Same here! It's so addicting and makes great use of the machine's capabilities. If you modify your 2600 to separate sound channels to stereo output, the result is AMAZING.
I had this game as a kid. I had no idea that was the story, as I only had the cart. I'm pretty sure I figured out somewhat how to play the game, but I don't recall getting too far in the game beyond defeating the first level. It was fun though.
This game is interesting--I never had it when I was a kid and assumed it was bad just because it looked so weird and ugly, like a programming accident. Only recently, with emulators, did I actually play it and realize it was actually a great game. A triumph of gameplay over visual design.
I loved space games on the Atari, but, I only "sorta liked" this game. I really do wish Star Castle would have come out on the 2600. That game was great.
Yars' Revenge is my favorite 2600 game. I was playing it when it first released, when I was a kid. And I still love it today! Just to note. It is first the red shield, then the purple, then grey and finally pink. As that is as far as I have ever gotten in the game. My high score is over 600k points and it took me close to 3 hours or so to achieve it. lol And yes it was on an original Atari 2600 with an actual joystick, as well as an actual CRT TV. Because that is the only way to play Atari.
@@atranfanatic Difficulty A means swirl is faster and your canon and the enemy missile will mutually destroy each other if it hits. Rebounding canon isn't bad in game 6 (but it can destroy you in game 4). I just read that you can catch it on the rebound for TRONS to reload the next canon. Pro: 100,000 Master: 230,000 Wizard: 500,000 I've made Pro, but can't get too far past 100K because the neutral zone disappears.
Yar's Revenge... It was a cool concept and fairly fun game back in the day... but I was over it in about two weeks and then only put it on occasionally.
Atari Logbook Challenge: play game 6 on difficulty A: Pro (Honorable Scout): 100,000 Master (Yar Avenger): 230,000 Wizard (Yar General): 500,000 My best is 172,789 and I think I lost a couple times because I was on the vertical line that triggered the Easter Egg, which ended the game and really put me off (no swearing). I endeavored to hit the Qotile in mid-air to get more points and an extra life. The rules say at 70,000 the enemy's shield turns blue and the swirl triples in frequency. I didn't see it in the manual, this video or comments, but I think the neutral zone goes away at 100,000, making it very difficult. At 150,000 the swirl returns to normal is said to remain in mid-air to hit you, and the enemy shield turns grey. At 230,000 the manual says the swirl triples in frequency and enemy shield turns pink.
I bought this cartridge back around 1982/3 and, people who first saw it or never played it described it as anything from 'weird' to 'dumb'. The fact remains this game is both unusual and unique among the original releases by Atari for the 2600. I have scored over a million points when I developed the strategy. It is a game that will requires sharp senses and concentration because of both the swirl and the pursuit of the destroyer missile. The neutral zone is one of the other interesting features of the game as well as the screen that pops up with the score after the Qotile or swirl is successfully destroyed. I still have my old 2600 system and this game in the original box. Forty years later, I have no regrets about purchasing this game.
@@sandal_thong8631 That's the variation and difficulty level at which I played. The key to surviving is utilizing the vertical wraparound feature of the play area on the screen.
Agree that it's a 2600 classic and it ain't bad, but imho overrated, mostly because it becomes extremely repetitive after some time. Some more random elements (like the saucers in asteroids) and it could have been the classic everybody says it is. (No it's not a bad game, I didn't say that. It's imho just not as good as everybody says it is, just like ET is not as bad as everybody says, although ET is certainly bad).
A classic. First game with a pause in it, had an Easter egg- hsw, came with a cool comic book, and really fun to play for 30+ years and counting
I tried to increase my high score, but I kept hitting the line that triggers the Easter Egg which ended my game.
Superman had a pause feature, by pressing game select.
@sandal_thong8631 i have to check this out.
One of the very best Atari games.
Yar's is definitely in my top five.
yep
Yar's is my favorite Atari game. Thanks for the great review. Keep trying and you'll get to see the pink shields.
You're welcome!
Same here! It's so addicting and makes great use of the machine's capabilities. If you modify your 2600 to separate sound channels to stereo output, the result is AMAZING.
I had this game as a kid. I had no idea that was the story, as I only had the cart. I'm pretty sure I figured out somewhat how to play the game, but I don't recall getting too far in the game beyond defeating the first level. It was fun though.
LOL, "Atari Red" uses the Star Trek TNG font. How many kids in 1987 thought this was Tasha Yar battling a big glop of oil?
That latter-era maroon cartridge, was it a deliberate choice to use the Star Trek TNG font? 🤣
Definitely fun. Took me a while to figure out how to play it as by the time they were passed to me the boxes and booklets were long gone.
This game is interesting--I never had it when I was a kid and assumed it was bad just because it looked so weird and ugly, like a programming accident. Only recently, with emulators, did I actually play it and realize it was actually a great game. A triumph of gameplay over visual design.
Amazing is the only word I can think of for this one! Great video!
It's a great game!
Thanks creep!
Great classic game :) You said it was 4th but put it in 3rd on the list.
Dooooh! You're right! My mistake. Guess that's a sign I've been working too hard on making videos lately, lol.
I loved space games on the Atari, but, I only "sorta liked" this game. I really do wish Star Castle would have come out on the 2600. That game was great.
Yars' Revenge is my favorite 2600 game. I was playing it when it first released, when I was a kid. And I still love it today! Just to note. It is first the red shield, then the purple, then grey and finally pink. As that is as far as I have ever gotten in the game. My high score is over 600k points and it took me close to 3 hours or so to achieve it. lol And yes it was on an original Atari 2600 with an actual joystick, as well as an actual CRT TV. Because that is the only way to play Atari.
Try to get 100k on game 6, difficulty A, which is the logbook challenge, and other goals I will post.
@@sandal_thong8631 You mean by using select game? I'll look into that. Is it where the cannon richochets back to you?
@@atranfanatic I don't have that handy. I just know it's really hard.
@@atranfanatic Difficulty A means swirl is faster and your canon and the enemy missile will mutually destroy each other if it hits. Rebounding canon isn't bad in game 6 (but it can destroy you in game 4). I just read that you can catch it on the rebound for TRONS to reload the next canon.
Pro: 100,000
Master: 230,000
Wizard: 500,000
I've made Pro, but can't get too far past 100K because the neutral zone disappears.
use to own that game Years back.. was a cool game
Great review!
Knew this was going into your Top 5 before watching the review.
Yar's Revenge... It was a cool concept and fairly fun game back in the day... but I was over it in about two weeks and then only put it on occasionally.
Such a great game... but that annoying missile !!!
Atari Logbook Challenge: play game 6 on difficulty A:
Pro (Honorable Scout): 100,000
Master (Yar Avenger): 230,000
Wizard (Yar General): 500,000
My best is 172,789 and I think I lost a couple times because I was on the vertical line that triggered the Easter Egg, which ended the game and really put me off (no swearing). I endeavored to hit the Qotile in mid-air to get more points and an extra life.
The rules say at 70,000 the enemy's shield turns blue and the swirl triples in frequency. I didn't see it in the manual, this video or comments, but I think the neutral zone goes away at 100,000, making it very difficult. At 150,000 the swirl returns to normal is said to remain in mid-air to hit you, and the enemy shield turns grey. At 230,000 the manual says the swirl triples in frequency and enemy shield turns pink.
He misspoke in this video: Yars' Revenge is ranked 3, not 4 (out of 115?) and is currently still 3/261.
I bought this cartridge back around 1982/3 and, people who first saw it or never played it described it as anything from 'weird' to 'dumb'.
The fact remains this game is both unusual and unique among the original releases by Atari for the 2600. I have scored over a million points when I developed the strategy.
It is a game that will requires sharp senses and concentration because of both the swirl and the pursuit of the destroyer missile. The neutral zone is one of the other interesting features of the game as well as the screen that pops up with the score after the Qotile or swirl is successfully destroyed.
I still have my old 2600 system and this game in the original box. Forty years later, I have no regrets about purchasing this game.
Try again on game 6, difficulty A. That's the logbook challenge to make 100,000 then 230,000 then 500,000. I've only beaten the first.
@@sandal_thong8631 That's the variation and difficulty level at which I played. The key to surviving is utilizing the vertical wraparound feature of the play area on the screen.
@@FischerFan You're an expert then. Last game I kept walking into the destroyer missile.
We are getting a pretty cool revival in the form of A Metroidvania made by WAYFORWARD! :D
Nice review Phil! I own a copy of this one myself. It's a true classic. Including a recommendation, and a link to your video on my review video.
I know I'm in the minority, but I've never really liked this game that much. I don't think it's a bad game, I just find it kinda boring.
Top three favourite game for me.
Challenge Accepted!
I like Yar a lot, but it’s not my favourite.
Agree that it's a 2600 classic and it ain't bad, but imho overrated, mostly because it becomes extremely repetitive after some time. Some more random elements (like the saucers in asteroids) and it could have been the classic everybody says it is. (No it's not a bad game, I didn't say that. It's imho just not as good as everybody says it is, just like ET is not as bad as everybody says, although ET is certainly bad).
Ice scraper?
Not fly swatter?