Difference between revisions of "Megamania"
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[[Image:Megamania - 2600 - USA.jpg|thumb|256x256px|2600 box art.]] | [[Image:Megamania - 2600 - USA.jpg|thumb|256x256px|2600 box art.]] | ||
| − | '''''Megamania''''' is a classic single-screen shooter programmed by [[Steve Cartwright]] and published by [[Activision]] in 1982 on the [[Atari 2600]], and | + | '''''Megamania''''' is a classic single-screen shooter programmed by [[Steve Cartwright]] and published by [[Activision]] in 1982 on the [[Atari 2600]], and in 1983 on the [[Atari 5200]] and [[Atari 8-bit]] computers. This is one of my favorite Atari 2600 games, and a favorite of the single-screen space shooter genre. |
I first played the game as one of the many games in a used collection of Atari game my parents bought us kids at a garage sale. I once programmed by own version of Megamania in [[QuickBASIC]]. | I first played the game as one of the many games in a used collection of Atari game my parents bought us kids at a garage sale. I once programmed by own version of Megamania in [[QuickBASIC]]. | ||
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==Review== | ==Review== | ||
| − | + | {{Video Game Review|5|6|4|3|4|44%|Atari 8-bit}} | |
| − | |||
===Good=== | ===Good=== | ||
| − | * Despite the Atari 2600's memory restrictions, Cartwright packed a lot of variation into this game's enemies. | + | * Despite the Atari 2600's memory restrictions, Cartwright packed a lot of variation into this game's enemies. Their movement patterns vary, they look different, and each have several variations. |
* Even though the ship designs repeat, the palette shifts and the enemy ships adopt new movement patterns in subsequent waves giving the game more variety. | * Even though the ship designs repeat, the palette shifts and the enemy ships adopt new movement patterns in subsequent waves giving the game more variety. | ||
* Being able to control the ship's gun in different ways was a nice addition. | * Being able to control the ship's gun in different ways was a nice addition. | ||
| Line 20: | Line 19: | ||
===Bad=== | ===Bad=== | ||
* Due to the extreme limits of the Atari 2600, the game is unfortunately too repetitive. | * Due to the extreme limits of the Atari 2600, the game is unfortunately too repetitive. | ||
| + | * Although the enemies all have different movement patterns, they're really all just variations on a theme. | ||
===Ugly=== | ===Ugly=== | ||
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Megamania - Patch.jpg|Megamaniacs patch. | Megamania - Patch.jpg|Megamaniacs patch. | ||
</gallery> | </gallery> | ||
| + | |||
| + | ===Videos=== | ||
| + | * [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c8v-wtcDGpo youtube.com/watch?v=c8v-wtcDGpo] - Longplay of a full score of 999,999. | ||
==Ports== | ==Ports== | ||
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|- | |- | ||
| [[Atari 8-bit]] || 1983-??-?? || [[Activision]] || [[Activision]] || Nearly identical to the 5200 port. | | [[Atari 8-bit]] || 1983-??-?? || [[Activision]] || [[Activision]] || Nearly identical to the 5200 port. | ||
| + | |} | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==Credits== | ||
| + | {| class="wikitable" | ||
| + | ! Role !! Staff | ||
| + | |- | ||
| + | | Entire Game || [[Steve Cartwright]] | ||
|} | |} | ||
Revision as of 21:56, 4 March 2019
Megamania is a classic single-screen shooter programmed by Steve Cartwright and published by Activision in 1982 on the Atari 2600, and in 1983 on the Atari 5200 and Atari 8-bit computers. This is one of my favorite Atari 2600 games, and a favorite of the single-screen space shooter genre.
I first played the game as one of the many games in a used collection of Atari game my parents bought us kids at a garage sale. I once programmed by own version of Megamania in QuickBASIC.
Contents
Status
I own Megamania for the Atari 2600. My highest score is 111,920, well beyond the score of 45,000 needed to earn the Activision Megamaniacs patch, but a far cry from when the game stops counting at 999,999.
Review
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| 5 | 6 | 4 | 3 | 4 |
Best Version: 44%
Good
- Despite the Atari 2600's memory restrictions, Cartwright packed a lot of variation into this game's enemies. Their movement patterns vary, they look different, and each have several variations.
- Even though the ship designs repeat, the palette shifts and the enemy ships adopt new movement patterns in subsequent waves giving the game more variety.
- Being able to control the ship's gun in different ways was a nice addition.
- The game has really nice sound for a 2600 game.
Bad
- Due to the extreme limits of the Atari 2600, the game is unfortunately too repetitive.
- Although the enemies all have different movement patterns, they're really all just variations on a theme.
Ugly
- Nothing.
Media
Box Art
The cartoonish 2600 box art beautifully depicts the game.
Both the 5200 and 8-bit releases use this utterly terrible art. The game is only depicted in the reflection of the strange bow tie wearing man.
Documentation
2600 manual.
5200 manual.
Megamaniacs patch.
Videos
- youtube.com/watch?v=c8v-wtcDGpo - Longplay of a full score of 999,999.
Ports
| Port | Released | Porter | Publisher | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atari 2600 | 1982-??-?? | Activision | Activision | Original release. |
| Atari 5200 | 1983-??-?? | Activision | Activision | More detailed graphics and additional sound effects. |
| Atari 8-bit | 1983-??-?? | Activision | Activision | Nearly identical to the 5200 port. |
Credits
| Role | Staff |
|---|---|
| Entire Game | Steve Cartwright |
Links
- mobygames.com/game/megamania - MobyGames.
- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Megamania - Wikipedia.
