Review Episode 2

The Atari XEGS Cart by Cart Podcast

In Episode 2, we take to the skies with Blue Max, then dive down to the sewers to join the Mario Brothers. We also touch on Joust and Zaxxon, two games that share many similarities to our featured reviews. Kieren Hawken gives his two pence on Budget Titles, and we finally get to our user feedback.

Show Notes

New Theme Song

• Software Remixes at Bandcamp
• ComputeHer
• (She's also part of 8 Bit Weapon)

News

• Bill's "Atari Party" in Northern California
• Sacramento Indie Arcade
• The Ultimate SD Mulitcart

Missing Links (Ep 1.: Missile Command)

• 5200 Super Podcast Ep. 1: The Pac(k) Ins
• 5200 Super Podcast Ep. 3: TrakBallin' with Centipede and Missile Command
• 2600 Game by Game Podcast Ep. 49: Dodge 'Em & Missile Command
• Laird's Lair (Kieren Hawken)'s "XE-Lent Arcade Games Part 10" video

Mario Bros.

• Published by Atari, 1988
• Developed by Sculptured Software

Information Sources:

• Mario Bros. (@Wikipedia)
• Mario Bros.: Classic Arcade Game Video, History & Game Play Overview (@ Arcade Classics)
• Mario Bros., XEGS version (@ Atarimania)
• Sculptured Software (@ Wikipedia)

Other Reviews and Info:

• The Atari 7800 Game By Game Podcast, Episode 20 — Mario Bros. & Fight Night
• Videogame Critic (B+)

Joust

• Developed and published by Atari, 1983

Where to buy:

• BEST Electronics: $21.50, $9.95 cart only
• B & C ComputerVisions: $29.95, $20 cart only
• Bravo Sierra: $20

Information Sources:

• Joust (video game) (@ Wikipedia)
• Joust (@ Atarimania)

Other Reviews and Info:

• The Atari 7800 Game By Game Podcast, Epsidoe 5 — Galaga & Joust
• Laird's Lair XE-Lent Arcade Games, Part 5

Blue Max

• Original disk version (1983)
  • Published by Synapse Software (aka SynSoft in the UK) & U.S. Gold
  • Developed by Bob Polin
• XEGS cartridge port (1987)
  • Published by Broderbund / Atari
  • Developed by Sculptured Software

Where to buy:

• BEST Electronics: $18 loose
• B & C ComputerVisions: $30 (in box), $20 cart only

Information Sources:

• ANTIC VOL. 2, NO. 7 / OCTOBER 1983
• COMPUTE! - Issue 44
• Atari Mania - 7.8/10
• "Blue Max - Atari XL/XE - With Runway Glitch and Commentary" (@ YouTube)
• ANTIC Interview w/ Bob Polin (Blue Max developer)
• ANTIC Interview w/ Ihor Wolosenko (co-founder of Synapse)

Zaxxon

• Published by Sega, 1983
• Developed by Ron J. Fortier, Datasoft
• (Disk and tape versions published by Datasoft and others)

Information Sources:

• Zaxxon (@ Wikipedia)
• Zaxxon (@ Atarimania)

Other Reviews and Info:

• Laird's Lair, XE-Lent Arcade Games - Part 7
• Atari 5200 SuperPodcast, Ep. 2
• 2600 Game By Game Podcast, Ep. 10

Kieren Hawken on Budget Games

• Joe Blade
  • Published by Players, 1988
  • Developed by Barry & Brian Southon
  • Joe Blade (@ Atarimania)
• BMX Simulator
  • Published by Code Masters, 1986
  • Developed by Adrian Sheppard (game), David Whittaker (sound/music)
  • BMX Simulator (@ Atarimania)