I remember that the 5200 version came with a holder for the dual joysticks. Also the Atari computer 400/800 also came with a holder for the dual joysticks, I had one of those
i had this game for the atari 400. the box came with a tray that held the 2 joysticks. the atari 5200 also had a tray that held 2 joysticks for arcade style play.
I remember getting this for Christmas 1986 with my 7800 along with Defender, Galaga, and Pole Position and playing every one of them on my dads old 13 inch with rabbit ears and adapter that had the little fork prong thingies. :D
Champ Games has now made a proper 2600 port! The grunts look like rectangles, but otherwise it's pretty dead on. Of course it requires a coprocessor in the cartridge (an extension of the techniques Activision used in Pitfall 2).
looks good... 2 controllers control is absolutely essential to play Robotron and Smash TV - I am not sure about Atari sticks, but on Sega Mega Drive arcade perfect covnerion using pads it is perfect....
The best way to play with dual joystick, is by using two Amiga Powersticks. They are small - they fit into the palm of your hand. They work incredibly well with this game. I’ve scored well over 1 million points with them. Additional 7800 fun fact: The Maria graphics chip, driving the 7800, was originally intended to include “sound”. Too bad it did not happpen..
Yup 78 is a beast. It's designed like an arcade machine. They really got it right with that one, when it comes to bringing early 80s arcade games home.
I must admit that I never played Robotron until it was released on Live Arcade in 2005, but I always remember magazines boasting that Smash TV was the sequel to Robotron. Can't really see the resembelence myself, bar they're both made by midway and both use dual sticks.
Ironically, the real sequel to "Robotron 2084" was actually a first-person space shooter called "Blaster", which wasn't that bad when I played it as part of "Midway's Arcade Treasures" for the Nintendo Gamecube. ;)
@jupreindeer Actually, I think it was the result of a lawsuit Atari brought against some game company. The graphics chip was part of the settlement, if I recall correctly.
I recently saw a new version for the Atari 2600 that someone is making that simply floors me with what he is able to animate on such a limited chipset as the 2600. Nevertheless, I loved the 8 bit Atari computer version, but this version is simply astounding. This is one of the few games that truly shows off the Atari 7800 capabilities, for so many games for this system are using such low resolution modes that makes games so squashed and chunky; however, not this game. It simply looks fantastic.
my uncle has something awesome. A FREAKING ARCADE MACHINE, it has robotron 2084 on it and other awesome arcade games like joust and stuff like that. and it acts also as a TV. to play some atari and nintendo. AWESOME. my uncle is a serious collector of old things.
I have the 7800 version, but when I play Robotron, it's usually on the MAME arcade cab, using the PC Midway Arcade Treasures vol 1 disc (plays directly from disc) and an X-Arcade Tankstick. I specifically wanted the Tankstick so I could play trackball games and Robotron and this works like a charm. This is as close to the arcades of my young adult days as I can get without spending loads of money on the actual cab.
@OneEyedJack1970 When I think of the number of similar games and look that the 7800 had to the C-64, I tend to think that this was the Commodore gaming console port that was brought into America. Which, if that was the case, truly was a smart move for Atari. Alas, Nintendo/Sega will forever retain a spot in history, leaving Atari the trophy winner for first home wave.
The two-stick conrol scheme doesn't make sense until you realize this was probably a port of the 5200 version. Some 5200 games included a nifty little holder that the joysticks clamped into. It nicely replicated the arcade dual-stick setup. It worked very well (particularly in the game Space Dungeon). They probably intended to make a similar holder for the 7800 sticks, but Jack Tramiel cheaped out like he did with everything related to the 7800 release.
The big plus to playing this game on MESS is that you can play with an Xbox360 pad, and use both analog sticks. I can't imagine trying to play with two of those clunky 7800 controllers. Yuck! Atari Corp really was clueless.
Brings the APPLE II version to it's KNEES! The sound and graphics on that one were HORRIBLE!!!! This one was very close to the arcade at least by a/v standards,
I remember this game in Midway Arcade Classic pack (or whatever it is). It was my FAV in it.
I remember that the 5200 version came with a holder for the dual joysticks. Also the Atari computer 400/800 also came with a holder for the dual joysticks, I had one of those
The Lynx conversion is pretty impressive. There's also an amazing Spectrum version that was never released as well. One of my favourite games :)
The best version of robotron 2084 on any console . Not fatted like the others and still dual sticks.
It looks and moves real nice. I'm looking for this for the 7800.
the transitions are pretty cool looking between levels
trakball for character movement ..... joystick for firing ..... best way
i had this game for the atari 400. the box came with a tray that held the 2 joysticks. the atari 5200 also had a tray that held 2 joysticks for arcade style play.
the Atari 5200 strangely enough is my favorite platform of this game
The movement isnt fluid like 7800 but it still looks fun. I love how each system has a different feel.
Lookin foward to one day getting a 5200.
For all it’s sound weaknesses, the 7800 could shove sprites around like nobody’s business.
I know but would you consider it a sequel though?
I remember getting this for Christmas 1986 with my 7800 along with Defender, Galaga, and Pole Position and playing every one of them on my dads old 13 inch with rabbit ears and adapter that had the little fork prong thingies. :D
And a lil switch that said game or tv on the adapter
@tfypt thats a good idea , o use a colecovision trakball
i had this system and game 2600 controllers worked with this system so i used a trackball to move and a wico joystick (remember them?)to fire
Spent many many hours in the late 80s playing this game
One of my favorite games of all time. (Arcade version).
I've never played the 7800 version.
I spent so much time playing this as a kid. I just wanted to watch the video to hear the sounds
it has the option of doing that on the 7800 version if you don't want to use the other controller
your thinking of the 5200 version, the 7800 version was going to have a similar device, but it never came through
mark,there was apparently a robotron on atari 2600.
there is one comment "that was the flickeriest thing
i have ever seen"
Champ Games has now made a proper 2600 port! The grunts look like rectangles, but otherwise it's pretty dead on. Of course it requires a coprocessor in the cartridge (an extension of the techniques Activision used in Pitfall 2).
Atari 800 late 80s this game was awesome. I’ve spent decades trying to remember the name of it. Wish it was on the new Atari
I used to play it on my 400
i had the 7800 and robotron i used a 2600 trackball to move and a third party 2600 joystick to fire(the 7800 was backward compatible)
looks good... 2 controllers control is absolutely essential to play Robotron and Smash TV - I am not sure about Atari sticks, but on Sega Mega Drive arcade perfect covnerion using pads it is perfect....
there is a Ateri 5200 cart as well
Could you review the SNES version? Pretty great.
The best way to play with dual joystick, is by using two Amiga Powersticks. They are small - they fit into the palm of your hand. They work incredibly well with this game. I’ve scored well over 1 million points with them.
Additional 7800 fun fact:
The Maria graphics chip, driving the 7800, was originally intended to include “sound”. Too bad it did not happpen..
why didn't you tape the two 7800 controllers together to play?
Just picked this game up, seems awesome!
if you bought the game new, the box had a built in holder to for the double joysitck mode
there was a Atari 5200 cart as well.
When I think classic Atari, I SURE don't think of a screen full of sprites in mass motion. Damn aewsome!!!
Yup 78 is a beast.
It's designed like an arcade machine.
They really got it right with that one, when it comes to bringing early 80s arcade games home.
reminds me of berzerk on the 2600.
@jupreindeer The 7800 had a very powerful (for the time) sprite engine. It had better graphics than the 8-bit computer systems.
OneEyedJack1970 true dat
This version was a noticeable improved version over the 8 bit Atari computer visually. This was super fun.
I must admit that I never played Robotron until it was released on Live Arcade in 2005, but I always remember magazines boasting that Smash TV was the sequel to Robotron.
Can't really see the resembelence myself, bar they're both made by midway and both use dual sticks.
Ironically, the real sequel to "Robotron 2084" was actually a first-person space shooter called "Blaster", which wasn't that bad when I played it as part of "Midway's Arcade Treasures" for the Nintendo Gamecube. ;)
MAME version is identical to arcade version. I had the dedicated machine for 3 years and sold it recently.
I wonder if Mark has any video from his childhood. If so, he should make a video with it.
I'd love to see a 2600 port.
can you imagine a war console between the atari 7800 and the mattel intellivision? how bizarre would that be
@jupreindeer Actually, I think it was the result of a lawsuit Atari brought against some game company. The graphics chip was part of the settlement, if I recall correctly.
Robotron 2084 on the Atari 7800....so many numbers!
i have this game on my sega. love it! though, when i was younger, i thought that the robots were zombies. lol
I recently saw a new version for the Atari 2600 that someone is making that simply floors me with what he is able to animate on such a limited chipset as the 2600. Nevertheless, I loved the 8 bit Atari computer version, but this version is simply astounding. This is one of the few games that truly shows off the Atari 7800 capabilities, for so many games for this system are using such low resolution modes that makes games so squashed and chunky; however, not this game. It simply looks fantastic.
my uncle has something awesome. A FREAKING ARCADE MACHINE, it has robotron 2084 on it and other awesome arcade games like joust and stuff like that. and it acts also as a TV. to play some atari and nintendo. AWESOME. my uncle is a serious collector of old things.
I played it on arcade , i really love this Game, i was 18 , un that time i was the Best, i reach wave 99
looks really impressive for 7800!
In 2084 I will be 101yrs old. If I make that far, I will test your theory on my 7800 console.
That looks heeeeeella fun!
I think I played this in an Atari collection for PC, back when you could PC games from the library. I like it, but I think I prefer Robotron 64.
Beat way to play this game is to use two 2600 joysticks on a table
I have the 7800 version, but when I play Robotron, it's usually on the MAME arcade cab, using the PC Midway Arcade Treasures vol 1 disc (plays directly from disc) and an X-Arcade Tankstick. I specifically wanted the Tankstick so I could play trackball games and Robotron and this works like a charm.
This is as close to the arcades of my young adult days as I can get without spending loads of money on the actual cab.
@OneEyedJack1970 When I think of the number of similar games and look that the 7800 had to the C-64, I tend to think that this was the Commodore gaming console port that was brought into America. Which, if that was the case, truly was a smart move for Atari. Alas, Nintendo/Sega will forever retain a spot in history, leaving Atari the trophy winner for first home wave.
Just hop in my DeLorean, Marty! When this baby hits 88mph, you're gonna see some serious shit.
...Then we'll get you Robotron...
The two-stick conrol scheme doesn't make sense until you realize this was probably a port of the 5200 version. Some 5200 games included a nifty little holder that the joysticks clamped into. It nicely replicated the arcade dual-stick setup. It worked very well (particularly in the game Space Dungeon). They probably intended to make a similar holder for the 7800 sticks, but Jack Tramiel cheaped out like he did with everything related to the 7800 release.
you needed two controllers. One controlls where you move and the other controls where you shoot. Just like the arcade.
Those Above the Influence ads make me want to do drugs.
to play robotron i would use 2 atari 2600 controllers
I think I got to level 74-75 on this once. Great game!
the bleeps and bloops of atari will always be remembered. shame on you atari for making a mess of urself!
As a kid I wrote a short story about this game...
I used to have this game!! But I lost it. I hate that I lost this game because I still have a working Atari 7800 and a bunch of games. Meh.
The big plus to playing this game on MESS is that you can play with an Xbox360 pad, and use both analog sticks. I can't imagine trying to play with two of those clunky 7800 controllers. Yuck! Atari Corp really was clueless.
Your dad??? How old are you bro??
HOLD UP!! I'm gonna have to play this with two controllers??????????
.........how is that possible??? I don't understand.
I played it on emulator :D
Wonderful game :D
Die,robots =)
p6mkq not the same....
Brings the APPLE II version to it's KNEES! The sound and graphics on that one were HORRIBLE!!!! This one was very close to the arcade at least by a/v standards,
oh, Fuck, I still have that game^^ it´s soooo fuckin hard... I love it :D 5S^^
Eugene Jarvis designed both games.
2084 is tha most addicting game
IT'S ALOT BETTER THAN ROBOTRON ON THE APPLE II!! OH YEAH! :)
way to play robotron 2084: duct tape 2 7800 controllers to a plank of wood
I remember playing this game by keeping the controllers on the floor with my feet. Might have also used some duct tape too.
this beats ostrich ass
Now your talking ;)
1987? I done already got an NES by then! LMFAO
lol^^ :)
does anybody know if the brain wave glitch works on this version?
A little closer to the arcade than the Atari 5200/8-bit but awesome to play too!