Page 21 - OSG Presents Classic Gamer Magazine #5

more, but the eye can't easily dis-
ASTEROIDS DELUXE cern that they are separate from
(1980 Atari) the backdrop. So, Atari was able to
Another game that create a very convincing illusion of
deserves similar ap- depth in only two feet of cabinet
preciation is Atari's space.
ASTEROIDS DE- As you willingly invest a quarter,
LUXE. This 1980 fol- the game's brilliant white vector
low up to the original graphics glow from nowhere onto
1979 top seller added this awesome spacescape. The
some additional en- video rocks and ships appear to
emy spaceships, float amongst the backdrop in a
replaced stellar ballet of video bliss. But
"hyperspace" with a now the action slowly speeds up;
shield option, and from four rocks have sprung eight,
generally sped the action up. But the backdrop and mirror concept and now sixteen as you desper-
perhaps the most impressive en- from Space Invaders, we see a ately fight for maneuvering room!
hancement over the earlier game gorgeously detailed close up of the The alien saucers glide onto the
was its absolutely beautiful cabinet asteroid field and the dark shadows scene, with a haunting echo as-
design. Looking at the side art re- that fall over their craggy surfaces. saulting your ears from the speak-
veals a battle worn star cruiser, The space cruiser
with its two rear mounted engines can be observed in
belching out fire as it barrels into a striking detail, as we
deadly asteroid field. The asteroids can almost count the
narrowly miss the cruiser as we rivets in each heat
see the deep craters and jagged shield panel on its
edges of these giant hunks of cos- enormous frame. But
mic rock. The cruiser's powerful wait, is that a trick of
laser cannons, one affixed to the the eye, or is that
outer edge of each wing, pummel space cruiser in 3-D?
their target and send one of the Doing a double take,
meteors erupting in an explosion of you notice several of
light, rock, and tremendous heat. the asteroids them-
The asteroids arc off into the dis- selves appear to roll
tance, indicating the long outward toward you.
dangerous highway the And the alienships?
space cruiser has One of those ap-
to navigate. Two pears a little too real
alien spacecraft for your liking as well. How exactly ers. You are beset on all sides by
hover menacingly did they pull that off? danger, and worst of all, your
nearby, ready to The artistic geniuses shield is almost
attack the cruiser at Atari designed the COMPLETELY EXTINGUISHED!
at a moment's no- interior of the cabinet Your tendons tense as you rapidly
tice. Their powerful in a very clever way. tap the fire button to clear a safe
automatic cannons The bulk of the aster- path through. You rotate and retro-
have sent many an oid field is a card- thrust so as to "put on the brakes,"
innocent craft into a board cut out that and send a laser blast screaming
frigid sleep in deep wraps around the inte- towards the alien saucer. A DI-
space, and they fully rior of the cabinet. RECT HIT and it's deep explosion
intend to add your Black light falls on this sounds in your ears! You take a
space cruiser to the artwork and creates well deserved deep breath. Your
list. Galaxies, cosmic the cosmic back- cruiser is safe. For the moment.
gases, and an eerie cres- ground. But the 3-D
cent moon complete the effects? The cruiser,
scene that succeeds in those particular aster-
instantly transporting the oids, and the alien Coming Next Issue:
observer into the ship are all cut outs as Ode to Arcade Art:
reaches of deep space. well, but are spaced Cosmic Scenes—Gorf,
Looking in at the slightly closer to the Star Castle, Star Wars,
screen on the front of the eye than the backdrop Vanguard
cabinet may just take is. The black light illu-
your breath away. Using minates them slightly

Classic Gamer Magazine December 2000 21