AGH Lynx Review: ROBOTRON: 2084 by Shadowsoft If you know anything about Robotron: 2084, translating the game on an 8-bit system is a tall order, especially when it's for a portable system with a small screen. But just as it did with its sterling port of Joust, Shadowsoft has yet again developed a sterling version of Eugene Jarvis's classic arcade hit. All the sights, sounds and intense action is all here. For those who have been sleeping for the past eighteen years, Robotron: 2084 is one of the most chaotic and addicting shoot-em-ups ever made. You're a mutant character named Eugene who's been thrust into action in trying to save the last Humans from being exterminated by the Robotrons. The only thing that stands between you and the various enemies is your trusty laser gun. You progress through each stage as you take out all the enemies on-screen. Graphically, everything from the Grunts, Spheroids, Tanks and Hulks have been faithfully duplicated. Ditto for the sounds. The audio effects of humans biting the dust and the sound of laser fire are all present. The only thing that Shadowsoft did not manage to preserve is the control scheme, but it's not really their fault. Any expert Robotron player will tell you that one of the game's main attractions was its dual joystick control. You moved your character with the left stick while firing with the right. This layout is essential for survival, particularly when the action heats up in the later levels with hordes of enemies littering the screen at once. In the Lynx version, you can choose from three different control schemes, but none of these are as precise as the arcade. You'll be hard-pressed in your efforts to move and fire independently with the utmost of finesse. Control gripes aside, Lynx Robotron is good stuff. The portable machine's immense sprite capabilities are put to good use, with no slowdown or flicker to speak of (and that's no small feat!) As a home translation, Robotron is just as good as the excellent version of Joust. Unfortunately, you'll notice the game's control deficiency the moment you're in the heat of battle. Title Robotron: 2084 Publisher Shadowsoft System Atari Lynx Graphics 8 Sound 8 Gameplay 7 Overall 7 Reviewer Keita Iida