CGC Round 10 core: Atari 800XL

[PistolsAtDawn]

atari800xl.jpg (104.27 KiB) Viewed 13291 times

Core info

The Atari 8-bit family is a series of 8-bit home computers introduced by Atari, Inc. in 1979 as the Atari 400 and Atari 800. The series was successively upgraded to Atari 1200XL , Atari 600XL, Atari 800XL, Atari 65XE, Atari 130XE, Atari 800XE, and Atari XEGS, the last discontinued in 1992. They differ primarily in packaging, each based on the MOS Technology 6502 CPU at 1.79 MHz and the same custom coprocessor chips. As the first home computer architecture with coprocessors, it has graphics and sound more advanced than most contemporary machines. Video games were a major draw, and first-person space combat simulator Star Raiders is considered the platform's killer app. The plug-and-play peripherals use the Atari SIO serial bus, with one developer eventually also co-patenting USB.

Wikipedia entry

Atari XL game footage

Please make your nominations (up to three) for games to add to our first list, and please second others' nominations as well.

When a week has passed, we will again make a game selection at random and begin playing!

Seconded games:
Boulder dash
Bruce lee
Star raiders 2
The Goonies
Star Quake
Rescue on Fractalus!
Yoomp!
Rainbow Walker
International Karate
Decathlon
Gateway to Apshai

[circletheory]

This was THE system of my childhood days (7-11 years old). My Atari 8-bit favorites are:
M.U.L.E., Bruce Lee, Conan, The Goonies, Karateka, Master of the Lamps, Beyond the Realm of Impossibility, and Ultima III Exodus. Some other titles that are worth mentioning: Raid Over Moscow, Beach Head II, War Games, Whistler's Brother, DROL, Rainbow Walker, and Electrician.

[PistolsAtDawn]

This was THE system of my childhood days (7-11 years old). My Atari 8-bit favorites are:
M.U.L.E., Bruce Lee, Conan, The Goonies, Karateka, Master of the Lamps, Beyond the Realm of Impossibility, and Ultima III Exodus. Some other titles that are worth mentioning: Raid Over Moscow, Beach Head II, War Games, Whistler's Brother, DROL, Rainbow Walker, and Electrician.

Nice! The previous random core was my childhood gaming machine.

Now the question is: which three of those games do you nominate?

[throAU]

A friend had an 800xl. Played it a fair bit.

Fave games:

Boulder dash
Bruce lee
Star raiders 2

[charmless]

Hmmm, I know nothing about the 800XL. Time for some research

[throAU]

Hmmm, I know nothing about the 800XL. Time for some research

Haha

Think c64 with arguably nicer graphics.

[charmless]

Hmmm, I know nothing about the 800XL. Time for some research

Haha

Think c64 with arguably nicer graphics.

Sweet. Managed to get a couple of games running. So, good first step.

[circletheory]

This was THE system of my childhood days (7-11 years old). My Atari 8-bit favorites are:
M.U.L.E., Bruce Lee, Conan, The Goonies, Karateka, Master of the Lamps, Beyond the Realm of Impossibility, and Ultima III Exodus. Some other titles that are worth mentioning: Raid Over Moscow, Beach Head II, War Games, Whistler's Brother, DROL, Rainbow Walker, and Electrician.

Nice! The previous random core was my childhood gaming machine.

Now the question is: which three of those games do you nominate?

So hard to choose, but I would say: MULE, Bruce Lee and The Goonies (with Conan being very close).

[charmless]

I'll second The Goonies and Bruce Lee.

[throAU]

Bruce Lee on the XL really is a classic.

other notable mentions from my memory that were great on the XL:

BallBlazer
Kick-Start
Pole Position


The XL basically had nicer colours than the c64. And various tricks to display more! Very, very impressive platform for 1979! SID sound on the 64 was amazing, but graphically the XL had a bunch of tricks up its sleeve.

[PistolsAtDawn]

It seems like there are SO MANY good games published for the Atari 8-bit family! After careful consideration, I nominate:

Star Quake
Rescue on Fractalus!
Yoomp!

This page helped me to decide

[charmless]

It seems like there are SO MANY good games published for the Atari 8-bit family! After careful consideration, I nominate:

Star Quake
Rescue on Fractalus!
Yoomp!

This page helped me to decide

I second all of them.

[PistolsAtDawn]

I second all of them.

Don't forget to make your own nominations! That last link below my nominations was very helpful (or the more comprehensive video in the OP).

A friend had an 800xl. Played it a fair bit.

Fave games:

Boulder dash
Bruce lee
Star raiders 2

Were these your three nominations? If so, I second all three! You can second other's nominations too if you'd like.

[charmless]

I thought I did...

My nominations:

Rainbow Walker
International Karate
Decathlon

I am definitely using my TAC-2 with this core. One of the best joysticks ever made

[Hetzen]

I'll nominate and second.

Star Raiders 2
Boulderdash
Bruce Lee

TAC-2 always thought that looked like a piece of art.

[PistolsAtDawn]

I thought I did...

My nominations:

Rainbow Walker
International Karate
Decathlon

I am definitely using my TAC-2 with this core. One of the best joysticks ever made

Second.

[throAU]

I second all of them.

Don't forget to make your own nominations! That last link below my nominations was very helpful (or the more comprehensive video in the OP).

A friend had an 800xl. Played it a fair bit.

Fave games:

Boulder dash
Bruce lee
Star raiders 2

Were these your three nominations? If so, I second all three! You can second other's nominations too if you'd like.

Yup, those were my most memorable nominations.

Worthy titles that I'd also consider:
Pole Position
Yar's Revenge

[mhartman]

Gateway to Apshai
International Karate Champ
Bruce Lee

[PistolsAtDawn]

Gateway to Apshai
International Karate Champ
Bruce Lee

I'll second Gateway to Apshai.

Bruce Lee and International Karate are already on our list (seconded). Do you want to nominate different games? I updated the OP with all of the games that are on our list.

[MrMister1985]

Wow! this has brought back memories as this was my 1st computer, loved the 800xl! I went thru so many Cheetah Joysticks on that computer & i think Decathlon was the reason why!!! lol

Don't think this has been mentioned yet but another couple of classic games on the system was...

Dropzone
Gauntlet

That might be the best version of Dropzone on the XL as well!

My 3 game choices are...

Boulder dash
Star raiders 2
Decathlon

Tons of other games i played on the system i just cant remember as it was so long ago! lol i think another one was in a Spitfire Plane but not sure on the name. Just great fun i had back in the 80s on this system!

[PistolsAtDawn]

Wow! this has brought back memories as this was my 1st computer, loved the 800xl! I went thru so many Cheetah Joysticks on that computer & i think Decathlon was the reason why!!! lol

Don't think this has been mentioned yet but another couple of classic games on the system was...

Dropzone
Gauntlet

That might be the best version of Dropzone on the XL as well!

My 3 game choices are...

Boulder dash
Star raiders 2
Decathlon

Tons of other games i played on the system i just cant remember as it was so long ago! lol i think another one was in a Spitfire Plane but not sure on the name. Just great fun i had back in the 80s on this system!

You still have two choices left since Boulder Dash and Star Raiders 2 we're already on the list of seconded nominations (see the OP for the rest). Did you want to nominate Dropzone and Gauntlet instead?

[MrMister1985]

You still have two choices left since Boulder Dash and Star Raiders 2 we're already on the list of seconded nominations (see the OP for the rest). Did you want to nominate Dropzone and Gauntlet instead?
[/quote]

Sorry for the late reply, but yea i would also deffo nominate...

Dropzone
Gauntlet

Cheers

[PistolsAtDawn]

You still have two choices left since Boulder Dash and Star Raiders 2 we're already on the list of seconded nominations (see the OP for the rest). Did you want to nominate Dropzone and Gauntlet instead?

Sorry for the late reply, but yea i would also deffo nominate...

Dropzone
Gauntlet

Cheers

That's okay. I'll put those on my personal list of games to try on the MiSTer!

Unfortunately I posted the random game already, but this is the reason that I brought up extending the nomination period to two weeks in the Structure & Feedback post topic.