EPISODE 21: Robotron: 2084

#PT5003, Published by Shadowsoft, Inc.

(PA2082 on Atari’s Master Part Number Listing)

In this episode I cover a very highly regarded arcade port for the Lynx, Robotron: 2084, released for the Lynx in 1991. Included are statistics for the game, a run-down on how to play it, reviews and ratings, some fun facts and trivia, and (of course) listener feedback about the game. Plus, during the course of this episode, I begin to foster grave concerns about Monty’s true motivations regarding the future of our planet. Crikey.

Before viewing the following show notes, you must click on the link below:

ROBOTRON: 2084 VITAL STATISTICS

Release Date: August of 1991.

Initial Retail Price: $38.99 in the US; £29.00-£34.99 in the UK.

Cartridge Information: 128kB stereo curved lip-style cartridge.

Game Genre: Top-down-view 2-dimensional multidirectional action shooter for 1 player only.

Screen Playfield Orientation: Landscape (horizontal).

Based On: The arcade cabinet of the same name created by Eugene Jarvis and Larry DeMar of Vid Kidz and released by Williams Electronics in 1982. This arcade game was in turn inspired by Jarvis’ and DeMar’s previous game, Defender, as well as by the arcade game Berzerk, the Commodore PET game Chase, and the 1949 George Orwell novel “Nineteen Eight-Four” (also known as “1984”).

Ports to Other Systems: Acorn Electron, Apple ][, Apple MacIntosh, Atari 5200, Atari 7800, Atari 8-bit line of computers, Atari ST, BBC Micro, Commodore 64, Commodore VIC-20, IBM PC (PC booter), and Xbox 360. There is also a brand new home brew port of Robotron: 2084 for the original Atari VCS (2600) from Champ Games . It is called RobotWar 2684, and it will be released sometime this fall at AtariAge; you can find more info about it here.

Game Levels: At least 50. The arcade cabinet Robotron: 2084 includes 40 unique levels, or waves. After wave 40, the game repeats waves 21-40 over and over again until wave 255 is reached.

Number of Players: 1 (no ComLynx support).

Packaging: A full-color standard flap-tab regular-size box (5 3/8″ by 4 3/8″ by 7/8″). The French variant included a sticker on the front (Pin’s Gratuit) indicating the inclusion of a lapel pin.

Instruction Manual: A 16-page (including front and back covers) stapled regular-sized booklet manual in full monochrome, measuring the usual 4 7/8” high by 3 ¾” wide. The manual was released in English in North America and in Europe, and in French in France.

ROBOTRON: 2084 CREDITS

Publisher: Shadowsoft, Inc.

Licensee: Williams Electronics Games, Inc./WMS Industries, Inc.

Developer (Arcade): Vid Kidz

Programmer, Graphics, and Sound Effects: Dave Dies

Music: Chris Gundlack

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