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Ted Hoff artwork for the unreleased Asteroids 5200 (Atari, 1982)


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ASTEROIDS 

Asteroids was Atari’s first big arcade hit, so it oniy seemed natural that a home console version would follow. 
While it was impossible for the 2600 to reproduce the vector graphics of the arcade game, this conversion 
stays true to the gameplay of the original. The same rock-blasting action of the original played out well on 
all subsequent Atari consoles, and was ripe for interpretation by each of the artists who depicted the game 
in illustrations. The 5200 version of the game was created but never released because of challenges in 
adapting to the system’s analog joystick. A special button-based controller was also in the works to improve 
gameplay but was never finalized. 


A Cover art for Asteroids (5200) 
Artist: Terry Hoff 

402366757_853003239946234_4991557980789848460_n.thumb.jpg.bda76edd1d16aba880d8207646fe6ebc.jpg

 

More info ART OF ATARI (various formats on INTERNET ARCHIVE)

https://archive.org/details/art-of-atari

 

  • Like 10

The 5200 Asteroids artwork is my favorite. I like it so much that I chose it for my custom 5200 cart and box and also have it in my Atari room (Art of Atari Poster Collection). The 5200 box is by Marc Oberhäuser. If you like this box, there's one left on Marc's Etsy site.  

Poster.jpg

5200 box_cart.jpg

box_bk.jpg

  • Like 5

Well our very own Paul Lay @playsoft was able to both make the original prototype work with the analog joystick, 

 

AND, he also ported the 400/800 version that Tod Frye did a fine job on to the 5200 and configured all of its functions to the 5200's keypad, I have all of Paul Lay's conversions and some of his hacks of both the 5200 version and his 400/800 conversion right here for all of you!!!

 

Paul even included improvements on the defensive systems such as the response of the shields/hyperspace/flip-over from a 500 ms delay to a mere 30 ms, and made sure all the modes and functions in the 400/800 version worked on the 5200 as well.

 

Paul even did a couple of keypad-only versions for all of you Asteroids purists who may not want to deal with a joystick at all too!!! They are also included as well.

Asteroids - 5200 Version - 1982 Prototype.bin Asteroids - 5200 Version - Hack.bin Asteroids - 8-Bit Conversion - Improved Defense (Slow Flip).bin Asteroids - 8-Bit Conversion - Improved Defense.bin Asteroids - 8-Bit Conversion - Player 1 Keypad Hack - 1.bin Asteroids - 8-Bit Conversion - Player 1 Keypad Hack - 2.bin

  • Like 3
11 hours ago, BIGHMW said:

Paul even did a couple of keypad-only versions for all of you Asteroids purists who may not want to deal with a joystick at all too!!! They are also included as well.

 

What's the difference between the two keyboard hack versions?  Or is there a link to a description of all his various versions?

  • Like 1
  • 4 weeks later...
On 12/19/2023 at 5:47 AM, Kr0tki said:

I've noticed that artwork was used on the Lynx "Super Asteroids/Missile Command" cartridge.

Good catch. When viewing that box I always figured the guy with the goggles was launching a missile for missile command, but I guess it's the asteroids pilot!

  • Like 1
On 12/16/2023 at 2:28 PM, SoundGammon said:

I put this one on my Asteroids Deluxe background on M.A.M.E.

astd0000.png

astd0002.png

This would make for a great wallpaper on my PC.

On 12/19/2023 at 4:47 AM, Kr0tki said:

I've noticed that artwork was used on the Lynx "Super Asteroids/Missile Command" cartridge.

The Lynx artwork is nice.

IMG_2706.jpeg

  • Like 2

It's really a shame that Atari did not put 5 arcade sized buttons (in a LR H TF configuration) on the trackball controller, especially given they were presumably going to release a version of Asteroids. 

I know there were some available for the 2600, but it is surprising to me these did not catch on more.  Trying to control the ship in Asteroids with a joystick is absolutely awful.

  • Like 2
13 hours ago, christo930 said:

It's really a shame that Atari did not put 5 arcade sized buttons (in a LR H TF configuration) on the trackball controller, especially given they were presumably going to release a version of Asteroids. 

I know there were some available for the 2600, but it is surprising to me these did not catch on more.  Trying to control the ship in Asteroids with a joystick is absolutely awful.

The best way to play Asteroids is with a Starplex controller. I have several and even have a custom one for use with my Vectrex.

IMG_2883.jpeg

  • Like 3
  • 3 weeks later...
On 12/28/2023 at 8:20 AM, sramirez2008 said:

The best way to play Asteroids is with a Starplex controller. I have several and even have a custom one for use with my Vectrex.

IMG_2883.jpeg

Is that the rockaroids cartridge or the emulation cartridge actually playing Atari Asteroids?

 

John put the button layout backwards though with thrust and fire reversed.

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