This is the new best version of Atari's Star Raiders.
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 13 พ.ย. 2022
- Star Raiders for Atari 8-bit and Atari 5200 is one of the finest games ever created. How do you improve on perfection? With just a few little bells and whistles and a sublime control scheme. Well, that's what Digital Eclipse did with the enhanced version of this classic featured in Atari 50: The Anniversary Celebration, anyway. And it is, as the kids say, a right banger.
- เกม
Best game ever! My older brother would play this and I would pretend we were in a ship and I would build a blanket fort/space ship and when we would take hits and lose a gun I would be "damage control" and I would toss a couple pillows at the ship and repair it while brother was still playing. He was the captain and I was the engineer. I was a few years old when playing this in the early 80s so I didn't mind if my older brother was the captain. Great times though, and this was our favorite game on the 2600 by far.
That’s really cool; my friends and I used to pretend to be starship captains on recess, and our enemies were called Zylons.
This game was absolutely impressive especially for being a pre 80’s game. Will forever have fond memories of this as a kid
It's amazing how far modernising a control set up actually goes in helping make it more approachable for folks, and I'm hoping that it inspires those who've never tried Star Raiders to give it a shot should they pick it up. With the number of incidents coming out of Hyperspace, I could only think of Alan Rickman's line from Galaxy Quest - "You broke the bloody ship!"
And honestly? I'd kill to see more classics reworked in this way for modern players to enjoy - and I love that Digital Eclipse have been doing it for the last few collections too.
Rescue on Fractalus was the ultimate Atari 800XL era killer app, especially in 1985 when they were stock dumped to £99 in the UK. Star Raiders was definitely a killer app for the original Atari 400/800 CTIA based 1979-1981 based systems and beyond though. Star Raiders is also an Atari exclusive, there is nothing remotely as good on rival consoles/micros and it was on every Atari system except the 7800. I had it for the VCS.
I played this as a kid and completely forgot the name of the game. Glad to find it again.
I first started Star Raiders on the brand new Atari 400 computer. I don't brag about ANY game playing abilities because 8 years olds would stand next to me in the arcades, blast across the Asteroid game screen, stop on a dime and obliterate everything in sight while my mouth was still hanging open thinking.... WTF !!
BUT, Star Raiders ? I would warp into sectors, in Warrior mode and literally obliterate aliens as I'm coming down from warp speed and the were going by...... I would totally lay into those babies.... and NO ONE was going to take out a Star Base while I was flying........ those were the days - LoL
Oh, and after I modified the Atari 400 with more memory and a full-stroke keyboard (instead of that flat panel job) things REALLY picked up. They didn't call me Warrior for nuttin ! - LoL I LOVED this game..... and so did EVERY friend that came over to try it 😜
The most impressive thing that had me hooked was the ship debris that you pass through with your ship and can even see this debris passing you by when looking behind. When launched, there was no other game that remotely came close to this.
Everything slowing down when an explosion happened in 3D space may have been a necessity, but it had the added effect of giving that slow-mo action point often used in cinema and sport.
Yeah, I always rather liked it!
Late to this video, but many thanks for creating and posting it. I had no idea there was an enhanced version of this game on the Atari 50th Anniversary compilation, very happy to have found your video! This will be the first game I'll play in 2024.
Star Raiders was one of the best games ever!
This game is a great revival. Want to play it
I loved this as a kid but didn't quite grasp it fully, luckily, my dad was ace and I was happy watching. The sound effects bring back memories that's.for sure, glad they were kept original.
This for me was part of Atari’s renaissance. Right before the NES came out, there seemed to be a handful of games that were a bit deeper than the late 70’s stuff. I loved this game! That it came in a box with a keypad just made it that much better.
This game actually came out on the Atari 400/800 computers in 1979. The VCS and 5200 ports came along later. This version doesn't look much different to that original one, other than the modernised controls and side panel displays.
hehe this was pretty much a launch game in 1979 and a system seller!
Best game ever! My older brother would play this and I would pretend we were in a ship and I would build a blanket fort/space ship and when we would take hits and lose a gun I would be "damage control" and I would toss a couple pillows at the ship and repair it while brother was still playing. He was the captain and I was the engineer. I was a few years old when playing this in the early 80s so I didn't mind if my older brother was the captain. Great times though, and this was our favorite game on the 2600 by far.
@@gertpacu3926 Lol that's hilarious I love it! It reminds me when Tie Fighter first came out in 1994 with the plethora of controls. My friends and I would team up - one person would be the pilot while the other would be the co-pilot and get the keyboard to manage shields, lasers, tracking, etc. Any game that can get people to team up like that is hella fun.
When I saw there were only 4 computer games on the Atari 50 collection, and none of them were the original Star Raiders, I was a bit disappointed, but this is an interesting alternative!
I never cared for Star Raiders - I was more a fan of Starmaster - but THIS version gets everything right.
Star raiders... Always struggled to get into it. Finally "clicked" for me with this version and it's controls. Finally beat the Novice mission and got a rank of garbage scow captain. We take those.
*its (possessive)
it's = contraction of "it is" or "it has"
All contractions have apostrophes. Possessive pronouns never do.
@@alvallac2171 Thanks dad.
I never played this game, but I played Solaris for years as a kid.
I would never have play this until seeing your video. Now I have to pop the disc in. Thanks!
*played
That's cool, didn't know they did that for the collection version.
7:20 I don't know why a guy belching in a small screen is funny to me 😆 😂 🤣 😅 😄 thank Rich from Review Tech USA
Just keeping it real. *burrp*
This has got to be a world record for the number of photon torpedo launchers destroyed in one playthrough
I know, right? So upsetting!
The ships in the Warrior and Commander levels were apparently built by the lowest bidders.
Loved your review and video. Got this when I was 9 in 1980, played this with my dad on the Atari 800, being his co-pilot in space was one of my favorite memories. This Atari 50 version was a great surprise as I had expected to dislike any attempt to improve. I do hit more asteroids coming out of hyperspace. Does anyone know if they changed the odds of hitting several asteroids in a row on this version? Thanks Pete!
I have been splitting my time on the Atari 50 Collection between this, Solaris, and Miner 2049er. It is a great port and I like how the controls are mapped to my controller. I think one of my proudest gaming moments was beating it on Commander level.
Oh, and forgive me for any breach of TH-cam etiquette, but I got my own channel up and running on a different account. My decision to start this channel was inspired in part by my enjoyment of your videos, and it would be an honor to have you check my stuff out. Anyway, I do apologize again for any breach of good etiquette here.
@@DownHomeGamer No breach of etiquette here as far as I'm concerned! I'm happy to hear that the stuff I've done has inspired you to give it a go yourself!
This is my new TH-cam channel.
I tried this game on Commander difficulty. The ship's components break pretty much every time you're hit and the fighters spam torpedoes at you at close range. How I managed to beat it at ten years old I can't imagine.
Star Raiders was WAY ahead of its time for being on an Atari system. Unlike the regular "score" based games, this one had a lot of dynamic encounters and just being able to nav on a map and use hypserspace, repair your ship landing on space stations (also defending them) etc. was absolutely amazing for the time!
Not to mention if you didn't aim your hyperspace jump correctly you could end up in a neighboring sector instead (and with limited fuel this could cause problems or you could manually fly to the neighboring sector if you had the patience). The fact they got little details like this with so little memory is just superb compared to other games at the time. You could even use the AFT view to make sure you weren't getting lit up from behind. Of course if ALL space stations were destroyed you would inevitably run out of fuel and the game would end. But if you were good you could play for HOURS.
The only major block was the 5200 controllers where the side buttons (for firing photons) would wear out to where you had to have a strong monkey grip just to fire. If it wasn't for those controllers having problems I think it would've been even more popular.
Good video
I cannot wait to try it out! I bought the Switch and PS4 versions of the Atari 50th Anniversary. There are so many good games but this one is a must! I really loved the Atari 2600 version when I was a kid.
Is this actually available for ps4 and if so how do I get?
Hi Pete. This looks great! I remember playing the original somewhere...maybe in a shop in about 1980. I like the way this version fuses the old with the new and the fact that it still looks good, even after all these years! Now if I can just locate a PC version...
Atari 50, which is the compilation this is from, is on Steam :)
@@ThisIsPete Sorry for my late response. Many thanks for letting me know. I now have a copy. Thanks again
0:47 FUN !! Using a mainframe for Star Trek games, well, good for them.
i'm surprised i keep comin back to this video. I first played this game on the Atari 50 comp and man it opened my eyes. This was like, the most popular atari computer game for basically half a decade or so? Now its totally forgotten. Even people I see reviewing old console games play the many clones of this game dont even bring up Star Raiders.
Its just like, one of the best games of the last century and its just GONE from peoples memory. God damn.
I play this on 130 XE (original cartridge) never gets old
1:00 Trek80 on the Sol Terminal was the best version of the Star Trek game I've seen to date. Sooo many options and features.
Didn’t know this was a thing. Guess I’ll be buying Atari 50
looks awesome. Am well keen to get the Atari 50 pack but think I might have to wait until the price comes down a bit first though 🤘👽🤘
This looks really good. I'm a bit strapped for cash right now, so no buying games for a while, but I will definitely pick up this collection at some point. I didn't realize they were including enhancements for the games like that. If it does well for them, it would be cool if they could somehow expand on it, include more games, or just do a sequel collection...it stings not having stuff like Battle Zone or licensed games like Star Wars and Alien vs. Predator in there.
Sadly, Atari sold the Battlezone IP off years ago when they needed a quick cash infusion. AvP would have been neat, but I guess that would have to go through Disney and Rebellion.
Boy are the enemies more nimble on Warrior. I did Commander with Star Commander Class 1 rank multiple times. I doubt I could do it on this version.
I'm surprised you didn't fire your photons more, especially coming out of hyperspace. That was one of the techniques I used when I played this on my dad's 5200. Constantly firing photons usually resulted in not being hit by an asteroid and, ocassionally, would result in a random hit on an enemy ship.
And use that tracking computer. 8)
i used to play this game in the hardest mode without shields, computer , that was the only way to be star commander class 1
4:08 Umm, the basestar's identical appearance was totally coincidental.
-nods.
at one point in time I had heard there was an easter egg in the form of an asteroid field, but I haven't been able to find anything about it since. do any of you know of such a thing?
Galactic Cook is a bit harsh! That looks good that... although you had a LOT of bad luck with the asteroids as soon as you left hyperspace!
Imagine missions inbetween maps that upgrade systems with new tech.
One of my favorite games, and for the most part, they did an excellent job on it, the control scheme is brilliant, the new overlay is great and the different modes/speed hacks are fun to play with. However - in the Warrior and Commander modes, near the end levels, they have literally broken the game. You attract meteors like a magnet, coming out of hyperspace, you'll slam into 3 in a row, your ship is consistently damaged, it's very aggravating and definitely a bug. It doesn't kick in until the last 7 enemies or so are left on the map, then it's just pure hell. I really hope they address this because it is a great port, but it's badly broken.
You need the tracking computer on (not sure if this is part if the 5200 port). If not available, look at rsnge, if nagative, they're behind you. (Update looks like you used aft after 20:00).
Have you ever played space partners on the intelligent?😅 and Has star reader got an ending to the game? And voice be added to it
I have an original "Star Raider" (no "s") cartridge & box purchased for my Atari 400 long ago. I wonder if it's worth anything?
there is a modded version for the atari xl that has no slow down
8:51 "Before we do anything, we die from flying around in space without shields, hitting an asteroid."
One more garbage scow captain to go. (I prefer the cook, since than at least it says I can do something right.)
I loved Star Raiders and wasted a lot of my time on it. I have an original Atari 800. Unfortunately it no longer works and if it did I have no way to display the video on my modern LCD monitor.
huh.....man the SFX were WAY better on my Coleco with the Atari adaptor back in the day. Spent SO many hours on this game :) My problem was the Coleco controllers were always busted so I never had the option to use things like menu items. Just had to fly around and shoost stuff. Got pretty good, could bullseye most things with one or two shots after a year or two :)
The original 1979 version for Atari 400/800 had really great sound effects. I suspect some of the loss of quality is due to this particular audio capture and and subsequent TH-cam conversion. The game really was ahead of its time in 1979 and early '80s.
Star Raiders is a classic and cool game. But, gotta say, I really like the simplicity of Star Luster on the NES as I think that is captures the Star Raiders essence but distills it down to a really better base comprehension. Not saying it is better or anything, but just it is a bit more approachable imo. Haven't played a whole lot of other Star Raiders clones, so need to give something like Star Master on the 2600 a go. However, great video as always and hope you are feeling and doing lots better.
10:41 And yet, despite ur PESCLR already looking a bit on fire, the OV, well not nearly
as forgiving, there the shields were usually one of the first to go, but maybe it's because
ur playing on warrior, instead of commander.
BBC elite
One of the very few mistakes made by the programmer of Star Raiders was to render the destroyed enemy's particle effects in full 3D along with the ships themselves, so suddenly there are effectively a couple of dozen 'ships' on screen requiring calculation which brought the poor 6502 to it's knees for a few seconds. If they had only done the particle effects of destroyed ships in 2d it would not have made enough graphical difference to notice but wouldn't have caused the massive slowdown that happened every time you blew up an enemy ship. Overclocking the whole game dosen't really fix the initial problem but it's the best that could be done. Great video thanks for posting it!
Also, the cartridge version was a bit more nasty, if this is the 'toned down' version.
Neigh on impossibe to reach the most coveted SC-1 ranking.
I mean really, like 100's of Star Commander 2,3,4 and 5's, and yet after literally
zounds of hours, finally SC-1.
The PESCLR tree lighting up, signalling yet another doomed to not succeed getting it, ugh.
The toned down version, if that is what I saw in other vid's on youtube, well,
a mere 290 endscore yielding SC-1, yuck.
Star Master was better. 👍🏻
Them's fighting words.
the original Star Raiders game was much better than this
This *is* the original Star Raiders game!
Really? I had the original 1979 version on my Atari 400 and later 800XL, and it looks just like this, apart from the extra side panels. The gameplay is identical.
@@another3997 Atari 50 added those side bar stuff (which you can turn on and off). It's a good way to ease people in to understand what's happening in the game. Thankfully, for the "pure" experience, they can be turned off. :)
If you're going to make a video on Star Raiders, you'd think you could at least be bothered to set the emulator's palette so the shields are the correct blue instead of green.
Green is correct for PAL systems, which is where I played the game in childhood, as should be abundantly clear from my voice. Less of the snark next time, please. Thank you.
This may seem like a small thing, but the fact that they felt the need to print a message at the bottom of the map screen telling you what to press to warp, pisses me off. Why? Because it says that the developers thought players would be too stupid to remember the controls without help. This attitude plagues most modern games. Honestly, if today's gamers really need this level of help to remember the controls in a video game, it's a wonder that they remember how to breathe on their own.
Do real world light switches have instructions on them? Are there usage instructions on doors? Do refrigerators have PULL TO OPEN printed on their doors? Then why must all modern video games be stuck in permanent tutorial mode, telling you what button to press for every action? Many of them go even further telling you what action to take in any given situation, showing you what objects you can interact with, where to stand, etc. It's like the games are designed for drooling morons who need help figuring out how to put on a pair of slippers.
I agree to a point, but to be fair, many games have totally different control layouts. On any platform, swapping between games can be a nightmare until you're muscle memory adapts to the control scheme. Not every game is configurable either. And how DO you put a pair of slippers on? 😉
Disappointing. They could have done so much to update it.
But then it wouldn't have been the Star Raiders that people remember playing all those years ago. There's a ton of similar style games for newer computers, with better graphics etc, like Wing Commander et al. Remakes are fine, if there's nothing lost in translation, but unfortunately that is rarely the case. Adapting it for modern controllers was a good idea, but glad they left the game itself alone.
@@another3997gotta agree. I like my old games that play like old games to look like them.
I played one of the remasters of some PS2 game for the ps5 recently and was like "why does it feel like this?" as my character had the most floaty jump I've felt in a while. Bet it wouldn't feel so weird with the old graphics.