Tech-Gaming Technology, Gaming, and Culture
From its inception in 1972, to its takeover by Infogrames Entertainment in 2001, Atari has had a colorful legacy. Once the pioneer of home video games, the company has struggled to maintain market share recently with releases like Bullet Witch and Alone in the Dark. However, a number of recent license acquisitions may bring new life to the corporation. Today, we preview three titles that show promise.
Ready 2 Rumble Revolution, 2009, Nintendo Wii
Gamers who recall the 9/9/99 debut of the Sega Dreamcast, might remember the original Ready 2 Rumble, one of 18 launch titles for the system. The title combined large cartoonish boxers with a fluid, arcade-like controls. It’s second successor, Ready 2 Ruble Revolution, employs Wii Boxing styles controls. Players will hold the Nunchuck in one hand, while the Wiimote is gripped vertically in the other. Using motion controls, players can punch, dodge and weave in effort to bring their opponent to the canvas. While we would hope that a traditional control method is also included in the game for people who prefer accuracy over arm-flailing, this doesn’t look likely.
While we are slightly nervous about the controls, at least the cast of characters seems interesting. Players take control of twenty different caricatures that range from from David Hasselhoff to Arnold Schwarzenegger. We hope unlockables include fist fodder like Paris Hilton; whose inclusion which be worth the price of admission.
Assault on Dark Athena, Spring 2009, 360, PS3
After not hearing about Assault on Dark Athena, the Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay remake for months, we had presumed the title has been killed off. Last July, publisher Sierra had been acquired by Activision, there was no mention of the Dark Athena, adding validity to our suspicions. Then in October, we were told that Atari had picked up the rights to publish the title, and optimism was restored.
Most Xbox owners will remember Butcher Bay as being one of the better action games for the system. While development for Dark Athena started as a mere high-def remake, Starbreeze has decided to add a full-fledged single player campaign as well as innovative multiplayer experience. Once again, gameplay looks to combine stealthy enemy stalking with heated ballistic action usually reserved for first person shooters.
Ghostbusters, June 2009, 360, PS3, Wii, DS
As another title that been in limbo for months, we worried that the Sony-owned Ghostbusters license would ever see the light of day on a Microsoft console. After all, the game seemed to good to be true- from the Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis penned screenplay, to the incorporation of voice talent from nearly everyone in the original films. But alas, the title is real and barring any unforeseen legal or technical snafus, should arrive in time for the 25th anniversary of the film.
The title takes place two years after the events of Ghostbusters II, where Manhattan is only again threatened by slimers, ghosts, and boss enemies in need of defeat. Early gameplay footage showed film character Egon using a proton pack to trap a ghost, creating a tremendous amount of collateral damage in a lush hotel ballroom. Hopefully, the game will capture the essence of the film better than the limp Commodore 64 game programmed by David Crane.
Ghostbusters better come out or I’ll be so disappointed.
Wow, that actually sounds good. I had almost written off Atari.
Just make a sequel to Combat, Adventure, and Yars Revenge and all will be forgiven.
Why does Syphon Cruel (Simon Cowel) have man boobs?
Dark Athena doesn’t look too colorful.
Ready 2 Ruble without regular controls will just suck. There hasn’t been a decent Wii boxing game.
I will have to wait for the reviews first on all of these.
Sounds like 3 good games.
Looks like Atari bought some winners. Well, we shall see about Ready 2 Rumble.
Cant be any worse than Facebreaker.
Bullet Witch is the only $10 game I have ever regretted.
Glad to hear they’re making a comeback.
Ghostbusters will a day 1 purchase for me. The videos out look great.
I bought R2R, Blue Stinger, and Powerstone at launch. Man, I loved the Dreamcast.
If Ron Jeremy is in R2RR, that will be a purchase for me.
Atari, just the name brings up so many memories. I still remember when people would say ,”Let’s play Atari”, not “Lets play a game”
I’m sure that a picture from the beta.
Wow, that’s a lot of cool nostalgia. From 2600 to the Dreamcast. I still don’t understand why the DC was killed off so quickly.
DE, I also got my DC on 9/9/99.
Correction, 2. I doubt R2R will be better than average.
I do think Boxing could work on the Wii, I really don’t have any problems with Wii boxing, but most of my friends so.
Looks like some great titles coming from Atari. I guess Phil H. really made a difference.
I’d love a boxing game with Paris Hilton, but I’m sure she’d be a very weak boxer.
I could be interested in the Ghostbusters Game.
Haha,
The morning of 9/9/99 I got up early and was the first non-worker at my local Target, getting there at 6:55 AM.
A crowd grew before the store opened at 8:00 AM, and little conversation was made between the people waiting. There was an underlying sense of competition present.
As the doors opened at 8, people walked the first steps, then a group of twenty started running. A few strides later, a full sprint broke out.
Right before hitting electronics, about half the people made a sharp left. I thought, “Are the Dreamcasts over there?” People slowed in the confusion.
Turned out, half the people there were for a rare Hot Wheel car. Because they didn’t speak to the crowd, the group that turned left didn’t realize many people were there for the Dreamcast launch.
I ended up getting Ready 2 Rumble, Hydro Thunder, and Blue Stinger. All the games except Hydro Thunder were defective, and I had to go back later to get the second release. Ah, good memories.
How come a Combat sequel was never made?
Looks cool. Thanks for the preview.
Didn’t they already make a Ready 2 Rumble sequel and no one cared?
Why wax nostalgic about a mediocre title?
Sorry, but I never found the Ghostbusters movies funny or exciting. They were lazy, mildly amusing films at best.
Second wasn’t as good as the first, that’s for sure.
What about the cocaine power-up? She wouldn’t feel pain.
Glad to hear Atari is still around in one form or another.
Cool preview.
I gotta admit, I never cared for Riddick. The prison setting was too annoying.
Ready 2 Ruble looks like a goofy, great time.
ooo ghostbuster!!
I’m trying not to get my hopes up about ghostbusters…I want it to be good so bad!
The new Riddick remake looks pretty awesome….