Atari Tempest Arcade - Game Play Tips

[@SBDavin]

I remember a guy who occasionally came to our arcade who was really good at Tempest. He'd easily get past the invisible levels. I think it was light green afterwards. This was the only game in the arcade that would keep the high scores when it was unplugged overnight. I saw your crossed hands technique for firing in the reflection - cool idea for the right-handed. Thank you!

[@evda514]

I can literally smell the pizza from back then. Thanks for a glimpse down memory lane.

[@nsaylor97]

My dad was describing his favorite game to me, I showed him this, and he went on about how much fun he had w this, thanks for uploading!

[@TomsProjects]

@@nsaylor97 My pleasure! It always tickles me when this old video gets new comments! Now you and your dad should see if you can find a local arcade and have a fun day out!

[@galactician]

Got my spinners installed on my rig this weekend and finally playing some Tempest! This video is great. Thanks for posting it all those years back. I am working on finding my rhythm on that fire button. It definitely takes some practice to keep the stream and then speed up the shots just enough to nail the flippers when they land on you. Don't quite have it down yet but it's fun practice. And anyway, thanks to your video I get this game waaaaaaaay more than I did when I was 7 and it was new in the arcade. ;-)

[@TomsProjects]

I think that's part of what makes Tempest such a good game. Beginners can still have fun wildly spinning around with the fire button held down and then when you learn a few basic strategies, it opens up a whole new world. Keep practicing!

[@lwillms38]

Thanks for posting this! I just finished restoring a Tempest, and just started reaching the red levels. Pulsars killed me right away.

[@TomsProjects]

It'll get easier once you learn the rythym. Listen for the sound they make and make sure you don't move unless it's between the pulses. The other thing that will get you is being on top of a spike. If there's a pulsar at the bottom of the spike you might not be able to shoot the spike down low enough to kill the pulsar before it pulses!

[@yeksun]

This was outstanding because of the fact you were talking and explaining. No one else does that. They just get on there and play . The explanation helped me a lot thanks. This should have thousands more views. You should change the title of your video to " Tempest Tutorial" or something like that. You will get a ton of views.

[@TomsProjects]

Thanks! I'm glad the video was useful! That's not a bad idea to change the title. This video is so old I should just make another one, unfortunately I no longer have a Tempest. I'll bet I end up with another one at some point.

[@adventurebloc]

Nice, any additional play tips and strategy videos are welcomed!

[@KevInBuffalo]

Awesome video! Thanks for the tips. Got a Tempest machine a few months ago so this'll help me improve.

[@95countach]

Wow! I used to work my way up to light green level (83?) but it took $5 worth of quarters as a teenager back in 1981. You remind me of how I used to play. You're actually pretty good at those levels.👏👍

[@TomsProjects]

Thanks! I'm nowhere as good now as I was back in the day and it's tough to talk and play at the same time but Tempest will always be my favorite game.

[@sergiototote]

P.D. Yo no jugaba con los brazos cruzados … brazo izquierdo botones y brazo derecho con el spinner… era una maravilla… Cuanta añoranza siento al recordar esa época de mi vida al lado del Tempest… ⚡️😃

[@AStrangersBaby]

Thanks for sharing- My 11 year old daughter has been abusing me on Tempest, now I can assert my dominance and earn her respect back!

[@TomsProjects]

A cunning plan! I do wonder how long an 11 year olds respect will last though😉

[@timmarshall2062]

tempest is a really hard game to learn boy i just got it and i am having a time to understand what i am doing still lots of fun maybe someday i will be good like you

[@TomsProjects]

I'm sure you'll get the hang of it! One of the great things about Tempest is the way that the difficulty keeps ramping up to always give you a challenge.

[@timmarshall2062]

@@TomsProjects it is a definite challenge that is for sure thanks for your reply

[@butterbagboy]

Your tempest finger is amazing

[@TomsProjects]

Well, that's a compliment I've never heard before! Thanks! With practice, I'm sure your Tempest finger can rise to greatness as well!

[@butterbagboy]

@@TomsProjects I had a tempest in my bedroom when i was in grade school, and I've owned a few since then, its pretty good.

[@TellerWest]

This is an extremely defensive strategy. I never would have thought to just camp out in one lane.

[@TomsProjects]

Once you get to the higher levels where the tankers split into two fuseballs, you definitely need to move around more. I love the way the difficulty ramps up on this classic!

[@vmexplorer]

Thanks for the Tips! I noticed your hands were crossed when playing, are you a left handed person? I am and commonly play some games that way too.

[@TomsProjects]

I'm right handed. I have better control of the fire button with my right hand, so that's why I play it cross handed. Fine control of the fire button is more important than the spinner on the later levels.

[@richardmarsh2317]

I am left handed and have never crossed hands at this game. It’s a matter of preference. I do agree the timing of the shots is extremely important in Tempest and it helps that the fire button is with my dominant hand.

[@videostash413]

how do you protect yourself from the things trying to flip on you?

[@TomsProjects]

They can be shot when they touch the line next to you. They're vulnerable from the time they touch the line, and while they're in the process of flipping on top of you. If they touch you, your toast.

[@jamesgreen6376]

Best game ever

[@sergiototote]

Hola!!! Amo al Tempest… modestia aparte soy un sobreviviente desde que salió a las salas de videojuegos, soy de los pocos que les daba la vuelta a todos los niveles del juego, e incluso seguían los niveles aleatorios y aún así les daba la vuelta, con un solo crédito y sin vidas extras porque así programaban la máquina los de las salas, les sacaba los 41 créditos con la terminación en 17 del score después de los 200000 puntos, había por todas partes de la ciudad de donde vivo, e iba a la búsqueda de ellos, creo que no se me escapó ninguno… ojalá y alguien realice un torneo de Tempest y quizás se haga algo de competencia, porque ya estoy viejo, pero puedo dar batalla… también está el secreto de cómo mantener la pantalla con enemigos en un determinado momento sin que salgan más de ellos y dejar fijo el nivel el tiempo que uno desee… eso lo puse en mi canal en un juego de 1up… que no es nada parecido al de galería de juego y que estoy modificando un poco para o hacerlo más real al original… hubiera sido mi regalo de vida haber tenido uno de esos, pero aquí donde estoy es imposible… saludos y felicidades por la explicación u el video… 😃⚡️

[@TomsProjects]

I liked your video! You should make a longer one showing gameplay of the higher levels.

[@sergiototote]

Ok… trataré de hacer uno con los niveles altos al menos lo que proporcione la máquina de 1up… ese será mi propósito lo más pronto posible… Saludos…

[@sergiototote]

Hola!!! No se me ha olvidado realizar el video… tengo desarmado el juego en otra ciudad de mi país, se me ha complicado pero en cuanto ya esté en condiciones de jugar les aviso y ya verán hasta cómo saltar las arañitas de un lado a otro y viceversa sin que hagan daño… Hasta pronto y Felicidades!! ⚡️⚡️⚡️🎮

[@Maik.iptoux]

This is a pirated version (or emulated version) you can't reach realy high levels, the game had anti pirate checks and prevents you from playing high levels.

[@TomsProjects]

This was played on actual arcade hardware, no emulation or piracy.

[@EricPetersen2922]

I couldn’t ever get past the yellow levels

[@TomsProjects]

Back in the day, my friend and I would play 2 player games. It helped us out when one of us was better at a certain level. As long as one of us could get past it, we could keep progressing. I think we both became better at the game because we helped each other out and were always trying to get to higher and higher levels.

[@aaronbenns9051]

I dontget what your shooting

[@rsf3119]

i had no idea you could kill the flippers once they hit the top without a super zapper or without firing down on a spike as they approached. Thanks for that. OTOH, I think you just ruined the game for me! lol

[@TomsProjects]

@@rsf3119 Unintended conequences!

[@bigfatno]

Easily the second best arcade game next to Astro Blaster. I think I made it to level 17 in this game. Apparently I like arguably the two hardest arcade games ever. Great video. Thanks for sharing.