• Hey, guest user. Hope you're enjoying GameParadise! Have you considered registering for an account? Come join us and add your take to the daily discourse.

Mini Review Atari 50: The Wider World Of Atari (Switch)

We suspect that once the second DLC pack launches in November, the overall Atari 50: The Anniversary Celebration Expanded Edition package will stand as the final word on interactive documentaries in the video game space.
 
 

Official Review

356e2d61c82d74def363599a1c8870c3b75e61ee4d593656d03430572832404a.jpg

Dubbed The Wider World of Atari, this first entry in what will ultimately be a two-part DLC expansion for Atari 50: The Anniversary Celebration is essentially developer Digital Eclipse digging even deeper into the Atari vaults. The result is a new timeline that, while possibly not as cohesive as those found in the main game, is nevertheless essential for anyone curious about video game history.

Backed up by 19 additional games, the new timeline includes interviews from a wide range of industry figures, including current Atari CEO Wade Rosen, Pong creator Al Alcorn, graphic designer Evelyn Seto, and many more. Seto in particular is given her own segment looking at the creation and evolution of the iconic Atari 'Fuji' logo along with her contribution to the packaging designs for the VCS systems.

At the time, Atari wanted to capitalize on the popularity of Star Wars and so instructed Seto to lean into a 'space-age' vibe with her designs. Hearing this and seeing the accompanying box designs in the timeline with their grey, metallic aesthetics really makes you appreciate the thinking, even if the designs seem outdated by today's standards.

1727796350068.png

The games themselves are curious oddities that we suspect more casual Atari fans probably haven't heard of. These include titles exclusive to the retailer Sears during the '80s, along with arcade cabinets such as Avalanche, Super Bug, and Skydiver. Naturally, a few of these haven't aged particularly well, but we were surprised to find that many hold up. Avalanche in particular, which has you 'catching' falling rocks while white noise progressively increases in volume, is outrageously addictive.

You might remember that Digital Eclipse released a selection of games via a free update in 2023; several of which were developed by homebrew programmers. These titles, including Adventure II and Return to Haunted House, are also featured in the new timeline along with a video looking at the genesis of Atari homebrews and the fabled 'Stella List,' a collection of enthusiast 2600 programmers. We've got further contributions here from Digital Eclipse's own Mike Mika, along with AtariAge's community manager Albert Yarusso, and homebrew developer Dennis Debro (Climber 5).

Arguably, however, it's Alan McNeil's Berzerk that gets the most love in the DLC. The new timeline dives into the creation of the game along with its many ports, while also offering access to the original arcade release, the 2600 and 5200 ports, and the newly-released 'voice-enhanced' 2600 version from Mike Mika. Oh, and you also get the direct arcade sequel, Frenzy.

All in all, while the new timeline jumps around and doesn't boast the same natural sense of progression as the main game, what you're getting here is still well worth perusing if you're interested in discovering more about this formative company and its games. We suspect that once the second DLC pack launches in November, the overall Atari 50: The Anniversary Celebration Expanded Edition package will stand as the final word on interactive documentaries in the video game space.

Comments

There are no comments to display.
 

Nintendo Switch Review information

Added by
admin
Views
1,455
Last update
Author rating
4.00 star(s)

Pros

  • Fascinating dive into more obscure Atari titles
  • 19 new games, many of which are still pretty fun
  • Great interviews with a wide range of industry figures
  • Nothing beats Atari 50's excellent timeline setup

Cons

  • A few of the games are rubbish
  • The new timeline doesn't feel as cohesive as the main game

More in Nintendo Switch

More from admin

Share this Nintendo Switch Review

Back
Top