This week saw the release of Tunnels of Terror for the Odyssey 2, a terrific translation of the timeless Atari VCS classic Turmoil. I received it today and determined that I should try to put together a timely review, which is something I almost never do with a new game release.
This game comes from programmer Chris Read and was published by Odyssey BrasÃl. Mad props to all involved, and I love the Odyssey 2 enthusiasts everywhere, but Brazil seems especially eager to keep the console alive.
Since the dawn of the homebrew era there have been many great games made, but few that come with great packaging. The simple reason is that it’s expensive to create. So the $60 price tag for this limited release was well worth the expense. In the above picture, the game comes with a great poster and another glossy picture, for some reason. Very cool!
However, the best part of this package is the box itself, created in the classic Odyssey 2 fashion. The paper box is sturdy, glossy, and really well done. My only complaint is minor. If one is going to call their Odyssey 2 homebrew a "Challenger Series" game, that is fine. But it should not only show on the front of the box, but on the side as well. Tunnels of Terror does not have the side callout for it being a Challenger Series game, even though it is on the front. I know, I'm nitpicking.
The cartridge and manual are also very authentic looking and well done. Also included was a certificate of authenticity, two flyers, and a cute Wizard of Odyssey (an 80's spokeswizard character) sticker.
The cartridge handle was a little different but feels just as sturdy.
As for the game itself, it's Turmoil, it works, and it is great to have this fantastic shooter on the Odyssey 2. Turmoil was a part of the great pantheon of single screen shooters that came after Space Invaders and exploded in the early 80s before consoles and computers were better capable of scrolling the screen. Space Invaders, Galaxian, Demon Attack, Megamania, and the like were as popular and common as first person shooters are today, and Turmoil was fast, fun, and original.
Instead of the player's ship being at the bottom of the screen, they are in the middle, able to move up and down and shoot left and right at attackers passing through the tunnels. In the early wave I tested, there were only two types of enemies, and only one of each on the screen at a time.
Thus Tunnels of Terror is less tumultuous than Turmoil, and the player can, in this early stage, carefully maneuver and shoot as needed. In the classic Turmoil, things were a bit more frantic, with more enemies on the screen.
Perhaps the tempo of Tunnels of Terror turns up in later waves; I was unable to test further due to family visiting (and occupying) our guest room where the Odyssey is hooked up.
The real simple test I have for these homebrew games is to ask myself “If this had been released by Odyssey in 1982, would I have been eager to get it?” Tunnels of Terror is a definite “yes” answer to that question.
No comments:
Post a Comment