PyroPlayers Magazine - PPM Reviews

JAGUAR

Missile Cmd 3D

Atari Virtuality

Shooter Release: December 1995
Age Rating: All Challenge: Hard

Following-up on Defender 2000, Atari has carried forth yet another renewed classic in Missile Command 3-D. Exactly like the former Jag title, Missile Command allows players to choose from three gameplay options. First is the bare-bones original, minus the distinct advantage of trackball-enabled precision. Drive off intercontinental ballistic missiles by shooting your own defensive weapons, protecting the cities below at all costs. The spruced-up 3-D game mode nicely updates the visual display and slightly enlarges the play area. Last but not least, MC VR is the true showpiece. The Virtual style is rendered in actual 3-D with polygonal graphics, and adds additional bits and pieces like power-ups, bosses, and varied stage designs. Not too shabby for a remade of a well-aged coin-op, though nowhere near as exciting as 94's Tempest 2000.

JAGUAR

Defender 2000

Atari Llamasoft

Shooter Release: December 1995
Age Rating: All Challenge: Hard

As we saw with Jeff Minter's Tempest 2000, the Jag can run superb shooters with blazing fast speeds. The team's follow-up title, Defender 2000, showcases these same traits. This cart builds upon the 1981 arcade hit by adding two enhanced modes in addition to the classic coin-op in its full glory. Plus Mode allows for modernized, psychedelic graphics and power-up options like warp cubes and missile attacks. The third selection, 2000 Mode, rejuvenates the base design by adding crisp voice clips, more plentiful boosts, updated visuals, and 100 levels to conquer. Defender's core gameplay elements are identical in each of the three differing options: Side-scrolling flight to shoot down aliens to rescue the humans. Decent graphics in the new modes does indeed spark interest, but this entry does not do much to break from tradition as Jaguar requires.

JAGUAR-CD

Blue Lightning

Atari ATD

Flight Sim Release: September 1995
Age Rating: All Challenge: Hard

Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on Atari. The Jaguar CD is available after a drawn-out development period, and its premier showing is none too pleasing. Blue Lightning is a flight sim and combat title available exclusively for the new add-on. Despite parading itself as a top-notch simulation of gritty mercenary missions in parts unknown, we regret to say BL is no better than After Burner. Slowdown is endless, plaguing all of your moves including the all-important barrel roll to evade enemies. Controls are choppy, sprite-scaled graphics are chunky, and the enemy AI is way too tough. To its credit, BL does have some nice-looking cinemas and its soundtrack is not too shabby, either. But those searching for a worthwhile Atari flight sim should seek the '89 Lynx version for a far better experience.

JAGUAR

Rayman

Ubi Soft

Act-Platformer Release: September 1995
Age Rating: All Challenge: Intermediate

Rayman is truly one of the best-designed game protagonists ever developed, and Ubi Soft is prepared to launch this squirmy fellow onto every system it can. This premier entry by Ubi was originally made with the Jag in mind but examining it side-by-side with the PlayStation version may arise doubts concerning that fact. Rayman takes full advantage of the Jaguar as no previous title has, presenting gorgeous graphics with incredible spritework. The detail in this side-scroller is downright astounding. Its controls are undeniably hampered by issues, namely a lagged unresponsiveness which inhibits jumping and movement. Jag's cart-based limitations also rear up on the lacking musical front. Still, a top Jag title.

JAGUAR

Cannon Fodder

Vigin IE Sensible Soft

Action-Strategy Release: January 1995
Age Rating: Teen Challenge: Intermediate

It's go time! Cannon Fodder is an addicting, action-strategy title filled with tons of explosions, destruction, and silliness. Originally developed as software for the Amiga, the programmers over at Sensible sought to make a military-themed shooter with loads of humorous elements, invariably with anti-war undertones. Cannon Fodder's graphical presentation is charming, the music is entertaining, and the gameplay is utterly top-notch. Guide your squad of teeny soldiers through countless micro-wars, using everything at your disposal from weaponry to scenery to gain the upper hand. Nice and simple, right? An odd one, to be sure, but we found an impossible-to-explain joyfulness and obsession in the vein of Lemmings.

JAGUAR

Hover Strike

Atari

3-D Shooter Release: April 1995
Age Rating: All Challenge: Hard

Originally announced and showcased to the public as BattleZone 2000, Hover Strike is an Atari-developed action game only available on Jaguar. Pilot a hovercraft through various zones in search of power-ups and no-good pirates to eliminate. Your vehicle is armed with missiles and mortars, though you may find maneuverability a serious issue. You must use a combination of keys to launch a simple attack, which, when added to poor steering controls and molasses-like slowness, can result in a frustrating time. Hover Strike excels on the graphical front with well-done scaling and rotation effects, but between lackluster gameplay and inescapable slow speeds, Jag owners should steer clear. Shock Wave did it far better.

Atari - For JAGUAR

Bubsy

Action-Platformer | 32 MEG

Release: December 1994

To the supreme misfortune of games players everywhere, Bubsy the Bobcat returns in an all-new Jaguar title named Bubsy in Fractured Furry Tales. For a console that claims to be 64-Bit and be capable of advanced, 3-D graphics, it is an embarrassment for the Jag to have this in its library. Bubsy hardly looks much different from its Super NES and Genesis outings, again taking the form of a traditional platformer with mediocre level design, sluggish controls, and frustrating gameplay. On the upside, we will admit the colors do pop, the gliding ability is implemented well, and the sounds are fine. Yet, otherwise, this is devoid of originality. Please let this Sonic wannabe die, already, Accolade.

Atari - For JAGUAR

Zool 2

Action-Platformer | 32 MEG

Release: December 1994

Zool 2 is your usual side-scrolling action game with a couple of notable flourishes. This franchise is a major hit in the U.K. due to its prominent appearance on Amiga systems, but to us in the States, this alien-looking ninja is a largely unknown entity. Let's just say, if cutesy, colorful platformers are your jive, Zool 2 will appeal to you. Brightly lit, candy-coated stages adorn the scene as players run and spin through them at ninja-quick speed to find the exit. The overall design is more intricate and woven-together than other titles in the genre, but there is not much special that truly separates Zool from the pack. If you own a Jag and are looking for a decent action cart, pick this over Bubsy.

Atari - For JAGUAR

Iron Soldier

3-D Shooter | 32 MEG

Release: November 1994

In Atari's Iron Soldier, you control a four-story tall robot and go to town in a slew of Battlezone-esque environments. This life-size tinker toy is a captured soldier from the no-good Iron Fist Corporation, and you must guide it through 16 challenging missions to help stop the corp's dreams of global conquest. The through-the-eyes perspective brings you right up to the action as you explore lands filled with polygonal buildings and smashable enemies. The graphics are well-done, but the controls will take some time to master. Iron Soldier requires simultaneous button and control-pad pressing due to the clumsy Jag joypad. Blast everything before things get too hairy, and enjoy this romp.

Atari - For JAGUAR

Checkered Flag

Racing | 32 MEG

Release: November 1994

In the works from the console's grand reveal announcement, Checkered Flag from Atari is, at last, available for the Jaguar. This is the Jag's premier polygonal racer, and our team has somewhat mixed feelings on it. On the upside, we must commend the righteous 3-D graphics and awesome scaling effects that put the 16-Bit machines to shame. Players can race in a variety of weather effects, choose customized transmission and difficulty options, and select from a score of circuits! Beyond the polygons, however, lies a racer in sore of lack of a decent control scheme. Compared to the likes of Virtua Racing, CF is archaic in its touchy handling and herky-jerky movements. Crashes imminent!

Atari - For JAGUAR

Alien vs Predator

3-D Shooter | 16 MEG

Release: October 1994

At long last, Jaguar's Doom-like 3-D shooter has hit store shelves everywhere. After far-reaching hype stretching from conferences to magazine spreads, is Alien vs Predator the next big leap in gaming? Well, on the upside, the graphics presented in AVP are hyper-realistic and fans of the Alien and Predator movies will find loads of familiarity here. With the option to control either the two eponymous beasts or the Marine, there is a sense of built-in replayability. However, the controller scheme is totally wackadoo and the choppy scrolling makes for a rough time. Not to mention a nigh-impossible difficulty. Just try surviving on these maps! That glorious Doom hook is MIA.

Atari - For JAGUAR

Kasumi Ninja

Fighter | 32 MEG

Release: December 1994

So far in the Jag's lifespan, players have not been able to catch onto a true-to-form fighting game. That is no longer the case thanks to Kasumi Ninja. This Atari-published title, developed by Hand Made Software, is an ultra-violent fighter in the mold of Mortal Kombat. Like MK, Kasumi features giant, fully digitized graphics and bloody spurts aplenty. The similarities are a bit too uncanny, to tell the truth, except the sloppy play control reduces this one far below its supposed inspiration. While impressive on a technical level, Kasumi suffers from poor gameplay, unoriginal ideas, and one horrific kilt-lifting move (pictured). How about an actual MK 2 port instead, Atari?

Telegames- For JAGUAR

Brutal Football

Sports | 16 MEG

Release: September 1994

Imagine, if you will, a squad of Viking warriors dueling to the death in Giants Stadium. Yes, you heard that right. This ain't your grandpappy's football. Brutal Sports Football from Telegames is more akin to a mishmash of rugby, soccer, and gladiatorial combat than the title suggests. No downs or penalties. Flat-out decapitate your opponents to clear the way and build-up points! Battle teams like the Assassins and the Warlords in fields filled with grenades and axes to be the last ones standing. Controls are simple to pick-up, yet scrolling is choppy and these graphics are nowhere close to 64-Bit. Worth a weekend rental.

Atari - For JAGUAR

Wolfenstein 3D

3-D Shooter | 16 MEG

Release: June 1994

Wolfenstein 3D on the Jaguar crunches down on the lackluster Super NES edition in spectacular fashion, proving that Atari's tech isn't all tricky marketing. Utilizing impressive scaling effects and an ultra-high frame rate, this Jag version of ol' Wolfy may be a bit better than the PC original! Playing as BJ Blazkowicz in a secret infiltration of Castle Wolfenstein, players will blast apart Nazis and navigate six turbulent levels, all whilst tense music builds background drama. Its only hurdles are the infernal Jaguar control pad, which never seems to fit comfortably in your hand when playing, and the innately high difficulty of W3D.

Atari - For JAGUAR

Tempest 2000

Shooter | 16 MEG

Release: March 1994

For players waiting for a solid reason to pick up a new Atari Jaguar, this is it. Tempest 2000 is a superb shooter. It may be the best 3-D game out so far! Atari has nabbed a dusty arcade title from over a decade ago and rejuvenated it with the power of 64-Bit. The vector graphics and smooth animations are stunning, the techno music kicks butt, and Tempest has tons of options and modes to keep players entertained. Our only complaint is the lack of a classic paddle controller for fine-tuned controls. Aside from that, we're confident Tempest 2000 will prove a system seller for the Jag.

Imagitec - For JAGUAR

Raiden

Scrolling Shooter | 24 MEG

Release: December 1993

Say hello to the ultimate arcade game conversion. Raiden, the shoot-em-up classic from the arcades, is a perfect dupe for Jaguar This cart sounds and looks totally identical to the original. You take control of a fighter plane flying over enemy territory, shooting down foe aircraft, blasting apart tanks, and avoiding missiles. Raiden showcases parallax scrolling and engaging audio quality, with no slow down despite massive objects on-screen. Simply put, no other system is capable of this. What's the downside? This isn't 1991! We're left still waiting for those true 64-Bit games on the Jag, as this sure ain't it.

AtD - For JAGUAR

Cybermorph

3-D Shooter | 24 MEG

Release: November 1993

The pack-in game for the brand-new Atari Jaguar is Cybermorph, a mission-based shooter title developed by ATD. Is the 64-Bit Revolution all its cracked up to be? Yes, ...and also no. While other mags may gush over this spaceship adventure, we at PPM try to present the full picture. There's lots to appreciate in Cybermorph: Above all its vivid graphics and seemingly unlimited, expansive levels. In some areas it excels, especially for a cart-based home console. We only hope that the true 64-Bit Revolution is a larger leap than this as we move into 1994. We explore this title more in-depth in our highlight Spotlight coverage (Coming Soon).

Atari - For JAGUAR

Crescent Galaxy

Scrolling Shooter | 24 MEG

Release: November 1993

Corporal Trevor McFur of the Circle Reserve Core, with friend Cutter the Lynx, have returned from a reconnaissance mission only to find the galaxy in some desperate need of saving from a hive of ruthless critters! Spanning nine zany levels, the Jag unleashes lifelike 3-D rendering as the player module winds through imaginative planetary objects and shoots down the oddest of foes (Turbo rats!). Thankfully no slowdown in sight, but a stark lack of music and limited sound is off-putting. To our disappointment, Crescent's gameplay is subpar. Less so R-Type and Gradius than the simplicity of Defender.

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