u/theatarigeek

The Atari ST version of Lemmings set a high standard for early gaming. Combining great graphics, complex gameplay and 30 levels (each with 4 levels of difficulty) it challenged even seasoned gamers.

The goal of the game is to guide the Lemmings from their starting point so they arrive safely at the destination. Of course, there are varying pathways and hazards that make this a not-so-easy tasks.

Each level also allows only certain skills to be assigned to each Lemming so they can safely find their way home.

Links in the video description for Atari ST & other system versions

Core Design's Frenetic is probably the most intense vertical scrolling game I've ever seen! You're in a ship, flying up into combat. Each level has a series of enemies culminating in a fight with a boss.

There are 8 levels of varying complexity and methods to overcome your adversaries. You begin with 5 lives, but you'll probably need a lot more. Fortunately, this version has a welcome screen where you can enable unlimited lives!

After you beat the level's boss you are sent to the next level. There are several strategies but having quick reflexes is the most important one.

The game you can't beat! The idea is to locate each number from 1-50. Sounds simple, huh? The game generates a random playfield with 50 boxes. Inside each box is a number. A number from one to 50. Once you locate it, all you have to do is click within that box and move on to the next box containing the next number. Repeat as fast as you can before time runs out.

Understand though, the counter that counts down from 500, isn't seconds. You actually have only 90 seconds to find each number and click on the box. So that's 1.8 seconds per number. For each game, the number is in a different size and shaped box, so it's not simple by any means.

Once you are done it lets you know your score and if it is high enough, you can enter your initials, and it will add your score to the list. But your score has to be within the top five scores.

Chuck Rock is a great example of graphics and game integration for the Atari ST. Not only does it have an engaging intro, but the actual gameplay graphics are also far above most.

No pixelated images, flashing image generation. Just smooth scrolling game backgrounds with an engaging player image. No, Chuck can't compare with today's hi resolution game characters, but his movements and action related images make the game the cartoonish gem that it is.

Here's the third video in my game of the week series. It's intended to help you configure your Atari ST emulator to successfully run and play certain games. This week, it's a genuine classic - Lode Runner. It has been tested on both the STeem and Hatari emulators. The same specifications for the game should work on either.

The download links for game binaries (Floppy and HD versions) and instructional PDFs are in the description of the video.

Donkey Kong is a 1981 arcade video game developed and published by Nintendo. As Mario, the player runs and jumps on platforms and climbs ladders to ascend a construction site and rescue Pauline from the titular giant gorilla. It is the first game in the Donkey Kong series as well as Mario's first appearance in a video game.

Download the Stella Emulator for the Atari 2600 console
https://stella-emu.github.io/downloads.html

Download Donkey Kong for the Atari 2600 console:
https://www.atarimania.com/pgedump.awp?id=8256

Play Donkey Kong online:
https://atarionline.org/atari-2600/donkey-kong

Here's the original 1989 Cubase instructional demo from Steinberg. It covers some of the original functions, explaining how to use the GUI interface during music creation.

Does your visualization match?

Real game text:

You are in the living room. There is a doorway to the east. To the west is an old wooden door, above which is some strange gothic lettering, a trophy case, and a rug lying beside an open trap door. Your collection of treasures consists of:

• A crystal trident
• A trunk of jewels
• A platinum bar
• A painting
• A leather bag of coins

DOWN

Prompt used:

In an old cottage's dimly lit living room with pale yellow walls there is a large, wide trophy case filled with treasures including a crystal trident, a trunk of jewels, a platinum bar, a painting and a leather bag of coins The wooden floor has an open trap door leading into darkness. A man with a slightly stubble bearded face, dressed in metal armor and helmet, carrying an ancient sword in his hand, steps down into the trap door and disappears from sight. He reappears at the bottom of the stairs in a dimly lit cellar with rock walls and a dirt floor. The sword in his hand begins to glow slightly

Whether you're using a real Atari ST or an emulator, here's the setup for your files and desktop so you can run most Infocom text adventure from one desktop screen. You can also use the same techniques for other graphical desktop systems allowing you to easily run your favorite infocom title.

Since I haven't had my real Atari hardware for decades now, I rely on emulators to relive those days. In this video, I use the STeem emulator, but the same organization and settings can be used with the Hatari emulator as well.

The video is divided into several sections. First the hardware settings for the emulator or system. Next the file structure. Then tying the two together.

A few game tips follow. Not walkthroughs, but a couple of general suggestions to help you complete your adventures.

Lastly, a short list of sites where you can find ST (or other system) formats for Infocom games.