Classic Game Room - ACTIONAUTS review for Atari 2600

Actionauts review. www.ClassicGameRoom.com
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Classic Game Room reviews ACTIONAUTS for the Atari 2600 VCS video game system. The Atari was released in 1977, Actionauts was released in 2008 by its designer and programmer, Rob Fulop. In fact it is technically called Rob Fulop's Actionauts. The goal of the game is to guide a robot through various mazes to find a block of cheese! Sounds cheesy, hooray! It is fantastic to see a brand new game released on the Atari (even if it was designed in 1984) and come in such a nice box with great artwork. This is an extremely limited edition game and mine is # 191 out of 250 sold to the general public (shmucks like us!) For the Atari technical crowd out there, this game was played on the Atari 7800 Prosystem for the review and captured on good-old school VHS. Actionauts will be hard to find but for those of you who like old fashioned old school retro arcade style gaming this review should demonstrate an awesome soon to be classic video game that you may enjoy. Rob Fulop also programmed and designed other games that we've reviewed here including Demon Attack (one of the first HD series reviews), Cosmic Ark, Night Driver and Missile Command. Rob Fulop also designed the popular Sewer Shark available on the Sega CD. Will we ever see Actionauts on the PS3 or Xbox 360? If we do I want the Actionaut robot to be much larger and have laser beams. Is that too much to ask? Great job to all who made this game and packaging! Classic Game Room was the original classic video game review show on the Internet in 1999-2000, now on DVD. The reviews on the HD series are reviewing PS3, PS2, Genesis, NES, Atari and Xbox 360. XBLA. videos review reviews show wii

[@IgnatzKolisch]

"I don't collect these things to have them sit on a shelf and gather dust. I like to play my Atari games." You nailed it man! And that game actually looks legitimately interesting and fun! What an amazing release to come out in 2008! I'm absolutely stunned and delighted. I'll never get to play it, but still, this is really great thing to have happened. Thanks so much for sharing, especially opening of the box for the first time for the rest of us!!

[@chriscorsello]

Demon Attack! One of my favorite Atari games back in the 80's.

[@Bob_Beaky]

Dude, I wish you would do a full retro gaming podcast. You've got a great tone and pace. Perfect for radio. :)

[@Dyne]

I never played any games on the Atari or anything but... That feeling of nostalgia... I really felt that when watching this, it feels nice sharing nostalgia...

[@Indead]

5:55-6:03 was the best XD. I fricken love you Mark, your voice and the simple comedy just goes so far with such a lack of effort. Amazing work man. Game looks pretty cool too. Sorry I'm one of those kids that grew up with SNES and such, but I'd always be open to play Atari if someone laid me out one.

[@Skriak]

I love the sound effects in this game! "Bip, bip bop, beep, bip bop beep bip." And as for a robot who eats cheese? Genius!

[@xg4bx]

guys who still produce games for defunct systems are truly awesome beyond words.

[@notyoursavior78]

Wow Exclusive Limited Edition! Congrats man, I had no idea that there was a brand new released Atari 2600 game released this year. Wow that copyright of 2008 on a Atari 2600 game is boss!

[@CoolDudeClem]

I did logo back when i was at school, but I used to build vehicles out of lego and have the computer controll them, logo+lego=awesome! I didnt know they were still banging out games for the 2600, that's crazy and cool!

[@sinistermoon]

That is way awesome! My friend picked up a copy as well. He said it ran him like $90 with the shipping and everything. That is very much so worth it in my opinion. Way awesome video man! The game looks pretty cool.

[@NESMASTER14]

Great man for what you said at 2:31. I recently opened a special edition reproduction NES game that came brand new in a cardboard box just like how they used to do, and I got the same nostalgic feeling. It was great. I said the exact same thing to myself when I was opening the game.

[@TheSplatter21]

My thoughts exactly! We have had CD disc games for a long time and little cards like SD cards or USB flash drive type things would be small and could probably hold more then a disc.

[@Skriak]

"Lock in all that...Atari goodness." That line amuses me. Kudos ^_^

[@ZILOGz80VIDEOS]

your back ground music was used in a game i have in the metal shop's computer lab at my school!!! the background music at the start

[@delfmeek]

Awesome job Mark. Back in the 90's.... I purchased "Cubicolor" from Rob Fulop (Number 41 to be exact). It felt SOOOO cool getting a "new" game in like that. I am planning on doing a You Tube video sometime in the future about it. I should probably splurge and buy this game... that is, if it's still available.

[@NML32]

My copy arrived today number 206 of 250. Much fun.

[@ForgetfulCollector]

I wish there were some people out there who decided to start making and programming games for the old Atari consoles. I would personally love to have this game!

[@edwinmusic3727]

Awesome experience!!!!!!!!!!!

[@theawesomegamr]

this game looks like so much fun :D

[@here4thedonuts]

Great vid. Programming the atari 2600 is especially challenging, so those programmers are some of the best.

[@matthewlane518]

I agree with your "what's best in life" opinion

[@Arwingpilot]

If I remember, that "turtle" prgram is called Imgaine. My school has it.

[@synthem9389]

one word: anticipation. that's what that song does for me.

[@Bittergamer1886]

@bazfanv2 The Famicom's (Not NES!) run was from 1983-2003 with the last official game being released in 1994.

[@Skriak]

I like that logic: sounds like a plan I'd make :D

[@Tr3vor42532]

im jealous, a brand new game with a not scratched shiny box, for a 28 year old game console!

[@ScrewAttackEurope]

Sorry I meant the Big Trak, I'd be suprised if MB didn't release it in the US, it was released around the same time as Simon. Yeah, David Tennant is a funny guy, though theres a bit cliff hanger on the end of last weeks episode of Dr Who here, He dies/regenerates at the end of the episode!

[@ratleader90]

This reminds me of the "CNC" machines in my higschool. At least the programming is similar.

[@atarileaf]

There are a lot of great homebrew Atari games. I got a copy of Ladybug a couple of months ago that came out in 2006. Its great.

[@The_Real_DCT]

No it's not a homebrew cart, it was orginally done by Atari back in 84 around the console market crash and was shelved till 08 when the game's programer/desginer decided to re-release it in limited numbers.

[@racefaceec90]

"SMELL MY CHEESE!"

[@gjc82071]

IMO, Atari 2600 box art is very distinctive (I love it). Especially early "Atari Inc." games like Breakout, Combat, Air Sea Battle, etc & Outlaw (Outlaw artwork was based on Clint Eastwood "The Outlaw Josey Wales" movie). Look at the DVD case for "The Venture Brothers" - Season 3, you can see they definitely payed homage to classic Atari box art. It literally looks like an Atari 2600 game vs a DVD movie. Kudos to the designer. BTW, where'd ya get this game? Homebrew right? Any left 2 buy?

[@atm94404]

Atari Age has some newly (this millenium) created Atari games. Thrust+, Star Fire, and Gunfight are new games that are good as any classic-era 2600 games.

[@gjc82071]

"Nostalgia" is at least half the reason (the other half being for the pure "fun" of it) I am such a huge retro gamer. When I play certain games, I can recollect where/when/who I was playing with. 30+ year ago. I do have a modest collection of vintage games, but primarily I use emulation. However I did recently buy m) The programmer did an excellent job with every aspect. (box, overlays, manual, etc)

[@jeffreycutler4852]

gjc82071

[@el4174]

LOGO, wow!....good call!!

[@ScrewAttackEurope]

Kinda reminds me of that Megatrax car/robot thing MB games released in the 80's, oh how I wanted one of those as a kid. But nice box though, did you smell inside the bag for Rob's sweet sweet breath? :D

[@BAZFANSHOTHITSClassicTunes]

I havent opened a game for years. Well i open torrents. Does that count?!!.

[@communistrecords]

@ultragamer14 Thanks!

[@soterioncoil2163]

iteth even came witheth the instructiums!

[@Spyrorocks2]

I buy 2 of all of my atari games, one for keeping on my shelves, and one for playing

[@lankey6969]

That "swirly" thing around the A, is a circle...

[@kanen100]

that sucks that there is only 250 of them. the game looks like fun

[@Bittergamer1886]

I actually have many designs for many games for the Atari 2600. If only I could learn how to program them...

[@Bittergamer1886]

@bazfanv2 Nope. That would be the Famicom (And somewhat the Fairchild Channel F).

[@tehnoobtune]

It came out in 2008 when it was supposed to come out in 1988 i think

[@causedthefire]

This vidoe should be called Actionauts for Atari 2600 unboxing and review.

[@Skriak]

I new Atari game? That's totally BirdAss! ^_^

[@yaywhewclips242]

Never ever heard of this game. Is this a homebrew cart? I like the swirley A too!!Between my brother and i we had about 80 carts in the day. Cosmic Ark, kick ass game!!

[@CCowell125]

Yep. In fact, I never emulate anymore. The feel of the real controller with the experience of buying a new (well, used =P) cartridge, and playing it for the first time feels much better than downloading a ROM... even if I have to put up with slow 50hz PAL. =(

[@hootyhaha]

How did you find out about this to buy it? There was no advertisement for it. Was it a web exclusive? I hope sales were high for it.

[@DocSicnarf]

Sounds like you've got a raging hard on holding that box.

[@mccarthymcfamily]

cool

[@stgeek1]

that is cool!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@CakePicnic]

Is there any way to get this anywhere?

[@starsoldier1]

Holy crap, where did you find this game? Digital Press or eBay maybe?

[@lowes48impala]

where did you buy this great game? I couldn't find it in ebay

[@tonywalker6257]

The Actionauts are a band from Vancouver.. since 1981.

[@tonywalker6257]

The name came from combing 'Rock action' to 'Micronauts'. Nice burn though.

[@ForgetfulCollector]

I know about the homebrew stuff, but I mean re-releasing of origial games in mass numbers by some company.

[@Bittergamer1886]

In fact,about 70 bucks!

[@0M9H4X_Neckbeard]

i like this intro way more than the new one. i mean whats that zombie mouse supposed to tell me?

[@Snotnarok]

I opened Raystorm for PSone (a great space shooter) brand new not a month ago and my friend snapped on me. I know this fear haha.

[@CAPTAINxCOOKIES]

Rob Fulop e-mailed me today i got the 240/250 one hope its here soon

[@communistrecords]

You open boxes like they are fine wines. Also I just bought an atari 2600. What would you say the 10 best 2600 games are?

[@shadow09601]

i wonder where he got the game unless he ordered it special

[@scottydu81]

i wonder if this is available on emulators?

[@Zambaku]

Best system ever

[@Indead]

He means the ones that youtube now has inbedded in their videos I think.

[@killerb2099]

@scottydu81 I'm sure someone's dumped the ROM.

[@Liboo52]

why didn't you ever finish windsquid?!

[@DaisyTheSadboi]

I dont open my sealed games, I just re-buy them loose =D

[@sonicgreg]

Discs should be evolving into USB drive like "cartridges" soon...

[@MassZombicide]

I'm sorry but is that really a video game ?Because it looks like that crappy screen that comes up when someone's computer is screwy so I can't tell if it's an archaic game or a glitchy screen j/k The packaging was nice and yeah, I do kind of prefer the old cartridges to CDs in a way i.e. for the reason you mentioned

[@heddythecrab]

@winnerboi102 I think Rob Fulop would prefer his work to be enjoyed, not take up space on a shelf.

[@gjc82071]

@xg4bx Damn right. What is even better about the "homebrew" gaming community, with 20-30yrs of programming knowledge, they have discovered there are a bunch of little programming tips, shortcuts, tweaks, etc, that original programmers didn't know about. They can make some better games. For instance, Atari 2600 "Pacman" (*Yuck*) vs "Hack'em" an Atari 2600 Pacman homebrew. It's as close to an arcade version of Pacman on the 2600 as you can possibly get & much better than the original 2600 ver.

[@bland9876]

there is a game like this on the game boy color with Lego people

[@teh_supar_hackr]

What's it called

[@robotwo]

Programming Atari2600 games isn't that hard now that there's Visual Batari Basic. Gives you just about all the features without having to nitpick in Assembly level :D

[@CardfightVanja]

@IMZEECATMAN Hey, check Rob Fulop's website, it should be one of the top results if you google "actionauts", but be warned, with shipping, the game costs about 80 bucks, but I would think that its worth it :D

[@xalalalala]

@TFiPW Except when you open PlayStation Move Ape Escape for the PS3. It allways smells like shit...

[@MasterBattle2000]

I hope cartridges return to gaming. Scew Discs, Long live Cartridges!

[@chargermaster586]

MasterBattle2000 well they kinda made a return with the Nintendo switch but not the same feeling like these old Atari ones.

[@ClassicGamer88]

bring back game cartridges dammit

[@X5Industries]

2008 WIN!!!

[@kanen100]

@Boosterjustise look at craigslist. i got one for $10 bucks and a game gear for $15

[@winnerboi102]

WHY WOULD YOU OPEN IT?! O_O

[@causedthefire]

We should reprogram all the E.T. games into new better Atari games.

[@ultragamer14]

@communistrecords He has a video in which he says his top 10 2600 games.

[@CakePicnic]

Well there are poeple making games for atari 2600. It's called homebrew. I don't know if you can buy them but you can try to google it ;)

[@dumbstuffed]

DON'T OPEN THE BOX!!!

[@CCowell125]

It's not that bad if you haven't already played the game in 60hz on an emulator; but god it's annoying when you have. I swear I would have spent WAAYYY more on the Wii's Virtual Console if it let you play the games in 60hz... and if it a harddrive to store them in the first place. xD Another thing to bitch about the UK, Gordon Brown! xDDDDD

[@AFNYOAQIS]

lol big trak

[@colman44]

I wasnt alive to experience the classics and my parents think they are stupid so i cant really play them. Heck i got a ps2 for my birthday and i had to return it cause they didnt want me 2 hav 1

[@dbzelda123]

that game must have costed a few bucks

[@causedthefire]

@Frogster7 then you must hate good games.

[@cLaRkDamn]

@TWOhits6 go play ur wii

[@bobyoder3365]

Another annoying beep boop loud space cookie cutter shooter...YAY