New Releases at the 2024 Portland Retro Gaming Expo

[Albert]

We'll have a whole slate of new games available for purchase at this year's Portland Retro Gaming Expo! 

 

Let me start off with a list, and then I'll go into detail about each game below:

 

A-W-A Anthology (Atari 400/800/XL/XE and Atari 5200)
Fly Hunter (Atari 2600)
Frazzled (Atari 2600)
Kovi Kovi (Atari 2600)
Minotaur (Atari 2600)
Mattress Monkeys (Atari 2600 / Atari 7800)
Paddlefield (Atari 2600)
Slide Boy in Maze Land (Atari 2600)
Spies in the Night 2 (Atari 2600)
Tober's Nightmare (Atari 2600)
Drone Patrol (Atari 7800)
E.X.O. Collector’s Edition (Atari 7800)
Knight Guy in Another Castle (Atari 7800)
Jumping at Shadows (Atari Jaguar)
XenoWings (Atari Jaguar)

Akalabeth (Intellivision)
 

Please see below for details about each game.  Games will be available in limited quantities at the show, so make sure you get to the AtariAge booth quickly when the show opens to snag copies of whatever you might be interested in!  All of these games will also be running in the booth on real hardware, so you can try these games out before you buy!

 

Also, the AtariAge booth will be open from NOON to 10pm on Friday for the first time ever!  We are in booth 101, which you'll see right in front of you as you enter the show floow. 

 

 ..Al

[Albert]

A-W-A Anthology (Atari 400/800/XL/XE and Atari 5200)

 

Developers: ERIC ANSCHUETZ / JOHN WEISGERBER / ROBERT ANSCHUETZ

 

The A-W-A Anthology cartridge allows you to run any of 14 exciting games for your Atari 32K 400/800/XE/XL computer or Atari 5200 game console  The games vary from classic shoot ‘em ups, strategy games, puzzle games, maze games, and action-adventure games.  These games were originally designed in the classic era of videogames, but they have been reimagined to create a modern and challenging gameplay experience.  With numerous variations, you will have countless hours of fun playing these games!

 

The A-W-A Anthology includes the game cartridge, a huge 48-page manual, a 10" x 14" poster featuring the cover artwork for the game, and a USB thumb drive with nearly 5GB worth of data related to the games, including:

• Development Notes
• Digital Software
• Instruction Manual in digital form
• Magazine articles about the games
• Podcasts
• Soundtrack
• Source Code
• Videos

The Atari 8-bit version also includes a double-sided 5 1/4" floppy disk containing the original BASIC versions of the games on one side, and the Assembly Language versions on the other!

 

Here's a list and brief description of each game included!

 

•    Alien Assault - Missiles rain down from space onto satellites that must be protected by a laser cannon.
•    Kooky Diver - Swim from your boat to the ocean floor, retrieve a treasure, and swim back to return it.
•    Kooky Klimber - Climb skyscrapers while avoiding closing windows and falling objects.
•    Kooky’s Quest - Trapped in a dungeon, your only hope of escaping is to fight monsters and retrieve treasures.
•    Night Rescue - A daring attempt to rescue civilians with your hot air balloon before they are taken prisoner.
•    Overflow - You are a plumber that must fight back the water coming at you from multiple pipes.
•    Piracy - The goal is to collect treasure before sustaining battle damage, being rammed, or using too much fuel.
•    Piracy II - Gather treasure by sailing through the ocean, defeating ships, and avoiding pirates to get the booty.
•    Ramses’ Revenge - Race to the top of a pyramid to retrieve keys while avoiding monsters, 1 or 2 Players.
•    Raptor Attack – Fight the invasion of robotic birds as they descend upon you with their deathly laser beams.
•    Robot Dungeon - Avoid robots, electric walls, and teleports making your way through the maze of rooms.
•    Soko-Ban - In this addictive puzzle game, you must move all of the blocks into the landing area.
•    Space Assailants - Shoot all of the invaders as they come marching toward your planet while avoiding meteors.
•    Yatzy - Once the five dice are rolled, you have the option to re-roll any of your dice to improve your scores.

 

Some renders:

 

Here's a photo I took of the USB drives while I was working on them:

 

 

We'll have copies of both versions at the show!

[Albert]

Fly Hunter (Atari 2600)

 

Developer: Phantom Logic Studios

 

Weave your own action adventure story as a daring spider with an insatiable appetite! Perched high upon a tree branch, a smorgasbord of delicious flies buzz below. But beware—the pond is home to a persistent frog, eager to make you his next meal. How long can you keep your fly-catching streak alive as well as yourself?

 

Fly Hunter is a game of consistency, control, and caution. You’re on a mission to maintain your fly-catching streak to achieve your best score. As an added challenge, you’ll need to stay alert to avoid the hungry frog lurking in the pond below.

 

Catch as many flies in a row as you can, mastering the art of timing your descent to match their varying speeds. But beware of the frog! He’s tracking you and could strike at any moment!

 

 

 

 

 

[Albert]

Frazzled (Atari 2600)

 

Developer: Beezy Games

 

Frazzled is an action-puzzle game where you control Snuggy the Unicorn, bouncing around a grid of trampolines, trying to match the pattern on the grid above him. Use your joystick to move Snuggy around the board, and press the button to change the color of your square. You have to plan your moves carefully though, as changing the square you’re on also changes any squares that touch one of the sides of your square. Blinking squares are wild cards, and will always match.

The game features three modes. In Arcade Mode, you must complete a number of puzzles within a time limit. Successfully doing so awards points, but failing to do so accumulates penalties. Accumulate 50 penalties, and it’s game over! Pick up power-ups and bonus apples, and avoid the enemies; but feel free to stomp on Mr. Grumpy while he’s growling! Doing so will allow you to change just one box at a time for a few seconds!

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Albert]

Kovi Kovi (Atari 2600)

 

Developers: MARCO JOHANNES / DYFED HITCHINGS

 

No one knows where it came from, but in a matter of weeks people were coming down with a rampant infectious disease that started off as a mild cough, then a runny nose, and before you knew it, their skin would change to many different colours. The World Health Authority put leading scientist Dr. Isha Kimyounain in charge of finding a cure. Working day and night with two nurses, Aoi Hidari and Usuaka Migi, they found vaccines to help fight the virus now called Kovi Kovi.

Before Dr. Kimyounain could bring the vaccines to the world, he was struck down with the strongest of the Kovi Kovi viruses and went into a coma. Now you, working as Nurse Hidari or Nurse Migi, must fight the Kovi Kovi virus with the new vaccines. Will they be able to eradicate them all?

 

The object of the game is to score points by strategically positioning viruses and needles to control the spread of five virus strains without filling up the game board. Score big by orchestrating cascade combinations of virus chains with closed needles. Single and Two player gaming available with 2 game modes. Level up over time with 14 difficulty presets or create of your own custom match with 691,200 possible combinations. Game Mode A is unlimited length and gets faster and faster whilst Game Mode B is limited length and fixes game parameters.

 

 

 

 

 

[Albert]

Minotaur (Atari 2600)

 

Developer: BOB MONTGOMERY

 

2897, OCTOBER 1 - DAY OF WEEPING

 

A vast fleet of dark battle cruisers appeared in the sky and drained fire on a peaceful, defenseless Earth.  What is left of humanity has gone underground where the survivors put their hope in MINOTAUR - humanity's final defense.  For if the Klein converter is destroyed, there will be no stopping the alien onslaught...

 

The object of the game is to defend the glowing Klein converter from enemies. Tanks will attack, three at a time. Destroy all tanks to advance to the next level.

Protect the Klein converter at all costs! You have an endless supply of MINOTAUR tanks to defend the Klein converter, though each time your tank is killed, it will take longer to regenerate. The only way to lose is for the Klein converter to be vaporized by cannon fire. It is better to sacrifice your tank than to lose the game.

 

The maze can be destroyed by cannon fire, but will be regenerated between levels. However – the walls are helpful in setting an ambush and protecting the Klein converter – don't shoot them indiscriminately! Power-ups provide a burst of speed, but they will be destroyed if struck by cannon fire, so grab them quickly!

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Albert]

Mattress Monkeys (Atari 2600 / Atari 7800)

 

Developer: Phantom Logic Studios

 

Jumping on the bed is a favorite pastime for these two little monkeys. They’ve even made a game out of it to see who can catch the most flies. Sounds like fun, but this game isn’t without dangerous risks! Bounce too high and end up in the ceiling fan. Lose control and fall off the bed. What will your play style be? Take your chances and go for the glory ... or practice patience and go the distance?

Mattress Monkeys features Phantom Logic Studios' new Chameleon Cart, which allows a game to run natively on both the Atari 2600 and Atari 7800 consoles!  When played on an Atari 7800, the game can take full advantage of the Atari 7800 hardware for much improved graphics!

 

 

 

Atari 2600 Screenshots:

 

 

 

Atari 7800 Screenshots:

 

 

[Albert]

Paddlefield (Atari 2600)

 

Developer: THOMAS JENTZSCH

 

The eternal battle between day and night, good and bad. The Pong Wars screensaver turned into a game.

 

Control your ball with your paddle to either reach the opposite border or conquer and cover more blocks than your opponent. The number of blocks you still have to cover is displayed at the bottom of the screen on the player’s side. When this number reaches 0, you have won. An arrow between the numbers points to the currently leading player. The number of blocks each player has to conquer from the other player is defined by the selected game speeds (see page 5). The speed varies from 30 (slow- est speeds) to 60 blocks (fastest speeds). To avoid endless games, this number is decreased by one every roughly four seconds.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Albert]

Slide Boy in Maze Land (Atari 2600)

 

Developer: VLADIMIR ZÚÑIGA

 

Maze Land is not a nice place to live. It’s too mazey for a young slidey boy.

 

Tired of a life of peril, SLIDE BOY decided to escape from Maze Land, but he will learn the hard way that those mazes are even more deadly than he had previously thought..

 

Once you start the game, your objective is to slide through multiple rooms plagued with all sorts of perils. Your goal is to reach room 50, where you will be able to escape from perilous Maze Land.

 

Our protagonist is not called SLIDE BOY without a reason. In fact, he is so slidely that once he starts to slide, he will not stop until he collides with something. You can only select the direction of SLIDE BOY when he is not moving, and once he starts to slide, you cannot change direction.

Your score is defined by how much time remains in the time bar once you exit the room. If the bar reaches empty, then you will lose a life. If you lose all your lives, then the game is over.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Albert]

Spies in the Night 2 (Atari 2600)

 

Developer: JARED GRAY WEST

 

You are superspy Roger Starling, twin brother of Ray Starling. In this greatly expanded sequel to Spies in the Night, you’ll sneak through dozens of dangerous rooms, ascend the enemy lighthouse, plant and arm explosives, and escape—all before Ray accomplishes his mission and reaches the detonator outside.

It won’t be easy. A choice of two doors awaits you on each floor of the lighthouse. Some doors lead to rooms full of traps that must be carefully traversed. In rooms with electrified floors, indicated by a lightning bolt icon above the door, you can only see which areas are safe by watching the electric flashes at set intervals. Memorize the best path and race toward the door, but watch your feet! Other rooms require you to pass a set of security lasers. If you're moving when you break the beam, you're toast! In another type of room, you'll contend with a rotating security sensor: hide behind the boxes (you can duck with the fire button) when the sensor shines upon you or you'll be shot by an automated turret. The last type of trap room is viewed from the outside of the lighthouse. Stay away from the windows when the spotlight passes over them or a sniper will take aim at you.

Other doors lead to room-sized ENIAC computers. Activate the computer at its keypad and you will be rewarded… or possibly set back. Will you tread carefully, peering into each room with your x-ray goggles? Or will you race ahead to save precious time? The choice is yours in Spies in the Night 2, a one-player “film noir” game experience for the Atari 2600.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Albert]

Tober's Nightmare (Atari 2600)

 

Developer: MICK MUZE

 

Get ready to smash some Pumpkins, collect some Treats, and trick some Zombies in this fast paced, arcade style, action game for your Atari 2600! With some help from Magical Power Ups and the Phantom Gardener, Tober may just make it through all twelve challenging levels and come face to face with the mysterious leader of this ghoulish invasion!

 

Your goal is to fend off the invasion of Ghouls and Ghosts while making your way to the Jack-O'-Lanterns in your pumpkin patch. Once there, you can pick up the pumpkins and throw them at the intruders by hurling them over the fence!

 

Some levels will feature Halloween treats as collectibles and power-up items. These will be a great help to Tober in his fight to save his home.

 

When you run out of pumpkins, you'll need to make your way back inside your home, avoiding any remaining enemies, so the shy but friendly Phantom Gardener can come out and replenish your pumpkins for another round!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Albert]

Drone Patrol (Atari 7800)

 

Developer: STEVE ENGELHARDT

 

Our city is under attack!

 

As the commander of the city's Drone Patrol, your mission is clear: thwart the invading infantry and mechanized vehicles to prevent the destruction of our city. The enemy has launched a formidable counterattack, deploying radar-equipped cannons and heat-seeking missiles in an effort to annihilate our fleet of drones.  Failure is not an option, commander!

 

The object of the game is to destroy as many of the enemies as you can using your laser and smart bombs, and defeat the mega-drones at the end of each level, all while avoiding the missiles and cannon fire. The progress bar at the bottom of the screen will display your progress towards the next mega-drone battle.

For maximum success in the skies, focus on the bottom row of enemies for more points as progress is based on points. Avoid shooting the medical vehicle, time your movements carefully based on the missiles, and use your smart bomb at near the end of a level to get the points you need to move on. Patience pays with the mega-drones, find safe spots and patterns. Defeating soldiers awards more points than vehicles.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Drone Control is a huge 528K game for the Atari 7800, and also includes a 10" x 14" poster featuring David Exton's beautiful artwork!

[Albert]

E.X.O. Collector’s Edition (Atari 7800)

 

Developer: MUDDYVISION

 

Set in the near future, your E.X.O. team have been betrayed and scattered across the galaxy. Operating from a hidden base, you are their only hope for rescue. Take on the role of Zoe Ryen, Command Pilot in the top secret Elite Xeno Operations, strap in to your Wasp Tactical Extraction Mark 5 and infiltrate, shoot, battle and puzzle your way through five uniquely themed worlds, rescue your team and save Earth.

Fly your ship around each level, avoiding or defeating the many different types of traps and enemies. Each world has a generator and a security code. To rescue the E.X.O. team member and leave the world, you need to disable the generator and get the security code, If you manage to escape, you must face and defeat the guardian of that world. Each world has an extra life to be earned and a restock of rockets. They aren’t always in the most convenient of locations though!

 

This is the penultimate edition of MuddyVision's amazing E.X.O. for the Atari 7800!  This version includes the following:

• Large outer box containing
• Unique Collector's Edition Atari 7800 game box, manual, and cartridge
• Item box containing most fo the items listed below
• EXO - 1, Betrayal Novella (60 pages)
• The Making of E.X.O. Booklet (24 pages)
• 3" Embroidered E.X.O. patch
• E.X.O. Original Soundtrack CD
• Metal Dogtag
• Huge 22" x 28" poster, with a map of the first world on the back

 

Here's the updated game box for the Collector's Edition, featuring the new cover artwork created by William Thorup:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

E.X.O. is a huge and incredibel 512K game for the Atari 7800, and is a title you don't want to miss! 

 

We'll only have 50 copies of the E.X.O. Collector's Edition available at PRGE, and we expect them to go quickly!  We will also have a limited number available in the AtariAge Store later this fall, but, again, it'll be a limited number!

[Albert]

Knight Guy in Another Castle (Atari 7800)

 

Developer: VLADIMIR ZÚÑIGA

 

Our hero is trapped again! He has no idea how he got here, but somehow he is in ANOTHER CASTLE. In order to get free, Knight Guy has to defeat the master of the castle, a mysterious, probably alien, being called Bæd tu də Boʊn. But it is not an easy task, because in order to get to the key that opens the room where the evil master of the castle awaits, Knight Guy has to destroy the four elemental pillars.

Fortunately, there are four elemental switches located in the castle that, when activated, destroys the corresponding pillar. Unfortunately, every switch is
custodied by a fierce guardian.

 

You lose one HP every time you are damaged by a creature or trap. If you lose all of your HP, the game is over. You can restore your HP at the goddess statues located in the castle, and you can also increment your HP throughout your journey.

 

The game starts with a score of 3,000 points, which decreases over time. If you run out of time, the game is over. If you beat the game, the remaining time is your score. You will also receive points for your remaining HP. So, try to be quick and cautious!

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Albert]

Jumping at Shadows (Atari Jaguar)

 

Developer: REBOOT GAMES

 

A sprawling platformer for the Atari Jaguar from Reboot Games featuring 36 levels, 10 chapters, and hours of fun!

 

As Moth, you fight the oppressive Overlord and fight for the downtrodden. Jump, dash, slide, shoot and teleport your way to victory, vanquishing multiple enemies to ultimately face off against The Overlord in an epic final battle for freedom and enlightenment!

32 bits of darkness. 32 bits of light. 64 bits of Jaguar Power.

Jumping at Shadows is a 6MB cartridge featuring incredible in-game artwork and animation by Ander Lex and a mesmerizing soundtrack by Roald Strauss. The beautiful packaging was created by William Thorup.

Purchase Jumping at Shadows today at PRGE and receive a free copy of the Jumping at Shadows original soundtrack!

 

 

 

 

[Albert]

XenoWings (Atari Jaguar)

 

Developer: ERIC DÉZERT / MICHEL SAVARIRADJALOU / MATHIEU STEMPELLDUNE

 

Prepare for an all-out battle to save the galaxy! Your mission: wipe the screen clear of the relentless Xenowings that have invaded our space. But don’t expect it to be easy. You'll need lightning-fast reflexes to dodge their brutal attacks while surviving wave after wave of deadly formations.

Survive five intense waves of assault before advancing to the next world in need of rescue. As the enemy’s attack patterns become more unpredictable and complex, it’s up to you to outmaneuver them. Master the unique merging ability of your ship to transform into a super-powered fighter and unleash devastating firepower.

For the ultimate challenge, test your skills in Challenge Mode—you’ll have just three minutes to rack up the highest score possible. Can you handle the heat and rise to the top?

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Albert]

Akalabeth (Intellivision)

 

Developer: OSCAR TOLEDO G.

 

Tis said that long ago peace and tranquility covered the lands. Food an drink flowed freely, man and beast lived in peace, gold and silver abounded - it was the Golden Age of Akalabeth.

Mondain, second born of Wolfgang, a great king of old, wished to gain his brother's inheritance and so he used his great powers for evil. Many years had Mondain traversed the lands of Akalabeth spreading evil and death as he passed. He created deep dungeons, so deep and extensive that their lower depths had never been explored. In these dungeons he unleased more evil. He sent thieves, skeletons and snakes to dwell near the surface, and daemons and balrogs to guard the depths. Now blood flowed freely in Akalabeth, and foul creatures soon came to roam near the surface. Mondain cast such sickness and pestilence upon Akalabeth, that both man and beast lived in constant fear.

 

Thus was the dark age of Akalabeth.

 

There arose from the land a man, pure and just, to battle the dark lord. British, champion of the White Light, did battle with Mondain deep within the labyrinth of dungeons, eventually driving him from Akalabeth forever. British of the White Light was proclaimed Lord British, Protector of Akalabeth. Alas, much damage had been suffered unto the lands, The revival of Akalabeth has begun.

 

Tis thy duty to rid Akalabeth of the foul creatures which infest it, whilst trying to stay alive!!

 

---

 

Akalabeth, predecessor to the wildly popular series of Ultima games by Richard Garriott, has finally made its way to the Intellivision, courtesy of Oscar Toledo G. (nanochess)!  This faithful version of the game features an incredible soundtrack by Nyuundere, and this soundtrack is also included in CD form (which, in addition to the in-game music, also contains acoustic versions of the tracks!)  Also includes is a 10" x 14" poster featuring the beautiful artwork created by Denis Loubet, who created the original Akalabeth artwork in 1979!  And, of course, it wouldn't be an Intellivision game if we didn't also include a controller overlay!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[+slx]

Wow, quite a lineup! 

[Atarian7]

So many homebrews, so little time. (and money) Those games look very promising.  I'm most interested in "Tober's Nightmare" and "Slide Boy in Maze Land".

 

Thanks for all that posting Albert.

 

 

[+bent_pin]

6 hours ago, Albert said:

A-W-A Anthology (Atari 400/800/XL/XE and Atari 5200)
E.X.O. Collector’s Edition (Atari 7800)
Knight Guy in Another Castle (Atari 7800)

I'm getting these plus two games from the Champ Cames Booth.

 

Thanks for everything @Albert We all know that it's a lot of work on your part.

[insertclevernamehere]

There's enough great games for the Jaguar from AA now that I really want Atari to do a Jaguar+.  Still not prepared to pay the silly money for a real Jaguar but a clone would be nice.