Albert Posted August 17, 2005 Share Posted August 17, 2005 Fans of classic arcade games are all too familiar with the roar, "Beware, I Live!" A long, lost prototype of the beloved (and difficult) arcade game Sinistar has been uncovered for Atari 8-bit computers. Thanks to the hard work of Atari Archivist Ken Van Mersbergen, this unreleased arcade to home conversion has finally been found. Sinistar combines fast action, mind numbing speed, and evil sounding voice synthesis into one explosive package. Your goal is to destroy Sinistar, a giant metal creature bent on destroying the universe and whatever else that gets in its way. However, to destroy Sinistar you must make Sinibombs out of Sinisite crystals harvested from floating plantetiods. The Atari 8-bit version is a wonderful port, capturing all the action and excitement of the arcade game. The graphics are amazingly accurate, the controls are sharp and precise, and the digitized voice rings out loud and clear. Sinistar was just about finished, but there are a few minor issues and bugs that needed to be addressed before the game saw a commercial release. The biggest issue is the computer AI, which isn't quite polished. Sinistar will be displayed in the AtariAge booth at this weekend's Dallas vgXpo show, and plans are to release the Sinistar binary in the near future so everyone can enjoy it. You can read a thorough review of Sinistar over at AtariProtos.com. Quote Link to comment https://forums.atariage.com/topic/74736-atari-8-bit-sinistar-prototype-discovered/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
www.atarimania.com Posted August 17, 2005 Share Posted August 17, 2005 Fantastic -- Atari Frog http://www.atarimania.com Quote Link to comment https://forums.atariage.com/topic/74736-atari-8-bit-sinistar-prototype-discovered/#findComment-912998 Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy_bernstein Posted August 17, 2005 Share Posted August 17, 2005 I can't believe it !!! Freakin' Incredible ! Kudos to Ken Van Mersbergen ! Quote Link to comment https://forums.atariage.com/topic/74736-atari-8-bit-sinistar-prototype-discovered/#findComment-913001 Share on other sites More sharing options...
PacManPlus Posted August 17, 2005 Share Posted August 17, 2005 God, I hope this gets converted to the 5200! Quote Link to comment https://forums.atariage.com/topic/74736-atari-8-bit-sinistar-prototype-discovered/#findComment-913003 Share on other sites More sharing options...
jetset Posted August 17, 2005 Share Posted August 17, 2005 God, I hope this gets converted to the 5200! 913003[/snapback] According to Atariprotos.com, the game is 48k. No 5200 port is likely. Quote Link to comment https://forums.atariage.com/topic/74736-atari-8-bit-sinistar-prototype-discovered/#findComment-913010 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tempest Posted August 17, 2005 Share Posted August 17, 2005 God, I hope this gets converted to the 5200! 913003[/snapback] According to Atariprotos.com, the game is 48k. No 5200 port is likely. 913010[/snapback] It might be possible, but it will take a little work. Never say never... Tempest Quote Link to comment https://forums.atariage.com/topic/74736-atari-8-bit-sinistar-prototype-discovered/#findComment-913014 Share on other sites More sharing options...
walter_J64bit Posted August 17, 2005 Share Posted August 17, 2005 Is the game for download? Quote Link to comment https://forums.atariage.com/topic/74736-atari-8-bit-sinistar-prototype-discovered/#findComment-913017 Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Allan Posted August 17, 2005 Share Posted August 17, 2005 God, I hope this gets converted to the 5200! 913003[/snapback] According to Atariprotos.com, the game is 48k. No 5200 port is likely. 913010[/snapback] Well, we have two versions of a 512K cart for the 5200. It all depends on how the code can be split up. If it has the voice, that's going to take up a lot of ram I would think. We'll just have to wait and see what can be done. I have high hopes for it, especially since Atari was planning on releasing this for the 5200. Allan Quote Link to comment https://forums.atariage.com/topic/74736-atari-8-bit-sinistar-prototype-discovered/#findComment-913024 Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Allan Posted August 17, 2005 Share Posted August 17, 2005 I'd love to hear the story about how this game was found. Ken, care to share any details? Allan Quote Link to comment https://forums.atariage.com/topic/74736-atari-8-bit-sinistar-prototype-discovered/#findComment-913027 Share on other sites More sharing options...
deathtrappomegranate Posted August 17, 2005 Share Posted August 17, 2005 Great news! Sinistar is a true classic. Quote Link to comment https://forums.atariage.com/topic/74736-atari-8-bit-sinistar-prototype-discovered/#findComment-913042 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Helmet Posted August 17, 2005 Share Posted August 17, 2005 Great! I can't wait to play it! Quote Link to comment https://forums.atariage.com/topic/74736-atari-8-bit-sinistar-prototype-discovered/#findComment-913065 Share on other sites More sharing options...
davidcalgary29 Posted August 17, 2005 Share Posted August 17, 2005 I knew this one would eventually be found, but I didn't think that it would be a playable game. This is wonderful news! Quote Link to comment https://forums.atariage.com/topic/74736-atari-8-bit-sinistar-prototype-discovered/#findComment-913087 Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZylonBane Posted August 17, 2005 Share Posted August 17, 2005 Woah. Woah woah woah woah woah! First Stargate, then Blaster, now this? Geeze, what next? Bubbles? NARC? Quote Link to comment https://forums.atariage.com/topic/74736-atari-8-bit-sinistar-prototype-discovered/#findComment-913089 Share on other sites More sharing options...
_Fandal_ Posted August 17, 2005 Share Posted August 17, 2005 Great work!!! But I still don't understand why AtariProtos.com doesn't offer download of all those ultra rare games... F. Quote Link to comment https://forums.atariage.com/topic/74736-atari-8-bit-sinistar-prototype-discovered/#findComment-913094 Share on other sites More sharing options...
ATARIeric Posted August 17, 2005 Share Posted August 17, 2005 Is the game for download? 913017[/snapback] Atariage says: Sinistar will be displayed in public at this weekend's Dallas vgXpo show, and plans are to release the Sinistar binary in the near future so everyone can enjoy it. Quote Link to comment https://forums.atariage.com/topic/74736-atari-8-bit-sinistar-prototype-discovered/#findComment-913135 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bryan Posted August 17, 2005 Share Posted August 17, 2005 God, I hope this gets converted to the 5200! 913003[/snapback] According to Atariprotos.com, the game is 48k. No 5200 port is likely. 913010[/snapback] MULE is a 64K cart... Quote Link to comment https://forums.atariage.com/topic/74736-atari-8-bit-sinistar-prototype-discovered/#findComment-913146 Share on other sites More sharing options...
birdie3 Posted August 17, 2005 Share Posted August 17, 2005 AMAZING!! Quote Link to comment https://forums.atariage.com/topic/74736-atari-8-bit-sinistar-prototype-discovered/#findComment-913149 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uber Troll Posted August 17, 2005 Share Posted August 17, 2005 Great news! Sinstar is an awesome, evil, blood pressure-raising shoot-fest. The graphics here look great and faithful. I have heard rumour of an "original" ROM for the arcade machine, finalized before the jackass corporate guys made the programmers crank-up the difficulty. Anyone know more? HHMmmmmmmmm.... Quote Link to comment https://forums.atariage.com/topic/74736-atari-8-bit-sinistar-prototype-discovered/#findComment-913207 Share on other sites More sharing options...
NE146 Posted August 17, 2005 Share Posted August 17, 2005 HOLY MUTHA F00KIN CRAP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1 This is the kind of news that just makes my balls glisten and a-tingle with delight. I am looking forward to the talented efforts of those will be involved in porting this fine discovery to the 5200. Quote Link to comment https://forums.atariage.com/topic/74736-atari-8-bit-sinistar-prototype-discovered/#findComment-913233 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Godzilla Posted August 17, 2005 Share Posted August 17, 2005 all i can say is supa sweet! great work guys, and THANKS! cant wait to see it! Quote Link to comment https://forums.atariage.com/topic/74736-atari-8-bit-sinistar-prototype-discovered/#findComment-913303 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaggy the Atarian Posted August 17, 2005 Share Posted August 17, 2005 Wow, this is a very awesome find. Personally I'd rather see it ported over to the 7800, but either way, it's great to see even more great protos coming out of the woodworks. Quote Link to comment https://forums.atariage.com/topic/74736-atari-8-bit-sinistar-prototype-discovered/#findComment-913306 Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZylonBane Posted August 17, 2005 Share Posted August 17, 2005 Wow, this is a very awesome find. Personally I'd rather see it ported over to the 7800 Yeah, I'll hop in my TIME MACHINE and relay that request to the programmers back in 1984. Quote Link to comment https://forums.atariage.com/topic/74736-atari-8-bit-sinistar-prototype-discovered/#findComment-913341 Share on other sites More sharing options...
walter_J64bit Posted August 17, 2005 Share Posted August 17, 2005 Wow, this is a very awesome find. Personally I'd rather see it ported over to the 7800, but either way, it's great to see even more great protos coming out of the woodworks. 913306[/snapback] A Jag port would be cool! Quote Link to comment https://forums.atariage.com/topic/74736-atari-8-bit-sinistar-prototype-discovered/#findComment-913343 Share on other sites More sharing options...
walter_J64bit Posted August 17, 2005 Share Posted August 17, 2005 Is the game for download? 913017[/snapback] Atariage says: Sinistar will be displayed in public at this weekend's Dallas vgXpo show, and plans are to release the Sinistar binary in the near future so everyone can enjoy it. 913135[/snapback] I must have missed that Quote Link to comment https://forums.atariage.com/topic/74736-atari-8-bit-sinistar-prototype-discovered/#findComment-913346 Share on other sites More sharing options...
jetset Posted August 17, 2005 Share Posted August 17, 2005 This is the kind of news that just makes my balls glisten and a-tingle with delight. 913233[/snapback] I wish I hadn't read that.... *shivers* Quote Link to comment https://forums.atariage.com/topic/74736-atari-8-bit-sinistar-prototype-discovered/#findComment-913352 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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