Hello! I’m somewhere in the second half of the games of the original Atari 50 collection, and haven’t even thought about grabbing the first DLC. So to find we’ve reached the stage of the second DLC being announced has taken me by surprise, if I’m honest.
Plenty more to cover today, however, including a collection of classic Accolade sports titles and an interactive fiction game from 1980s Japan…
Table of Contents
Atari 50: The Anniversary Celebration expands with ‘The First Console War’ DLC
Get ready to dive deep into the early days of the video game console wars! Atari and Digital Eclipse have announced the second major expansion for Atari 50: The Anniversary Celebration, titled The First Console War.
This exciting DLC takes us back to the 1980s, when Atari faced its first major competitor: Mattel’s Intellivision. Through a series of video interviews with industry pioneers like Jane Terjung, David Crane, and Garry Kitchen, you’ll gain unique insights into the intense rivalry between these two gaming giants.
What’s Included in The First Console War DLC?
19 Additional Playable Games: Experience a wealth of classic titles, including Air Raiders, Armor Ambush, and rare gems like Swordfight and Anteater. Full list:
Air Raiders – 2600 M Network
Anteater – 2600 M Network (unreleased, based on Stern IP)
Armor Ambush – 2600 M Network
Astroblast – 2600 M Network
Frogs & Flies – 2600 M Network
International Soccer – 2600 M Network
Dark Cavern – 2600 M Network
Star Strike – 2600 M Network
Super Challenge Baseball – 2600 M Network
Super Challenge Football – 2600 M Network
Swordfight – 2600 M Network (rare, unreleased)
Sea Battle – 2600 M Network (rare, unreleased)
Tower of Mystery (unreleased prototype, recently rescued)
Video Pinball – 2600
Basketball – 2600
Hardball – Atari 8-bit (XE)
Final Legacy (prototype) – 5200
Xari Arena – Atari 8-bit
Desert Falcon – 7800
Historical Insights: Learn about the early days of the video game console market and the strategic moves made by Atari and Mattel.
Behind-the-Scenes Stories: Discover the untold tales of game development, marketing, and the challenges faced by both companies.
The First Console War offers a nostalgic journey through the golden age of gaming. You’ll witness the birth of iconic franchises, the rise of innovative game design, and the impact of technological advancements on the industry.
Release date and platforms
Release Date: November 8, 2023
Platforms: PC, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and Atari VCS (free update in early 2025)
A physical Atari 50: The Anniversary Celebration Expanded Edition will launch on November 8 for Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 5, featuring the base game and both DLCs. A limited Steelbook edition for Nintendo Switch will also be available.
Check your usual digital distribution platform for pricing. You should be able to purchase the DLC as a standalone, or with the original Atari 50 collection.
Accolade Sports Collection
Just announced this week is the Accolade Sports Collection from QUByte Interactive. This compilation for Steam, Switch, PS4/5 and Xbox features games like Summer Challenge, Winter Challenge, Hardball 1&2 and Hoops Shut Up and Jam!. It also delivers the expected quality of life improvements, such as save states, filters, manuals, and other content.
This has just been announced at the QUByte Connect 2024, so full details are yet to be confirmed.
Boulder Dash celebrates 40 years with a free demo ahead of the full game release
BBG Entertainment is thrilled to announce the upcoming release of Boulder Dash 40th Anniversary. This beloved 8-bit classic is making its triumphant return to modern platforms.
To whet your appetite, a free demo version of Boulder Dash 40th Anniversary will be available on Steam for PC and Mac in December 2024. This demo will offer a taste of the exciting new features and challenges that await players in the full game.
Full release in Q1 2025
The full game is scheduled for release in Q1 2025 on PC, Mac, Nintendo Switch, Xbox, and PlayStation consoles. It will feature over 80 new levels, as well as the original 60 levels from the classic Boulder Dash, Boulder Dash 2, and Boulder Dash 3. Additionally, the game will include the best levels submitted by the global Boulder Dash community.
To get involved and potentially have your levels featured in the game, there is also an official Boulder Dash Discord channel that you can join.
Get ready to relive the excitement of the original Boulder Dash and experience the future of this iconic franchise.
ROPOKO: classic interactive fiction game returns to the Sharp MZ-80K
Finally today, Tookato has announced the English release of ROPOKO, a modern interactive fiction game designed for the classic Sharp MZ-80K/700/800/1500 computer series. The game is now available on BOOTH, a popular Japanese distribution site.
I’ll be honest, I’d normally avoid a Japan-only retro release of something this obscure, but Sharp is a name that is familiar in the UK (not least as a former sponsor of Manchester United!) so I thought it might be of interest.
To cater to a wider audience, ROPOKO includes the MZ-700 emulator, MZ700WIN, enabling players unfamiliar with retro computers to easily enjoy the game. While digital downloads are currently available, Tookato plans to release cassette tape versions for authentic hardware experiences in the future.
In addition to the MZ-80K versions, ROPOKO will be making its way to modern platforms. Tookato/CyberFan is collaborating with Waku Waku Games to bring ROPOKO to Steam and Nintendo Switch. These versions will be adapted to suit the capabilities of these platforms, offering a fresh take on the classic game. Check out the website to order the came on cassette and to try the free demo.
If you’re a fan of interactive fiction or retro gaming, be sure to check out ROPOKO and experience a piece of gaming history.
Game over!
That’s all for today. I’m off to play the Atari 50 collection on my Switch and wonder how I can justify buying the DLC packs to my wife.
As ever, please continue to share our posts and newsletters to help reach more retro gamers. Until next time, take it easy!
Affiliate Disclosure: Some of the links in this post may be affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through those links. This comes at no extra cost to you. Thank you for your support!
Christian Cawley is a writer and editor who covers consumer electronics, IT, and entertainment media. He has written for publications such as Computer Weekly, Linux Format, MakeUseOf.com, and Tech Radar.
He also produces podcasts, has a cigar box guitar, and of course, loves retro gaming.
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