32X: Atari games' T-MEK

[Gunstar]

just got this game a couple days ago and it's pretty cool, although i think they should have use dpolygons for the hover-tanks instead of 3d sprites, but it is still cool. It reminds me of Battlesport on the 3DO without the sport part...no ball and goal to worry about, just destroy! i love both those...

Any other 32X fans have/like this game? Or hate it?

[Witchfynde]

It sounds to me like you've never played the arcade version, I'm guessing? If so, that's good, since you'll like it better that way; I neither loved nor hated the game, but I ditched my copy since I though the controls were TOO over-responsive, as you'd barely tap the D-pad and your target would go further than you meant it to, so you'd be missing probably 40% of your shots. It also detracts from the game since the screen isn't wider than the arcade original. However, I got to learn more about the game with the deflectors and all, which you can't really concentrate in the arcades since it's so fast-paced and all! At home, you've got more detailed instructions, pause and a lot more quiet and all...

 

It wasn't bad, but the home port was missing a few things here and there as compared to the arcade version. However, it added on a few new levels, I'll grant it that much.

[Gunstar]

Your right, I never did play the arcade version...I haven't been to an arcade and played arcade games since the first 32/64-bit systems started coming out back in '94. The home systems just started getting good enough that I felt no need to waste tons of money on .50-$2.00 a shot arcade games; I'd rather buy a game and play it to death. I guess that's why arcades and arcade games seem to be on the decline though, heck, my brother's X-box games look a LOT better than even any of the latest games I've seen passing by arcades; it just seems like they try a lot harder on the consoles these days than they do for arcade games...

 

I agree with you about the over-sensitive controls, but I'm getting used to it. It's not a great game (at least the 32X version), but it is good and I like it. I guess I probably give it a bit of credit just because it has the ATARI name stamped on it too, I'm a sucker for anything that has Atari stamped on it unless it's just total garbage.

[Witchfynde]

Your right, I never did play the arcade version...I haven't been to an arcade and played arcade games since the first 32/64-bit systems started coming out back in '94. The home systems just started getting good enough that I felt no need to waste tons of money on .50-$2.00 a shot arcade games; I'd rather buy a game and play it to death. I guess that's why arcades and arcade games seem to be on the decline though, heck, my brother's X-box games look a LOT better than even any of the latest games I've seen passing by arcades; it just seems like they try a lot harder on the consoles these days than they do for arcade games...

 

Well, console games can literally go one for YEARS, if possible...arcade games have to only keep you there for 20 minutes, if you're lucky.

 

Yeah, I don't frequent, nor play hardly anything in the arcades myself anymore. Those days are loooong gone when a company makes a port of an arcade game and it looks (or maybe plays) nothing like the original (Atari 2600 Tac/Scan/Pac-Man/Reactor anyone?). I think you'll like the arcade version a bit better, not to mention there's a few little surprises too, like some little cinematic bits that were cut out for the 32X version (it SAYS on the box they're in the game, but they're not), if you're ever able to find it anywhere.

 

I guess I probably give it a bit of credit just because it has the ATARI name stamped on it too, I'm a sucker for anything that has Atari stamped on it unless it's just total garbage.

 

Yep, long live Atari! (Except for E. T., we can just let him die. )

[deadtech]

I usually have a STRONG dislike for 1st person/cockpit style games. I have no love for 3D either. However, I really like the arcade T Mek quite a bit. The 32X version was pretty tough for me to track down, and to be honest I was a bit disappointed with the 32X version. I still llike it, but it isn't nearly as fast and hectic as the arcade one. I was thinking I may be the only person to even care about this game (32X or otherwise).

 

-deadtech

[Witchfynde]

I was thinking I may be the only person to even care about this game (32X or otherwise).    

 

Like HELL!!

[Ze_ro]

Although I don't have the 32X version of this game, I'd just like to poke my head in and say that the arcade version totally kicked ass! I only got to play it a couple of times, but it was just freakin' amazing, and remains amung my favorite arcade games of all time.

 

It's really too bad they didn't port it to the Jaguar.....

 

--Zero

[Gunstar]

It was planned for the Jaguar and from what I hear, was about 40-50% done when the axe fell and everyone ran from the Jaguar like rats from a burning ship! Time-warner had lots of stuff in development, but only PowerDriveRally and Primal Rage made it out the door! It would have totally rocked and probably been a near arcade perfect translation on the Jag, judging by Primal Rage and the quality of PDR, as well as how good the 32x version is, knowing the Jag can do much better! I'll have to actually try and find the arcade version to try it out...

[+-^CrossBow^-]

I still need T-MEK for my 32x. Heck...I got the 32x specifically for the game T-MEK since it is avail. Anybody willing to part with theirs for some sort of trade or trade + Cash?

 

Anybody?!

[Witchfynde]

Got rid of mine a few years ago, sorry

[Tempest]

T-Mek was one of my favorite arcade tank games (along with Assult and Tokyo Wars). T-Mek and Star Wars were two reasons why I *ALMOST* bought a 32X. Had there been one more good game I just might have...

 

And like all 32X collectors I still need T-Mek!

 

Tempest

[Witchfynde]

And like all 32X collectors I still need T-Mek!

 

Nah, I need Blackthorne! I was going to get that but it was sold out by the time I got around to it, as I didn't get my 32X until they were way down in price, and most of the games gone...oh well, I still got to play seven of them, four of which I still have...

[Flojomojo]

The latest GENS can play most 32X games -- that's certainly enough for me. I'm amazed at how crude stuff like Star Wars Arcade looks now. The visuals are generally worse than the DOS version of X-Wing with VGA graphics, and Ackbar sounds like a retarded seal.

 

I think we're finally rounding a corner after which we'll be able to play the games of 5 years ago and not turn away in disgust at the ancient graphics. I find my N64 to still be tolerable in the age of XBOX. Can't say the same for PSX, let alone 32X.

[Witchfynde]

The visuals are generally worse than the DOS version of X-Wing with VGA graphics, and Ackbar sounds like a retarded seal.    

 

Heh, yeah, they could've gotten someone off the street to do a better impersonation (alienation?) of Ackbar...like myself...

 

The latest GENS can play most 32X games -- that's certainly enough for me.  I'm amazed at how crude stuff like Star Wars Arcade looks now.  

 

Well, it was crude anyway, due to the slowdowns, like over the Death Star wave. I wasn't very impressed with that game at all--hence why I got rid of it--and neither were game critics, as I only found one good review of it, which is why I shouldn't have bothered with it.

[Flojomojo]

The worst part of the Star Wars Arcade game is the total lack of 3D movement. It was like driving the space bus -- you couldn't move up or down! StarFox was on rails but at least wasn't a sit-n-spin like this.

 

I would still like to play the arcade game someday -- I've still never seen it.

[Witchfynde]

I would still like to play the arcade game someday -- I've still never seen it.

 

Yeah, undoubtedly it's probably better; I think only 500 were made, and/or it was only released in Japan...

[Gunstar]

The latest GENS can play most 32X games -- that's certainly enough for me.  I'm amazed at how crude stuff like Star Wars Arcade looks now.  The visuals are generally worse than the DOS version of X-Wing with VGA graphics, and Ackbar sounds like a retarded seal.    

 

I think we're finally rounding a corner after which we'll be able to play the games of 5 years ago and not turn away in disgust at the ancient graphics.  I find my N64 to still be tolerable in the age of XBOX.  Can't say the same for PSX, let alone 32X.

 

Why do you even bother hanging out at a classic gaming site like AtariAge, if you can't stand "old, crude graphics?!?!?!?" Personally, I'm quite impressed with the polygon graphics on the 32X. I, personally, don't need my polygons to be triple-layer-bump-mapping-textures-with-real-time-lightsourcing-shadow-effects to think they are good. I like plain polygons too! I pity you...missing out on good stuff for graphics...

 

Tempest: See about shadow Squadron and Star Trek: Starfleet Academy and Virtua Racing and Motocross, all good games to add to StarWars and T-mek, I'm VERY glad I got my 32x even though it only has like 15-20 games and only half are decent...those half make it all worth while.

[Flojomojo]

Why do you even bother hanging out at a classic gaming site like AtariAge, if you can't stand "old, crude graphics?!?!?!?" Personally, I'm quite impressed with the polygon graphics on the 32X. I, personally, don't need my polygons to be triple-layer-bump-mapping-textures-with-real-time-lightsourcing-shadow-effects to think they are good. I like plain polygons too! I pity you...missing out on good stuff for graphics...  

 

Please don't patronize me; I am entitled to my interest in old games as well as my opinions. There's a world of difference between:

 

+ crisp 2D graphics in a cleanly-designed, fun game with responsive controls, playing games that are suited to the era and the system,

 

and

 

- muddy, jumpy, poorly-rendered 3D graphics on an underpowered, transitional system.

 

Atari 2600 was the best in its class for a long time, and has dozens of nice games, many of which still hold up today in a minimalistic way. Other 2D games on systems like the SNES are still amazing to this day.

 

With very few exceptions, Sega 32X had precious little worth playing during its retail lifespan, and it certainly hasn't aged well. The few games it has are notably lacking in polish. Other 3D games which are hamstrung by a lack of computer power, as is the case with many early Playstation games, don't hold up as well.

[+-^CrossBow^-]

Blackthorne is a good platformer. However, I have the PC version of this game and it is just as good. It is too bad I didn't know you needed Blackthorn before...because I passed on a complete boxed one in a vintage game shop about a month ago for 8.99. I would have picked it up had it been in the their usual 32x price range of 4.99. They still have a boxed StarWars Arcade there 4.99 I think. I just picked up Motocross for the 32x for 2.99 cart loose but I currently have my 32x packed away and haven't actually tested it out...or even played the game...hehe.

 

I still need a T-Mek! Dammit!!!

 

[Gunstar]

Why do you even bother hanging out at a classic gaming site like AtariAge, if you can't stand "old, crude graphics?!?!?!?" Personally, I'm quite impressed with the polygon graphics on the 32X. I, personally, don't need my polygons to be triple-layer-bump-mapping-textures-with-real-time-lightsourcing-shadow-effects to think they are good. I like plain polygons too! I pity you...missing out on good stuff for graphics...  

 

Please don't patronize me; I am entitled to my interest in old games as well as my opinions. There's a world of difference between:

 

.

 

With very few exceptions, Sega 32X had precious little worth playing during its retail lifespan, and it certainly hasn't aged well. The few games it has are notably lacking in polish. Other 3D games which are hamstrung by a lack of computer power, as is the case with many early Playstation games, don't hold up as well.

 

Blah blah blah...I'll patronize you if I think you deserve it! I TOTALLY disagree with your perspective on early 3D games. They are totally cool and fun to play! "he's intelligent, but his thinking seems to be 2 dimensional..." Spock-The Wrath of Kahn. "I'm laughing at your superior intellect" Kirk to Kahn-Wrath of kahn. I am saying the same things to you! HA! By the way, the SNES and it's 2D games SUCK! I know, I recently made the mistake of buying one! YUCK! I'll take my 3 dimensional thinking and plain polygons over it ANY DAY! But to each his own...just don't join in discussions of old 3D games if you don't even like them, then you won't be patronized! DUH! Mcfly! Anyone in there? How's that for patronization!

[Gunstar]

Why do you even bother hanging out at a classic gaming site like AtariAge, if you can't stand "old, crude graphics?!?!?!?" Personally, I'm quite impressed with the polygon graphics on the 32X. I, personally, don't need my polygons to be triple-layer-bump-mapping-textures-with-real-time-lightsourcing-shadow-effects to think they are good. I like plain polygons too! I pity you...missing out on good stuff for graphics...  

 

Please don't patronize me; I am entitled to my interest in old games as well as my opinions. There's a world of difference between: You and me! Ha!

 

.

Pointless dribble below V

 

With very few exceptions, Sega 32X had precious little worth playing during its retail lifespan, and it certainly hasn't aged well. The few games it has are notably lacking in polish. Other 3D games which are hamstrung by a lack of computer power, as is the case with many early Playstation games, don't hold up as well.

 

Blah blah blah...I'll patronize you if I think you deserve it! I TOTALLY disagree with your perspective on early 3D games. They are totally cool and fun to play! "he's intelligent, but his thinking seems to be 2 dimensional..." Spock-The Wrath of Kahn. "I'm laughing at your superior intellect" Kirk to Kahn-Wrath of kahn. I am saying the same things to you! HA! By the way, the SNES and it's 2D games SUCK! I know, I recently made the mistake of buying one! YUCK! I'll take my 3 dimensional thinking and plain polygons over it ANY DAY! But to each his own...just don't join in discussions of old 3D games if you don't even like them, then you won't be patronized! DUH! Mcfly! Anyone in there? How's that for patronization!

[Witchfynde]

Tempest: See about shadow Squadron and Star Trek: Starfleet Academy and Virtua Racing and Motocross, all good games to add to StarWars and T-mek, I'm VERY glad I got my 32x even though it only has like 15-20 games and only half are decent...those half make it all worth while.

 

Yeah, Star Trek was pretty good, despite a couple of really miserable glitches. You have to be a Trekker though to fully appreciate it, but Interplay spent a good year and a half revamping it before they released it for the PC, hopefully with a lot of improvements (can't say, since I haven't played it, but the graphics look a lot better, at least).

[Witchfynde]

Blackthorne is a good platformer.  However, I have the PC version of this game and it is just as good.  It is too bad I didn't know you needed Blackthorn before...because I passed on a complete boxed one in a vintage game shop about a month ago for 8.99.  I would have picked it up had it been in the their usual 32x price range of 4.99.  

 

Argh!! Well that's ok, you're no mind reader, it'll be a bit before I'll be putting up posts in order to find what titles I want (for several systems) to find, buy or trade for. But if you run across it again do let me know, I'd appreciate it; at least I'm getting a new 7800 game that I traded with Megamanfan for (hopefully it'll be in by this weekend), so I'll be happy with that for the time being...

 

I still need a T-Mek! Dammit!!!

 

Likewise, I'll keep you in mind for that, if I run across it, but like I indicated, I'm not really hitting the pawn/resale shops for this stuff lately...

[Gunstar]

Blackthorne is a good platformer.  However, I have the PC version of this game and it is just as good.  It is too bad I didn't know you needed Blackthorn before...because I passed on a complete boxed one in a vintage game shop about a month ago for 8.99.  I would have picked it up had it been in the their usual 32x price range of 4.99.  They still have a boxed StarWars Arcade there 4.99 I think.  I just picked up Motocross for the 32x for 2.99 cart loose but I currently have my 32x packed away and haven't actually tested it out...or even played the game...hehe.

 

I still need a T-Mek! Dammit!!!

 

 

T-mek cost me 4 or 5.99, at a replay shop, which has fair prices at least. I actually was very suprised to see it there...the first time I stopped in they had Doom, StarWars and Virtua fighter and that was it. I bought Starwars, since I have Doom and Fight for Life on my Jaguar already, I didn't want inferior 32X versions (FFL is a VF clone). I didn't expect to see any different 32X games for a while. But they had Motocross and T-mek. I'm getting motocross next visit if it's still there, it comes in the box, T-mek and Starwars were loose carts. I thought T-mek would be th most difficult to find since it was a later release in limited quantities, so I guess I got lucky. I really want Shadow Squadrin ant Metalhead the most, those are my main reasons beyond Starwars and Startrek to have a 32X. Although I wasn't aware of the StarTrek game when I got my 32X. I'm getting the segacd basically just for SoulStar...

[Witchfynde]

T-mek cost me 4 or 5.99, at a replay shop, which has fair prices at least. I actually was very suprised to see it there...

 

You never know what people are going to throw out.

 

...the first time I stopped in they had Doom, StarWars and Virtua fighter and that was it. I bought Starwars, since I have Doom and Fight for Life on my Jaguar already, I didn't want inferior 32X versions (FFL is a VF clone).  

 

Are you able to save Doom games on the Jaguar (or use passwords)? I could've believe Sega wouldn't allow you to save games; I thought that was a pretty horrible mistake. I fried my first 32X due to long Doom games on pause, plus the 32X only has two small vents, which didn't help either.

 

I really want Shadow Squadrin ant Metalhead the most, those are my main reasons beyond Starwars and Startrek to have a 32X.

 

Well, unless you played it and loved it, or you have to have anything Star Wars, it's not really worth it. Shadow Squadron is a bit fun and different though, despite totally ridiculous gameplay.