Does 2600 Solaris have a bug in the game?

[jpfalcon2003]

I don't own this game but after seeing the screenshots of this game, it looks really impressive. The graphics look awesome and I was thinking of buying it since you can get a complete set of it very cheap. Why is this game so inexpensive to own? Is there something I don't know about this game? I heard this game had a bug in it and the screen can get stuck during gameplay. Is that true? can someone help me with some info. on this game. It really may affect my decision if I decide to purchase it or not. Is this a good game to have and play for your system?

[rheffera]

Yes, i have solaris and its fun and have been playing to for ages and have never had a problem at all, wether or not the bug exists i dont know.

 

Is it the Red label version?

 

The game, from what i have seen and played (without a in struction booklet,mind)

 

You have like a home base which you can use to refuel. Generally you have to clear the sctors of enemy ships and planets. Its great fun. I have wasted many a hour on it and it has a lot of "depth" to it.

[atwwong]

I don't own this game but after seeing the screenshots of this game, it looks really impressive. The graphics look awesome and I was thinking of buying it since you can get a complete set of it very cheap. Why is this game so inexpensive to own? Is there something I don't know about this game? I heard this game had a bug in it and the screen can get stuck during gameplay. Is that true? can someone help me with some info. on this game. It really may affect my decision if I decide to purchase it or not. Is this a good game to have and play for your system?

It's cheap because it's still easy to purchase "new". Definitely worth your money, IMHO. One of the best games for the 2600, in terms of depth and gameplay, if you enjoy space shooters.

[JagFan422]

i have the red label version, never got the screen stuck or anything like that, so don't worry and buy it.

[vdub_bobby]

I don't own this game but after seeing the screenshots of this game, it looks really impressive. The graphics look awesome and I was thinking of buying it since you can get a complete set of it very cheap. Why is this game so inexpensive to own? Is there something I don't know about this game? I heard this game had a bug in it and the screen can get stuck during gameplay. Is that true? can someone help me with some info. on this game. It really may affect my decision if I decide to purchase it or not. Is this a good game to have and play for your system?

Price is determined mostly by supply and demand. Solaris isn't particularly rare so it isn't particularly expensive.

[The_Laird]

Best game for the system and it looks so good you would think it was on the 7800. Essentail purchase.

 

Never had any problem with my red label copy either.

[Christophero Sly]

Some copies of Solaris that should be NTSC are actually PAL.

[+FujiSkunk]

Solaris was one of the games Atari Corp. overproduced and then had to close out after declaring the 2600 dead. So, in the early '90s, a buck would get you the game at Big Lots, and even now there are still plenty floating around that the value really hasn't gone up any.

 

Even so, the game is one of THE best for the 2600. It's so good that Atari even allowed the programmer's name to be displayed in the game.

 

The only bug I've ever heard about is the possibility of getting a PAL cartridge that's supposed to be NTSC, which Sly already mentioned.

[Inky]

I thought I had heard that its impossible to solve without cheating in an emulator?

[+FujiSkunk]

I thought I had heard that its impossible to solve without cheating in an emulator?

 

Here is one guy's walk-through. He admits he cheated to get the map, however, the only cheat he used was to increase the number of lives available. So, presumably you could still beat the game with the provided number of lives, as long as you've got the reflexes.

 

For those who prefer less graphics with their game walk-throughs. AtariAge actually hosts a Solaris FAQ.

[Lord Thag]

It's not impossible, just very hard. I almost made it a couple of times back in high school. The last stretch is tough. You just have to play it a lot. There was a point where I played a game of Solaris almost every day after school. Great, great game. One of my top five favorite games, actually.

[Room 34]

I seem to recall noticing some glitchy behavior in the game way back, but I don't remember specifics and I wouldn't call the game "buggy."

 

It is an incredible game, definitely one of the 2 or 3 best games for the 2600. Like others said, it's cheap because it's common, not because it's bad. (You'll also soon learn that 90% of the ultra-rare, ultra-expensive games are complete crap.)

 

Get it! You will not be disappointed!

 

BTW, I suffered the PAL/NTSC mix-up with one of my copies as well. It was a sealed copy I won on eBay. I have another sealed on I got from the same seller that I've been afraid to open, since it might be PAL too. But the copy I've owned since the late '80s is NTSC, obviously!

[Zonie]

The glitch may be the change in the controls when you lose the sector to the enemy...or something like that. Been a long time since I played it. It is actually something the programmer put there to increase difficulty

Edited April 18, 2006 by Zonie

[Room 34]

No, that's deliberate... the control scheme reverses and everything flashes red... it's your "punishment" for losing the sector.

Edited April 18, 2006 by Room 34

[jpfalcon2003]

Thanks for giving me the answer I needed to here. I will be purchasing this one complete in box.

[rheffera]

Your welcome..you wont regret it!