Activision Anthology
Encyclopedia
Activision Anthology is a compilation of most of the Atari 2600
games by Activision
for various systems. It also includes some games originally released by Absolute Entertainment
and Imagic
, as well as some homebrewed
games. The Windows
and Mac OS X
versions are titled Activision Anthology Remix. The PlayStation Portable
version is entitled Activision Hits: Remixed
.
The game features the original classical gameplay of the Atari 2600 emulated
on modern machines, however after achieving high scores in some of the games, the player can unlock special modes, where the colors are distorted, or the game is projected on a rotating cube as added difficulty.
The Anthology features a virtual tape deck
with several license
d 80s music tracks. The sound of the virtual tape recorder can be mixed with the original game sound, so both sounds are hearable to simulate playing the game on TV while having the tape running in the background.
The Anthology features a virtual kid's room as a main menu. The player zooms to several viewpoints to check highscores, choose a game from a rotating stand, change the background music on the virtual tape deck, or change game settings while being zoomed in on the virtual VCS 2600.
Six Atari 2600
titles were not added to the Activision Anthology games, likely because Activision doesn't have the licenses for these series. The excluded games are Double Dragon
(Million Corp), Ghostbusters and Ghostbusters II (both held by Columbia Pictures
), Kung Fu Master
(Irem), Rampage
(Midway Games
), and Commando (Capcom
), though Capcom did grant Activision rights to put Commando on the PS2 version of Activision Anthology. Ghostbusters II was not officially released by Activision, though Salu released it in Europe under their name in 1992.
As well, Pete Rose Baseball
was credited simply as Baseball, though it's unclear whether this is due to licensing rights or due to Rose's gambling scandal.
version has the most games, including several homebrew games that do not appear on the PS2 or PC versions. It does not include Commando or the Imagic titles, nor does it play music during gameplay. It does have some custom 80s-style songs that play in the menu screens, however.
The PlayStation Portable
version has the Imagic titles (Demon Attack
, Atlantis, Moonsweeper), full-speed emulation, and 1980s tunes featured on the PS2 and computer versions, but does not include Commando or the homebrew titles.
There was also a mini version of the collection released on mobile phones with only 3 titles. It included Pitfall
, H.E.R.O.
, and River Raid
.
Imagic titles (Not on GBA):
Homebrewed
games (GBA,PC,and Mac versions only):
Atari 2600
The Atari 2600 is a video game console released in October 1977 by Atari, Inc. It is credited with popularizing the use of microprocessor-based hardware and cartridges containing game code, instead of having non-microprocessor dedicated hardware with all games built in...
games by Activision
Activision
Activision is an American publisher, majority owned by French conglomerate Vivendi SA. Its current CEO is Robert Kotick. It was founded on October 1, 1979 and was the world's first independent developer and distributor of video games for gaming consoles...
for various systems. It also includes some games originally released by Absolute Entertainment
Absolute Entertainment
Absolute Entertainment was a video game publisher based in Glen Rock, New Jersey and later in Upper Saddle River, New Jersey. Through its development house Imagineering, Absolute Entertainment produced titles for the Amiga, Atari 2600, Atari 7800, Sega Game Gear, Sega Mega Drive, Mega-CD, Game Boy,...
and Imagic
Imagic
Imagic was a short-lived American video game developer and publisher that developed games for the Atari 2600, Intellivision and other video game consoles in the early 1980s...
, as well as some homebrewed
Homebrew (video games)
Homebrew is a term frequently applied to video games or other software produced by consumers to target proprietary hardware platforms not typically user-programmable or that use proprietary storage methods...
games. The Windows
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Windows is a series of operating systems produced by Microsoft.Microsoft introduced an operating environment named Windows on November 20, 1985 as an add-on to MS-DOS in response to the growing interest in graphical user interfaces . Microsoft Windows came to dominate the world's personal...
and Mac OS X
Mac OS X
Mac OS X is a series of Unix-based operating systems and graphical user interfaces developed, marketed, and sold by Apple Inc. Since 2002, has been included with all new Macintosh computer systems...
versions are titled Activision Anthology Remix. The PlayStation Portable
PlayStation Portable
The is a handheld game console manufactured and marketed by Sony Corporation Development of the console was announced during E3 2003, and it was unveiled on , 2004, at a Sony press conference before E3 2004...
version is entitled Activision Hits: Remixed
Activision Hits: Remixed
Activision Hits: Remixed is a compilation of Atari 2600 video games, published by Activision for the PlayStation Portable.The compilation includes classic games such as River Raid, Demon Attack and Laser Blast. The disc also includes a soundtrack of '80s pop...
.
The game features the original classical gameplay of the Atari 2600 emulated
Emulator
In computing, an emulator is hardware or software or both that duplicates the functions of a first computer system in a different second computer system, so that the behavior of the second system closely resembles the behavior of the first system...
on modern machines, however after achieving high scores in some of the games, the player can unlock special modes, where the colors are distorted, or the game is projected on a rotating cube as added difficulty.
The Anthology features a virtual tape deck
Compact Cassette
The Compact Cassette, often referred to as audio cassette, cassette tape, cassette, or simply tape, is a magnetic tape sound recording format. It was designed originally for dictation, but improvements in fidelity led the Compact Cassette to supplant the Stereo 8-track cartridge and reel-to-reel...
with several license
License
The verb license or grant licence means to give permission. The noun license or licence refers to that permission as well as to the document recording that permission.A license may be granted by a party to another party as an element of an agreement...
d 80s music tracks. The sound of the virtual tape recorder can be mixed with the original game sound, so both sounds are hearable to simulate playing the game on TV while having the tape running in the background.
The Anthology features a virtual kid's room as a main menu. The player zooms to several viewpoints to check highscores, choose a game from a rotating stand, change the background music on the virtual tape deck, or change game settings while being zoomed in on the virtual VCS 2600.
Six Atari 2600
Atari 2600
The Atari 2600 is a video game console released in October 1977 by Atari, Inc. It is credited with popularizing the use of microprocessor-based hardware and cartridges containing game code, instead of having non-microprocessor dedicated hardware with all games built in...
titles were not added to the Activision Anthology games, likely because Activision doesn't have the licenses for these series. The excluded games are Double Dragon
Double Dragon
is a classic beat 'em up video game series initially developed by Technos Japan Corporation, who also developed the Kunio-kun series ....
(Million Corp), Ghostbusters and Ghostbusters II (both held by Columbia Pictures
Columbia Pictures
Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc. is an American film production and distribution company. Columbia Pictures now forms part of the Columbia TriStar Motion Picture Group, owned by Sony Pictures Entertainment, a subsidiary of the Japanese conglomerate Sony. It is one of the leading film companies...
), Kung Fu Master
Kung Fu Master
Kung-Fu Master, known in Japan as , is a beat 'em up arcade game developed and published in Japan by Irem. It was later published in North America by Data East. The Japanese version was based on the Jackie Chan movie Wheels on Meals, known as Spartan X in Japan, and credited "Paragon Films Ltd.,...
(Irem), Rampage
Rampage (arcade game)
Rampage is a 1986 arcade game by Bally Midway. Players take control of gigantic monsters trying to survive against onslaughts of military forces...
(Midway Games
Midway Games
Midway Games, Inc. is an American company that was formerly a major video game publisher. Following a bankruptcy filing in 2009, it is no longer active and is in the process of liquidating all of its assets. Midway's titles included Mortal Kombat, Ms.Pac-Man, Spy Hunter, Tron, Rampage, the...
), and Commando (Capcom
Capcom
is a Japanese developer and publisher of video games, known for creating multi-million-selling franchises such as Devil May Cry, Chaos Legion, Street Fighter, Mega Man and Resident Evil. Capcom developed and published Bionic Commando, Lost Planet and Dark Void too, but they are less known. Its...
), though Capcom did grant Activision rights to put Commando on the PS2 version of Activision Anthology. Ghostbusters II was not officially released by Activision, though Salu released it in Europe under their name in 1992.
As well, Pete Rose Baseball
Pete Rose Baseball
Pete Rose Baseball is a multiplatform video game published by Absolute for the Atari 2600 and the Atari 7800.-Gameplay:The game was a notable improvement over previous Atari 2600 baseball games such as Home Run and RealSports Baseball...
was credited simply as Baseball, though it's unclear whether this is due to licensing rights or due to Rose's gambling scandal.
Portable versions
Of the portable versions, the Game Boy AdvanceGame Boy Advance
The is a 32-bit handheld video game console developed, manufactured, and marketed by Nintendo. It is the successor to the Game Boy Color. It was released in Japan on March 21, 2001; in North America on June 11, 2001; in Australia and Europe on June 22, 2001; and in the People's Republic of China...
version has the most games, including several homebrew games that do not appear on the PS2 or PC versions. It does not include Commando or the Imagic titles, nor does it play music during gameplay. It does have some custom 80s-style songs that play in the menu screens, however.
The PlayStation Portable
PlayStation Portable
The is a handheld game console manufactured and marketed by Sony Corporation Development of the console was announced during E3 2003, and it was unveiled on , 2004, at a Sony press conference before E3 2004...
version has the Imagic titles (Demon Attack
Demon Attack
Demon Attack is a video game published by Imagic for several home console systems, including the Atari 2600, Intellivision, Odyssey², Atari 8-bit, Commodore VIC-20, Commodore 64, PC Booter, TRS-80 and TRS-80 Color Computer. There was also a port to the TI-99/4A titled Super Demon Attack...
, Atlantis, Moonsweeper), full-speed emulation, and 1980s tunes featured on the PS2 and computer versions, but does not include Commando or the homebrew titles.
There was also a mini version of the collection released on mobile phones with only 3 titles. It included Pitfall
Pitfall
Pitfall refers to a series of video games:* Pitfall!, the 1982 original* Pitfall II: Lost Caverns, a 1984 sequel* Super Pitfall, a 1987 sequel and a quasi-remake of Pitfall II* Pitfall: The Mayan Adventure, a 1994 sequel...
, H.E.R.O.
H.E.R.O.
H.E.R.O. is a single-player video game published by Activision. First developed for the Atari 2600 and released in March 1984, the game was ported to many of the home computers and gaming consoles of that era...
, and River Raid
River Raid
River Raid is a scrolling shooter videogame and was released in 1982 by Activision for the Atari 2600, and later the Atari 5200, Atari 8-bit, C64, ColecoVision, IBM PCjr, Intellivision, ZX Spectrum, and MSX...
.
Game list
There are a total of 58 games in each version combined. Some games do not appear in some versions, and are mentioned accordingly.- BarnstormingBarnstorming (video game)Barnstorming is an Atari 2600 video game designed by Steve Cartwright and published by Activision in 1982. Barnstorming was the first game designed by Cartwright...
- Baseball (originally titled Pete Rose BaseballPete Rose BaseballPete Rose Baseball is a multiplatform video game published by Absolute for the Atari 2600 and the Atari 7800.-Gameplay:The game was a notable improvement over previous Atari 2600 baseball games such as Home Run and RealSports Baseball...
) - BeamriderBeamriderBeamrider is a scrolling shooter designed for the Intellivision by Activision programmer David Rolfe. The game was then ported to the Atari 2600 , Atari 5200, Atari 8-bit, ColecoVision, Commodore 64, ZX Spectrum as well as the MSX platform.-Summary:Beamrider takes place above Earth's atmosphere,...
- Bloody Human FreewayFreeway (video game)Freeway is a video game designed by David Crane for the Atari 2600 video game console. It was published by Activision in 1981.Freeway was one of the first titles released by Activision in their effort to publish independent games for the Atari 2600...
(Originally un-released version of 'Freeway', GBA Version only) - BoxingBoxing (video game)Boxing is an Atari 2600 video game based on the sport of boxing. The game was designed by Activision programmer Bob Whitehead.Boxing shows a top-down view of two boxers, one white and one black. When close enough, a boxer can hit his opponent with a punch . This causes his opponent to reel back...
- Bridge
- Checkers
- Chopper CommandChopper CommandChopper Command is a video game by Activision released for the Atari 2600 game console in June 1982. The game was successful due to its perceived superiority to Atari's home version of Defender; Chopper Command shares many similarities in gameplay to Defender...
- Commando (PlayStation 2PlayStation 2The PlayStation 2 is a sixth-generation video game console manufactured by Sony as part of the PlayStation series. Its development was announced in March 1999 and it was first released on March 4, 2000, in Japan...
version only) - Cosmic Commuter
- CrackpotsCrackpotsCrackpots is an Atari 2600 game designed by Dan Kitchen and published by Activision in 1983. Crackpots was bundled with the Activision Anthology release in 2002 for the PlayStation 2.-Gameplay:...
- DecathlonThe Activision DecathlonThe Activision Decathlon is a sports game for the Atari 8-bit, Atari 2600, Atari 5200, Commodore 64, ColecoVision and MSX platforms. Up to four players compete in the ten different events of a real-life decathlon, either in sequence or individually....
- Dolphin
- Dragster
- EnduroEnduro (video game)Enduro is a racing video game designed by Larry Miller and published by Activision for the Atari 2600 video game system in 1983. The object of the game is to be in an endurance race and to pass a certain amount of cars each day as to continue the race the next day.-Gameplay:Enduro consists of...
- Fishing DerbyFishing DerbyFishing Derby is an Atari 2600 video game created by Activision programmer David Crane based on the sport of fishing.In Fishing Derby, two fishermen sit on opposite docks over a lake filled with fish . Using the joystick the player is able to move his line left right and up and down in the water...
- FreewayFreeway (video game)Freeway is a video game designed by David Crane for the Atari 2600 video game console. It was published by Activision in 1981.Freeway was one of the first titles released by Activision in their effort to publish independent games for the Atari 2600...
- FrostbiteFrostbite (video game)Frostbite is a 1983 arcade game designed by Steve Cartwright for the Atari 2600 video game console. It was published by Activision in 1983.-Overview:...
- Grand PrixGrand Prix (video game)Grand Prix is one of the first side-scrolling racing video games, made in 1982. It was developed by Activision for the Atari 2600. This game was later incorporated into the Activision Anthology....
- H.E.R.O.H.E.R.O.H.E.R.O. is a single-player video game published by Activision. First developed for the Atari 2600 and released in March 1984, the game was ported to many of the home computers and gaming consoles of that era...
- Ice Hockey
- Kabobber (previously unreleased)
- Kaboom!
- Keystone KapersKeystone KapersKeystone Kapers was a 1983 game published by Activision for the Atari 2600, and later ported to Atari 5200, Atari 8-bit family, ColecoVision and MSX...
- Laser Blast
- MegamaniaMegamaniaMegamania is an Atari 2600 game designed by Steve Cartwright and published by Activision in 1982. It took about six months to develop the concept, and another three months to fine tune the game. It was later released for the Atari 5200 and Atari 8-bit family in 1983, ported by Glyn Anderson...
- Oink!Oink! (video game)Oink! is a video game produced and published by Activision and released in 1982 for the Atari 2600 video game system. Designed by David Lorenzen, Oink! is inspired by the fairy tale "The Three Little Pigs" and casts the player as a pig defending his home from a wolf bent on destroying...
- Pitfall!Pitfall!Pitfall! is a video game released by Activision for the Atari 2600 in 1982. It is the second best selling game made for the Atari 2600, with over 4 million copies sold.-Gameplay:...
- Pitfall II: Lost CavernsPitfall II: Lost CavernsPitfall II: Lost Caverns is a platforming video game originally released for the Atari 2600 video game console in 1984. It is the sequel to the popular Pitfall!. Both games were designed and written by David Crane and published by Activision...
- Plaque AttackPlaque AttackPlaque Attack is a 1983 video game for the Atari 2600 that was made by Activision. Loosely based on Space Invaders, the player must prevent food from destroying teeth in a person's mouth...
- Pressure CookerPressure Cooker (video game)Pressure Cooker is an Atari 2600 video game released by Activision in 1983. It has arcade-style gameplay, in which the player is a short-order cook at a hamburger stand who must assemble and package hamburgers to order without letting ingredients or hamburgers fall to the floor.-Gameplay:During...
- Private EyePrivate Eye (Atari 2600)Private Eye is a video game produced and published by Activision and released in 1983 for the Atari 2600 video game system. Designed by Bob Whitehead, one of Activision's co-founders, Private Eye requires players to track down clues and recover items stolen by a master criminal, ultimately leading...
- River RaidRiver RaidRiver Raid is a scrolling shooter videogame and was released in 1982 by Activision for the Atari 2600, and later the Atari 5200, Atari 8-bit, C64, ColecoVision, IBM PCjr, Intellivision, ZX Spectrum, and MSX...
- River Raid II
- Robot TankRobot TankRobot Tank is a 1983 video game for the Atari 2600. It was designed and programmed by Alan Miller and published by the then-fledgling Activision.-Description:...
- SeaquestSeaquest (video game)Seaquest is an Atari 2600 video game designed by Steve Cartwright and published by Activision in 1982.-Gameplay:Seaquest is a submarine combat game in which the player controls a water vessel and must avoid, collect, or destroy various objects at different levels of depth.The player must pick up...
- Skateboardin
- SkiingSkiing (Atari 2600)Skiing is a video game cartridge for the Atari 2600 console. It was authored by Bob Whitehead, and released by Activision in 1980.Skiing is a single player only game, in which the player uses the joystick to control the direction and speed of a stationary skier at the top of the screen, while the...
- Sky Jinks
- Space Shuttle
- Spider Fighter
- StampedeStampede (video game)Stampede is a video game cartridge which was released in 1981 for the Atari 2600 video game console, and the Intellivision video game console in 1982. The game is a left-to-right side-scroller with an overhead, third-person view...
- StarmasterStarmasterStarmaster is a video game produced for the Atari 2600 video game console. It was created by Alan Miller, and released in June 1982 by Activision...
- TennisActivision TennisActivision Tennis is a 1981 Atari 2600 video game by Activision. It was one of a series of sports games by Activision, which also included 1980's Activision Boxing...
- Thwocker (previously unreleased)
- Title Match
- Tomcat F14
- Venetian Blinds (GBA version only)
Imagic titles (Not on GBA):
- Atlantis
- Demon AttackDemon AttackDemon Attack is a video game published by Imagic for several home console systems, including the Atari 2600, Intellivision, Odyssey², Atari 8-bit, Commodore VIC-20, Commodore 64, PC Booter, TRS-80 and TRS-80 Color Computer. There was also a port to the TI-99/4A titled Super Demon Attack...
- Moonsweeper
Homebrewed
Atari 2600 homebrew
An Atari 2600 homebrew is a homebrew video game designed for the Atari 2600 by independent developers following the discontinuation of the console in 1992. The first 2600 homebrew was written in 1995, and since then over 100 homebrew titles have been released...
games (GBA,PC,and Mac versions only):
- Climber 5
- Okie Dokie
- OystronOystron- Background :Created by Piero Cavina and released in 1997, Oystron was one of the earliest homebrew games developed for the console. The game, Cavina's first, was released by XYPE, an independent group of Atari 2600 homebrew developers....
- Skeleton+ (Also on PC Version)
- Space Treat Deluxe
- Vault Assault
- Video Euchre
Reviews
- GameSpotGameSpotGameSpot is a video gaming website that provides news, reviews, previews, downloads, and other information. The site was launched in May 1, 1996 by Pete Deemer, Vince Broady and Jon Epstein. It was purchased by ZDNet, a brand which was later purchased by CNET Networks. CBS Interactive, which...
- 7.3/10 - GameSpyGameSpyGameSpy Industries, Inc., known simply as GameSpy, is a division of IGN Entertainment, which operates a network of game websites and provides online video game-related services and software. GameSpy dates back to the 1996 release of an internet Quake server search program named QSpy. The current...
- 80/100 - Gaming Age - B-
- Gaming TargetGaming TargetGaming Target is a website covering video games and gaming culture that was founded on February 17, 1999 by Matt Swider.-History:When it launched in 1999, Gaming Target focused solely on the Nintendo 64 and Game Boy Color...
- 8.5/10 - IGNIGNIGN is an entertainment website that focuses on video games, films, music and other media. IGN's main website comprises several specialty sites or "channels", each occupying a subdomain and covering a specific area of entertainment...
- 8.5/10
External links
- Unofficial manual for GBA version, including maps and secrets.
- http://ps2.ign.com/objects/491/491542.html IGN's page of the game
- http://gameboy.ign.com/articles/445/445805p1.html