Evercade Cartridge 1: Atari Collection 1

The First Evercade cartridge brings back huge memories for me, as the Atari 2600 was my first ever console. Interestingly, the games I remember most fondly on the 2600 are actually absent from this set, but I will get to play a version of them soon. It will be interesting to see what will be my new favourites without the old ones present. 

 

Here is the Countdown from 20 to 1 of my favourite Games on the first Evercade Cartridge: Atari Collection 1. You can either watch the video of in-game footage as I count the games down, or look below the video for my thoughts on each game:

20 Tempest

Never released prototype, this is nothing like the wonderful Tempest we all know, more a curiosity than anything else.

19 Double Dunk

I just really couldn't get on with this game. It doesn't help that the instructions in the book aren't very detailed so I haven't a clue what I am doing. 

18 Sword Quest: Earth World

Much like Tempest, this game feels as though it was added as a curiosity. There is an interesting story behind it. It was meant to be part of a real life contest, where those that completed the game could be in with a chance of owning a physical version of the in-game item they won at the end of the game. The game also came with a comic which was part of the game itself. Numbered clues in the game link to actual page and panel of the comic. This was the first of a series of games that was eventually cancelled long before it could be completed. Without the comic and instructions the game is an uphill struggle, but there are of course solutions online if you really want to play through to the end... I didn't want to. 

17 - Canyon Bomber

There's really not much to say about this game, you shoot bombs down in to a cavern and try to get a high score. There's one button and that is about it. Not a game I will ever return to.

16 Night Driver

I remember being brilliant at this when I was a child. But that must have been a dream, because I am rubbish! it was tricky enough getting even a few moments of footage without me crashing every two seconds. I don't ever remember it being this difficult.

15 Steeple Chase

Fun for five minutes where you press A in time to jump the barriers, time it well and you get a boost of speed, miss time it and slow down. The first levels are a hoot but after that it becomes almost impossible to beat the competition. This is due to the computer controlled opponents can change the type of jump they perform where in this version they have turned off that ability for the player (due to the different controller type I'm guessing). This is a shame as its quite fun for what it is.

14 Yar's Return

A psychedelic shooter,. They tried to add another element to Yar's Revenge, by moving the enemy to the middle, but it just doesn't really work.

13 - Desert Falcon

You control a Falcon flying/ walking vertically up the scrolling map collecting items and shooting enemies... And then you have to shoot the face off a sphinx. The game is okay for short bursts, but not something I'd come back to often.

12 - Aquaventure

I found this game more fun than I thought I would. You have to make your way down through each screen, avoiding fish and other critters, to reach the treasure at the bottom. One you've grabbed the treasure its a race back to the top before your air runs out. 

11 - Video Pinball

 

A very basic version of pinball that's actually quite fun, I found myself quite addicted, having a quick game on my breaks at work. 

10 - Crystal Castles

A fun enough game where you collect all the crystals on a level to reach the next. I found this game a lot easier when connected to a HDTV as I could make out the crystals clearer I was meant to be collecting, also I could judge spaces around the enemy better to avoid them. 

09 - Centipede

Not much to say about this game, it looks very basic now, but I still found it a fast paced fun shooter that I can easily return to much like before to improve my score. 

08 - Gravitar 

An interesting game I never played before. You ship controls very similar to the one in Asteroids, its made harder here as every object seems to have its own gravity, pulling you towards it if you get too close. It takes a fair bit of time to get used to, but it is fun when you finally do. 

You begin on a map with various planets etc dotted around, fly to one and you are brought to a separate level you must complete to take the location off the map. There is a decent variety between the locations, and it gives you a sense of freedom allowing you to tackle them in any order.

07 - Missile Command 

Sometimes the simple games are the most fun. This game feels perfect for the Evercade, another title that I forgot I had been addicted to when I was a child. Though it doesn't grab me as much as it did, its still great fun for score chasing. 

06 - Motor Psycho

This was my first time playing Motor Psycho. I took me a few goes to get the hang of the controls. You have to lower the gear and let go of accelerate when taking most corners as there is no break. Once I got into the swing of it I really started enjoying the game, its one of the ones I've played the most on the cartridge.

05 - Asteroids

There's something oddly relaxing and beautiful about the Atari 2600 version of Asteroids on the Evercade. I thought this would be one of the games I'd have a quick go on for old times sake, and then move on, but its one of the games I've ended up playing for hours.

 

04 - Adventure

You're character is a square and your weapon is an arrow cursor, yet still as a child, it was enough for my mind to fill in the blanks and get lost in the adventure. Strangely the game still has its charm, and seems a perfect fit for the Evercade console.

03 - Ninja Golf

I had never heard of this game before picking up this cartridge, so had no idea what to expect going in. It turns out its exactly what the name implies.  You are a ninja playing golf, after every shot you must fight your way through the stage to where your ball landed, ready for the next shot. Instead of taking the final shot when you reach the putting green, you fire off shuriken at a dragon boss instead, because of course!

I had so much fun playing this game, golf and ninjas go together really well it seems.

02 - Food Fight

Another game I never had a chance to play before and have fallen victim to it almost immediately. Its easy to pick up and play, with short levels perfect for a few quick goes on a work break. You have to reach and eat the ice cream on each level before it melts, between you and your goal are a bunch of chefs intent on stopping you. But you can pick anything up between here and there and throw it at them to get them out the way.

01 - Alien Brigade

My favourite game on the Atari Collection 1 cartridges was actually the first one I played on this system. I love the different locations and the little missions it gives you at the start of each level. The controls feel really responsive. I'm not saying its the best game, but it is the one I had the most fun with 

and kept returning to. 

Final Verdict for Atari Collection 1

A great collection though obviously many are very basic, but there are enough fun games to make it a worthwhile purchase if you are a fan of this era of gaming or at least curious.

In next weeks Sunday Shenanigans I will be playing through the 11 games included in the Evercade Cartridge 2: Namco Museum Collection 1. I can't wait. 

Until next time my friends, be seeing you x