DoctorSpuds Reviews Things

I think the Atari version is the most nostalgic (or whatever), and certainly a fine enough game, but the Intellivision version is better IMO. The Odyssey version is comparable to the Atari version (and therefore a similarly fine enough game), but probably not really worth tracking down unless you A) only have an Odyssey and B) some bizarre and improbable series of circumstances conspires to somehow prevent you from getting an Atari or Intellivision.

 

Don't forget the home computers ports, either. Super Demon Attack on the TI-99/4a stands out, with superior graphics, music, and a surprise or two not found in other versions--be sure to check it out if you can. I'd rank it as not only the best version of Demon Attack, but possibly the best title in the entire TI-99/4a library.

 

The VIC-20 and Atari 800 ports are more or less identical to the VCS version, which at least means VIC-20 and 400/800 owners aren't losing a step from the original, but you still can't help but be kind of disappointed that Imagic didn't do more with the 400/800 version (oh, hey, Activision, what's up? ). The VIC-20 version is actually a bit more frenetic, though, and its graphics and sounds are as good as can reasonably be expected from that system anyway, so all else being equal (which it basically is), I'd actually give the humble VIC-20 the edge over the mighty 400/800.

 

The Commodore 64 version is basically like the Intellivision version but with better graphics and snappier gameplay. There were PC/PCjr. versions as well but I'm not really familiar with them. And interestingly, Demon Attack was one of the very, very few licensed third-party titles that made it to the TRS-80 Color Computer--it's a pretty good version, too, despite only having four colors.

Don't forget the home computers ports, either.

 

I must admit that I was unaware so many different versions of this game exist. I'm mainly a console collector and classic computing is not something I tend to give much thought, though now I'm tempted to boot up and emulator and play these games for myself. You could probably start a review blog of your own on classic computer games (If you haven't already).

It's a pity there wasn't a port for Colecovision...

I actually had a blog a few years ago, but didn't get real far with it. Too time-consuming. As it happens, though, Super Demon Attack on the 99/4a was actually one of the few games I discussed in-depth.

 

Yeah, it's a bummer that the Coleco missed out on Demon Attack. But it got some other cool Imagic titles like Wing War and Nova Blast instead, so I guess it sort of balances out!