Super Cobra - Grade:F ?????

[+johnnywc]

First off - I must say I generally agree with the Video Game Critic. His site is awesome and I visit it often.

 

With that said, I read this review:

 

http://www.videogamecritic.net/5200sz.htm#Super_Cobra

 

Seems pretty harsh to me. I love this game - great graphics, sound, and once you get used to it - the control is pretty good to. With my old controllers I was able to get through all the stages with about 10 continues; with my new gold rebuilt ones I was able to do it in 3 continues. Mind you - I've only played this game about 5 times since 1983.

 

So what does everybody else think? Is this game really that *bad* or am I seeing this game through rose-colored 1983 glasses???

[joeybastard]

I like SC, it's fun. The controls definitely take some getting used to but I like the game. I think the review is kind of harsh but to each his own.

[sku_u]

That review was based on gameplay with the non-centering stock controllers. In that case, I agree with the reviewer that this game is an F. However, the Comp Pro and Starcon are a whole other story. Those controllers allow accurate control and are centering. The WICO can also be made to center. With these controllers, the game is probably a whole lot better, although I've never personally tested all of these on Super Cobra to see how well controls are with them.

[NovaXpress]

Super Cobra plays GREAT with a Wico.

[Rocko]

I LOVE the 2600 version, never played the 5200 version. is it as good?

[sku_u]

Super Cobra plays GREAT with a Wico.

 

Looks like I'll be playing some Super Cobra tonight

[oesii]

I don't disagree too much with the VGC either, and I think it's fair to review 5200 games with the stock controllers. A lot of people will play the games for the 1st time with those sticks and it's asking a lot for people to pick up alternative controllers at fleas or thrifts.

 

Now the Super-Pac review right under Super Cobra is a shocker. D? That's an A game for the 5200 IMHO

[The Eidolon]

I remember playing quite a bit of Super Cobra on the 5200. It was

very difficult and frustrating, but I thought it was quite fun. I guess

there's not much point arguing over whether someone else finds a

game fun, but to me it was pretty good.

 

--The Eidolon

[NovaXpress]

The difficulty level is extremely high for 5200 Super Cobra, that's what inspires the low reviews. It takes a lot of continues to make it all the way through to the last level. There are some parts of the game which forced me to spend hours just trying to figure out how to get past one little missile. Once you figure out the strategy though it becomes quick and easy to rush through the early levels.

 

Come to think of it, now that I'm not 12 years old anymore I don't think I ever would have put in the time required to master this game. I feel the same way about Final Fantasy games though.

[tyranthraxus]

Come to think of it, now that I'm not 12 years old anymore I don't think I ever would have put in the time required to master this game. I feel the same way about Final Fantasy games though.

 

This is a big consideration in a modern review of an old game. Most of us

won't put the time into a frustrating game. A good game should be

challenging not frustrating. When I was younger and had countless

spare time I could slog through a game. But today my time is more

valuable to me so frustration is not going to encourage me to keep

playing.

[Duke 4ever]

Ive only agreed with the VGC a few times but not a lot. He underrates some good games but he's not as bad as GMR magazine. Boy!, do they underated games

[+johnnywc]

Thank you everyone for your input. I just tried another game of SC with my stock controller and was able to clear all the stages in 3 continues (about 30 minutes). Only hit a couple snags in the tunnel with dropping mines and the maze. I do remember playing this ALOT when I was 12 so maybe some of that skill is still with me - who knows???

 

Anyway - glad to hear some people like this game as much as I do. My only complaint is that the game doesn't get any more difficult the 2nd time through the tunnel. Oh well...

 

I should try to play with the redepemption controllers and see if I can make it through with NO continues!!!

 

Thanks again,

[Goochman]

I played SC on the Atari 800 and it looked and played like a turd. I think the 2600 could prob pull off most of the graphics and gameplay.....but then again that was the level of quality most Atari coversions were

[NE146]

Don't forget however that the original arcade Super Cobra is also a BITCH to play. It's difficult by design.

 

That being said, the one thing that seeing Super Cobra on the 2600 and 5200 say to me.. is that it is obviously 100% possible to convert SCRAMBLE (i.e. Super Cobra part 1) to both formats either by homebrew or hacking. Now THAT would make a little Scramble player like me very happy

[The Eidolon]

Speaking of Scramble, do any of you know if Scramble is the first

arcade scrolling shooter? I'm trying to think of any before that and

I can't come up with anything.

 

--The Eidolon

[NE146]

Speaking of Scramble, do any of you know if Scramble is the first  

arcade scrolling shooter?  I'm trying to think of any before that and  

I can't come up with anything.

 

Defender I think came out before Scramble

[The Eidolon]

You're right, of course. Defender is listed at 1980 and Scramble as

1981. I don't think of Defender as a scrolling shooter because it

has a different style of game play, but technically it is. I guess I

meant the first scrolling shooter where navigate a fixed course of

opponents in the style of Gradius/Darius/R-Type/Scramble/ etc.

 

The reason for my slightly off topic is I'm trying to compile a list of

all the arcade shooters that have been released. Using KLOV and

my own faulty memory I've come up with 300+, but I've only gotten

to the letter "S" so far. I was trying to figure out what started that

whole genre of video games, and I was wondering if Scramble was the

first.

 

--The Eidolon

[MrRetroGamer]

I don't know why they decided to only use ONE fire button to control BOTH the gun and bombs at the same time. I think this is stupid. The 5200 controller HAS two fire buttons, so why not USE them?

 

I have not played it in a long time so I am not sure if the CV version is any different. I enjoy Cosmic Avenger on the CV a bit more since you can use two different buttons. Also, Scramble on the Vectrex actually plays VERY well and still is quite challenging.

[Tempest]

My take on it.

 

http://www.atariprotos.com/5200/software/s.../supercobra.htm

 

Tempest

[MrRetroGamer]

My take on it.

 

http://www.atariprotos.com/5200/software/s.../supercobra.htm

 

Tempest

 

grab a big bag of booty

 

Mmmm, me like booty!

[Tempest]

For those who don't believe me, check out the manual:

 

http://www.atariage.com/manual_page.html?S...ge=4&maxPages=8

 

BOOTY!

 

Tempest

[Inky]

When you pick up the booty, can you shake it?

[Tempest]

Personally I perfer swag.

 

Tempest

[MegaManFan]

Super Cobra plays GREAT with a Wico.

 

Remind me to break both out the next time we have classic gaming night.