GENERAL SOFTWARE INFO, TIDBITS, CHEATS AND EASTER EGGS
Adventure
A box for this game was shown in a flyer for the "Video
System X."
A.E.
Licensed from Broderbund. Similar to the Atari 8-bit computer
version except that the time required to draw the backgrounds
is painstakingly long. Only a precious few are known to exist.
Asteroids
Recently discovered! The first Atari 5200 catalog
(Part #CO18270 Rev.1) shows a picture of the box as well as a
game description and screenshot. This game supports up to 4
players in head-to-head or cooperative play. After attempting
to play it, you realize what we’ve all suspected for some time:
The game is unplayable with the standard 5200 controller. Some
interesting notes - This cart was found with an actual
production label and a prototype 5200 Asteroids controller.
Only one is known to exist, and was demonstrated for the first
time at the World of Atari '98 show in Las Vegas. For more
info on this game, check out
Atari Gaming Headquarters.
Astrochase
Licensed from First Star Software. Designed by Fernando
Herrera, founder of First Star Software. An interesting note
on the origin of this company - Atari had a program called the
Atari Program Exchange (APX) which published user-written
software for their 8-bit line of computers. The submission that
was judged best by Atari each year was awarded the Atari Star
award. Fernando Herrera wrote a program called "My First
Alphabet" which was selected as the first-ever winner of the
Atari Star Award; hence the name: First Star Software.
Ballblazer
Designed and programmed by David Levine, Peter Langston, David
Riordan, and Garry Hare. Contributions and support by Charlie
Kellner, Gary Winnick, and David Fox. According to sources at
Atari, the working title for this game was "Topsy Turvy". One
of only two Atari released games that came in a white box
(Rescue on Fractalus was the other) instead of the standard
issue grey and blue box. This game is also one of the few Atari
titles that has no name on the cartridge label. Also one of the
first games musically scored by a recognized musician, Pat
Methany.
Bar Room Baseball
This version of RealSports Baseball has been modified and was
intended for use in an arcade cabinet. The inclusion of a
timer limited gameplay to 3 minutes per credit. Arcade cabinets
with 5200 systems inside were sold in Mexico and other Latin
American countries.
Battlezone
This version resorted to colorful backgrounds instead of the
arcade vector graphics. Has a 2 joystick option and most
likely would have been packaged with a controller holder like
Robotron and Space Dungeon.
Beamrider
Designed by Dave Rolfe. 5200 adaptation by Action Graphics.
Reaching sector 14 with 40,000 points or more got you a
Beamriders patch if you sent Activision picture proof and $1.
This and several other 5200 titles from Activision were later
packaged in 2600 boxes with stickers on them.
Behind Jaggi Lines
Working title for Rescue on Fractalus, Behind Jaggi Lines was
recently discovered and demonstrated for the first time at
World of Atari '98 in Las Vegas. An exact duplicate of Rescue
except for the different title on the title screen.
Battlezone
Very early, and very rough.
Berzerk
The first console game that had built-in voice synthesis without
the need of additional hardware, 5200 Berzerk is a marvelous
translation of the coin-op original. Highly recommended,
particularly if you like to be taunted by Evil Otto with phrases
like "Chicken, fight like a robot!"
An interesting glitch exists that allows a player to make Evil
Otto (that's the official name of "Mr. Happy") go the opposite
direction from where you are on the screen, but this works only
on the left exit. Position your character until he's just about
to exit the maze (that is, the next joystick movement to the
left will make him leave the maze). Evil Otto will start to
bounce towards the right instead of coming after you. If you
stand at the exit long enough, Evil Otto will wrap around to the
left side of the screen. Whether he kills you when he touches
you is uncertain; the wrap-around scenario has not been tested
as of yet. This glitch is extremely useful, especially when you
want to finish off the robots and Evil Otto comes in sooner than
you anticipate. It takes practice to precisely position your
character to make Evil Otto go the other way, but you'll get it
right with practice.
Another tip that can help in mastering the game has to do with
your character's neck. Or should I say lack thereof? The open
space below his head can be useful when facing robots straight
to your left or right. If you position the character just
right, the robot's lasers will go right through without killing
him It's very tough to master, especially on higher levels when
the lasers are traveling at the same speed that yours do.
And last but not least, it's easier to avoid Evil Otto by going
to the left or right exits than using the top or bottom ones.
This is due to how Evil Otto bounces when he chances you. Of
course, there will be times that the top or bottom exits will be
your best retreat.
Black Belt
Similar to Karateka, Black Belt was to be Atari’s entry into
the karate genre. Impressive graphics, with several different
rooms. No collision detection and slow movement/gameplay keep
this one from being complete. This title probably evolved from
a title in the rumor mill called "Martial Arts".
For more info on this game - including screenshots - check out
Atari Gaming Headquarters.
Boogie Demo Cart
It's difficult to tell if this one is anything more than
someone at Atari "screwing around" or if there was an eventual
purpose to this title. Not really a game, this music demo plays
a repeating “Boogie” tune. Only a precious few are known to
exist.
Bounty Bob Strikes Back
Designed and programmed by Bill Hogue, founder of Big 5
Software. Graphics designed by Curtis Mikolyski. A sequel
that's better than the original? You bet! A follow-up to Miner
2049'er that could be the most enjoyable game ever made. The
box for this game is extremely hard to come by, as is the full
color poster that was packed in.
To transport to another screen, grab the item mentioned below,
then press and hold the number (also stated below) then press
start. You will warp to the level mentioned.
1. Bob's Morning Flower pot / 1 / start = level 4
Calisthenics
2. Utility Hoist Aliens / paint roller / 3 / start = level 22
3. The Suction Tubes Goblet / 4 / start = level 15
5. Jumping 101 Coffee Pot / 8 / start = level 18
10. The Gravity Lift Pitch Fork / 5 / start = level 14
16. Adv. Suction Tubes Tube 1 to left/ pie / 9 / start = level 19
26. The End......
"Congratulations, you are an expert! For getting this far, you
may start the game at any level you desire by setting special
codes 1-25 in the Game Adjustment Screen and then pressing
START."
At the game adjustment screen, enter one of the following
special codes and press * for a few secret messages:
5 6 49 69 100 213 666 782 818 2049 6861
Centipede (released version)
Atari 5200 version designed by Frank Hausman and Sean W.
Hennessy. One of the many games that is trak-ball compatible.
Named the best game (covering all systems), best 5200 game and
best graphics in a 5200 game in the first annual Videogame
Illustrated "Vista Awards."
Centipede, ("Killer hard version")
Recently discovered, this particular prototype is similar to the
released version of the same game, with the exception being that
it's HARD! (as if the released version was a walk in the park to
begin with). The Centipedes slide down the screen at a frantic
pace, and the spiders have even better AI along with faster
movement. Definitely an in-house "pet" project and never
intended for release.
Choplifter!
Based on the Broderbund computer game designed by Dan Gorlin.
The copyright on the back of the box has a printing error -
©1982 Dan Gorling. I'm sure Mr. Gorlin was thrilled. One of
the last games released for the 5200.
Cloak and Dagger
Announced by Atari but never released. In the movie of the same
name, the kid from ET can be seen holding a 5200 Cloak & Dagger
cartridge (most likely just a mock-up). For further details
surrounding the Cloak and Dagger mystery, see Section 2.6 of
this FAQ.
Congo Bongo
Based on the Sega coin-op. The manual incorrectly claims that
after selecting 1 or 2 players, the game will ask you whether
or not you're using a joystick. Needless to say, no controller
choices are given, although we're at a loss as to what choices
they had in mind. As with most other versions of this game,
only 2 of the 4 arcade version screens are present.
Countermeasure
An early prototype of this game has the name “Failsafe”
although the game appears to be identical. One of a few games
that never appeared on any other Atari system. Note the Atari
symbol on the soldier's cap on the game box/cart picture. The
failsafe code was a combination of the following letters: L, E,
O. You have to wonder what the programmer's name or sign was...
Here's an interesting easter egg... When the skull and
crossbones appears, after you fail to enter the correct code,
take a look at one of the bones. You'll see the initials "RM,"
which is initials of the programmer.
Cram Cartridge
Cram is a nickname for the in-house version of the Atari 5200
Diagnostic Cartridge. Basically, it is a diagnostic cart that
has pin #18 shorted to Ground, which forces the 5200 to turn
on automatically when the cart is inserted. These carts were
used for assembly line testing where employees would “CRAM” the
cart into the machine to make sure they powered up and were
functioning. Actually, any cartridge can be made into a Cram
cart by shorting pin #18 as mentioned above.
Decathlon
Designed by David Crane. 5200 adaptation by Paul Willson.
Scoring over 8,600 points could get you a "Bronze" patch,
over 9,000 a "Silver" patch, and over 10,000 a "Gold" patch
by sending proof to Activision along with $1.
Defender
Programmed by Steve Baker. One of the many games that is
trak-ball compatible. Note the Atari symbol in the building's
window at the top-left of the game box/instructions/cart
picture.
Second runner-up in the best 5200 game category in the first
annual Videogaming Illustrated "Vista Awards."
Diagnostic Cartridge
Used by factory authorized service personnel to diagnose
malfunctioning systems. Selections included tests for RAM,
ROM, Video, Sound, Joystick Ports, Joysticks, along with the
ability to examine memory locations. Several revisions exist.
Dig Dug
The 1986 Atari Corp. release has a label variation. The "5200"
at the top of the cart is printed in an elongated font. The
"vegetable"? for rounds 16 & 17 is a Galaxian.
Dreadnaught Factor, The
Designed by Tom Loughry. 5200 adaptation by Eric Nickell.
Defeating the entire fleet of Dreadnaughts on level 4 or higher
could net you a Dreadnaught Destroyer patch if you sent
Activision a picture of your TV screen (you didn’t have to
include $1 for this one).
Fail Safe
This was one of the working names for Countermeasure. The game
is identical except for the name.
Final Legacy
Recently discovered and demonstrated for the first time at
World of Atari '98 in Las Vegas. Nearly identical to the
Atari computer version.
There were two versions of this game for the Atari 8-bit
computers. One had text for in-game selections while the other
used icons. This version uses text, probably since the 5200
wasn’t exactly an “international” success. Seems complete.
For more info on this game - including screenshots - check out
Atari Gaming Headquarters.
Football
Designed and implemented by Jim Huether, who years later also
designed the Sega Genesis game "Joe Montana's Sportstalk
Football". One of the many games that is trak-ball compatible.
Originally just called "Football", Atari changed the name to
fit their RealSports line-up.
Score 199 points or more without allowing the other team to
score more than 3 during a practice game in regulation time.
You must also score the last touchdown with no time left.
Instead of seeing the usual "Game Over" message you will see
"DESIGNED BY THE WARLORD" on your screen.
Football (for Video System X)
Photos of this game, along with the Video System X (working
title of the 5200) were shown at trade shows and in magazines
before the 5200 was eventually released. The cart had a
completely different label from 5200 Football, and it is not
known whether this game is any different from the 5200 version
(or if it was just a cart shell mockup, for that matter).
Frisky Tom
An unreleased game based on the coin-op by Nichibutsu, this
game seems complete and is very playable. It even has the girl
in the bath-tub. Frisky Tom pretty much popped out of nowhere.
It was never mentioned in any magazines or literature and
until it was found with several other protos, no-one even knew
it existed. Only a precious few are known to exist.
Frogger
Players have the option of using the keypad buttons to control
the direction of Frogger's movement. Press button #2 to hop
Frogger forward, #8 to hop back, #4 to go left and #6 to go
right.
Frogger II: Threeedeep!
Three distinctly different screens take Frogger on another
homeward-bound journey, but this time it's underwater, over
water, and through the air. As in Frogger, the player can
choose to use the keypad buttons to control Frogger.
Galaxian
The manual mentions that after wave 10, the Galaxian fleet
may surprise you with some special screen graphics. The only
thing we've ever seen is sometimes when you destroy a Galaxian,
an Atari symbol will flash briefly in the explosion.
Gorf
Programmed by Roklan Corp.
Gremlins
Designed and programmed by John Seghers. Animation by Courtney
Granner. Sound by Robert Vieira. This game is completely
different from the 2600 version.
Gyruss
Licensed from Konami. The game music is Johann Sebastian
Bach's "Toccata and Fugue in D Minor".
H.E.R.O.
Designed by John Van Ryzin. 5200 adaptation by The Softworks.
H.E.R.O. stands for Helicopter Emergency Rescue Operation.
Scoring over 70,000 points got you an "Order of the H.E.R.O."
patch by sending proof to Activision along with $1.
James Bond 007
Contains 4 movie scenarios: Diamonds Are Forever, The Spy Who
Loved Me, Moonraker, and For Your Eyes Only.
Jr. Pac-Man
The game appears complete, but it was not released commercially.
An absolutely phenomenal conversion of the coin-op. Smooth
scrolling and crisp sounds make this the best of the three Pac's
in the 5200 library.
Jungle River Cruise
Designed for Atari's unreleased "Puffer" exercise bicycle, a
prototype version of this game has recently been discovered.
Formerly titled 'Riverboat' and 'River Rescue'.
Kaboom!
Designed by Larry Kaplan. 5200 adaptation by Paul Willson.
The SuperSystem version is similar to the 2600 edition, but the
former has an added feature of allowing two players to take
turns playing the Mad Bomber (dropping the bombs), and catching
the bombs with the buckets. By Paul Wilson.
By scoring 1800 or more points in 1 player mode and sending in a
picture of the score, players were awarded the Bucket Brigade
Patch from Activision.
Keystone Kapers
Designed by Garry Kitchen. 5200 adaptation by Alex DeMeo.
Krull
Announced but never released. Only a prototype box of this game
is known to exist. Furthermore, this box shares the same color
scheme as the 2600 version of the same name, and even the "CX"
number on the box is identical to the regular 2600 box
(CX 2682).
Last Starfighter, The
Programmed by Gary Stark. This title went through a name change
and became Star Raiders 2; only seeing release for the Atari
8-bit line of computers. Apparently, Atari purchased the rights
but decided a sequel to Star Raiders would be better embraced
by the masses. Also, it is possible that this title began its
life as a game called "Orbiter". The game seems complete except
for the lack of shields.
Loco-motion
Mattel had at least the Intellivision rights to this game, but
a prototype box of this game from Atari exists. No word on
whether a prototype cart exists at all.
Looney Tunes Hotel
Utilizing the Warner Bros. cartoon licenses, this game
featured Bugs Bunny, Elmer Fudd, Yosemite Sam, and Devil
(Tasmanian, we assume). The game seems to be in the early to
middle stages of development. You control Bugs as he tries to
get the carrots while avoiding the bombs, etc.
Meebzork
An adventure game for the 5200 with 6 stages of fun. This proto
still has a few bugs that cause screen freezes and blackouts.
Also, the game requires some precise movements which is almost
impossible with the standard 5200 stick. Graphics aren't bad
and include a nice 3-D effect on the Phoenix stage.
Megamania
Designed by Steve Cartwright. 5200 adaptation by Glyn Anderson.
Activision would send you an official MegaManiacs emblem if you
sent them proof that you scored 45,000 points or more.
Meteorites
Now here's an interesting tidbit. The working title of this
Asteroids clone during its development stage was 'Disasteroids'!
However, when Atari learned of the name upon visiting Electra
Concepts' booth at the 1983 Summer Consumer Electronics Show,
they quickly threatened to sue unless Electra changed the game
title. Both Meteorites and the Masterplay Interface are
sometimes listed as being made by a company called Intellicon.
In actuality, Intellicon was nothing more than a mail-order
company that bought and sold off the remaining inventory from
Electra Concepts.
Micro-gammon SB
Programmed by Steve Baker. A nice backgammon game for the
5200. This game uses the keypad and fire buttons only; no
joystick. The SB stands for Super Brain (not Steve Baker) and
is one of the IQ settings for the computer opponent The game
seems essentially complete.
Millipede
Complete. Exceptional port of the coin-op hit. Especially fun
when played with the trak-ball.
Miner 2049er
Programmed by Bill Hogue. Graphics and Audio Visual Displays
designed by Curtis Mikolyski and Bill Hogue with Jeff Konyu and
Kelly Bakst. Circuitry designed by Bill Hogue. Package Artwork
by Scott Ross.
Start a zone. Jump onto the first platform and position Bounty
Bob so that no creatures will touch him (do NOT pause game).
Hold the UPPER red fire button down while entering Big Five's
phone number (2137826861) on the keypad. You will know you did
it right because it will immediately restart the zone again when
you enter the last digit of the phone number.
Congratulations, you now have a way to "warp" to any zone or
station in the game!
HOW TO USE IT
Push the reset button on the joystick and select 1-0 on the
keypad for the zone you want to play.
(1=zone 1, 2=zone 2, ... 0=zone 10).
Now, hold the upper red button down while pressing 1-0 on the
keypad. This will allow you to select which station to play.
You will immediately warp to the selected station! The warping
ability will work at *ANY* time during the game! This is
extremely useful for getting "unlimited" lives. (HINT: If you
die on a level and IMMEDIATELY warp Bounty Bob, the game will
keep track of your score, but won't take away a life!)
NOTES: Miner is great fun at the difficult levels. Some levels
are NOT clearable. After lots of playing, the following levels
have been found to be possible to clear.
ZONE STATION
---- -------
1-8 ALL
9 1-9
10 1-4, 8, 9
Zone 8/station 10 is the hardest, but IS possible.
Zone 10/station 4 requires a lot of thinking/strategy to clear.
Try it, it's fun!
For some reason on Zone 10, Bounty Bob walks very fast and jumps
a LOOONG way. This makes certain levels difficult and others
impossible. However, on Zone 10/station 10, the creatures just
move too fast to make it possible to clear. It's a shame, we
will always be left wondering what would happen if it had been
cleared.
Miniature Golf (Prototype)
Looks to be complete. So-so graphics, with 18 holes and
varying layouts, what's there is quite impressive.
Mountain King
Designed by E.F. Dryer.
When first starting Mountain King, let it go through the
"opening demonstration" where the MK guy jumps/dances to the
music and eventually jumps to the top of the hill where the
flame is. Once the "show" ends, maneuver the guy to the very
bottom where the spider's "cave" is. Stand on top of where the
spider comes out. Make the MK guy (does he have a name?) stand
on the far right of the cave so that he is mostly balancing in
mid-air with only his left foot barely touching the top of the
cave. (See diagram 1... hopefully it will look right when viewed
on your computer.)
(1) (2)
0 <-- MK guy
-|-
/ \
----------- ______________ 0
spider _ _ -|-
cave _ _/ \
_ _
__________________________ _____________________________
Ok, once you have him in position, pull down briefly/slightly
(like you were going to make him squat) on the joystick once or
twice and the guy should walk PART WAY DOWN the side of the cave
and "hang" there. If he goes all the way to the floor, then try
it again. (See diagram 2.)
Now walk to the left. He should fall through/into the cave.
Keep going left... you might have to jump to the left to get him
to fall THROUGH the bottom of the screen. As you are falling,
you should see a special message that tells who programmed the
game!
NOTES: When you do this, there is no way back out. Actually, I
think you can catch on fire and die. :) This doesn't work right
if you don't let the game do the demonstration/music sequence at
the beginning.
Miniature Golf
Programmed by Steve Baker. Looks to be complete. So-so
graphics, with 18 holes and varying layouts. What's there is
quite impressive.
Ms. Pac-Man ("Puffer" Edition)
Designed for Atari's unreleased "Puffer" exercise bicycle, this
game was never planned for release. It was only developed for
internal testing purposes as an example of a type of game that
was not well-suited for the Puffer.
Pac-Man
This version includes the arcade intermissions. The Galaxian
bonus item in the arcade version has been replaced with an Atari
logo. Pac-man later replaced Super Breakout as the pack-in game
for the 5200.
On the Cherry screen, take off to the right and head straight up
and into the right-hand tunnel. As you go off-screen, you'll
hear a chomp. Pause the game and examine the dots to the left
of the starting point. You'll find a missing dot.
On the fifth key round, the ghosts start flashing immediately
after Pac eats a power pellet, and they don't stop. Unless Pac
eats them, they stay in a vulnerable state for the entire round.
It doesn't happen in the sixth key round (after the
intermission), but does for the seventh key and beyond. You
have to be pretty stupid to die accidentally from there on.
Named first runner up in the best 5200 game category and best
arcade adaptation (all systems) in the first annual Videogaming
Illustrated "Vista" awards.
Pengo
Programmed by Sean W. Hennessy.
Pete's Test Cartridge
Recently discovered, this system utility essentially tests for
defects in key areas. Using a standard 5200 controller to select
various options, you can test for brightness (or dimness), color
balance, color contrast and joystick calibration, among other
things. And no, we have no idea who Pete is.
For more info on this demo - including screenshots - check out
Atari Gaming Headquarters.
Pitfall!
Designed by David Crane. 5200 adaptation by Beck-Tech. Scoring
over 20,000 points could get you an "Explorer's Club" patch by
sending proof to Activision.
Pitfall II: Lost Caverns
Designed by David Crane. 5200 Adventurer's Edition by Mike
Lorenzen. What makes this version “The Adventurer's Edition”?
The fact that once you completed the game, you could play a
second, even more difficult mission, with a completely
different maze (Write us for a layout). Scoring over 99,000
points could get you a "Cliff Hangers" patch by sending proof
to Activision along with $1.
Popeye
This game came with a scratch-off "Spinach Can Game" card which
gave you a chance to win a full size Popeye Arcade game or a
Popeye T-shirt.
Missing the Sea Hag found in level 3 of the coin-op.
Pole Position ("Puffer" Edition)
Designed for Atari's unreleased "Puffer" exercise bicycle.
Unlike Jungle River Cruise and Tumbleweeds, however, a prototype
version of this game has not (yet) been uncovered.
Pursuit of the Pink Panther
Originally slated for an early 1984 release, the lack of
adequate supplies of ROM chips was blamed by Probe 2000 as the
reason for the cancellation of the game. 2600 and Colecovision
editions were also announced but they too never saw the light of
day.
Q*Bert
Invisible Pyramid -- On the first screen, hop down four squares
and onto the disc. As soon as the disc turns yellow, press
PAUSE and then the START key to start the game over. Keep
pressing the HOP button the whole time you are doing this. When
the game starts again, jump down 2 squares to the right, then
back one square. Jump onto the middle square and then change
the colors of the squares opposite the one on the right. Now
hop up to the top square and off to the left onto the invisible
pyramid.
Quest for Quintana Roo
"Help Yucatan Sam explore the dozens of terror-filled chambers
that create the mystical temple of Mayan god Quintana Roo. You
must use your supplies as well as your cat-like reactions to
avoid the sleeping snakes, overcome the mummy's curse, and
eliminate the other adversaries while attempting to solve the
mystery that will deliver this hidden treasure to you and
Yucatan Sam. Do you dare to get involved?"
Passwords:
Level 2 -- 1830 Level 3 -- 8817
RealSports Baseball
Designed and programmed by James Andreasen and Keithen. One
of two Atari releases to feature voice synthesis (Berzerk being
the other.) The 0 key toggles the voice on and off.
RealSports Basketball
Programmed by Patrick Bass. This game was in the early stages
of development and needs some polishing. The game is playable,
however, the real beauty of this proto lies in the easter eggs.
As a side note, we've seen 2 versions of R.S. Basketball, one
dated 13 Oct. 83 and the other 31 Oct. 83. The easter eggs
listed below only work on the later version.
Start the Demo and press the number 5 key for a secret message:
"When Running Into the Tropical Entropy Nightly, By Yourself,
Project And Try Reaching Into Circles Killed Because All Seems
Strange."
The first letter of each word in the sentence spells out....
"Written by Patrick Bass."
Also during the demo, the "*" key toggles the word RealSports
on or off.
The tones generated by the keypad are actual telephone dialing
tones. Try it!
RealSports Football
See Football.
RealSports Soccer
See Soccer
RealSports Tennis
Designed by Sean W. Hennessy. One of the many games that is
trak-ball compatible.
Rescue on Fractalus
Designed and programmed by David Fox, Loren Carpenter, Charlie
Kellner, and Peter Langston. Contributions and support by Gary
Winnick and David Levine. One of only two Atari released games
that came in a white box (Ballblazer was the other) instead of
the standard issue grey and blue box. This game is also one of
the few Atari titles that has no name on the cartridge label.
Working titles were "Behind Jaggi Lines", "Rescue Mission" and
"Star Mission."
River Raid
Designed by Carol Shaw. Scoring 40,000 points or more entitled
you to a River Raiders patch if you sent a picture of your TV
screen to Activision.
Road Runner
If you're thinking of the arcade game, forget it. This game
resembles a sliding piece puzzle. We're not sure if the
object of the game is to help the coyote to catch the Road
Runner or to keep the two from colliding while eating all the
birdseed, etc. There are 2 versions of this prototype around.
One has sound (although minimal) and different colors on the
opening screen while the other has no sound at all. Still
some work to be done on this one.
Robotron: 2084
Not as good as the 7800 version, but is actually more enjoyable
because of the joystick connector that allows you dual-joystick
action like in the coin-op. Packaged with the joystick
connector.
Skiing
A box for this game was shown in a flyer for the "Video System
X."
Soccer
Designed by John Seghers. One of the many games that is
trak-ball compatible. Originally just called "Soccer", Atari
changed the name to fit their RealSports line-up.
On par with NASL Soccer for Intellivision. Particularly
enjoyable when played with the trak-ball controller.
Space Dungeon
The only home console port of Taito's little-known gem of a
coin-op. Packaged with a joystick connector which enables
dual joystick control a-la Robotron: 2084.
Space Invaders
One of the many games that is trak-ball compatible. The game
screen on the back of the box, and in the instruction manual
is not an actual screen shot. In trying to re-work this
classic, Atari dropped the ball. The saucers appear one right
after the other and their max value is 60 points. Your shields
don't reset after each wave. After every 7th wave, the mother
ship comes out and flies off with your cannon. The game then
resets the shields and the invaders start back at the top of
the screen. The 1986 release of this game is one of the few
Atari titles that has no name on the cartridge label. It's
harder to find than the standard label version.
Space Shuttle
Designed by Steve Kitchen. 5200 adaptation by Bob Henderson.
Steve Kitchen apparently consulted with NASA to make this game
as accurate as possible. Like many other Activision titles,
this game was later released in a 2600 box w/ photocopied
instructions. Dock your shuttle 5 times and land with at
least 4500 units of fuel and you were entitled to a “Space
Shuttle Pilot” patch. Dock 6 times and land with at least
7500 units of fuel and you earned a “Space Shuttle Commander”
patch. Just send the usual TV picture proof to Activision.
Spitfire
This seems to be a Zaxxon style game, but with full 360 degree
movement and “Crystal Castles” style structures. Obviously in
the very early stages of development.
Sport Goofy
In it's current form, this game consists of two separate
"events". One is a platform Sky Diver type game where you
guide Goofy to the top of a structure and then when he jumps
off, you guide him into a waiting raft below. The other game
is a Q*bert type game where you try to pop the overhead
balloons as you hop between squares.
Stargate
Programmed by Steve Baker. The sequel to Defender suffers
from screen flicker and poor control. Let's hope it was still
in the early stages as we would hate to think this was almost
ready for release.
Star Raiders
Originally a smash hit on the Atari 400/800 computers, Star
Raiders is enshrined in the Electronic Games Magazine Videogame
Hall of Fame.
Super Breakout
One of the few games that supports 4 players on the older
4-port models. Also one of the many games that is trak-ball
compatible. This game was initially packaged with the Atari
5200 console, but was later replaced by Pac-Man.
Superman III
A box for this game exists, but an actual prototype game of
Superman III has not yet been recovered. A prototype version
for the Atari home computers does exist, however.
Super Pac-Man
Recently discovered! Was demonstrated for the first time at
World of Atari '98 in Las Vegas. An absolutely fantastic
translation -- nothing from the coin-op is missing in this one.
For more info on this game - including screenshots - check out
Atari Gaming Headquarters.
Tank
The original (tentative) name of Countermeasure before its
release. Who knows, perhaps a prototype of this version exists
somewhere.
Tank Battle
A box for this game was shown in a flyer for the "Video System
X."
Tempest
It's been found! Demonstrated for the first time at World of
Atari '98 in Las Vegas, the only prototype cartridge known to
exist is 90% complete, with only the Superzapper, several
enemies and collision detection missing. For more info on
this game - including screenshots - check out
Atari Gaming Headquarters.
Ticker Tape Demo
Recently discovered and shown for the first time at World of
Atari '98 in Las Vegas. Basically just a generic 5200 title
screen, except that after seeing Rubio's copyright info, the
phrase "Again Rubio Scores!" replaces the top line and begins
to scroll and move side-to-side, banging on the left and right
edges. Each time the phrase hits the outer edge of the screen,
one of the letters on the outside disappears. This continues
to occur until the word "Rubio" is left. This custom scrolling
demo was done internally for Dan Kramer and DK Enterprises.
Only one is know to exist. For more info on this demo, check
out
Atari Gaming Headquarters.
Toy Bizarre
Made it to the C64, but not 5200.
Track And Field
This unreleased game appears complete in its prototype form.
Tumbleweeds
Designed for Atari's unreleased "Puffer" exercise bicycle, a
prototype version of this game has recently been discovered.
Vanguard
This game would have been perfect for 2 joystick control a-la
Space Dungeon and Robotron. The 1986 release of this game is
one of the few Atari titles that has no name on the cartridge
label. It's harder to find than the standard label version.
Warp Wars
Warp Wars was the working title for the game Zone Ranger.
Wizard of Wor
Programmed by Roklan Corp.
Xari Arena
Programmed by David Seghers. This game seems to be an updated
Breakout type of game. What are those flying things in the
middle of the screen? Haven’t figured out how to play it yet
but it looks good.
Xevious
Programmed by Jim Huether. This very nice conversion of the
coin-op utilizes both fire buttons. No noticeable bugs or
glitches.
Yellow Submarine Demo
Not really a game, but rather a graphics demo where you
control a submarine on the screen with your joystick. Only a
precious few are known to exist.
Zenji
Designed by Matthew Hubbard. 5200 adaptation by Action
Graphics. No patch was offered for this game.
Zone Ranger
Designed by Dan Thompson. No patch was offered for this game.
Warp Wars was its working title.