"The Latest in Home Video Games"
BOY'S LIFE (Dec 1982): 10.
By Robert L. Perry


Christmas morning will resound with the bleeps, blips, crashes and crunches of 
the latest video games and home computers.

Prices are at new lows, but colorful action game challenges are better than 
ever.

For example, Commodore, Inc. has introduced MAX, a $179 three-in-one video 
game/home computer. It comes with 16 colors, a synthesizer that plays real 
musical tones and a full-sized keyboard. (The keyboard makes MAX a home 
computer you can write your own programs for.)

Among its more than a dozen new games and programs, Commodore has Mole Attack, 
a new type of target shooting game, and Wizard of Wor, a fantasy adventure game 
where a player searches for hidden treasure through mazes, tunnels and dungeons 
while fighting monsters and overcoming other obstacles.

Video games and home computers have come a long way since Atari invented the 
simple, black and white Pong game in 1975.

For 1982, Atari has added System 5200, a colorful advanced video game machine 
($279). Coleco is introducing ColecoVision, a video game machine ($279) with an 
add-on device that allows you to play games originally made for the Atari VCS.

Mattel has developed a "talking" game unit (about $69): It plugs into 
Intellivision, and has a speech synthesizer that duplicates the human voice. 
Another home video system, Odyssey 2, also has a voice module that will speak 
words you program onto the screen.

Many Improved Game Features

In addition to new games, major companies have made numerous improvements, 
making games easier and more fun to play. First, better color graphics. For 
example, the Astrovision Arcade ($299) comes with 256 colors, (compared to 16 
colors with most games) for brighter, more eye-appealing games.

Second, ColecoVision, Atari System 5200, and Astrovision Arcade now come with 
coiled cords. They retract easily and store in a compartment on the video game; 
they replace the straight, loose wires which often were hard to wind and caused 
a mess around many home televisions.

Third, the new games come with universal controllers. In the past, you played 
some games with "joysticks," and others with game "paddles" with round knobs. 
ColecoVision's new all-in-one controller has a control knob that moves in eight 
directions and a 12-function calculator-like keypad.

Fourth, several games also serve as home computers. You can learn to program-- 
write sets of instructions into-- the unit so you can make up your own games. 
MAX, Astro Arcade, and Mattel Intellivision offer home computer keyboard units.

Wide Variety of Games

Many companies make video games, for the Atari VCS and for Intellivision. For 
example, Imagic has released seven new Atari games and five for Intellivision. 
Two games are common to both: Atlantis, an adventure game to save the Lost City 
of Atlantis, and Demon Attack, in which you fend off pulsating creatures.

One exciting game concept is Imagic's Micro Surgeon, for Intellivision. You act 
like a doctor and go inside a human body to eliminate disease and cure illness.

Activision has 20 games just for Atari VCS. Among its more popular games are 
StarMaster, which simulates space flight, Ice Hockey, Stampede and Chopper 
Command. M Network, from Mattel Electronics, has a growing selection of games, 
such as Astroblast and Dark Cavern, designed for the Atari VCS. So does US 
Games, with Space Jockey, Towering Inferno and three other games for Atari's 
system.

Some established toy companies and movie producers have begun making video 
games. For example, Parker Brothers, has introduced a game based on The Empire 
Strikes Back. A player combats a moving row of tank-like Imperial Walkers.

Major movie companies, including 20th Century Fox, MGM and Lucas-Films (the 
maker of Star Wars) will also join with home computer game companies to produce 
video games for Atari VCS.

Many new games are based on popular arcade games. ColecoVision has a home 
version of Donkey Kong; the Atari System 5200's first line includes these very 
popular arcade games: Pac Man; Space Invaders; Galaxian; Missile Command; and 
Asteroids, to name a few.

If you plan to buy a home video game machine or computer, you have to select 
the brand carefully. In general, you cannot play games made for one brand 
machine on another brand machine. (For example, you cannot play games for the 
Atari! VCS on Intellivision or Astro Arcade or even-- at least not yet-- on the 
new Atari System 5200.)

You should ask about the number and types of games available for a game machine 
before you decide to buy it.

Games for Home Computers

Beside video "action" games there is a wide variety of other historical 
simulation, science-fiction and fantasy adventure games available for home 
computers.

For example, Avalon Hill Microcomputer Games offers more than 30 games for a 
variety of home computers, including the Atari 400 and 800, Apple II, Radio 
Shack TRS-80, Commodore PET and IBM Personal Computer. Avalon Hill has such 
challenging games as Midway Campaign, which simulates the decisive World War II 
sea battle. Another is Empire of the Overmind, in which you must destroy a 
part-machine, part-spirit tyrant. Andromeda Conquest challenges you to colonize 
galaxies on a vast scale.

Hundreds of such electronic games, ranging from simple games for young children 
to advanced strategy games for up to a dozen older players, are available for 
home computers from a variety of companies.