You may not have been paying attention, but Atari is back.
The once-renowned console manufacturer, now functioning as a third-party publisher, has faced numerous challenges and leadership changes, but the present form of the company is truly remarkable. It honors its past – flaws included – and appears genuinely dedicated to reintroducing the finest aspects of its collection, whether by developing new games reminiscent of its classics or emulating the originals.
This week, during GDC, we had the opportunity to interact directly with three games from their upcoming collection, unfortunately, due to time constraints, we couldn’t explore Breakout Beyond, a game that looks incredibly promising. (Apologies, Choice Provisions, we’re quite certain this one is going to be another hit!)
Here’s what we played:
The Best and Worst of Bubsy
In its modern form, Atari doesn’t shy away from self-reflection, a trait we admire greatly. This is clearly demonstrated through the superb Atari 50 collection, which offers an honest account of the organization’s triumphs and tribulations without softening the blows.
The collection game titled “Bubsy In: The Purrfect Collection,” which was developed by Limited Run utilizing their emulation engine known as the Carbon Engine, shares similarities with this.
The team understands they’re not handling absolute masterpieces, but they aim to treat the original content with utmost care and respect.
This is demonstrated through the presence of several variants of the same game: for instance, the initial two Bubsy games, which were launched on Super Nintendo and SEGA Genesis, are included in this collection. The team elaborated on how color palettes and resolutions vary across consoles; it’s worth noting that all these differences have been maintained here.
The sequel’s Game Boy adaptation and all its input delay are also part of the package, ensuring an authentic experience. Additionally, you’ll find a seldom-seen Atari Jaguar edition, starting with a visually appealing Alice in Wonderland stage. However, this level is marred by its complex layout that can be challenging to navigate.
Without a doubt, the main attraction for PlayStation enthusiasts is expected to be Bubsy 3D, created by Bend Studio, known for their work on Days Gone. At that time, it was notorious for being one of the early attempts at 3D platforming; however, it fell far short when compared to the heights reached by Super Mario 64 and Crash Bandicoot.
As you engage in the game, it proves more resilient than expected. This durability is due to its minimalist graphic design and a superior widescreen mode introduced by the Carbon Engine, which can be turned off if you’d rather maintain the initial gaming experience.
The pace is leisurely and heavy, yet the team is aware of this – but it’s intriguing to see a glimpse into the early design of PlayStation games. As a collection, it offers a fascinating look at a specific period in gaming history.
Missile Command Delta’s Deviously Smart Design Is a Delight
The original Missile Command, a hit in the 1980s, is primitive by modern standards.
There’s no doubt about it, setting up missiles for defense amidst an onslaught of enemy attacks is still enjoyable, but the speed, compared to contemporary norms, seems painfully slow.
In simpler terms, Missile Command Delta’s approach involves reducing the pace even further, converting it into a card-style challenge where each rocket has an associated usage fee and a restricted range for movement.
It’s brilliant.
As a gamer, I’d describe this game as one that makes me feel clever, even during its initial phases, yet it doesn’t overwork my brain. There’s always an answer – often it’s evident once you look closely – but sometimes, I might need to give it another go to get it perfectly correct.
Even though it’s quite different, it still stays true to the original content. You choose a card and decide where to aim it, and if its blast blocks an incoming enemy missile’s path, your base remains safe. Multiple explosions expand the range of your defensive shield.
The first-person mystery of the card-playing scenes leaves one wondering: you appear as the missile commander, and the narrative appears to reveal events within your bunker. However, during the demonstration, we didn’t have a chance to truly immerse ourselves in this experience.
As a gamer, let me tell you, we’ve just experienced an awesome blast! This one’s shaping up to be a real blockbuster.
I, Robot Is All Jeff Minter, All the Time
The game titled “I, Robot,” distinct from the film starring Will Smith by the same name, surprisingly offers a great deal of enjoyment, despite being less well-known among Atari offerings.
The game resembles both Pac-Man and Tempest in some ways, but with a unique twist: You’re tasked with flipping tiles to avoid being spotted by a massive eye, which can eliminate you if it sees you while you’re jumping. It might seem peculiar, but it’s undeniably intriguing.
In this edition, created by Jeff Minter, you’ll find characteristics typical of a devoted admirer of iconic British farm animals: distorting backdrops, potentially dizzying graphics, and challenging arcade mechanics.
Different stages call for varied strategies, some demanding an aggressive, chaotic style while others necessitate a more calculated, systematic approach. Regardless of the strategy you choose, there’s always a strong urge to excel in every stage and conquer each challenge consistently.
Experiencing games on the PSVR2, effortlessly integrating it when desired, showcases the captivating nature of virtual reality while stationary. It’s like peering into a detailed diorama. The game performs exceptionally well whether viewed through the headset or not, boasting a smooth frame rate and a distinctive visual aesthetic that stands out anywhere.
Although it might take a bit more time to fully understand compared to games like Tempest 4000 or Akka Arrh, we believe the experience will be equally satisfying. To be honest, I’m eagerly anticipating reaching new levels of awareness while attempting to complete this game without meeting an untimely demise (which, by the way, is impossible).
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2025-03-21 01:37