Bob's Blog

My vote would be for Arkanoid - the kernel that you developed was looking very promising. It was one of my favourite games back when I had an ST. Alternatively there is also that Lumines prototype that you created last week

 

Chris

Hi there!

 

My vote would be for Arkanoid

 

From the choices listed, my vote would also go to Arkanoid. With one restriction though, that it's really going to be Arkanoid, not some random good looking *withinthe2600specs* breakout clone. Ok, I'm all for tweaking it to the 2600 specs, but it should deliver as much *original* Arkanoid as possible. Playing it should give the instant impression of playing the 2600 version of Arkanoid. Then it gets my vote

(I know I'm a weirdo, but I personally would always prefer to see Arkanoid 2600 over any random other 2600 breakout game )

 

EDIT: Since I made Colony 7 my main project now, I could send you the sources I have for Balloon Bomber if you're still interested. I'd be happy to see that continued

 

Greetings,

Manuel

From the choices listed, my vote would also go to Arkanoid. With one restriction though, that it's really going to be Arkanoid, not some random good looking *withinthe2600specs* breakout clone. Ok, I'm all for tweaking it to the 2600 specs, but it should deliver as much *original* Arkanoid as possible. Playing it should give the instant impression of playing the 2600 version of Arkanoid. Then it gets my vote

(I know I'm a weirdo, but I personally would always prefer to see Arkanoid 2600 over any random other 2600 breakout game )

 

I will agree with you here. There are enough breakout clones already on the 2600, but none of them yet come close to the Arkanoid experience IMO. I think most of the kernel details had been worked out already?

 

Chris

Okay, Arkanoid. Here's the deal with Arkanoid:

 

Yes, the kernel is essentially worked out. Well, kinda. The kernel I have sitting around somewhere allows for 2 enemies flickering at 30 Hz, 1 non-flickering pill, and two *large* balls (Breakout-size ball) on screen at once.

 

The kernel that's in my mind but not actually written out or tested anywhere would display all of the above and also allow for 1-hit, 2-hit, and unbreakable bricks.

 

I'm not sure, though, that I want to commit to Arkanoid - partly because so many people are big fans of the game. This is a two-edged sword:

On the one hand, having lots of supportive, enthusiastic folks be excited about your game is a big motivator (it certainly was for Go Fish!).

On the other hand, having lots of people who know Arkanoid inside and out and have a certain level of quality/faithfulness/etc. they expect out of a 2600 conversion might be a little more pressure than I really want for a hobby project.

 

So, I dunno.

 

Another factor: the Zelda Clone game is, really, a perfect candidate for the Super Charger. It really needs a ton of RAM (I was planning to work around that by using Richard H's memcard as extra RAM, essentially - swapping things in and out of zero-page RAM from the memcard), plus the extra RAM would probably help in the kernel.

 

The main thing keeping me from picking something for the SC contest is the current lack of a cartridge option for SC games. Various people have been dropping hints that that could change, so...who knows?