+therealbountybob Posted November 23, 2023 Share Posted November 23, 2023 AQ*BERTATRON ! At last Aquatron wins the poll, we'll joint wins with Q*Bert and we'll put Getaway in the next poll as it's not done it's time yet You're lucky as if I'd thought of it we should have had some Vision related theme round, bet there are some suitable games for that?!!! AQUATRON & Q*BERT Sierra on-line's Aquatron is really good indeed; slick and intense, Defender style shoot and rescuer, really looking forward to playing this one again. Then we have Q*Bert the sedate classic platformer to de-stress after playing Aquatron, definitely no £$%ing swearing there when you jump off for the 99th time https://a8.fandal.cz/detail.php ?files_id=1217 https://a8.fandal.cz/detail.php?files_id=2733 Aquatron - Have to press reset to start a new go on my copy after score table - may be OS/B issue but plays fine on my 130XE. Can't see any official instructions but the comments on Atarimania are informative so I've pasted some of them here: the big m - 09/08/2023 Wow! What an amazing game! The attention to detail and audio effects is excellent. I turned up my audio so I hear the interceptor approaching...or the helicopter or the bomber etc. The many sprite details , the change of night to day, the underwater battles, all excellent! One of the best Atari games! Gwobby - 05/10/2013 (trbb) Aquatron is a fantastic game, can't seem to find any info on it? You can press '1-4' for #of players. 'S' toggles the sound on/off. Hold stick up diagonally to Hyperdrive to the sectors where the action is. Not sure if collecting the chutes for a while is the thing to do before destroying the planes. The stats bar shows the populated sectors, ammo and shield. I think the 'base' airship might be good so avoid destroying it but I might be wrong! rave.N - 23/04/2016 ... In addition to keys 1-4 for players & 'S' for sound, <ESC> key pauses, then any key unpauses (where's the "any" key??) A very good take on Williams' "Defender" (see also game "Repton"). Once again here we have that magic number "1983", mind numbing how so many killer A8 arcade games were made year 1983, the pinnacle of creation in the USA. Paltry is the whole body of work 1982 and older. It took folks 3 years to learn how to program Atari, then, people migrated to 16-bit hardware starting in 1984. 1983 was the (briefest) golden age. Yes, the "Base" (zeppelin) is yours, it also represents the one reserve life you begin with - the number "1" top right. Destroy the zeppelin (zero points) and you lose your reserve life. After "1" comes an arrow showing the shortest path to Base, that arrow glows in warning when supplies get low. Strengthen shield by collecting presents on parachute dropped from zeppelin. There is an ammo supply counter, but I can keep shooting on empty. Was a cheater added to this cracked file, or is game incomplete? No explosions underwater (submarines plus yourself included) seems unfinished. Bug in (my) emulator: graphical glitch horizontal line on left end of ammo meter, not in our screenshots, it's my emulator messing up the Display list - I doubt it affects gameplay ammo supply. High score list was programmed to be saved to disk (sectors 190 & 191) but this file version has the writes disabled however imperfectly. They changed the "W" write command to "S" status, so floppy disk drive Status can now cause an error which cancels: an explosion sound & screen fade when a new top ten score is done being entered. Unless the Demo Mode ended by way of completing the level, in which case the sound & fade are skipped normally. If "COMPUTER" dies in Demo Mode and earns a high score, there should be sound & fade after it presses the Enter/Return key. Round ends Sunday 10th December 9pm UK time Have fun and join in, not many more rounds left this season ! Season 20 Current Standings Updated: https://forums.atariage.com/topic/348454-hsc20-current-standings/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
devwebcl Posted November 28, 2023 Share Posted November 28, 2023 Aquatron 11680 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MichaG Posted November 28, 2023 Share Posted November 28, 2023 Q*bert 14640 Aquatron 2210 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+therealbountybob Posted November 30, 2023 Author Share Posted November 30, 2023 Finally some play time! Q*BERT looks like it's way too easy, are there meant to be some adversaries in this one? Perhaps it's just my multiboot copy ?! Looks like it is as the video's show other creatures! will download again! Retired at the start of level 10, ok it loops round to 9-1 after 9-4 only lost one life when I was getting bored. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AtariSphinx Posted December 1, 2023 Share Posted December 1, 2023 8 hours ago, therealbountybob said: Finally some play time! Q*BERT looks like it's way too easy, are there meant to be some adversaries in this one? Perhaps it's just my multiboot copy ?! Looks like it is as the video's show other creatures! will download again! Retired at the start of level 10, ok it loops round to 9-1 after 9-4 only lost one life when I was getting bored. There should be several adversaries. Pretty much all from the arcade. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AtariSphinx Posted December 1, 2023 Share Posted December 1, 2023 (edited) Qbert: 32,825 (level 3-1) One of my favorite games (even programed one back in school but unfortunately not on an Atari). Best played with a joystick held at 45 degree angle aligned with the pyramid. Edited December 1, 2023 by AtariSphinx Updated wording 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AtariSphinx Posted December 1, 2023 Share Posted December 1, 2023 Aquatron: 8,350 Never played this one before. Interesting concept but not 100% sure exactly how to play it yet 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+therealbountybob Posted December 1, 2023 Author Share Posted December 1, 2023 12 hours ago, AtariSphinx said: There should be several adversaries. Pretty much all from the arcade. Yes it was my dodgy copy thank you AtariSphinx 14,740 18,295 21,170 34,315 12 hours ago, AtariSphinx said: Aquatron: 8,350 Never played this one before. Interesting concept but not 100% sure exactly how to play it yet Aquatron Awesome game, just played it for first time in years. Takes a bit of getting into but you have to clear each wave above and below the surface. Try not to shoot airship. Use hyperdrive (hold l/r on top of scroll area to get around faster). Clearing all Bombers/Choppers etc will clear the wave plus any subs formed from chutes that have landed. Can collect chutes for bonus too. Bottom line is health replenished every level (see 1st post for more info) Had a lot of 12-13K goes around level 6-7 best score so far 23,190 level 8 Have to press reset to start a new go on my copy after score table - may be OS/B issue but plays fine on my 130XE 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+therealbountybob Posted December 1, 2023 Author Share Posted December 1, 2023 This round will run until Sunday 10th December Probably only a couple of rounds left this season so any suggestions for the next poll post here as soon as first tables (position points shown for now) Aquatron Q*bert Player Score Pts Player Score Pts 1st therealbountybob 23,190 30 1st therealbountybob 34,315 30 2nd devwebcl 11,680 29 2nd AtariSphinx 32,825 29 5th AtariSphinx 8,350 28 3rd MichaG 14,640 28 3rd MichaG 2,210 27 4th Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MichaG Posted December 1, 2023 Share Posted December 1, 2023 4 hours ago, therealbountybob said: Probably only a couple of rounds left this season so any suggestions for the next poll post here as soon as ABBUC SWC? Night Knight Caverns of Eris Der Schränker 3 Zauberball'23 Time Wizard Double 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+therealbountybob Posted December 2, 2023 Author Share Posted December 2, 2023 There is a Q*Bert v2 on atarionline.pl with possibly better graphics but doesn't have any sound so it's not much fun http://www.atarionline.pl/v01/index.php?ct=kazip&sub=Q&title=+Q-Bert+(v2)#kaz_78a67e1b4928545c8f55139ebade1323 Improved on Q*Bert slightly to 35,665 and Aquatron 19,610 level 7 or 8. Think collecting the chutes gives you more health and keeping the base alive is an extra life when you are out. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+therealbountybob Posted December 2, 2023 Author Share Posted December 2, 2023 Found a short write up on Aquatron on MobyGames: https://www.mobygames.com/game/68492/aquatron/ (text below) and a great article on RETRO365, including photos of the box and everything https://retro365.blog/2021/10/31/bits-from-my-personal-collection-aquatron-late-to-the-party/ >>> Description Aquatron is a side-scrolling shooter in which the player controls a spaceship over a planet completely covered with water. Unfortunately the planet is under attack and in each level, the player has to kill the steadily increasing opposition. The spaceship can be turned and is able to move both over and under water. Ammo and shield (depleted after enemy hits) are limited, but can be replenished by collecting parachutes which are dropped by the home base (a zeppelin) which is stationed somewhere over the planet. One of the most important tasks is to keep it alive because the spawn points (an additional respectively new base appears) are far between - which means the player may have to survive without replenishment for a few levels when the base is destroyed. Enemies also drop parachutes which turn into submarines after reaching the water surface. The game has no defined end and is played for reaching a high-score. <<< 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
McKong Posted December 3, 2023 Share Posted December 3, 2023 Q-Bert 15700 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
McKong Posted December 3, 2023 Share Posted December 3, 2023 Aquatron 4150 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AtariSphinx Posted December 5, 2023 Share Posted December 5, 2023 Aquatron: 13,500 Some improvement after reading some of the comments above. Interesting day and night transitions 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AtariSphinx Posted December 5, 2023 Share Posted December 5, 2023 Qbert: 49,860 Improvement. Definitely more tricky when stepping on already colored blocks and undoing it. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
devwebcl Posted December 6, 2023 Share Posted December 6, 2023 On 12/2/2023 at 1:23 PM, therealbountybob said: Found a short write up on Aquatron on MobyGames: https://www.mobygames.com/game/68492/aquatron/ (text below) and a great article on RETRO365, including photos of the box and everything https://retro365.blog/2021/10/31/bits-from-my-personal-collection-aquatron-late-to-the-party/ >>> Description Aquatron is a side-scrolling shooter in which the player controls a spaceship over a planet completely covered with water. Unfortunately the planet is under attack and in each level, the player has to kill the steadily increasing opposition. The spaceship can be turned and is able to move both over and under water. Ammo and shield (depleted after enemy hits) are limited, but can be replenished by collecting parachutes which are dropped by the home base (a zeppelin) which is stationed somewhere over the planet. One of the most important tasks is to keep it alive because the spawn points (an additional respectively new base appears) are far between - which means the player may have to survive without replenishment for a few levels when the base is destroyed. Enemies also drop parachutes which turn into submarines after reaching the water surface. The game has no defined end and is played for reaching a high-score. <<< You can find the manual here in pdf: http://www.pixelatedarcade.com/games/aquatron 1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AtariSphinx Posted December 8, 2023 Share Posted December 8, 2023 Aquatron: 26,660 Manual helped a lot! Should have this on atarimania. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MichaG Posted December 8, 2023 Share Posted December 8, 2023 Q*Bert 15,570 Will I get bonus points for my Q*Bert watchface? 🤣 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+therealbountybob Posted December 8, 2023 Author Share Posted December 8, 2023 15 minutes ago, MichaG said: Q*Bert 15,570 Will I get bonus points for my Q*Bert watchface? 🤣 Yes 7 hours ago, AtariSphinx said: Aquatron: 26,660 Manual helped a lot! Should have this on atarimania. Great score AtariSphinx I'm going to further extend this round until Weds 13th Dec 10pm UK time 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+therealbountybob Posted December 8, 2023 Author Share Posted December 8, 2023 This round now finishes Weds 13th Dec 10pm UK time Both good games with good replay value Round 21 POLL OPEN: https://forums.atariage.com/topic/357953-hsc20-round-21-poll/ latest tables (position points shown) Aquatron Q*bert Player Score Pts Player Score Pts 1st AtariSphinx 26,660 30 1st AtariSphinx 49,860 30 2nd therealbountybob 23,190 29 2nd therealbountybob 35,665 29 5th devwebcl 11,680 28 3rd McKong 15,700 28 3rd McKong 4,150 27 4th MichaG 15,570 27 4th MichaG 2,210 26 5th Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carlsson Posted December 9, 2023 Share Posted December 9, 2023 Aquatron - 7820 pts Q*Bert - 9895 pts It took me a while to figure out the indicators in Aquatron, and though I read the help and tips (the manual linked to wouldn't load when I clicked the link), I'm not sure I fully understood it. Q*Bert is more straightforward, but unfortunately this is one of the few games my Starplex controller is not designed for, as pushing down moves left-down and pushing right moves right-down etc. There are a few Q*Bert clones that use proper diagonals (which means pressing two buttons at once for me) that are slightly easier to play. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rdrunner Posted December 10, 2023 Share Posted December 10, 2023 Aquatron 31650 (Level 7) Q*Bert 184120 (Level 7-3) Finally beat level 6 on Aquatron after a pile of attempts that quickly ended there. I keep running into those little mines and dying almost instantly. Q*Bert is an old favorite. Been solving Level 5 pyramids since my early childhood (was much easier on the Atari 2600 with just the snake lol). Never mastered it enough to play forever like the arcade experts can, but I'm good for a few levels. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+therealbountybob Posted December 11, 2023 Author Share Posted December 11, 2023 Reminder: round finishes Weds 13th Dec 10pm UK time Still time to vote in the the hotly contested Round 21 POLL: https://forums.atariage.com/topic/357953-hsc20-round-21-poll/ latest tables both games score full HSC points Aquatron Q*Bert Player Score Pts Player Score Pts 1st rdrunner 31,650 12 1st rdrunner 184,120 12 2nd therealbountybob 23,190 11 2nd therealbountybob 34,315 11 5th devwebcl 11,680 10 3rd AtariSphinx 32,825 10 3rd AtariSphinx 8,350 9 4th MichaG 14,640 9 4th carlsson 7,820 8 5th carlsson 9,895 8 6th MichaG 2,210 7 6th 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+therealbountybob Posted December 11, 2023 Author Share Posted December 11, 2023 Improvements Q*Bert 89,445 Did I miss something, I accidentally landed on a sphere and destroyed it?!! Was some music or sound effect, was near to end of a level but carried on for a few squares afterwards. Not sure why my photo rotations are having a meltdown but never mind Aquatron 30,140 just blew it rdr gotta concentrate on where the base ship is, think the new one was on level 6 which is handy - remember to collect chute from it to replenish ammo (purple bar) and health (yellow bar) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Like us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter
AtariAge on Instagram
Watch us on YouTube
Chat on Discord
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.