Aking Posted February 13, 2014 Share Posted February 13, 2014 Savage Pond Atari 5200 The game is set in a pond with the player taking the role of a tadpole.The aim of the game is to build up a colony of frogs while avoiding the many hazards.The setting and characters are all quite true to life which was quite unique at the time. Most contemporary arcade games, even if not set in space, such as Frogger (with frogs thatcan't swim) and Centipede (which is basically a space shoot 'em up with characters that looklike insects), were far from realistic. The instructions include descriptions of all the 'cast'including their Latin names and information not relevant to the game itself.Although it may appear to be an educational game it is actually a fast-paced arcade game.GameplayThe game begins with Colony 1, which is a simple, peaceful pond.The tadpole character can swim around the pond eating amoeba. The only hazard in the pond arethe hydra clinging to the bottom of the pond that will sting and kill the tadpole if they touch. There is also a dragonfly that occasionally flies over the pond and drops an egg.The egg can be eaten but if left to hatch, the larva will escape (but again can be eaten) and return as a nymph which will chase the tadpole until it catches and eats it or becomes exhausted and leavesto chrysalise and become another dragonfly. In order to build the frog colony, many 'evolutions' must take place, most of which increase the number of hazards.Blood worms regularly fall into the water and must be collected. After five worms are eaten, a beetlelarva appears. If this is eaten quickly, the pond 'evolves'.In Colony 1 this means the introduction of jellyfish (similar to the hydra but stay at the top of the pond), the dumping of radioactive waste (which leaves the sides and bed of the pond deadly)and finally a move to Colony 2. This begins with the same hazards as Colony 1 but with a morecomplicated pond with an underwater cave area which makes swimming about more difficult.The pond continues to 'evolve', first with the appearance of your first frog. This sits on aand can be used to eat the passing dragonflies. It also acts as an extra life as if all threetadpoles are lost, the frog will reproduce before leaving with its mate for a different colony.You must create another frog before the pond can continue to 'evolve'. Further 'evolutions'include the water spider (which can trap the tadpole with its web line) and water fleas which can eat your spawn (spare lives). Colony 3 adds bumble bees which have apparently been affected by theradiation so attack your frog (in the only real exception to the true to life use of the rest of thecreatures in the game). You can now build up a colony of frogs. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jetset Posted February 13, 2014 Share Posted February 13, 2014 Can't wait to get home and try this! is this an 8-bit conversion or an original game? Either way thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Allan Posted February 13, 2014 Share Posted February 13, 2014 8-bit conversion. It's one of those games that kind of hard with CX52. Fun game though. Thanks for converting this. Allan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Allan Posted February 13, 2014 Share Posted February 13, 2014 I haven't done one of these in a while so here you go for those who would like to make there own cart. Allan 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AtariFriend Posted February 13, 2014 Share Posted February 13, 2014 I haven't done one of these in a while so here you go for those who would like to make there own cart. Allan That label is pretty cute Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg2600 Posted February 13, 2014 Share Posted February 13, 2014 Weird game, but thanks for the conversion. Aking has been on fire lately with these! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lynxpro Posted February 13, 2014 Share Posted February 13, 2014 8-bit conversion. It's one of those games that kind of hard with CX52. Fun game though. Thanks for converting this. Allan Hey Allan, off topic but I wanted to ask - if I could - where you got those Atari/LucasFilm posters for 5200 Ballblazer and Rescue on Fractalus. I vaguely/possibly remember them briefly being offered through the original Star Wars Fan Club...maybe the AtariAge/Club also offered them back in the day. Thanks! I saw the pic of them on your wall during a Google Image Search for the 5200 carts. Awesome set up! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Allan Posted February 13, 2014 Share Posted February 13, 2014 Hey Allan, off topic but I wanted to ask - if I could - where you got those Atari/LucasFilm posters for 5200 Ballblazer and Rescue on Fractalus. I vaguely/possibly remember them briefly being offered through the original Star Wars Fan Club...maybe the AtariAge/Club also offered them back in the day. Thanks! I saw the pic of them on your wall during a Google Image Search for the 5200 carts. Awesome set up! I don't think they were offered in Atariage magazine. Possibly in the Star Wars fan club magazine/newsletter. I got my posters off of eBay. Allan 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BSA Starfire Posted February 13, 2014 Share Posted February 13, 2014 I remember playing this game a lot on Acorn Electron in the 80's was a very fun and unique game, must install an emulator and have a play on this version. Great to see some of the old more obscure games being converted from mostly forgotten machines! Best regards, Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TrekMD Posted February 14, 2014 Share Posted February 14, 2014 Very cool! Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlie_ Posted February 15, 2014 Share Posted February 15, 2014 Thank you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atari5200dude82 Posted February 15, 2014 Share Posted February 15, 2014 Very cool. i like to to have this on cart. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jetset Posted February 16, 2014 Share Posted February 16, 2014 Love this game, but....the controls seem funky. When you turn, many times rather than actually turning the little tadpole goes in a circle towards that direction. Is that a bug or just the way the game plays and it's something to get used to? I've only played a few times so I'm sure I could get used to it after some more practice. Just seems weird... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlie_ Posted February 16, 2014 Share Posted February 16, 2014 Love this game, but....the controls seem funky. When you turn, many times rather than actually turning the little tadpole goes in a circle towards that direction. Is that a bug or just the way the game plays and it's something to get used to? I've only played a few times so I'm sure I could get used to it after some more practice. Just seems weird... I like this game but I truly suck at it! If you hold the button you can aim the tadpole. My problem is that if you miss a dropped egg and the larva hatches, I just can not out run it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+playsoft Posted February 22, 2014 Share Posted February 22, 2014 I've managed to get through to the frog level by concentrating on getting the dropped eggs. Should you miss one then you really need the next worm as that makes you invincible for a little while and you can pick up the egg. By the way if anyone else makes it this far you control the frog (or rather its tongue) with the * key. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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