End the work week here with us at Hercules Workshop every Friday. We'll have some fun as we make Top Four Picks of interesting computer game programs. Join us as we give away very nice downloadable JPEG format desktop wallpapers and BIN files of the winning game programs.
You can download the computer emulator programs we use from our file server by clicking the below hyper-links.
Contact us at webmaster@herculesworkshop.net
Top 4 Activision game programs for the Atari Video Computer System
TOP_4_ACTIVISION_GAME_PROGRAMS.JPG
Downloadable Wallpaper
File Type: JPEG
Dimensions: 1920 x 1440
Size: 191 KB
Four really fun games from Activision for the Atari Video Computer System. Clockwise from the top, Enduro (1983), Keystone Kapers (1983), Pitfall (1982) and Laser Blast (1981). Enduro is one of the best auto racing game programs available for the Atari and I spent many hours playing this one Christmas with my brothers. Pitfall and Keystone Kapers are fun arcade platform style game programs that are easy to dump an evening on. Laser Blast is the only Activision game I ever earned a badge for, not sure if that's because it wasn't that hard or I was exceptionally good.
The wallpaper JPEG and four BIN files for these game programs are included bundled below in a ZIP archive.
Use an Atari VCS emulator like Stella to load these BIN files and run the game programs.
Game Programs,
Downloadable ZIP Archive
Size: 97.5 KB
Top 4 M Network game programs for the Atari Video Computer System
TOP_4_M_NETWORK_GAME_PROGRAMS.JPG
Downloadable Wallpaper
File Type: JPEG
Dimensions: 1920 x 1440
Size: 216 KB
M Network was owned by Mattel and used to release ported versions of their Intellivision programs. Although the Atari versions of their game programs tended to be dumbed down, I generally find them fun to play and these are more four favorites. All are arcade classics except one (although they weren't classics yet at the time just arcade games). Starting at the top left, first is BurgerTime [M Network, 1983]. Audio and game play is good but the program suffers with some of it's graphics, for example all the various components of your hamburgers look the same. Armor Ambush [M Network, 1982] is my number two. It's a great two player tank battle game similar to Combat [Atari, 1977] but with variable terrain and battle fields. My number three is Bump 'n' Jump [M Network, 1983]. This is a good little port of the arcade version and a lot of fun to play. My last pick is good old Lock 'n' Chase [M Network, 1982]. If you're a fan of the arcade version you won't be disappointed , a nice classic maze chase game.
The wallpaper JPEG and four BIN files for these game programs are included bundled below in a ZIP archive.
Use an Atari VCS emulator like Stella to load these BIN files and run the game programs.
Game Programs,
Downloadable ZIP Archive
Size: 113 KB
Top 4 racing game programs for the Atari Video Computer System
TOP_4_RACING_GAME_PROGRAMS.JPG
Downloadable Wallpaper
File Type: JPEG
Dimensions: 1920 x 1440
Size: 201 KB
This week we look at the top four auto racing games for the Atari Video Computer System, more commonly known as the 2600. In case you're wondering these rankings are my own based on how much I liked the games. Form the top left and first is Enduro [Activision, 1983]. This is a simple race against the clock through different road and weather conditions to pass enough cars before the clock runs out. Next is the arcade classic Pole Position [Atari, 1983], while lacking some of the game play of the arcade version it's well made for the 2600. Third is Indy 500 [Atari, 1977], this game uses the special driving controller that resembles the regular paddles but has full 360 degree movement. The Ice Track is especially fun with the driving controller. Number four my last pick is Grand Prix {Activision, 1982]. I didn't really like this game much back in the 80's, I didn't really start to enjoy it till I played it on my PSP when they included it on Activision Hits Remixed. Now I enjoy playing it on the Stella emulator.
The wallpaper JPEG and four BIN files for these game programs are included bundled below in a ZIP archive.
Use an Atari VCS emulator like Stella to load these BIN files and run the game programs.
Game Programs,
Downloadable ZIP Archive
Size: 128 KB
Top four Imagic Game Programs for the Atari Video Computer System
Upload date: Friday November 1, 2024
Downloadable Wallpaper
File Type: JPEG
Dimensions: 1906 x 1422
Size: 177 KB
Imagic was another game company founded by former Atari programmers. The company produced some really nice games, I haven't played them all but I've picked four of my favorites.
Clockwise from the top left on the above wallpaper. Cosmic Ark [Imagic 1982], nice classic arcade style game. Fight your way through to the planet and "beam-up" the colonists. Next we have Trick Shot [Imagic 1982], a fun electronic billiards game. Third is Star Voyager [Imagic 1982], a 3D space shootem-up. Finally this is one of my favorites, Atlantis [Imagic 1982]. An interesting and fun arcade style game, kind of a cross between Missle Command and Satan's Hollow.
The wallpaper JPEG and four BIN files for these game programs are included bundled below in a ZIP archive. Use an Atari VCS emulator like Stella to load these BIN files and run the game programs. You can download Stella from our file server at the following link. Emulator Program Links
Game Programs,
Downloadable ZIP Archive
Size: 111 KB
Top four Parker Brothers Game Programs for the Atari Video Computer System
Upload date: Friday November 8, 2024
Downloadable Wallpaper
File Type: JPEG
Dimensions: 1280 x 960
Size: 113 KB
The American toy maker Parker Brothers (I don't think they exist anymore) got into electronic gaming with electronic versions of it's popular board games. They also produced licensed versions of popular arcade games.
Clockwise from the top left on the above wallpaper. Frogger [Parker Brothers 1982], this was actually a very nice well done port of the arcade version. Next game is Popeye [Parker Brothers 1983], the graphics are far from the arcade version but the playability isn't. It's really authentic and arcade like fun, the Atari version reminds me more of the electonic handheld version from Nintendo than the arcade version. Third is Q*Bert [Parker Brothers 1983], this is another well done port of the arcade version. While I appreciate it I'm really not any better of a player with this home version than I am with the arcade version (I kind of stink on both). Finally a real fun port of the arcade favorite, Gyruss [Parker Brothers 1984]. If you liked playing Gyruss in the arcade then you'll love playing this at home, I can still pack away a couple hours on a Sunday afternoon enjoying this classic.
The wallpaper JPEG and four BIN files for these game programs are included bundled below in a ZIP archive. Use an Atari VCS emulator like Stella to load these BIN files and run the game programs. You can download Stella from our file server at the following link. Emulator Program Links
Game Programs,
Downloadable ZIP Archive
Size: 77.3 KB
Top Four SSI Game Programs for the Atari Home Computer System
Upload date: Friday November 15, 2024
Downloadable Wallpaper
File Type: JPEG
Dimensions: 1344 x 960
Size: 316 KB
When I was in high school I belonged to a club (basically the same guys who belonged to the Dungeons & Dragons and Chess clubs) that played hex strategy board games from companies like Avalon Hill and Victory Games. The first computer hex strategy board game I played was Knights of the Desert from SSI on my uncles Apple II+, I was so impressed I ran out and bought the Atari version.
Starting at the top left is a great game programmed in BASIC, Battle for Normandy [1982, SSI]. Moving clockwise is the very popular Kampfgruppe [1985, SSI], it was the Panzer General of it's time. Bottom left is the program that got me into computer strategy games, Knights of the Desert [1983, SSI] which was also written in BASIC, it may have even used the same engine or a very similar one as Battle for Normandy. The fourth and final pick is Operation Market Garden [1985, SSI]. I still like to play this one while watching the movie "A Bridge too Far".
The wallpaper JPEG and four ATR (Atari Disk Image Files) files for these game programs are included bundled below in a ZIP archive. Use an Atari emulator like Altirra to load these ATR files and run the game programs. You can download Altirra from our file server at the following link. Emulator Program Links
Game Programs,
Downloadable ZIP Archive
Size: 425 KB