Activision Anthology for PS2

[kainemaxwell]

I just read of this over at Atariage, and read some great reviews of this from IGN:
http://ps2.ign.com/articles/378/378255p1.html

And game can be found at most local stores and Amazon.com:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00006Z7HQ/102-4516928-0811355

[Arrrhalomynn]

And what do YOU think of this game?

[kainemaxwell]

From the reviews it really sounds worth getting after past failed retro packs especially with the amount of games and other content involved in this. Really appears Activision listened and remembered the gamers when they put this together. I'm gonna see if I can perhaps find it next week at one my stores or TRU or Funco when I go there soon.

[gamingguy]

The River Raid screenshot looks like a hires computer version. Could the collection be a mix of Atari and PC games?

[den68]

I picked it up at Target a couple days ago. It is pretty cool. It looks to have most of the Activision games and a few Imagic games (Atlantis, Demon Attack). It also has a couple unreleased games (Kabobber, Thwocker). It has an 80's soundtrack that plays in the background, so far I've heard Mexican Radio, Tainted Love, THe Tide is High. You can unlock the old TV commercials and earn the Activision patches. You don't seem to need as high a score for the patches as I remember. I got the Chopper Command one at 5000, I remember needing a lot more than that to get one. The alternate game screens seem kind of useless to me, motion blur is okay I guess.

it's pretty much just a nostalgia trip, but a cool one.

[michael]

How many games are in this little disc of love? :hmm:

[Arcade Antics]

@Den (or anyone else with the game): Curious... are there instruction manuals included for Kabobber and Thwocker? What do they look like?

[Tempest]

Yes there are. Kabobber's manual is the fan made version from the AtariAge contest (which looks so much like the real thing you can't tell the difference), Thwocker's manual is new (with some funky 3D looking artwork) and explains the gameplay but also states that this is a prototype and you can't actually complete a level (I believe it says to reset and try another level).

Tempest

[den68]

yup, they look just like the standard Activision instructions. the game also shows what the carts and boxes look like. the manuals even have the pictures of the programmers and their game tips. the directions give you the button scheme for the PS controllers but other than that they appear to be pretty close to the actual manuals.

the 2 Imagic games are shown with the blue text only labels on the Activision style cart but the box is the usual chrome & rainbow.

[kainemaxwell]

48 titles including the 2 unreleased games included. I'm buying this at my store on Friday.

[Lady Jaye]

I was surprised to see Tomcat listed (did Activision buy Absolute Entertainment?). Is the game properly emulated? Hopefully the folks at Activision considered the fact that the game originally used the 2600's switches; I know that the game doesn't work in emulation form with Stella.

[Stark]

This is now a must buy for me. I'll see if I can pick it up Wednesday.
Thanks for the info.

[digitalpress]

I'll do a bit more detailed review later, haven't tried out ALL of the games yet, but so far, so good. I'm very glad that they EMULATED the games this time instead of trying to reprogram them like they did on the PlayStation! It's a winner.

Two Retrogaming Roundtable trivia items:

1. Dave Giarrusso ("Arcade Antics") was not mentioned in the credits despite the fact that they used his manual for the Kabobber game! Wrongness.

2. John Hardie ("CX2K") was mentioned in the credits. Pretty much anything having to do with Atari gets John's name on it these days. Righteousness.

I'll be back with a full review.

[kainemaxwell]

I'm buying it this week. That does it.

[CX2K]

I couldn't try it since I don't have a PS2 yet but I was wondering if they used Dave's manual. Did Dave give them permission? Do they need permission? That's a bummer.

As for my name, it's kind of like a 'seal of approval". :)

Maybe I should start licensing my name to these people. (talking out of my ass again). :)

John




1. Dave Giarrusso ("Arcade Antics") was not mentioned in the credits despite the fact that they used his manual for the Kabobber game! Wrongness.

2. John Hardie ("CX2K") was mentioned in the credits. Pretty much anything having to do with Atari gets John's name on it these days. Righteousness.

I'll be back with a full review.

[rolenta]

2. John Hardie ("CX2K") was mentioned in the credits. Pretty much anything having to do with Atari gets John's name on it these days. Righteousness.

Hey, I'm on there too!!!

[digitalpress]

Well, Mister President of Commavid,
when is the "CommaVid Compilation Pack" coming out? The gaming masses eagerly await!

[Lady Jaye]

So Joe, since you have a copy of the game, what's your opinion of Tomcat F-14? Is it playable? Hopefully, they just assigned the Atari switches to the PS2 buttons.

Defiinitely something to buy when I lay my hands on a PS2 again (for those who didn't know, I was a game columnist earlier this year and had a PS2 on loan from Sony for 6 months. Unfortunately, I had to send it back to them).

[Six Switch]

The game is well worth the $30 price.If you own a ps2 and like classic games,you MUST have this! :D :-D ;)

[NE146]

I got it but I'm not allowed to open it until Christmas O_O

[CX2K]

Hahahaha! Speak to my partner in crime! That's one of the first things I said to Sean that we should do and he shot me down. Told me I was crazy and that nobody would want a CommaVid Compilation.

Mr. Kelly, you out there???

:)

John



Well, Mister President of Commavid,
when is the "CommaVid Compilation Pack" coming out? The gaming masses eagerly await!

[Sean Kelly3]

heh, CommaVid Anthology. LOL!

[Nature Boy]

I picked it up on Friday and had a good go at it.

Two thumbs up.

Having unlockables associated with each game was a great idea. Gives you incentive to play them all and to keep playing them until you've unlocked every last goodie. The list of unlockables is a good idea (you know how many items can be unlocked in each game, just not quite how to unlock 'em. So far I've only unlocked the different play modes, the patches, and some commercials. The commercials were a great idea.

The interface is pretty cool and easy to use. And the idea of having 80s tracks playing while you play the games was a good one. The sound effects on their own wouldn't cut it I don't think. The amusing thing is that, as with any 80s comps it seems, it's not actually the stuff I was listening to while playing back then.

What I don't like was Kaboom. Instead of the 8-bit solution (which was to allow a gamer to choose between a paddle and a joystick), it uses this weird centering control. You push right and the buckets go right. You release right and it moves back to center. Not an easy thing to get used to.

The only disappointment so far has been that it doesn't keep a high score list. That would've been amazing.

I've always been wary of retro compiliations because they don't quite capture the games as much as playing on the original systems. But this one gets my whole hearted recommendation.

[Stark]

I just picked up a copy and for $30 you can't go wrong. Its kinda strange playing Pitfall on my PS2 but its that good kind of strange. :P

[kainemaxwell]

I'm still waiting to read Joe's amazing review of this title myself. :)

[Britboy]

Got it today at Best Buy.

Must...do...work...first...ARGH!!!!!!

You know, working at home takes hella discipline!!!!!!

[Tempest]

Well I'm not Joe but I'll give you my take on the Anthology.

First of all, the whole setup is very nicely done; everything from the cart selection to the sound options has an 80's feel. The whole selection screen takes place in a virtual room with a little cart carousel for selecting carts, a big old boom box in the corner for your sound and music options, a board for your patches, and of course a 2600 with a TV for the games. Once you select a game from the carousel you can view the cartridge, instructions, box, and a commercial if you've unlocked it. This is probably a good time to mention the "Unlocks List" which can also be viewed in the room. The "Unlocks List" shows you how many secrets there are to unlock for each title (most have two, some have none), and what you've unlocked so far. Usually you unlock patches for getting certain scores (I'll talk more about this later), but you can also unlock play modes and commercials for obtaining a certain score or time. Unfortunately the requirements are listed anywhere so you sort of have to guess what unlocks what. Normally you'll unlock a play mode or commercial before unlocking the patch though (they're usually a bit easier).

Once you've selected your game you put it in the virtual 2600 and play away. Thankfully the games are emulated this time not reproduced. What this means is the original game code is being played, someone didn't try and reprogram the game for the PS2 (like the PS1 Activision Pack). This means the gameplay is true to the original and all the funky bugs and tricks are still there. While the emulation is very good, it's not 100% perfect. Some games such as Kaboom feel very strange and don't play exactly right. Kaboom is probably the worst game in the Anthology because of this; other minor emulation quibbles include Pitfall II (the music pitch is too high), HERO (there's a bug that can cause fake walls to appear), and Chopper Command (the firing rate and sound aren't quite right). However the biggest bugs occur with the "unlocks" system. For whatever reason Activision decided to lower the point requirements needed to get most of the patches. Usually it takes less than half the points it normally did to earn a patch back in the 80's (the points needed are not listed in the instructions anymore). Not all the requirements were changed (Pitfall II's requirement is still the same), but most were. Oddly the games were a certain time was needed such as Barnstorming, Sky Jinks, and Gran Prix all seem to be harder to earn a patch in than they used to be. It's almost as if the timer is counting too fast (which is actually a possibility), but then again it might just be that I suck at them. However some of the unlocks are just plain bugged, as some games refuse to reward patches even if the requirement has been met. Spider Fighter and Barnstorming have yet to reward me patches even though I beat the required time and score several times. However on the other hand Space Shuttle and Private Eye rewarded me patches for doing nothing more than starting the game. Very strange indeed...

As I mentioned earlier you can unlock certain play modes in some of the games. These play modes aren't really all that useful, but they're kind of interesting. The play modes are all visual "tricks" that make the screen do odd things while you're trying to play the game. For instance there's one mode that simulates your vertical hold going out of adjustment (something I'm sure we've all experienced), another mode breaks the screen into tiny cubes with part of the action taking place on each one, while another simulates clouds moving over the screen. Each mode is fun to look at once, but I can't actually see playing with any of them unless you feel the need for a challenge. It almost seems as if these modes were added at the last minute to pad the Anthology out a bit. By far the most interesting things to unlock are the commercials. All of Activision's game commercials are here, and considering that they're over 20 years old the quality is amazing. Personally I don't remember any of these commercials (then again I was only 5), but they're a blast to watch. My personal favorite is the Megamania commercial which looks more like a drugged out rock video than a video game commercial. One of the first commercials you can unlock (just beat the computer at Boxing) isn't really a commercial at all, but almost a mini promotional video showing some of the game designers and several game commercials. I'm sort of curious as to where this was used, because it seems too long to be a regular TV commercial.

Most of Activison's games are represented on the Anthology, but there are a few exceptions. Due to copyright problems Ghostbusters, Double Dragon, and Rampage were all left off. Activision had actually considered changing the names and some of the graphics for Ghostbusters and Double Dragon to make them legal, but in the end these modified versions were left off too. Activision also chose to include three Imagic titles they re-released in the late 80's: Atlantis, Moonsweeper, and Demon Attack. There are empty slots in the game carousel for some missing titles (the three Activision titles, and several Imagic games) which were supposed to be downloadable over the net. Sadly this feature was nixed for unknown reasons just before the game was released. However as a big bonus they included two prototype games: Kabobber and Thwocker! While Kabobber is fully playable (and quite fun), Thwocker is only partially playable due to the original prototype being unfinished. You can only complete one board before having to reset due to the game not recognizing the room exits (oh well, it IS a prototype afteral). Thankfully the manual explains all of this, although I'm not sure many casual fans will care.

The PS2 controller works fairly well for most games and you have the option of using the control pad or the analog stick. I found myself using the control pad more often because the stick felt too imprecise. However the analog stick worked very well on certain games most notably Decathlon in which I was able to earn a gold medal for the first time after figuring out the right way to hold the controller. One of the best features of the Anthology is the 80's soundtrack that is constantly blaring in the background (you can adjust the volume of both the game and the music for just the right mix). Several well-known 80's hits such "Tainted Love", "Take on Me", and "There is Always Something There" are included along with some not so well known "hits?" ("Walking in LA", "Pulling Mussels", "The Tide is High", etc). It's a good mix of tunes, but you have to wonder who chose such an eclectic mix and why some of the best known tunes of the 80's were left off. However after playing the games for several hours the 12 song soundtrack starts to wear a little thin and you'll be praying for new tunes.

Overall I must say I'm very impressed with the way the Anthology turned out. I was expecting a simple compilation of games I already had that wasn't going to hold my interest. Thankfully I was proven wrong. A few minor emulation bugs aside, it's fun to play these games to see what I can unlock and if I can earn a patch. However I find my interest waning after unlocking just about everything, although some of play modes keep it fresh. At $30 I'd say buy this even if you own all the games (like I do), if only for the commercials and those cute 80's tunes. Now if only they'd make another Anthology with those long lost unreleased games we keep hearing about...

Overall score: 92/100

Tempest

[Britboy]

Very nice review, Tempest, thanks! *golf clap*

I have seen some debates about earning the patch on Dragster, one guy was all PO'd because he got his time down to 5.92, but still didn't get the patch, while others got the patch even though they didnt come close to 6 seconds. The current theory going around is that they programmed it to give you the patch after blowing the engine a certain number of times.

[Tempest]

Yeah the more I think about it my best time was well above 6 seconds and I got the patch. I think it just felt sorry for me...

Tempest

[digitalpress]

I couldn't have said it better myself! Nice review, Matt.

Just a few notes.

"Pulling Mussels" and "The Tide is High" seem obscure to you? Youngster, you must not have been glued to MTV like I was when it first aired =)

I heard about the kiboshing of the internet features and it does indeed suck. Would have been cool to grab the missing carts over time, just like REAL LIFE.

Everyone gets in a tizzy about the unlocks, and the fact that patch unlocks aren't exactly the same as they originally were. I see the point to old-schoolers but let's face it - we're the minority now. Nowhere does it say how you earn the unlocks, I think they're appropriately paced and quite frankly NOT knowing how to get them is a PLUS in my book. I played Sky Jinks to death until I got that damn unlock, not knowing just how good I had to be to get it!

Activision has redeemed itself in my eyes with regards to classic gaming. They fucked up the PlayStation efforts so badly, both the 2600 and Intellivision versions. Good to see that Ken Love came thru, and having true 2600 people involved (Thomas Jentszch, "Burger" Bill Heineman) was a good idea and really paid off.

One last thing Matt. Can I use your review on the DP site?

[kainemaxwell]

So it has the "Digital Press Seal of Approval". :)

[Tempest]

One last thing Matt. Can I use your review on the DP site?

Sure. It didn't start out as a review actually, just a bunch of rambling thoughts.


"Pulling Mussels" and "The Tide is High" seem obscure to you? Youngster, you must not have been glued to MTV like I was when it first aired =)

Ok I'll admit I recognize The Tide is High, but Pulling Mussels is a new one to me. I can't stand it either! Pulling mussels from a shell... ARRRGGHHH!!!!!


Everyone gets in a tizzy about the unlocks, and the fact that patch unlocks aren't exactly the same as they originally were

See I thought they were supposed to be exactly the same. If they're supposed to be somewhat random I withdraw my complaint, but I can't see why they didn't leave the patch requirements the same.


quite frankly NOT knowing how to get them is a PLUS in my book.

I'll agree with that on the commercials and the play modes, but I want to know exactly what score unlocks those patches. That was the whole point!


Good to see that Ken Love came thru, and having true 2600 people involved (Thomas Jentszch, "Burger" Bill Heineman)

Yes I forgot to mention Thomas (a good friend) and one of my personal heroes Bill "Burger" Heineman who was responsible for Bard's Tale III (amongst other games).


Activision has redeemed itself in my eyes with regards to classic gaming.

Yes I agree. We need more classic gaming efforts like this.

Tempest

[kainemaxwell]

What's all the 80's songs in AA?

[digitalpress]

I'll agree with that on the commercials and the play modes, but I want to know exactly what score unlocks those patches. That was the whole point!

That's MY point, Matthew.... WAS. It's not 1983 anymore :P

[Stark]

That Choplifter commercial is just wrong.......very wrong and disturbing. I feel like crying it was so bad. :-(

I must be in the minority since I think they should have left the original Patch requirements in-tact for us old schoolers. I actually earned a few back in the day and still have 'em. 8-)

I prefer no music when playing. How can you beat those classic sounds man! I think that Pitfall is missing one sound effect. When you hit a log no noise is heard but in the original you hear a noise for as long as you remain on the log. No big deal I guess.

[Tempest]

It's not 1983 anymore

It's always 1983 in my little world...

Tempest

[Nature Boy]

If you don't want the music playing in the background (for those of you waffling on purchasing the game) you *can* turn the volume right off. Personally I enjoy the experience more with them music on.

Dragster: I finally finished a race the other day, but nowhere near 6 seconds (might have been 8 or something). I had read about the blowing of the engines so I just kept doing it over and over and it gave me the patch. Cheap but I'll take it.

Boxing: You're supposed to win the unlockable after winning a fight, but I actually had a knock out (which = victory in my book) and didn't get anything. I got the commercial after winning a second bout but not via knock out.

Barnstorming: I've yet to unlock anything but boy am I hooked on that one right now...

I agree with DP. The randomness of the patches and the pacing seems to be quite good. I think everybody should forget complaining about what scores you need and complain more about the lack of a high score table. That's my only real complaint.

[Britboy]

Well, I have gotten 6 patches so far...Covet my patches, COVET THEM!!!!!

Outstanding anthology, I agree that my only complaint is no high score table. What were they thinking????'

Also, did anyone else spot Phil Hartman in the Ice Hockey commercial? The guy in the Freeway commercial looked familiar too.

[slapdash]

"Pulling Mussels" and "The Tide is High" seem obscure to you? Youngster, you must not have been glued to MTV like I was when it first aired =)

Hey, I know "The Tide Is High" and "Walking In L.A." even though I didn't grow up an MTV child, but who the hell did "Pulling Mussels"?

Is it as good as Moon Mullins's "X-Ray Vision"? :-)

[Nature Boy]

I totally spotted Hartman and had a good chuckle the first time I saw it. I'm looking forward to showing that commercial to an unsuspecting buddy...

I don't recognize the guy in the Freeway commercial. Anybody else recognize him?

[Lady Jaye]

I've heard that Men Without Hats' Safety Dance is on the soundtrack of the anthology. However, is it the regular original version or is it the techno version? Great to see that a Montreal band made it to the compilation! :) (of course, another local boy is Corey Hart...)

[Britboy]

ok, I am officially obsessed with getting all these patches...

Has anyone else noticed that the analog stick isnt as good as the original joystick? I cant clear the poles nearly as tightly in Sky Jinks as I can using a 2600 joystick. Same thing with River Raid, the analog is pretty much useless in the tight passages, I have to quickly jump over to the D-pad, but I end up crashing half the time anyway.

Also, I LOVE the 3d intros to the game when you first switch it on. The Pitfall one is my favorite. I've seen Pitfall, Freeway, and Sky Jinks, anyone seen any others?

[digitalpress]

Hey, I know "The Tide Is High" and "Walking In L.A." even though I didn't grow up an MTV child, but who the hell did "Pulling Mussels"?

Is it as good as Moon Mullins's "X-Ray Vision"? :-)

Pulling Mussels (From a Shell) is by SQUEEZE.

And yeah, it's as good as any Moon Mullins song, even ROLENE!

[Tetsu]

Gak, I know what my next PS2 game will be. Keep in mind, I haven't bought a single game in months. So this is a big deal. Can't wait to blast Take on Me while blazing through River Raid and HERO!! You guys have sold me!

[kainemaxwell]

I finally bought Activision Anthology today and I absoloutly love it!! I also found out someone at my TRU who works in the R-Zong is a member here.

[digitalpress]

I also found out someone at my TRU who works in the R-Zong is a member here.

What's the member's "handle"? And have they seen your post where you stated that you know more than anyone else in that department? Heh heh... small world, isn't it?

[kainemaxwell]

Creamedgeezer's his handle here...never posted much but he knew of this board and he posts at AtariAge alot also. We were talking about AA and the boards when I was at the register today buying it. I'mt rying to get another guy I know there who's big into gaming to join up here too (we were talking about DC games after I got my system).

And I want the Metroid Prime poster we have hanging up at work in shopping cart area...

[kainemaxwell]

First extra I got was the Laser Blast commerical just by getting 400 points. Then i started playing around with Atlantis and a few others and slowly unlocked a few other gameplay extras and the promo commerical.

I'm surprised no one mentioned the cool little intro screens using the Activision characters in different scenes!

So far seen the Barnstorming, Pitfall! and Freeway intros.

[Britboy]

Yo Kaine I mentioned them above!

In retrospect, you are totally right, thats a Barnstorming intro, not Sky Jinks.


Speaking of which, has anyone gotten the Sky Jinks patch yet? I played through all 5 games, not a patch in sight...

And does anyone know what the 5th unlockable on Starmaster is?

[kainemaxwell]

I've only gotten the Chopper Command patch myself.

[digitalpress]

Per Ken Love @ Activision, here are the "unlockables":

[EDIT: corrected the requirements list based on our personal observations. Hey, I'm only reporting, I didn't find these on my own!]

Atlantis
Disco Mode = Score 30,000.

Barnstorming
Barnstorming Commercial = Complete Field 1 in 33.5 seconds or less.
Patch = Complete Field 3 in 54 seconds or less.

Beamrider
Patch = Reach Sector 14 and score 2500.

Boxing
Corporate Commercial = Beat the computer opponent.

Chopper Command
Motion-Blur Mode = Score 4,000.
Chopper Command Commercial = Score 6,000.
Patch = Score 8,000.

Commando
No unlocks.

Cosmic Commuter
Has one unlock, we don't know what it is.

Crackpots
Bungee Mode = Score 25,000.
Patch = Score 17,500.

Decathlon
Bronze Patch = In single-player, score 8,000.
Silver Patch = In single-player, score 8,500.
Gold Patch = In single-player, score 9,000.

Demon Attack
No unlocks

Dolphin
Warped Mode = Score 10,000.
Patch = Score 15,000.
Secret Society Patch = Score 25,000.

Dragster
Patch = Race 20 times.

Enduro
Patch = Drive over 2500 miles!

Fishing Derby
Distortion Mode = Beat the computer opponent.

Freeway
Freeway Commercial = Score 30 points on Game 1.
Patch = Score 10 points on Games 3 or 7.

Frostbite
V-Hold Mode = Score 4,000.
Patch = Score 12,000.

Grand Prix
Grand Prix Commercial = Track 1 in under 45 seconds.
Patch = Track 1 in 0:35, or Track 2 in 1:00, or Track 3 in 1:30, or Track 4 in 2:30.

HERO
Patch = Score 75,000.
Has another unlock, we don't know what it is.

Ice Hockey
Ice Hockey Commercial = Score 4 points in under a 2 minutes against the computer.
Patch = Beat the computer.

Kabobber
Activision Commercial = Score 10,000.

Kaboom!
Kaboom Commercial = Score 150.
Patch = Score 200.

Keystone Kapers
Patch = Score 10,000.

Laserblast
Laserblast Commercial = Score 10,000.
Patch = Score 100,000.
1,000,000 Patch = Score 1,000,000.

Megamania
Starfield Visualization = Score 5,000.
Megamania Commercial = Score 15,000.
Patch = Score 45,000.

Moonsweeper
Hyperspace Mode = Score 1,000.

Oink
Patch = Score 5,000 in Game 1.

Pitfall!
Pitfall Commercial = Score 12,000.
Patch = Score 20,000.

Pitfall 2
Cube Mode = Score 45,000.
Patch = Score 99,000.

Plaque Attack
Whirl Mode = Score 7,500.
Patch = Score 10,000.

Pressure Cooker
Patch = Score 15,000.

Private Eye
Patch = Complete Case #3: “Dealing in Diamonds”

River Raid
Cloud-Cover Mode = Score 4,000.
River Raid Commercial = Score 8,000.
Patch = Score 12,000.

River Raid 2
Ricochet Mode = Score 16,000.

Robot Tank
Breathing Mode = Eliminate 37 enemy tanks.
Patch = Eliminate 48 enemy tanks.

Seaquest
Patch = Score 35,000.

Skiing
Skiing Commercial = Beat slope 1 in less than 35 seconds.
Patch = Beat slope 3 in less than 32 seconds.

Skyjinks
Patch = Complete field 1 in 37 seconds.

Space Shuttle
Patch = Dock 1 times and land .
Commander Patch = Dock 3 times and land.

Spider Fighter
Tilt-O-Vision Mode: Timer == 180 seconds
Patch: Timer == 300 seconds

Stampede
Multi-Screen Mode = Score 1400.
Stampede Commercial = Score 1,000.
Patch = Score 1500.

StarMaster
StarMaster Commercial: 120 second timer (game 1)
Ensign Patch: 300 second timer (game 1)
Leader Patch: 300 second timer (game 2)
Wing Commander Patch: 180 second timer (game 3)
Supreme StarMaster Patch: 220 second timer (game 4)

Tennis
Tennis Commercial = Beat the computer opponent.
Patch = Beat the computer opponent.

[Nature Boy]

That's definitely the best list I've seen.

Except I know I had a knockout in boxing but didn't get the commercial, and then went back another day, simply beat the computer, and got the commercial.

I remember why I never liked Decathlon. The 1500 m race. And just as I was 500m from the end last night my finger slips onto the "Select" button on my controller and my entire game is kaput. Argh!

[kainemaxwell]

And one day I get to it I'll try to beat Pitfall. Joe, to get the Corp. Commerical in Boxing you just have to beat the computer, not get a KO.

[Tempest]

The list has bugs in it but it's still better than nothing. I know for a fact that the Starmaster commercial doesn't unlock after 140 seconds (I still havent gotten it). Also Cosmic Commuter shows it has 1 unlockable and HERO shows two. I still havent gotten those yet.

Tempest

[kainemaxwell]

Fishing Derby's as cheap as ever! I mean the fish that's worth the most points at the bottomof the water always swims on Player 2's side!

[Britboy]

Hey Jason, I did the same thing except I hit the L1 button. Couldn't believe it, I went to bed fuming.

[Britboy]

by the way, is anyone bothering to use the game distortion modes? Aside from starting a game just to check out a mode when i unlock it, I never bother, they're basically useless. Maybe cloud cover on Sky Jinks, but other than that, I dont see the point.

[kainemaxwell]

I actually like some them, adds a little different flare to the games and makes some them look prettier. I use the Disco, Starfield and Clover-Cover ones myself.

[Tetsu]

One of the best damn games I've played in a long time. The presentation is a milestone: Midway was getting there with its "virtual arcade" complete with bezel art and marquees, but this is what all future classic collections will be. No more paying $39.99 for 6-8 games on one disc (colossal waste of space, if you ask me), like in the Namco Museum series, no crappy "adaptations" or "improvements" like in almost all other collections, and tons of reasons to keep you playing. Unlike other comps, where I've just stuck to one or two games I like and ignored the rest, AA made me try out every single game in the package. Been playing this game for 5 hours straight, and can't get over how great it is. This from someone who never played more than 3 minutes of atari games (before my time; I was a Colecovision kid).Activision can code some damn good games: they made a 2600 fan outta me. I can see where the fast-paced action in one of my favorite Coleco games, H.E.R.O., came from when playing Pitfall. River Raid is awesome as usual, and I was pleasantly surprised by Sky Jinks (Pilotwings anyone?) Robot Tank blew me away! It just keeps getting better and better! My only regret is that I didn't pick up some of these VCS games sooner...I've been missing out all this time!

[digitalpress]

Yay! Welcome to the world of Atari, Tetsu!

Only one point I disagree with though. It would have been NICE if they had some kind of "enhanced" mode for the games. Something that modifies the graphics and sound but doesn't mess with the gameplay. Kind of like what they did with the Game & Watch Gallery carts, which are so very cool because the new modes play EXACTLY like the originals but look... prettier.

And I DON'T like the special modes in Anthology AT ALL. They're completely disfunctional. They don't improve the games at all, they just make them look weird and harder to play. It's trippy, it's fun, but it's also useless.

[kainemaxwell]

Some the modes I have unlocked I do like. The only ones I use really are Disco, Starfield and Cloud-cover and sometimes V-Hold. The others make the game feel like a bad 60's drug trip or something. The Starfield and Cloud-cover modes I do think are pretty and kinda do add kinda a "past 8-bit" style to the games- even though Starifeld reminds me of Windows.

I'm working on my own "Good, Bad, and Ugly" review of A presently. I'll post it soon.

[Nature Boy]

Unlockable Update:

Played Barnstorming last night and unlocked the commercial with a time of 33.29 seconds. Times of 33.50ish seconds didn't unlock the commercial - maybe it's 33.50? Or 33.30? I'm pretty sure the 33.29 was my first time under 33.50 (I think my previous best was 33.54).

Graphics Update Idea:

I'm torn on the idea of improving the graphics. Back when I was 10 I jumped ship to the 8-bits for just that reason - same games but with better graphics (HERO and River Raid jumping immediately to mind). Now I'm not so certain I care. Although I do wonder what they would look like with some anti-aliasing.

[kainemaxwell]

Nature Boy, you remember the Colecovision version of River Raid? That was pretty detailed...

Update: Enduro Patch is at 2,500 miles.

[Tetsu]

Ditto for the Coleco HERO: there were actual "textures" for the rock pillars and grass. Rob HERO was less pixelated as well. I agree with Joe: the "modes" suck but I thought the patch challenges and the commercials were a cool addition. Perhaps they could have added some "Super Mario All Stars" type enhanced graphics...

[kainemaxwell]

Got any comparison screen shots?

[digitalpress]

Kaine, one of these days I'm going to teach you about all the things on the DP site... and how so many of your questions are answered right there and you won't have to wait for someone to answer them for you.

In the meantime...

http://www.digitpress.com/dpsightz/atari2600/hero.gif http://www.digitpress.com/dpsightz/colecovision/hero.gif

[Britboy]

Well, I can't seem to get the Sky Jinks patch. I completed field one in 35 secs and no patch in sight. Also, do i suck or is pressure cooker too tough? I can't even get close to 10k, let alone 15.

Also, on Robot tank am I correct in assuming that the only way in hell I will get 48 tanks is to use the strategy of just running like hell (keeping enemies behind) whenever it's not bright and sunny?

[digitalpress]

Well, I can't seem to get the Sky Jinks patch. I completed field one in 35 secs and no patch in sight. Also, do i suck or is pressure cooker too tough? I can't even get close to 10k, let alone 15.

Also, on Robot tank am I correct in assuming that the only way in hell I will get 48 tanks is to use the strategy of just running like hell (keeping enemies behind) whenever it's not bright and sunny?

Sky Jinks: I don't think that value listed by Mr. Love is correct. I'm pretty sure you need 35 or under. I can't remember exactly now but I'm a stud at that game... it's one of the few patches I actually have (so far).

Robot Tank: YOU GOT IT! Use the fact that there is no time limit to your advantage. Avoid getting into trouble when you can't see (or drive in snow and rain), then beat the crap out of everything in nice conditions :)

It's FUN, isn't it?!

[NE146]

ARRGGHHH I WANNA PLAY. But the wife said I can't open my giftwrapped PS2 until christmas :( x_x

'course I could break out the 2600.. but then I'd have to draw my patches on paper and act out the commercials. :hmm: :-D

[Britboy]

Unbefuckinglievable, I got 46 tanks then died, mission ended. ARGH! Ah well, that's just too funny to get too mad. Just have to play again tomorrow! LOL

[Buyatari]

Would one of you who has this game check to see if my name is in the credits.

Thanks
Adam

[gamingguy]

http://www.digitpress.com/dpsightz/atari2600/hero.gif http://www.digitpress.com/dpsightz/colecovision/hero.gif


Perhaps I'm perverse, but I like the left picture better. The right looks too cluttered and "busy" with trivial stuff. The left screen is nice and clean with easy-to-discern elements.

I doubt I'll buy Activision Anthology. I don't like Activision games that much. Pitfall, Dolphin, Hero and that's about it. I want to see an ATARI ANTHOLOGY with Combat, Circus, Breakout, Space Invaders, Berzerk, Defender 1/2, Yar's Revenge, Phoenix, Asteroids, Ms. Pac-Man, Dig Dug, Star Raiders, Crystal Castles, and so on.

Mayhaps Activision can dig out these old ATARI classics, produce them for PS2 and split the profit 50/50 with Hasbro?

[Britboy]

I can't believe it. 47 tanks and died this time. 47!!!!! I'm beginning to think its a conspiracy.

I'm up to 22 patches, wheeee! Is anyone going to bother going for the 1,000,000 on Laser Blast? That would take all night!!!!

[Britboy]

FINALLY! If I never have to play Robot Tank again, it'll be too soon.


Quick patch tip: Play Space Shuttle. Game 1 pretty much plays itself, and you'll get two quick patches for it.

[Nature Boy]

Who has the Tennis patches? Any hints? Apparantly I suck at Pong clones. I can't play the slow version (lose interest) and I've used the difficult switches to give me the steeper angles. Is there anyway I can tie that computer down?