Atari Smeghead Posted January 28, 2021 Share Posted January 28, 2021 Would anyone happen to have a list of which A8 games use the keyboard in some way? I'm not referring to any text adventures, as that's kinda obvious. Just the ones that primarily use a joystick but have one or several keys assigned to something. If not, please help me brainstorm. Here's my list thus far: Star Raiders - Uses several keys (including S for Shields, C for Computer, T for Tracking, A for Aft, F for Front, G for Galactic Map, H for Hyperdrive) Rescue on Fractalus - Uses several keys (including A for Airlock, S for System, L to Land, right arrow to take off, B for Boosters) Miner 2049er / Bounty Bob Strikes Back - uses 1-4 keys for the elevators Defender / Dropzone / Scramble - Uses spacebar for smart bombs Any others? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bfollowell Posted January 28, 2021 Share Posted January 28, 2021 I'm sure there many others. A couple that quickly come to mind are Star Raiders II and Karateka. In the case of Karateka, I can't recall if it was strictly keyboard control or if it was keyboard or joystick control. I just remember using the keyboard and it may be that it was easier to control that way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vitoco Posted January 28, 2021 Share Posted January 28, 2021 Spy Hunter was designed to use 2 joystick buttons (using a special module to join two joysticks), but I'm sure that I played it using only one joystick and the keyboard as the second action button. Might it be a hack? Dunno... At least, it can also be played using just the keyboard (without a joystick). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kogden Posted January 28, 2021 Share Posted January 28, 2021 Karateka is actually far more playable with the keyboard. Both the 8-bit and ST versions. I was never able to beat the game until I started using the keyboard. I think you have to hit "K" to switch to keyboard control. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
invisible kid Posted January 28, 2021 Share Posted January 28, 2021 (edited) Ghost Encounters by JV Software - you needed to turn into a hammer, a torch, and a few other things via the keyboard at certain points. Castle Wolfenstien - you would use Option for grenades and space for shooting and searching in one or more of the controller configurations. Stratos by AI you would use space to activate your shield-fixing UFO. Gemstone Warrior Edited January 28, 2021 by invisible kid Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaybird3rd Posted January 28, 2021 Share Posted January 28, 2021 Lode Runner is playable with the keyboard, and of course you are required to use it for the level editor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+MrFish Posted January 28, 2021 Share Posted January 28, 2021 Druid Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark2008 Posted January 28, 2021 Share Posted January 28, 2021 (edited) You didnt say commercial games but maybe that was implied. But the first thought that popped into my head was Hammurabi. Which wasnt even an Atari game per se. But back in 1978 there were books like 101 computer games in basic. the timing is important because it means they were on the discount rack by the tine i had an atari and thus obtainable because we just couldn’t purchase games and pirating wasnt allowed, we (my brother and I) would “port” games written for whatever platform never having seen the original run. hammurabi was one that stands out because it was fun. lunar lander was another. yes, the text version. anyway fun topic. im porting a game today and the author had used keyboard for menus and honestly I was thinking who does that, lol. the game otherwise uses only joystick. so atari version i am making joystick only, not even sure why, except it seems right Edited January 28, 2021 by Mark2008 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
erichenneke Posted January 28, 2021 Share Posted January 28, 2021 I was going to say castle wolfenstein but I see it was already mentioned All of the Ultima games required heavy use of the keyboard. ZORK? Actually, any text/graphic adventure games for that matter. Those weren't especially popular on consoles! I wonder why? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
baktra Posted January 28, 2021 Share Posted January 28, 2021 High Rise(full control), Screaming Wings (D and Space), R.o Fractalus(ship systems) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xxl Posted January 28, 2021 Share Posted January 28, 2021 (edited) Hobgoblin S - sound fx M - music P - pause (CONTROL+L for additional life) 1, 2, 3 - speed ESC - exit game Isora W,S,A,D + Shift Edited January 28, 2021 by xxl Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roydea6 Posted January 28, 2021 Share Posted January 28, 2021 Spelunker :Flare to scare birds :Dynamite for obstacales :Spacebar for ghost removal Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Atari Smeghead Posted January 28, 2021 Author Share Posted January 28, 2021 10 hours ago, bfollowell said: I'm sure there many others. A couple that quickly come to mind are Star Raiders II and Karateka. In the case of Karateka, I can't recall if it was strictly keyboard control or if it was keyboard or joystick control. I just remember using the keyboard and it may be that it was easier to control that way. Star Raiders II! I only remembered that game as a Last Starfighter-type game, not an actual Star Raiders sequel. (It's possible I only played the pirated version...) Karateka I had no idea could be played with the keyboard. I'll give that a go. 8 hours ago, Mark2008 said: You didnt say commercial games but maybe that was implied. But the first thought that popped into my head was Hammurabi. Which wasnt even an Atari game per se. But back in 1978 there were books like 101 computer games in basic. the timing is important because it means they were on the discount rack by the tine i had an atari and thus obtainable because we just couldn’t purchase games and pirating wasnt allowed, we (my brother and I) would “port” games written for whatever platform never having seen the original run. hammurabi was one that stands out because it was fun. lunar lander was another. yes, the text version. anyway fun topic. im porting a game today and the author had used keyboard for menus and honestly I was thinking who does that, lol. the game otherwise uses only joystick. so atari version i am making joystick only, not even sure why, except it seems right Really, any game that I can put on my SDrive I would love to try. Thanks for sharing your stories. Fascinating! 6 hours ago, erichenneke said: All of the Ultima games required heavy use of the keyboard. ZORK? Actually, any text/graphic adventure games for that matter. Those weren't especially popular on consoles! I wonder why? Ultima is one I have never tried, so I will definitely give that a try. I was avoiding text adventures on this list because, well, it's kinda obvious. Thanks for all of these responses! I will load these up on my SDrive this weekend and have some keyboarding fun! Cheers, Smeg 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Atari Smeghead Posted January 28, 2021 Author Share Posted January 28, 2021 (edited) If you're curious why I'm asking... I've been living in this house for almost 7 years now, with my XEGS in the corner, playing games using a joystick extender to reach the chair. Yesterday, I realized... remembered... that my XEGS keyboard has an extension cable on it as well. I pulled it out and found out it also reaches all the way to the chair. I can finally play Star Raiders, after 7+ years! That got me thinking, what else have I been missing out on? (FYI - the fuzzy 70s era mushroom stool isn't as dirty-looking in real life. I'm blaming the flash. ) Edited January 28, 2021 by Atari Smeghead Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+orpheuswaking Posted January 28, 2021 Share Posted January 28, 2021 Raid over Moscow requires the keyboard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gilsaluki Posted January 28, 2021 Share Posted January 28, 2021 Man, I hate those games that require keyboard input. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Atari Smeghead Posted January 28, 2021 Author Share Posted January 28, 2021 35 minutes ago, gilsaluki said: Man, I hate those games that require keyboard input. I used to as well - stopped playing them after I moved the computer from my desktop to the game room. But with a keyboard extension... it's showtime once again! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
archeocomp Posted January 28, 2021 Share Posted January 28, 2021 (edited) F15 Strike Eagle And opposed I wish excellent conversion of Manic Miner would use keyboard as on original, but it is joistick only game unfortunately Edited January 28, 2021 by archeocomp Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sikor Posted January 28, 2021 Share Posted January 28, 2021 Why nobody's say about "Spy vs Spy" trilogy? Most of simulators (F15, Kennedy Aproach, Tomahawk, Silent Service). Many, many more... Hmm, it was game with 512 locations in hiress mode - keys was use to activate teleports, if I remember... Ohhh... It probably is "Starquake" "Agent USA" - tickets and many, many more... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+MrFish Posted January 28, 2021 Share Posted January 28, 2021 (edited) 14 hours ago, MrFish said: Druid Here are the keys for it. Atari Keys Commands ------------------- P - Powers: water, fire, electricity (Cycles) 1 - Key 2 - Invisibility 3 - Golem 4 - Chaos A - Golem: Follow, Send, Wait (Cycles) Edited January 28, 2021 by MrFish Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+MrFish Posted January 28, 2021 Share Posted January 28, 2021 14 hours ago, MrFish said: Druid Apparently the instructions still haven't been scanned. So, here's the C64 instructions (minus the C64-specific controls information). DRUID (c)1986 Firebird ----------------- COMMENT by Magnus: Druid looks much like a Gauntlet-clone, but plays quite differently -and much better - than that game. As a druid you have to free the land of some great evil, and in the process kill lots of monsters. Collect magic spells and keys from chests to get on. CATEGORY Arcade Adventure DESCRIPTION Druid is a Gauntlet clone (before Gaunlet was released!) with slightly more depth and with subtle and welcome differences, such as different available spells. AIM OF THE GAME Four demon Princes of Darkness of immense evil power have taken up residence in a Castle under the form of fire spitting skulls. The princes are now spreading misery and decay throughout the Land. You, as an aging Druid, must destroy the evil princes. THE GAME PLAY You can cast various types of spells. On top of the screen the following spells are displayed from left to right. First, the common ones: - Water - Fire - Electricity while other rarer but more powerful ones are: - Key (opens door) - Invisibility - Golem (creates magical assistant - of which more later) - Chaos (smart bomb). Each time a spell is cast your capacity for casting that part- icular spell decreases, and the counter under the respective icon at the top of the screen will show this. Each kind of demon servant has a strength or weakness for elements so each will take varying types and numbers of shots to kill, as follows: Demon Water Fire Electricity Servant Bolt Bolt Bolt -------- ----- ---- ----------- Ghost 1 1 2 Beetle 3 1 2 Skeleton 1 3 2 Snake 3 1 2 Ralack 1 2 2 Wraith 3 2 2 Slime 3 1 2 Devil 3 3 1 To kill a demon Prince there is no other way but to touch it and unleash a Chaos spell at the same time (this is the end game). The druid's most powerful spell is indeed the Chaos spell but you must reserve some for the princes! It will kill all bar a few types of servants on screen whether they are there or appearing. The Chaos spell also makes the Druid regain a little energy. If any of the above demon servants contact you they will drain your energy. This energy can however be replenished by standing on one of the Pentagrams of Life that are scattered around the Castle. Chests are another source of useful power. Chests hold many goodies and can be opened by running into them. But careful thought is needed before selecting an item from a chest; the items are magically trapped and taking one item will destroy all the others in the chest. Hint: a map might be useful... If things are getting a bit too hectic, casting the Golem spell creates a magical servant who can be controlled by separate keyboard commands or a second joystick. The golem can be given three commands: Send, Follow and Wait and has its own energy bar (at the top left of the screen below the Druid's bar) which is drained in the same way as yours. However, its touch is instantly fatal to demons! Golems cannot be healed and you can only have one at a time but they can be replaced. Use the golem as a shield - it kills any demon servant it touches at a small cost of energy. Key spells can open locked doors. Be warned, locked doors reset when you leave a level and it is possible to be unable to win if you run out of key spells. An Invisibility spell will make monsters not run at you for a while. The druid will be hurt by his environment - things like water, fire, certain unholy symbols. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drpeter Posted January 28, 2021 Share Posted January 28, 2021 Submarine Commander Jumbo Jet Pilot Solo Flight Eastern Front 1941 (spacebar + trigger to cancel orders) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Stephen Posted January 28, 2021 Share Posted January 28, 2021 Phantasie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adam242 Posted January 29, 2021 Share Posted January 29, 2021 Dungeon Hunt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snicklin Posted January 29, 2021 Share Posted January 29, 2021 I think all of the football management games did, such as Football Manager, League Challenge etc. Flight Simulator 2 also. Was there a flight simulator 1 on the A8? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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