Atari Anniversary Advance Review by: Eirinn - 6.5/10
Classics revisitedSo Atari felt the need to cash in on their classic titles (this makes, what, seventy-three and a half times?), thus making yet more repeat sales of the exact same games they had already sold time and time again, often to the same customer. Perhaps we have companies like them to thank for this awful idea that the game industry has conceived, the one that says that they can remake digital copies of games from their previous console, and resale them on the new console, unaltered. The truly sad thing is that we continue to buy them, and what's more, we continue to enjoy them! How many of Vizzed's members have played this (or one of the many other) compilation of Atari 2600 games, but haven't so much as touched the Atari 2600 games themselves? For some reason, these appeal to us, and I for one am as guilty of being drawn to these compilation sets as anyone.
So what handful of games did Atari decide to give us this time? A few no-name titles that I'm sure none of you have ever heard of, like...
-Asteroids
-Battlezone
-Centipede
-Missle Command
-Tempest
-Super Breakout
But who's ever heard of any of those, right? They're only some of the biggest names in video game history after all. And if by some off-chance you have heard of or --gasp-- even played one or more of these games before, you'll be glad to know that they're still just as fun as they ever were. And of course, even after all of the reproductions, they somehow manage to remain just as good as they ever were, and oddly seem a little better.
But after so many compilations of these old games, does this one manage at all to set itself apart, and justify it's existence in the game world? That's exactly what this old (but not that old...) seasoned gamer set out to discover when I picked up a copy of it... well, not really. I just wanted to play a short but sweet game. The other story sounded cooler though.
Graphics: 6/10
Good.
Gosh, going into this review, I had no idea how hard it would be to judge a game from the 2600 on a GBA, and even worse, five or six games, each with varying degrees of graphics detail and quality. So I did the only thing that seemed fair: compare the graphics to other games from back in their day, and rate each game individually, then divide the total by five...not that you really cared about that part. Anyway, here's the breakdown:
-Asteroids graphics: 1/10.
I mean seriously, outlines? The game looks half finished, even for a title from it's time. I don't know, maybe framework style graphics was what they were shooting for, but nothing seems to suggest that, so I have to look at these as failed graphics. Those systems were capable of so much more, and Atari themselves offered titles with graphics that absolutely destroyed Asteroids in the graphics department. Still, graphics don't make or break a game.
-Battlezone: 10/10
This is one of the most impressive works ever from it's time, as far as graphics are concerned. So many colors, so many sprites, and special effects. Battlezone was far ahead of it's time in this department, I think.
-Centipede: 6/10
These are by no means impressive, but they are good for the time, I guess. It offers bright colors, and most sprites are easily made out, so I would say that this was somewhat of a small victory for Atari graphically. You won't be wowed, but you won't be disappointed at all.
-Missle Command: 5/10
The graphics in this one are overly simple, and fail to defeat or even match the competition for quality, kind of like an Olympic diver performing a cannonball. A big splash and a low score. Still, the bright multi-colored explosions impressed me, and really boosted the graphics rating here. Now if only those things (whatever they're supposed to be) that fall from the sky were bigger than the dust specks on my screen were. Before playing this one, you may want to dust your monitor off, or else you'll lose sight of them when they pass behind that tiny piece of fuzz on your screen. My only question is, why does something that tiny destroy an entire city in one hit?
-Super Breakout: 7/10
Pretty colors...so many pretty colors. Yeah sure, there's a little ball that lacks any detail at all, bouncing around the screen, but there are so many pretty colors. Yeah, the paddle is plain looking, but there are so many...yeah, you get the idea. This one's graphics are all about the flash (literally), and it manages to actually pull you in, and show you how charming those old graphics could be, when the right people worked on them.
-Tempest: 8/10
They're so simple that it's almost painful, yet they're so good at the same time. The three dimensional movement and the way the objects draw so perfectly from the distance and move as they reach the top, it's just oddly perfect, or nearly so in a strange way. You just have to see them for yourself to understand.
The Atari trivia challenge is nicely animated, but I decided against factoring a quiz section's graphics in on the rating. In the end though, these graphics as a whole, balance out to a bit above the average title from their time.
Highlights:
-Incredible graphics and color usage in Battlezone are sure to wow fans of the old games
-Nicely designed visiuals in the trivia game
-So...many...colors (Super Breakout)
-Plain graphics that somehow seem great in Tempest
Sound: 6/10
Good.
Same formula as with graphics.
-Asteroids: 1/10
Again, seriously? There's nothing there but a high pitched annoying sound, and that eventually begins to hurt your ears if you're not careful. Obviously gameplay alone is what made this game popular.
-Battlezone: 10/10
Battlezone's developers stepped up once more and pushed the bar high for their peers. These are some of the best sound effects you'll find from this game's time. Not only are they nice, they make sense, unlike many games from it's time. Good sounds that are used very well, Battlezone impresses again.
-Centipede: 5/10
Generous probably, since these sounds could also hurt your ears if you play for long, but at least the quality isn't bad for the time. Centipede is worth keeping the volume on for, but maybe not bothering to turn the volume on, if you still have it muted from Asteroids.
-Missle Command: 5/10
If you read the audio section of this review for Centipede, then you might as well skip this one. Missle Command at least has sounds, but they are probably the most likely to hurt your ears after lengthy exposure. Still, they sound alright for a little while, just not good.
-Super Breakout: 5/10
Hey, these sounds aren't bad at all, in fact, their simplicity is perfect for the game, however that doesn't equal good. Average is pretty much spot on for these sounds. A beep a blip and a boop. That's how you play the Atari.
-Tempest: 9/10
Tempest is again one of the saving graces of this compilation, bringing some very impressive sound to your ears. These won't be a problem, and I actually recommend unmuting the game for this one, as the sounds add so much to the experience. These are some of the best sound effects I have found from it's time.
The Atari trivia challenge also offers some decent and classic Atari style sound effects (meaning lots of explosions, of course). I have nothing bad to say about it in this respect at all.
Highlights:
-Battlezone offers some impressive classic sound effects, including a working radar
-Tempest has in depth sound that matches the inovational and oddly enjoyable graphics (still haven't figured that out)
Story: N/A
The story here is that we have yet another compilation of old games that we've bought three times before. Fun! Innovative! Yet oddly familiar.
Depth: 6/10
Good.
With seven games to play (six classics and a trivia challenge for fans), there's some depth to be had here. The games may be simple, but that's part of their charm. My only complaint here is that the trivia tends to repeat questions after a round or two, but at least you end up learning some interesting trivia along the way, and repetitive or not, it's enjoyable seeing how many points you can get.
Highlights:
-With six classic games and a trivia game, there's a decent amount to do
Addictiveness: 8/10
Exceptional.
I've made it no secret that Battlezone is one of my favorite games from it's era, and that I enjoy the game immensely. Add to that the fact that this title also offers the trivia game and the oh so odd, yet strangely addicting Tempest (I'll never understand what it is that fascinates me so much about that game), and you have quite the addicting little game collection. And while it's odd that I rated Battlezone a ten in this category when I reviewed it, there's something slightly less appealing to me about playing it as part of a multi-pack that includes games that I dislike as much as Asteroids and find as Average as Missle Command and Centipede. Still, there is plenty of fun to be had here, and it is a sure thing that I'll be playing it again, probably as soon as I finish this review honestly. Battlezone, anyone?
Highlights:
-Battlezone and Tempest. Enough said
-The trivia is entertaining, and can keep you Video Game information sponges engaged for several rounds
Difficulty: 5/10
Average.
Some of these games have no real way of beating them, and so are only highscore competitions with yourself, so it's only as challenging as you want it to be. Short and sweet, but there isn't much to be said here, really.
Highlights:
-Easy enough for most, challenging enough for pros
Overall: 6.5/10
Good.
Yeah, that score pretty much sums this one up perfectly. Some of the individual games offered here are incredible fun (Battlezone and Tempest. Have I been clear that I like those two?), and others are extremely disappointing for those of us that missed these games in their day, but heard all of the hype about how incredible and legendary they were (I'm looking at you, Asteroids), so as compilation packs go, this one merely attains to "Good" status. That's not to say that none of the games are great, in fact, there are some really good ones here, and those games make this a compilation worth playing.
All things considered, Atari Anniversary Advance is worth a play for the nostalgic fans of the old games, as well as those who are curious about games from back in the day. And while there are definitely better compilation games, this one holds it's own with most compilation titles on the GBA. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to go blow up some 4 bit baddies.
Graphics
6 Sound
6 Addictive
8 Depth
6 Difficulty
5
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