EPISODE 12: KLAX

#PA2031, Published by Atari Corp.

In this episode (better late than never) I cover one of the best games ever made for the Atari Lynx, KLAX, released in October of 1990. It’s also the second of three original release titles for the Lynx that is played vertically, not horizontally (Gauntlet: The Third Encounter and NFL Football are the other two). In this episode I’ve got vital statistics about KLAX, along with credits, gameplay, reviews and ratings, some fun facts and trivia, and some listener feedback about the game.

KLAX VITAL STATISTICS

Release Date: October of 1990 (originally scheduled for June/July 1990).

Initial Retail Price: In the US: $34.95-$39.99; In the UK: £27.99-£35.00.

Cartridge Information: 256k stereo curved lip-style cartridge.

Game Genre: Falling block puzzle game for one player.

Screen Playfield Orientation: portrait (vertical).

Based On: Coin-op arcade game KLAX, developed by Dave Akers and Mark Stephen Pierce and released by Atari Games Corporation in February of 1990.

Ports to Other Systems: Amstrad CPC (1990), Atari VCS (2600) (1990; PAL-version only; NTSC-version never finished), Atari 5200 (2003), Atari 7800 (2002), Atari ST (1990), BBC Micro (1990), Commodore Amiga (1990), Commodore 64 (1990), DOS (1990), MSX (1990), Nintendo Entertainment System (1990), Nintendo Game Boy (1990), Nintendo Game Boy Color (1999), PC-88 (1990), PC-98 (1990), SAM Coupé (1990), Sega Game Gear (1991), Sega Genesis (1990), Sega Master System (1991), Sharp X68000 (1990), TurboGrafx-16 (1990), and ZX Spectrum (1990). KLAX was also released together with Marble Madness for the Nintendo Game Boy Advance (2005).

Sequels: There were no sequels to this game.

Game Levels: There are 100 levels, or “waves,” in KLAX. There are five different wave objectives for each wave: “KLAX wave,” “Diagonal wave,” “Horizontal wave,” “Points wave,” and “Tile wave.”

Number of Players: 1 (no ComLynx support).

Packaging:  Full-color standard-tab regular-size carton (5 3/8″ by 4 3/8″ by 7/8″). Also sold were a French version, two different Japanese versions, and a blister pack.

Incstruction Manual: A 12-page (including front and back covers) stapled regular-sized booklet manual in monochrome in English, measuring the usual 4 7/8” high by 3 ¾” wide.

KLAX CREDITS

Developer: Tengen, Inc. (Atari Games Corporation)

Programming:  Greg Omi

Art and Animation: Susan G. McBride, Greg Omi, Gary Johnson, K.E. Rudis

Music and Sound: LX (Alex) Rudis

Original Game Developers: Mark Stephen Pierce, David Akers

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