ISSUE: 5Content
PRIMARY SYSTEMS COVERAGE THIS ISSUE
-
Atari VCS - 2600 - Supercharger
-
Atari 5200
-
Atari 400
-
Atari 800
-
Atari 1200XL
-
Coleco ColecoVision
-
Magnavox Odyssey2
-
Magnavox Odyssey3 (never released)
-
Video Technology CreatiVision
-
GCE Vectrex
-
Commodore VIC-20
-
Entex Adventure Vision
-
Apple - Apple II
-
arcade
---
(The following is loosely based on this issue's table of contents. Bullets lists and (notes) added for clarity.)
Special Report
A Continuing Series: Future Fact/Future Fantasy - Is it live or is it... Laserdisc? by Frank Lovece
Laserdisc must be de place! With their innovative blend of photographic footage and computer graphics, laserdisc games add a whole new dimension to the term "realistic." The second in a series on the future. (includes 'Lasers In The Living Room' sidebar)
Joystick Workout: Taking control by Mark Trost
EF rates the top joysticks and pinpoints the ones which promise the most points.
-
Pointmaster (Discwasher)
-
Starplex (Starplex)
-
Quick Shot (Spectravision)
-
Slik Stik/Starfighter (Suncom)
-
Fingertip Controller (KY Enterprises)
-
Video Command (Zircon)
-
Command Control (Wico)
-
Game Mate II (Cynex)
-
Super Joystick (G.A.M.E.S.)
Plug your Apple into... The Games Network... and play a galaxy of games!
An Apple a day keeps the boredom away. If you've got an Apple computer, $14 and cable, get set for fun playing the Games Network.
Feature Articles
Push-button Living - Welcome to the Electronic Cottage by Frank Moldstad
Forget condominiums! Go out and get yourself an electronic cottage where everything is done by computer.
Little-known Facts about well-known Games by Michael Rubin
Where is the grasshopper in Centipede? What is the Zowie Effect? Who is Q*bert's plastic surgeon? These (with the exception of the last one) are just a few of the little known facts you'll find out about well-known games.
Rejected! Games in the garbage by Marc Berman
Losers in the video game of life. Read about some of the game that never saw the light of day. Puke Man, for example.
Quest For Byte - Selected Scenes from the Computer Evolution by Randi Hacker
Before the computer revolution there was the computer evolution. Find out about it here. (humor)
Continuing Series
Gamemakers: Why Is This Man Smiling? by Dan Gutman
Preston Stuart is a freelance designer and this month EF talks to him about his programs.
First Screening: Star Destroyer
Blast the stars out of heaven with Jim Stockla's Star Destroyer. (winning reader submitted program for Apple; includes game program code)
Equipment Reviews
Game Workout: Odyssey3 - Look out, Atari and Mattel by Dan Gutman
An exclusive preview of the newest system from Odyssey.
Computer Workout: Atari 800 - Look what $535 will get you by Walter Salm
Love means never having to say Atari. With 48K of RAM, the Atari 800 is a fully functioning computer that means business and plays the most games. (includes 'The Atari 1200XL: Sleek, streamlined and compatible with the 400/800' and 'The Atari 400: Hundreds of dynamite games and it's only $300' sidebars)
Game Reviews
('Ms. Pac-Man: She's not a miss;' game reviews with 1-5 joystick rating scale and "promo" screenshot; some reviews include "pro-tip.")
-
Ms. Pac-Man (VCS)
-
Beany Bopper (VCS)
-
Mousetrap (Col)
-
Monkeyshines (Ody)
-
Realsports Football (VCS)
-
Galaxian (5200)
-
Space Wars (Vex)
-
Wizard of Wor (VCS)
-
Escape From The Mindmaster (VCS) (with Supercharger)
-
Dragon Stomper (VCS) (with Supercharger)
-
Plattermania (400,800)
-
Video Vermin (VIC20)
-
Canyon Climber (400,800)
-
Cross Force (VCS)
-
River Raid (VCS)
-
China Syndrome (VCS)
-
Escape From Rungistan (Apple II)
-
Slime (800)
-
Shamus (400,800)
-
Crypt of the Undead (800)
Departments
Editorial
A word from the editors. ('Doing dirty work' by The Editors)
Letters to the Editors
We welcome your feedback. (reader mail)
New Products
The latest in equipment. ('Alien voices and an itchy triggerstik')
-
Cargene Corporation Arcade Tray (home system/game organizer)
-
Atari 1200XL Home Computer
-
Video Technology CreatiVision (computer)
-
Activision Spider Fighter (VCS Spider Fighter)
-
The Alien Group Voice Box (Atari, Apple computer speech synthesizer accessory)
-
G.A.M.E.S. E-Z Joystick for ColecoVision (controller add-on)
Output-Input
Got a question? We've got the answer. ('The missing speedroller;' Q&A)
Top Ten
The most popular in arcade and home. (home and arcade top 10 lists)
Reader's Tips
Your hints for higher scores. (reader and designer submitted tips and strategies)
-
Phoenix
-
Kaboom!
-
Space Invaders
-
Vanguard
-
Barnstorming
-
Pitfall
-
Dragon Stomper
-
Pengo
-
Donkey Kong
ScreenPlays
Michael Blanchet's arcade strategy tips. ('Qursing Q*bert: you, Coily;' Q*bert arcade game strategies)
E.F.G. Times
You read it here first. (news section)
-
Wall Street Lays Electronic Egg (Atari's low-earnings report; predictions)
-
New career for the Say-Hey Kid? (Willie Mays plays video games for charity)
-
Father and son video jocks! (Edward L. Mandzuik and son win Mattel contest)
-
Sneak Peeks! (Bermuda Triangle, Frankenstein's Monster screen-shots)
-
Can Video Games Cure Cancer? (Killer T-Cell game for Apple)
-
Fake games make waves (piracy; unauthorized game clones and rip-offs)
-
The father of Pac-Man? (Toro Iwatani, Masaya Nakmura)
-
Anti-arcade laws thrown for loophole (video game showrooms)
-
On sale soon... (upcoming games from Imagic, Parker Brothers, Sirius, Muse, Thorn EMI, CBS, Insoft, Epyx, Scholastic)
-
Monthly Contest (Defender high-score contest)
-
Name That Game Winners (winner list)
Glitches
An irreverent gazette of gaming news. ('Playmates and stereotypists')
-
Yoo Hoo Feminists...
-
Basket Case
-
RAM and X
-
Hi-Res, Low Necklines
-
Type or Die
The E-A-T Report
Jens von der Heide on games. ('Used video games')
The Show Of Hand Helds ('Save the turtles;' overview of Entex Adventure Vision system and games Defender, Space Force, Super Cobra, Turtles)
Top Secret
The latest in gaming gossip. (rumors & speculation by The Fly)
PRIMARY SYSTEMS COVERAGE THIS ISSUE
- Atari VCS - 2600 - Supercharger
- Atari 5200
- Atari 400
- Atari 800
- Atari 1200XL
- Coleco ColecoVision
- Magnavox Odyssey2
- Magnavox Odyssey3 (never released)
- Video Technology CreatiVision
- GCE Vectrex
- Commodore VIC-20
- Entex Adventure Vision
- Apple - Apple II
- arcade
---
(The following is loosely based on this issue's table of contents. Bullets lists and (notes) added for clarity.)
Special Report
A Continuing Series: Future Fact/Future Fantasy - Is it live or is it... Laserdisc? by Frank Lovece
Laserdisc must be de place! With their innovative blend of photographic footage and computer graphics, laserdisc games add a whole new dimension to the term "realistic." The second in a series on the future. (includes 'Lasers In The Living Room' sidebar)
Joystick Workout: Taking control by Mark Trost
EF rates the top joysticks and pinpoints the ones which promise the most points.
- Pointmaster (Discwasher)
- Starplex (Starplex)
- Quick Shot (Spectravision)
- Slik Stik/Starfighter (Suncom)
- Fingertip Controller (KY Enterprises)
- Video Command (Zircon)
- Command Control (Wico)
- Game Mate II (Cynex)
- Super Joystick (G.A.M.E.S.)
Plug your Apple into... The Games Network... and play a galaxy of games!
An Apple a day keeps the boredom away. If you've got an Apple computer, $14 and cable, get set for fun playing the Games Network.
Feature Articles
Push-button Living - Welcome to the Electronic Cottage by Frank Moldstad
Forget condominiums! Go out and get yourself an electronic cottage where everything is done by computer.
Little-known Facts about well-known Games by Michael Rubin
Where is the grasshopper in Centipede? What is the Zowie Effect? Who is Q*bert's plastic surgeon? These (with the exception of the last one) are just a few of the little known facts you'll find out about well-known games.
Rejected! Games in the garbage by Marc Berman
Losers in the video game of life. Read about some of the game that never saw the light of day. Puke Man, for example.
Quest For Byte - Selected Scenes from the Computer Evolution by Randi Hacker
Before the computer revolution there was the computer evolution. Find out about it here. (humor)
Continuing Series
Gamemakers: Why Is This Man Smiling? by Dan Gutman
Preston Stuart is a freelance designer and this month EF talks to him about his programs.
First Screening: Star Destroyer
Blast the stars out of heaven with Jim Stockla's Star Destroyer. (winning reader submitted program for Apple; includes game program code)
Equipment Reviews
Game Workout: Odyssey3 - Look out, Atari and Mattel by Dan Gutman
An exclusive preview of the newest system from Odyssey.
Computer Workout: Atari 800 - Look what $535 will get you by Walter Salm
Love means never having to say Atari. With 48K of RAM, the Atari 800 is a fully functioning computer that means business and plays the most games. (includes 'The Atari 1200XL: Sleek, streamlined and compatible with the 400/800' and 'The Atari 400: Hundreds of dynamite games and it's only $300' sidebars)
Game Reviews
('Ms. Pac-Man: She's not a miss;' game reviews with 1-5 joystick rating scale and "promo" screenshot; some reviews include "pro-tip.")
- Ms. Pac-Man (VCS)
- Beany Bopper (VCS)
- Mousetrap (Col)
- Monkeyshines (Ody)
- Realsports Football (VCS)
- Galaxian (5200)
- Space Wars (Vex)
- Wizard of Wor (VCS)
- Escape From The Mindmaster (VCS) (with Supercharger)
- Dragon Stomper (VCS) (with Supercharger)
- Plattermania (400,800)
- Video Vermin (VIC20)
- Canyon Climber (400,800)
- Cross Force (VCS)
- River Raid (VCS)
- China Syndrome (VCS)
- Escape From Rungistan (Apple II)
- Slime (800)
- Shamus (400,800)
- Crypt of the Undead (800)
Departments
Editorial
A word from the editors. ('Doing dirty work' by The Editors)
Letters to the Editors
We welcome your feedback. (reader mail)
New Products
The latest in equipment. ('Alien voices and an itchy triggerstik')
- Cargene Corporation Arcade Tray (home system/game organizer)
- Atari 1200XL Home Computer
- Video Technology CreatiVision (computer)
- Activision Spider Fighter (VCS Spider Fighter)
- The Alien Group Voice Box (Atari, Apple computer speech synthesizer accessory)
- G.A.M.E.S. E-Z Joystick for ColecoVision (controller add-on)
Output-Input
Got a question? We've got the answer. ('The missing speedroller;' Q&A)
Top Ten
The most popular in arcade and home. (home and arcade top 10 lists)
Reader's Tips
Your hints for higher scores. (reader and designer submitted tips and strategies)
- Phoenix
- Kaboom!
- Space Invaders
- Vanguard
- Barnstorming
- Pitfall
- Dragon Stomper
- Pengo
- Donkey Kong
ScreenPlays
Michael Blanchet's arcade strategy tips. ('Qursing Q*bert: you, Coily;' Q*bert arcade game strategies)
E.F.G. Times
You read it here first. (news section)
- Wall Street Lays Electronic Egg (Atari's low-earnings report; predictions)
- New career for the Say-Hey Kid? (Willie Mays plays video games for charity)
- Father and son video jocks! (Edward L. Mandzuik and son win Mattel contest)
- Sneak Peeks! (Bermuda Triangle, Frankenstein's Monster screen-shots)
- Can Video Games Cure Cancer? (Killer T-Cell game for Apple)
- Fake games make waves (piracy; unauthorized game clones and rip-offs)
- The father of Pac-Man? (Toro Iwatani, Masaya Nakmura)
- Anti-arcade laws thrown for loophole (video game showrooms)
- On sale soon... (upcoming games from Imagic, Parker Brothers, Sirius, Muse, Thorn EMI, CBS, Insoft, Epyx, Scholastic)
- Monthly Contest (Defender high-score contest)
- Name That Game Winners (winner list)
Glitches
An irreverent gazette of gaming news. ('Playmates and stereotypists')
- Yoo Hoo Feminists...
- Basket Case
- RAM and X
- Hi-Res, Low Necklines
- Type or Die
The E-A-T Report
Jens von der Heide on games. ('Used video games')
The Show Of Hand Helds ('Save the turtles;' overview of Entex Adventure Vision system and games Defender, Space Force, Super Cobra, Turtles)
Top Secret
The latest in gaming gossip. (rumors & speculation by The Fly)
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