Gremlins (Atari 2600)
Encyclopedia
Gremlins is a 1984 video game developed
and published
by Atari
for the Atari 2600
system. It is a tie-in
to the 1984 film Gremlins
. Atari released another, substantially different game based on the film for the Atari 5200
.
, directed by Joe Dante
, was the center of a major merchandising
push in the months surrounding its release. Atari developed video game tie-in
s for both of its contemporary consoles, the Atari 2600
and the Atari 5200
. Though both were produced by the same company and were based on the same film, differences in the two consoles resulted in two considerably different games. Atari intended to release both along with the film in 1984, but the company stopped shipment of all its games after its reorganization that year. Atari first previewed the 2600 version of the game at the 1984 Consumer Electronics Show in Chicago; it was released in limited numbers later that year, and became moderately rare. The 5200 version did not receive its release until 1986.
The 2600 version consists of two playable screens derived from video game styles popular at the time. The game can be played by one player, or two players alternating turns. The first screen is similar to the 1981 game Kaboom.
The player controls protagonist Billy Peltzer, who runs side-to-side across the screen catching falling Mogwai to prevent them from eating hamburgers. In the second screen, similar to Space Invaders
, the player moves Billy back and forth across the screen and shoots waves of descending gremlins.
The 2600 version is generally considered the inferior of Atari's two Gremlins games. Video game writer Brett Wiess calls it "derivative" and lacking in originality in its game play. The Video Game Critic
awarded the game a "D" rating, criticizing the game for its "uninspired" gameplay and for requiring the "stiff, imprecise" joystick
controller to be used instead of the paddle controller used by Kaboom. Humorist Seanbaby
criticized it for its premise of defending hamburgers from gremlins as "clumsily rearranged Hamburglar game, or maybe the developers never expected it to be scrutinized by someone with my knowledge of where cheeseburgers are stored."
Video game developer
A video game developer is a software developer that creates video games. A developer may specialize in a certain video game console, such as Nintendo's Wii, Microsoft's Xbox 360, Sony's PlayStation 3, or may develop for a variety of systems, including personal computers.Most developers also...
and published
Video game publisher
A video game publisher is a company that publishes video games that they have either developed internally or have had developed by a video game developer....
by Atari
Atari
Atari is a corporate and brand name owned by several entities since its inception in 1972. It is currently owned by Atari Interactive, a wholly owned subsidiary of the French publisher Atari, SA . The original Atari, Inc. was founded in 1972 by Nolan Bushnell and Ted Dabney. It was a pioneer in...
for the 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...
system. It is a tie-in
Tie-in
A tie-in is an authorized product based on a media property a company is releasing, such as a movie or video/DVD, computer game, video game, television program/television series, board game, web site, role-playing game or literary property...
to the 1984 film Gremlins
Gremlins
Gremlins is a 1984 American horror comedy film directed by Joe Dante, released by Warner Bros. The film is about a young man who receives a strange creature—called a Mogwai—as a pet, which then spawns other creatures who transform into small, destructive, evil monsters. It was followed by a sequel,...
. Atari released another, substantially different game based on the film for the Atari 5200
Atari 5200
The Atari 5200 SuperSystem, commonly known as the Atari 5200, is a video game console that was introduced in 1982 by Atari Inc. as a higher end complementary console for the popular Atari 2600...
.
History
GremlinsGremlins
Gremlins is a 1984 American horror comedy film directed by Joe Dante, released by Warner Bros. The film is about a young man who receives a strange creature—called a Mogwai—as a pet, which then spawns other creatures who transform into small, destructive, evil monsters. It was followed by a sequel,...
, directed by Joe Dante
Joe Dante
Joseph "Joe" Dante, Jr. is an American film director and producer of films generally with humorous and science fiction content....
, was the center of a major merchandising
Merchandising
Merchandising is the methods, practices, and operations used to promote and sustain certain categories of commercial activity. In the broadest sense, merchandising is any practice which contributes to the sale of products to a retail consumer...
push in the months surrounding its release. Atari developed video game tie-in
Tie-in
A tie-in is an authorized product based on a media property a company is releasing, such as a movie or video/DVD, computer game, video game, television program/television series, board game, web site, role-playing game or literary property...
s for both of its contemporary consoles, the 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...
and the Atari 5200
Atari 5200
The Atari 5200 SuperSystem, commonly known as the Atari 5200, is a video game console that was introduced in 1982 by Atari Inc. as a higher end complementary console for the popular Atari 2600...
. Though both were produced by the same company and were based on the same film, differences in the two consoles resulted in two considerably different games. Atari intended to release both along with the film in 1984, but the company stopped shipment of all its games after its reorganization that year. Atari first previewed the 2600 version of the game at the 1984 Consumer Electronics Show in Chicago; it was released in limited numbers later that year, and became moderately rare. The 5200 version did not receive its release until 1986.
The 2600 version consists of two playable screens derived from video game styles popular at the time. The game can be played by one player, or two players alternating turns. The first screen is similar to the 1981 game Kaboom.
The player controls protagonist Billy Peltzer, who runs side-to-side across the screen catching falling Mogwai to prevent them from eating hamburgers. In the second screen, similar to Space Invaders
Space Invaders
is an arcade video game designed by Tomohiro Nishikado, and released in 1978. It was originally manufactured and sold by Taito in Japan, and was later licensed for production in the United States by the Midway division of Bally. Space Invaders is one of the earliest shooting games and the aim is to...
, the player moves Billy back and forth across the screen and shoots waves of descending gremlins.
The 2600 version is generally considered the inferior of Atari's two Gremlins games. Video game writer Brett Wiess calls it "derivative" and lacking in originality in its game play. The Video Game Critic
The Video Game Critic
The Video Game Critic is a website focused on video-game reviews and run by David Mrozek. It was established in 1999, and is known for featuring comprehensive reviews on many early gaming platforms.-History:...
awarded the game a "D" rating, criticizing the game for its "uninspired" gameplay and for requiring the "stiff, imprecise" joystick
Joystick
A joystick is an input device consisting of a stick that pivots on a base and reports its angle or direction to the device it is controlling. Joysticks, also known as 'control columns', are the principal control in the cockpit of many civilian and military aircraft, either as a center stick or...
controller to be used instead of the paddle controller used by Kaboom. Humorist Seanbaby
Seanbaby
Sean Patrick Reiley , better known as Seanbaby, is an American writer best known for his comedy website and frequent contributions to video game media outlets Electronic Gaming Monthly and 1UP.com. He is also a regular contributor to the humor website Cracked.com...
criticized it for its premise of defending hamburgers from gremlins as "clumsily rearranged Hamburglar game, or maybe the developers never expected it to be scrutinized by someone with my knowledge of where cheeseburgers are stored."