Greatest 2600 'special effect'

[liveinabin]

Playing Robot Tank yesterday (as you do) - amongst thoughts such as 'this is so much better than battlezone', it really struck me what a fantastic effect they'd acheived when you get hit, with all the static lines across your screen.

What do you guys (and gals) think are the best single visual effects in the 2600s library?

[Adrian M]

I'd have to say that the explosion sequence that's triggered in Yar's Revenge whenever you destroy the Quotile is among one of the most impressive effects among 2600 games.

 

There's no denying that there was just something cool and satisfying about that sequence. A great treat for the player that was even more rewarding when you cleared a particularly tough round.

[Cassidy Nolen]

I know its cheesy, but I like the dark effects in Haunted House. The ghosts come in and "blow" out the light.

 

I wanna know what fool goes in a place like that without a Maglite?

 

Cassidy

[utamav91]

The skidding bird landings in Joust. Without those, it lacks the humor and fun the designers intended (what a concept--how bizarre--I love it though)

 

Runner up:

I know this is sort of obscure, but I always thought the fireworks in Pele's soccer were pretty cool. Considering how simple the graphics are in the rest of the game, it really makes it rewarding to score a goal.

 

quote:

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Originally posted by Cassidy:

I know its cheesy, but I like the dark effects in Haunted House. The ghosts come in and "blow" out the light.

 

I wanna know what fool goes in a place like that without a Maglite?

 

Cassidy

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[Osmeroid]

I rather like the cave rat in Pitfall 2, chasing Harry for all he's worth. Also the explosion at the end of Death Star Battle is quite good too.

 

Also when the seeker ball goes nuts in Jedi Arena, livens up the game play a bit.

[Scott Stilphen]

Battlezone also had that 'static' screen effect

 

Sounds:

The voice in Quadrun was pretty impressive back then. Haunted House still has some of the best effects IMHO. Yar's Revenge is right up there as well.

 

Graphics:

I always like the scrolling rainbow trick. It's "cheap and easy" from a programmer's perspective, but effective (Earthworld, for example). The warp sequence in Solaris is neat. The "hallway" sequence in Earthworld was cool, but Escape from Mindmaster did it one better. And the sunset background in Activision games was certainly that company's 'signature' effect.

 

What about best title screens? Galaxian, Ad. of Tron, Dukes of Hazzard, and Earthworld

[+uosipa llamxew]

...

Edited September 23, 2005 by mojofltr

[+-^CrossBow^-]

Funny you mention the scrolling rainbow trick. As that is my favorite effect in any 2600 game. ROTLA and also when you find the Dark Castle in Krull...hehe..the way it rises from the ground in all those rainbow shimmering colors!!!...Gotta love that Rainbow.

 

BTW on best title screens...you have to include Moon Patrol and Centipede.

 

 

 

[ 02-13-2002: Message edited by: -^Cro§Bow^- ]

[utamav91]

again, joust.

 

But, the title screen in Combat gives you a good preview of what the game will be like

 

quote:

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Originally posted by -^Cro§Bow^-:

 

BTW on best title screens...you have to include Moon Patrol and Centipede.

 

 

 

[ 02-13-2002: Message edited by: -^Cro§Bow^- ]

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[Lost Monkey]

I really like the reverse "pixel-shatter" technique used on Demon Attack as the Demons form.

 

I also think that Qb's "multi-coloured" sprites are a neat effect, and one that I could see being exploited a little more often on future home-brews.

[fsuinnc]

I like the way the waves (water) moves in Hero. I remember being very impressed when I first saw that.

[moycon]

Tunnel Runners 3d tunnels impress me.

[+-^CrossBow^-]

I can also remember the first use of Flicker on the 2600 being used for an effect. Can't forget my jaw dropping when I saw the waterfall for Pitfall2...heheh...

 

Looked great to me then...and still convincing now...

[Adrian]

My vote is for the warps on Solaris -- I'm still in shock that that's possible on a 2600. Gorgeous detail!

 

Although I gotta admit, the first time my tank got hit in Robot Tank, I seriously thought my TV was going out. (Give me a break, I was 13 at the time.)

[HawgWyld]

quote:

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Originally posted by Lost Monkey:

I really like the reverse "pixel-shatter" technique used on Demon Attack as the Demons form.

---

 

Yeah, that's just a great little touch to that fantastic game. Gets my vote for best effect, anyway.

[StanJr]

The title screen on BMX Airmaster is cool with the tune playing behind it. Everything about that game is cool, though.

 

The skidding Ostriches in Joust are awesome.

 

The flashlight effects in Mountain King are really cool.

 

And the "scared" effect when you get caught in Haunted House.

 

StanFX

[atarimastermarty]

I really like how the faces were done in Fat Albert. i really feel like im watching a 2600 version of Fat Albert. Plus you have to love the little buy Jello ad in the end.

[StanJr]

Every bit of Tapper is a special effect masterpiece. The variations of the background music. The awesome lighting effects in the fourth level (the Space Bar). The whole thing is amazing.

 

Barkeep Stan

[Tempest]

quote

Tunnel Runners 3d tunnels impress me

 

I second that. It's amazing what the 2600 could do when pushed to it's limits.

 

I'm also very impressed with Pitfall II, everything from the music to the graphics is simply amazing.

 

Tempest

[liquid_sky]

quote

 My vote is for the warps on Solaris -- I'm still in shock that that's possible on a 2600. Gorgeous detail!

 

I agree, i was amazed when I first saw it.

 

I always loved the weather effects in Enduro, even if they arnt that impressive, it was a shock the first time it came.

[mvigor]

Speaking of that. Once about 10 or 12 years ago I was watching a cartoon where one of the characters threw a bucket of water at the "camera", i.e. towards the viewer's screen.

 

Just at the very second the reception went out and never did come back on. We had a TV repair person come and look at it, but we ended up having to buy a whole new TV!

 

I just think that it's wierd that the TV broke right at that instant.

 

Come to think of it, that was our last "furniture" TV - you know the kind with the nice wooden cabinet and table-top surface.

[PeeknPoke]

what about Return of the Jedi eath star battle-When flying thru the shield? That effect was sure magic for the time (An effect bigger computers had trouble with at the time)

 

LEE

[Thomas Jentzsch]

The later removed (running out of memory) title screen of Qb was very impressing.

 

[ 02-14-2002: Message edited by: Thomas Jentzsch ]

[iguana]

I KNOW IT IS NOT THE MOST TECH OF ACHIEVMENTS, BUT I WAS ALWAYS PARTIAL TO GETTING BEHIND THE CHALICE IN ADVENTURE AND WATCHING THE OUTSIDE OF THE CASTLE GO THROUGH THE RAINBOW WHEN THE CHALICE WENT IN.

[MattG/Snyper2099]

In my honest opinion, California Games had a great title screen, good graphical effects and great sound as well. Certainly, one of my favorite overall graphical achievements of all time on the 2600. Surfing was really the only way you could surf with your 2600 back in the day too. And who can pass up hacky sac and BMX downhill. That game is so worth more than people pay for it! kudos

 

[ 02-14-2002: Message edited by: MattG ]