 Gravitar was 43,550 (I got a patch for it, too). I can't get anywhere close to that now. Reflexes have gone bad in my old age... I haven't played Thrust. The Mac version of Stella won't run it yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
angusjake Posted February 26, 2003 Author Share Posted February 26, 2003 How about Thrust then? Actually I haven't tried Thrust and was not aware it was similar to Gravitar. Hopefully I can pick up a copy this year. Having rediscovered the joy (and pain) of Gravitar, this brings me to a more troubling aspect of Gravitar in a general sense. It is this: I was a youngster when Pong came out, and have been playing games ever since. In earlier days, I felt I could easily master any game I came across, and I could. However, I am finding that the skill level required to advance at Gravitar is truly enormous, and it has actually crossed my mind that perhaps I just don't 'have it' anymore (neurons slowing?). I am at least half serious about this, and wonder what other game players have noticed about their abilities. I am only in my 30s and have far less time to play games than I used to, but I suggest that you play your games often or you will all find yourselves in a reverse skills progression. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thomas Jentzsch Posted February 26, 2003 Share Posted February 26, 2003 And make Gravitar harder! You sir, are a sick man. Agreed What do you want Rob? Doubled gravity force, more fuel consumption, more gun fire, ...? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Mitchell Posted February 26, 2003 Share Posted February 26, 2003 However, I am finding that the skill level required to advance at Gravitar is truly enormous, and it has actually crossed my mind that perhaps I just don't 'have it' anymore (neurons slowing?). I think it is a matter of practice and control .. I use the 5 button Starplex LR*TF controller with the above mentioned games .. and I score higher than if I use a joystick. And I always get to the reverse gravity screens in Gravitar/ Thrust. But even then I did not get a high score in the Thrust High Score Contest some time ago. I would not be concerned about "neuron slowing" unless you are having trouble holding (dropping) a fork/ pen, weakness or falling down .. and then you would need to be assessed for a neuromuscular disease. Those who love Gravitar should check out John Dondzila's Gravitrex for the Vectrex. Rob Mitchell, Atlanta, GA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davidius Posted February 27, 2003 Share Posted February 27, 2003 I remember Gravitar well... The first time I saw Gravitar was at an arcade in downtown Toronto. I remember heading downtown to see if I could find a cheap drum-set for my brother so that he could accompany my incessant playing of Rush on my piano... when I saw the 'beast'. The guy playing Gravitar was pretty good at it, and was destroying the planets one by one. Around 1983 I was already good at 99,990'ing any Asteroid machine in town, and I was ready for more of a challenge. I decided to ask the guy playing Gravitar if he knew where I could pick up a cheap drum-set only to find myself driving to his house in northern Toronto later that night to pick up a $75 used Ludwig kit from his basement. I stuffed it into the trunk and back-seat of my parents Mercury Marquis and that was that.... But Gravitar was not forgotten, and in 1986 at Seneca College I had to defeat Gravitar... even if it cost me my studies... Damn you Gravitar!!!! I remember clearing all of the regular-gravity solar systems, reverse gravity systems... regular gravity invisible systems and reverse-gravity invisible sytems... But did it ever take time to master Gravitar. When the planets are invisible you have to be so patient and constantly shoot shots out so that you can see the outline of the planet when in narrow passages. I remember the top-ten list was changed as the top scores got higher. When I was finished with Gravitar it said 'Pontius Pilot'. Good luck beating Gravitar, as it's likely to drive you crazy first!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Nathan Strum Posted February 27, 2003 Share Posted February 27, 2003 I think it is a matter of practice and control .. I use the 5 button Starplex LR*TF controller with the above mentioned games .. and I score higher than if I use a joystick. I always lusted after one of those back in the day. But, I couldn't afford it, so a friend and I built one ourselves. I really should dig that out if I'm going to play Gravitar properly again. There's no substitute for a five-button control panel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Mitchell Posted February 27, 2003 Share Posted February 27, 2003 What do you want Rob? Doubled gravity force, more fuel consumption, more gun fire, ...? Black Holes and Hell fire Nathan .. Your home controller looks nice! Good job. .. BTW: There's a Starplex controller on ebay right now .. Rob Mitchell, Atlanta, GA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Player Posted February 27, 2003 Share Posted February 27, 2003 Gravitar is fun and all but Thrust rules. The only thing I had to read the manual for in Thrust is pressing the fire button will thrust while you have the tractor beam engaged. I had a lot more success after I learned this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Nathan Strum Posted February 27, 2003 Share Posted February 27, 2003 Nathan .. Your home controller looks nice! Good job. .. BTW: There's a Starplex controller on ebay right now .. Thanks! I don't think I'd buy a Starplex now (they sure got good press back in Electronic Games though). I have a pile of arcade fire buttons sitting around, so if I got inspired enough I'd just build a new controller with 'em. Although chair glides were more fun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Mitchell Posted February 27, 2003 Share Posted February 27, 2003 Gravitar is fun and all but Thrust rules. The only thing I had to read the manual for in Thrust is pressing the fire button will thrust while you have the tractor beam engaged. I had a lot more success after I learned this. Good point .. Yes that helps! I agree .. Thrust is more challenging .. but Gravitar is more true to the arcade in that you can choose your planets ... Rob Mitchell, Atlanta, GA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Godzilla Posted February 27, 2003 Share Posted February 27, 2003 God that's hilarious! A controller made from chair parts! LOL! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Panorama Posted December 29, 2006 Share Posted December 29, 2006 Awesome game! I just set the world record on the Arcade version of Gravitar. best, Dan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
else Posted December 30, 2006 Share Posted December 30, 2006 (edited) Sigh. Another ancient thread revived for no reason. You trying to promote your web site or something there Panorama? Now I have no problem if you want to brag about your new record and all, but hows about posting it in the correct forum and not dredging up some old Atari 2600 thread if you have nothing new to add to it.... Edited December 30, 2006 by else Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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