E.T Atari 2600 Review

[Atariperson23]

Ok, so I review video games. Especially for the Atari 2600, because the Atari games are interesting. They feel more like novels or movies than games. They elevate games to a higher level. And what better way to start reviews than with the alleged "worst game of all time" E.T the Extra-Terrestrial? But does it deserve an F or an A+? Read on!

 Graphics: B

As you can see, the title screen is Commodore 64 or Atari 7800 worthy. E.T looks like E.T, pretty much. Blockiness is used in the right way (to make E.T look more 8-bit, but at the same time more real) But sadly, the graphics on the game aren't really that good. E.T is a blob of green, the rooms are green, nearly everything is green. But I loved Elliott's full head of hair and striped shirt. That was very impressive for a "Pong Machine" game and even more impressive for "a machine that could only show three colors". And also, the FBI Agent and Scientist are essentially stick figures, but are pretty detailed. They are pretty much Scientists or FBI Agents.

E.T himself is OK, despite being green. He's a little bit too 8-bit, but graphical limitations can't really be helped. The playfield graphics represent what they're supposed to be (pits, forest, science institute) although they're a little simplistic. Howard Scott Warshaw should be praised for this, considering he had five weeks to make this stuff. All in all, the graphics are leaning towards "average" and "great", although a little more on the "average" side.

Originality: A

This game is pretty original. There's nothing like it on the market, unless you count pirated clones. And Steven Spielberg wanted a Pac-Man clone, so you can kind of rejoice that that idea never saw the light of day. Anyways, E.T the movie is pretty hard to capture as a game concept, especially considering the fact that this game was for a game console that draws dragons as deformed ducks. So trying to create a deep, sophisticated, innovative, capturing-the-film game on the Atari 2600 is no easy feat. Then again, Howard Scott Warshaw also made another movie tie-in game (Raiders Of The Lost Ark). But this game captures the film aspect perfectly. E.T is being chased after by adult scientists and FBI agents, just like the movie. ("Keys") and if E.T runs out of energy, he dies (Just like in the film) also, E.T gets energy from Reese's Pieces (just like in the film) and E.T's main job is to phone home ("E.T Phone Home"). It's not an A+ because this game felt kind of like Adventure, but whatever.

Gameplay: B+

Gameplay is not bad. You just have to read the manual, just like Raiders Of The Lost Ark and Solaris, two also very sophisticated games. And people say falling in the holes is annoying, but that's because you're moving the joystick up. It says in the manual to not do that. So take 2 minutes of your time to read the F*****g manual. Gameplay is also fast-paced, so you can't wait around too often in one spot. Otherwise, you will feel very depressed, because you have to 1) press Reset or 2) let minutes of hard work disappear. Gameplay is fun, entertaining, but not the best of adventure games. For that, do Adventure or Raiders Of The Lost Ark, or Swordquest. However, E.T is good enough for me to recommend, despite it not being the best.

Sound Effects: B

The music in the game loops, but it's a pretty good excerpt out of John Williams "Flying Theme." The walking noise is annoying but not unbearable. The FBI/Scientist's walking noise gets louder when he gets near you, which is pretty good, i'll admit. Sound effects are quite minimal, but I don't think a Adventure game needs the "Flying Theme" blasting out at full volume. It's not bad, which is good because the music makes "Fire Fly" unplayable, which is a shame, because it's otherwise playable.

Grade:B

E.T will be remembered as the scapegoat for Atari's tragic demise. But there were far, far worse games. Just try "Karate" or "Inca Gold." Those games will make E.T look like a masterpiece. Also, try "Dishaster." No gameplay but to hold the action and down button down. Horrid! So before you call out E.T, try those games. You'll start crying for E.T. Begging for it, in fact.

[TwentySixHundred]

First off nice work on the review, secondly i think you're right on the six month schedule for someone posting a thread about E.T being labeled "the worst game of all time". It's kind of a trend around here 😉.

[keithbk]

Atari missed a fantastic marketing opportunity...

 

"E.T., The Extra-terrestrial ... it's better than Sssnake by Data Age."

[high voltage]

On 11/17/2019 at 8:46 AM, TwentySixHundred said:

First off nice work on the review, secondly i think you're right on the six month schedule for someone posting a thread about E.T being labeled "the worst game of all time". It's kind of a trend around here 😉.

And I always have to do this:

 

[zzip]

13 hours ago, keithbk said:

Atari missed a fantastic marketing opportunity...

 

"E.T., The Extra-terrestrial ... it's better than Sssnake by Data Age."

"ET It's like Sssnake on Sssteroids!"   (couldn't resist)

[+KaeruYojimbo]

Eveyone on the internet in the 2000's:

"I can't stop falling into these $!&% pits! This is the worst game ever made! It caused the video game crash!"

 

Everyone on the internet in the 2010's:

"This is a pretty good game, you just need to read the manual. It's amazing what Howard Warshaw accomplished in just 6 weeks!"