ZauberBall'23 - Release Ver1.1 - ABBUC SWC2023

C3PU · January 6

Dear Atari-Fans,

Based on your feedback, there is now an updated release version V1.1 of Zauberball’23, my contribution to the ABBUC SW-Contest 2023. For those who found the game too difficult, there is now an “Easy” mode, and also support for Joy2B/SNACK-SNES controllers.

The changes are as follows:
- Slow & Easy Mode with reduced speed of enemies. Selection through option in the start screen (1/2 Wizards, Normal/Fast, Slow/Easy). With the first color, shots and enemies are slow, with the second color the shots get faster, and with the third color, shots and enemies are as fast as in normal mode. In the bonus round, the speed is like in the game level.
- Bonus elements now appear in a defined number for a successful game start

- Break key now works in every situation
- Selection of extras is now possible by pressing the space bar, alternatively to the joystick wiggle
- Support for Joy2B controllers and SNAK adapter for SNES controllers, and thus, easier selection of extras via the X/B buttons on the SNES controller, which makes the joystick wiggle unnecessary

- The fastest types of enemies are now a bit slower, in both modes (normal & slow)
- The cat timer for the mutation of the cat is now half as long

- Debouncing of the joystick for the selection of extras in the wizard’s house has been corrected

- The mixed colors red/green (brown) and green/blue (turquoise) are now limited in brightness, for better visibility at high screen brightness settings

NTSC-Version:zBall23(NTSC1.1).xex

PAL-Version: zBall23(PAL1.1).xex

Zauberball is a reinterpretation of the game Wizball, known from the C64, with new gameplay, graphical and acoustic elements, such as new background graphics, additional parallax effects, many extra colors of the Atari palette, countless moving objects and enemy sprites. Filters and alternative POKEY clock rates were used for the sound effects, which makes the sound effects sound more transparent.
Compared to the original version of Wizball, the game flow of Zauberball was slightly revised to allow for an easier start difficulty level. I think that the game is not a copy of the original, but rather is an independent variant with its own charms.

Game Description:
A game with a mix of 'Shoot 'em up' and strategic elements, for Atari 8-Bit PAL/NTSC/64k RAM, 1-2 players (joysticks). The space bar in the start screen displays a short game instruction.

The player controls the magic ball, which initially only jumps. By collecting bonus elements '(B)', you can acquire additional powers ('Power-Ups'). A flashing 'Power-Up' in the status bar at the bottom of the screen can be selected by quick left-and-right movement on the joystick ('wiggle'), or a short circular motion.

Power-Ups:
    Anti-Gravity (Magic Ball floats)
    Beam (Shield up/down)
    Bidirectional Shot (left & right)
    Satellite (Satellite for collecting color)
    Laser (goes through all obstacles)
    Wiz Spray (Magic Ball fires in all directions)
    Cat spray (Satellite fires in all directions)
    Bomb (takes out all enemies on the screen)
    Yin/Yang (makes Magic Ball and Satellite 'indestructible')

The most important 'Power-Up', the satellite 'Cat(ellite)', can be controlled by holding down the fire button and is needed to collect color. Through the volcano craters on the ground, you can switch between six different game levels, in each of which red, green, or blue color can be collected. From the primary colors red, green and blue, the required target color can be mixed in the fourth color pot. The amount of required colors is displayed in each game level by a stripe next to the color pots. The right strategic decision about 'Power-Ups' and the collected colors determines success.

Goal of the game: Color all six game levels with three target colors each. Gray color drops increase the energy of the satellite, orange and purple put the satellite out of control ('mutant').

Bonus Round: After each completed color follows a bonus round, which serves to collect extras and points. If you survive the whole bonus round unscathed, there is even an extra life.

Wizard's House: By left/right movement and fire button of the joystick, a permanent extra can be chosen. These are immediately available again after losing a life.

Status Display: At the top of the screen, score, energy of the satellite 'C' and number of enemies 'W' are displayed. At the bottom of the screen, the number of the current game level, the available basic color in it (red, green, blue), the available extras (as pictogram), the currently selectable extra (flashing), the collected amount of basic colors (in the three pots, red, green, blue), as well as the target color to be mixed (in the pot far right).

Game Options: You can choose between one or two magic balls, as well as a solo and team mode. In solo mode, the satellite is controlled by holding down the fire button, in team mode, the second player takes over control of the satellite. If two magic balls are chosen, both players switch roles with each new life and scores are counted separately for both players.

Space Bar: Pause mode, continue with fire button.

Break Key: Ends the current game and returns to start screen.

Important Notes:
It is very important that you turn off the continuous fire function of your joystick for this game, if your joystick has such a function (e.g., Quickshot, Competition Pro, etc.). If continuous fire is activated, neither can the shots be fired accurately, nor can the satellite be controlled correctly, because the fire button must be held for this, whereas with a continuous fire function the button is always switched on/off in intervals.
Important for a successful game play is that you first shoot some enemies and collect a bonus element ‘B’. You will see that the first extra on the left in the bar at the bottom of the screen starts blinking. You can activate this extra by wiggling left/right on the joystick, or with a short circular motion on the stick. The first extra on the far left in the bar allows the ball to float instead of bouncing. This already makes the control easier. Next, you should collect three more 'B’s and choose the third extra. This activates the satellite. Now you can shoot the color drops, collect the falling color drops with the satellite and finally color in the game level with the color. You will see, once you have got the hang of it, the game is quite entertaining. Especially the two-player team mode is highly recommended if you have a second player at hand.

Have a lot of fun,

Oliver