2600 Beamrider vs. Intellivision Beamrider

[+save2600]

Okay - I added the Juno first option just to be funny, but seems like it could be more of a hack or variant of Beamrider than anything else or ummm... ixpo facto.

 

What I want to know is how most of you feel about this game and what system you prefer it on. I first became aware of it in the mid 90's, when my Intellivision collecting was at its zenith. Shortly after that, I realized it was also a 2600 game and so I pursued that. Having first played and been exposed to it on the Intellivision though, I have to say I prefer that version. Just seems more like an Intellivision game to me somehow. Graphics are great on both systems, but there is a little more detail on the INTV version. I also like the fact you have two separate buttons at your disposal for the all important torpedo. While not a huge fan of the border and side walls on the Intellivision version (a little claustrophobic), I still enjoy the gameplay better and that of course is where it's always at.

 

What do you think?

Edited November 27, 2010 by save2600

[tz101]

5200 and CV versions are better than both of these.

[Crazy Climber]

This one is still my personal favorite...

...but for the sake of your poll I voted 2600 Juno

[+save2600]

5200 and CV versions are better than both of these.

 

-1 buddy. Besides the 5200 and CV being my least favorite classic gaming systems ever (besides the APF and O2 that is), they were not options!

[Crazy Climber]

5200 and CV versions are better than both of these.

 

-1 buddy. Besides the 5200 and CV being my least favorite classic gaming systems ever (besides the APF and O2 that is), they were not options!

Yeah, I hate to use the ol standby but the 5200 controllers do ruin Beamrider

[+save2600]

Yeah, I hate to use the ol standby but the 5200 controllers do ruin Beamrider

Not like the 5200 version was programmed to be analog of course either

 

You know... cruising faster or slower between the points if you leaned harder one way or the other... actually, this brings up a very good and overlooked point. Beamrider, instead of being relegated to jumping between fixed points, COULD have been enhanced with such an analog setup. Like the way your paddle behaves in Breakout or Pong.

Edited November 27, 2010 by save2600

[+save2600]

Ladies and gents, when voting - would you please explain why you feel one way or the other? Inquiring minds want to know...

[+Psionic]

Having first played and been exposed to it on the Intellivision though, I have to say I prefer that version. Just seems more like an Intellivision game to me somehow.

It should...it was developed as an Intellivision game originally. All the other versions are ports. Regardless, I do prefer the ColecoVision and Commodore 64 versions of the game. I never cared for the Intellivision controllers much, and the 5200 version is a complete throwaway for the same reason.

 

 

Beamrider, instead of being relegated to jumping between fixed points, COULD have been enhanced with such an analog setup. Like the way your paddle behaves in Breakout or Pong.

But then you wouldn't really have been 'riding the beams' so to speak, and the game would've played quite differently.

[+save2600]

But then you wouldn't really have been 'riding the beams' so to speak, and the game would've played quite differently.

Quite right, but I kind of envision your rider being "snapped" into place when he got near the beam. Like gravity took him over or something... but in reality, the playing field is too small and the beams are too close for that kind of gameplay to work

Edited November 27, 2010 by save2600

[jaybird3rd]

I prefer the Intellivision version, mainly because it was the original and the one I played the most. In reality, both versions play nearly identically, so it's almost a tossup.

 

(Has anyone here ever heard the story of how the programmer, David Rolfe, came up with the idea for the enemy movement patterns? Funny stuff!)

[Tempest]

You all do know that there's an Atari 8-bit version as well right? Fixes all those 5200 joystick issues.

 

Tempest

[+save2600]

You all do know that there's an Atari 8-bit version as well right? Fixes all those 5200 joystick issues.

 

Tempest

Yeah, yeah, yeah - but we're (at least trying to) talking consoles, not computers. And only two: 2600 and Intellivision.

Edited November 27, 2010 by save2600

[jaybird3rd]

You all do know that there's an Atari 8-bit version as well right? Fixes all those 5200 joystick issues.

Yup, I've played that one, too. Almost identical to the 2600 version, as I recall.

[+save2600]

You all do know that there's an Atari 8-bit version as well right? Fixes all those 5200 joystick issues.

Yup, I've played that one, too. Almost identical to the 2600 version, as I recall.

Just with blockier graphics, fewer colors and slower gameplay

Edited November 27, 2010 by save2600