Wanted: Feedback For Commando & Crossbow

[nosweargamer]

Thanks again for all the comments to my previous posts. I try to include all the comments that are posted by the time I record. I think they really help make the podcast better!

I'm looking for feedback for the next episode of the Atari 7800 Game By Game Podcast (you can find it on iTunes, Stitcher, YouTube or use this feed: http://feeds.feedburner.com/78gbg )

What are your memories and/or thoughts on Commando & Crossbow on the 7800?

Also, how would you rate them? I use a system of 4 choices (From Best to Worst):

Hall of Fame Game (Top 5 game on the system)

Solid Game

"Meh" Game

Trash Game (Bottom 5 game on the system)

These games will be covered on Episode 17.

You can also e-mail text or audio to atari7800podcast@aol.com

Just keep it family friendly

You can also send feedback on previously covered games or the system itself. Thanks!

[+save2600]

Crossbow's probably the best light gun game for the 7800, next to Alien Brigade. Never heard of this arcade game until the mid to late 90's when I saw it for the 2600 in a Radio Shack mail order only catalog. And then via the O'Shea's 7800 clearance a little while later. Fun game that sprinkles elements of an adventure game into what's basically just a shooting gallery. Some of the stages remind me of the NES's Chiller game, which IIRC, is based on another little known arcade game of a different name? Could be wrong about that, but…

 

Commando is a damned good 7800 conversion too. Some people say they like it better than the NES version. I'd probably give the edge to Ikari Warriors in the run and gun department, but Commando stands on its own for sure. Just a little too repetitive and that's what keeps it from being in my Top 5 for the system.

 

I'd rate both as solid+ games.

[phoenixdownita]

Commando is a Hall of Fame for 7800, Pokey sounds fantastic, graphics is awesome and the game really shines.

 

Crossbow is solid game, I prefer Alien Brigade as light gun games go, but Crossbow keeps your interest for a while, graphics are good, sound really sparse, of the 5 light gun games for 7800 it's my second best.

[Dauber]

Y'know...I WANTED to be able to leave feedback for Commando, but I never owned the 7800 version of that. I went to eBay to find a copy.....but Sid Caesar's ghost, are they expensive!! Man. So....sorry, no comment there. (I know, I can get the ROM easily...now...I don't know why, but I just don't do the emulation thing for 7800 games...)

 

Crossbow -- I'd have to rate a "Solid." It's a fun little play and definitely encourages exploration, and I love the panicky "Don't shoot your friends!" warning. And I've only played it with the joystick...don't have one of those fancypants XE light guns to try! Gotta say it's MUCH easier than the arcade version...at least for me...I SUCK at the arcade version! I think the best I ever did on the arcade version was to finish one screen with just one friend left...very difficult to aim that rifle contraption...love the 7800 version though! Even though I "only" rate this game a "Solid," I consider it to be one of the first non-homebrew games a new 7800 user should get, along with Ball Blazer, Asteroids, and of course, Food Fight.

Edited August 26, 2015 by Dauber

[toiletunes]

Commando: One of the best.

Crossbow: It's good. Not great, but I don't have a light gun either, so take from that what you will.

[Jinks]

Commando.. Hall of fame.

Crossbow.. Solid Game.

[+grips03]

Commando is Hall of Fame Game on 7800

[DracIsBack]

Commando - Hall of Fame. Arguably the best "arcade hit" conversion from back in the day. Some great graphics, lots of levels, hidden gems, cut scenes and arguably the best sound on the system with both the POKEY and the TIA being put to use for 6 channel sound.

 

Crossbow - Solid game. I like the XE one better, preferring the graphics and sound effects a little. It's a bit repetitive, but fun nonetheless.

[78001987]

Commando - Hall of Fame. arguably the best home console port of the game that exists, not including modern console arcade collections that emulate the original arcade rom.

 

Crossbow - Solid game. I'm not particularly a huge fan of light gun games, but this is pretty great for the 7800 considering the tiny light gun library for it.

[Nutsy Doodleheimer]

Crossbow: "Solid Game" A very fun and unique shooter game for the 7800. You can use the light gun or the joystick. The second best shooter game for the system behind Alien Brigade. Difficulty is perfect and the graphics are great. Just make sure "You Don't Shoot Your Friends".

 

Commando: "Hall of Fame Game" It is a great arcade port from the actual arcade version. The pokey chip sounds fantastic on it and the graphics are superb. And I like it slightly better than the NES version and I like the NES version as well. One of the funnest and grratest run and gunners from the 80's.

[Lynxpro]

Both Commando and Crossbow are "Hall of Fame" games in my book.

 

Commando is the best home port of the awesome arcade game, period. And that's even considering the fact that the Amiga version obviously has better graphics. It's all about the game play with the 7800 version. It helps that it has POKEY based audio plus the addition of the knife which no other version - to my knowledge - has. Sculptured Software did a fantastic job. I remember John Skruch (sic) being so proud of this title in some of the interviews conducted back then. I have to chuckle seeing how much this game runs for used on eBay, especially considering the inferior NES version is so common and cheap in comparison.

 

I've never played 7800 Crossbow with a light gun; same with the XE(GS) version. The game play is great even with just a joystick and I say this as a fan of the arcade original. Where it disappoints is in the audio department. Atari Corp should've included a POKEY in the cartridge and used the audio from the XE(GS) version. That and the XE(GS) version has a much better title screen. I sincerely hope someone out there hacks the game and adds those XE(GS) features and throws in Trak-Ball controller support for a future XM version release. Regardless, I still love the game.

[BydoEmpire]

Commando - never played on 7800.

 

Crossbow - "Hall of Fame" - one of my favorite games on the system, pretty close to the arcade version, plays great and lots of fun. One of my favorite coin-ops, and I enjoyed playing it at home. That said, I might be mentally confusing the 7800 and XE versions... it's been a while since I've played either. Still, it's right up there.

[Trebor]

Commando = Hall of Fame - Brought to the 7800 in spectacular flying colors, this port of the Arcade classic is a must play and a must own. Having on-board POKEY sound, the background music hums along collaborating with great sound effects. There’s tons of action, excitement, and non-flickering, no 'pop-up' graphic scrolling goodness. Each of the four levels are presented, showcasing all tours and secondary missions. Start at the easy/beginner setting or go all out on expert, this frenzy fast-paced shoot-em up is a pleasure to play and a wonder to behold. Hidden areas and power-ups contained in gorgeous detailed maps are all present. This is how every Arcade port should be handled under the ProSystem, really magnifying the potential for other games, while providing an actual reality demonstrated on the 7800 marvelously.

Crossbow = Solid - A very enjoyable title that works just as good with a joystick as it does with a light gun under the 7800. Provides several different Danger Areas with numerous different enemies, terrains, and attacks to withstand and traverse across. Suffers slightly from TIA only sound, but this port, like its Arcade counterpart, does not contain much music with mostly shooting and environment effects which the TIA handles just fine. There's plenty of action to keep you alert, thinking, and reacting feverishly. However, just like the Arcade, an unfortunate downside is that once learning how to defeat The Evil Master, it becomes easy enough to do it with return trips and additional encounters. Nevertheless, challenging Danger Zones with goals of exploring each one without repeating, discovering the fastest route(s) to the Evil Master, and trying to save your "Friends" without losing any to death, provides additional gameplay motivation and reply value.

[BassGuitari]

Commando = Hall Of Fame. Commando is one of the best games on the 7800. Many people say it's better even than the Nintendo version, and at the very least it holds its own. A rare example of a rare cartridge that's worth the price.

Crossbow = Meh. I don't think it's a bad game by any means, and I would rate it "solid" if not for the simple fact that Crossbow just doesn't interest me that much. It's a good execution of a neat idea (lightgun adventure?), but it's just not really on my radar.

[King Atari]

Commando - A "Hall of Fame" game if I ever saw one. A fantastic example of just what they could do with the 7800 back then when the proper time/care was given. Great graphics, sound, and gameplay. I've played the heck out of the NES version over the years too, but as far as I'm concerned, the 7800 port is superior in every way (except availability - . I had to shell out some bucks for my copy sometime back).

 

Crossbow - Solid. I actually really love the game, it's one I've found myself returning to for "one more try" over and over, but even with the branching paths, there's just not a whole lot there. The graphics are pretty good (though the XE version looks a bit better), the sound isn't great but not too grating (IMO), and it plays well. It's fun to rack up high scores and trying to complete as many screens without losing a single hero as possible. Maybe not a bonafide 7800 classic, but certainly a solid game.

[gambler172]

Both are for me Hall of Fame

Two really great games

greeings Waltet

[thursday83]

Commando is hall of fame, crossbow is solid +.

[Shawn]

Crossbow is between meh and solid. Commando is HOF material as far as the 7800 goes.

[nosweargamer]

Thanks for all the feedback!

It will be included in the latest episode which should be showing up in iTunes soon.