Wizard of Wor (Arcade, Atari 2600, 5200) Game Review by Mike Matei

Mike Matei reviews the arcade classic Wizard of Wor!
Follow Mike on Twitter► / mike_matei
In this video Mike Matei discusses several different versions of Wizard of Wor. Arcade, Atari 2600 and others. Wizard of Wor is essentially like a cross between Pac-man & Berzerk. Along with Gauntlet, it was one of the few early arcade games that used voice clips. WOW is also available on PS2 and PSP in Midway's Arcade Treasures Volume 2 and Midway Arcade Origins on Xbox 360.
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[@nitpicker9406]

I didn't know Stephen Hawking did voice overs for games.

[@utubepunk]

Ha! It does sound like Stephen Hawking!

[@TymphaRedbreaduwuowo]

i thought it was benni bennasi?

[@JigjagjugXyz]

utubepunk Stephen Hawking can't speak.

[@vlweb3d]

edilcanidal FACEPALM

[@DizzPants]

***** As the pornmusic?

[@protorhinocerator142]

Ooh Ooh Ooh Ah, ah, ah, ah! Some of the best taunts ever.

[@reddy4play]

The voice clips in this game sound like they're being said with a huge dick in the mouth. Couldn't have been Mike's though, as that would completely suffocate the poor human.

[@zawzero]

Those are not "clips", it is the live output of a speech formant synthesis chip. I think it is a GI SP0256-AL2, judging from the way it sounds and the era.

[@PeteSkerritt]

I was more of a GORF guy back in the early 1980s, but I played my fair share of Wizard of Wor, too. Hearing the taunts from the Wizard was definitely a point of attraction; back in 1981, not a lot of games had speech-- and, at least in my local arcade-- the game's volume was cranked, so it was hard not to hear the voice coming from the game. It's nice to be able to play this today, emulated well via Midway Arcade Treasures (Gen6) or Midway Arcade Classics (Gen7). I've actually improved my skill a bit from my childhood days, though I'm still nowhere near great at it. Sadly, GORF never got the same treatment-- probably because of the copyright issues with Space Invaders and Galaxian both being minigames within the main game.

[@robintst]

Peter Skerritt I never got to play the real arcade GORF but I thought it had a pretty darn good port to the Atari VCS. I'm saying that in hindsight, I was born in the middle of the Video Game Crash. I remember getting my older brothers' hand-me-down ColecoVision and playing a lot of Zaxxon and Donkey Kong Jr. before they convinced our mom to get a NES. I still love Coleco... and I happened to get a copy of it's version of GORF a couple years ago. I thought it was a clunky, barely functional mess. The 2600 version beats the pants off of it. Super super fun game!

[@Dorelaxen]

Oh, man, Wizard of Wor was one of my favorite arcade games, right behind Robotron. Hearing those voices was SO cool back in the day.

[@R3fug333]

Holy shit! How big is your god damned TV?

[@JamesNintendoNerd]

My TV is 4k Samsung 65" - Mike

[@R3fug333]

Cinemassacre Damn Mike, that's big. But I wouldn't expect anything small from you ;D

[@RetroCheater81]

Cinemassacre dont worry Mike, not all of your fans are as retarded as these guys.

[@kerbal666]

Cinemassacre You must doing really well for yourself :)

[@mack11mac11]

Cinemassacre no way its the angry nintendo nerd lol ive been watching your channel for 5years

[@daneofurexistence]

I wish a girl would play games with ME! My town sucks.... : (

[@Stardust_Mage]

Yup... My town sucks too. There used to be a little snack place with working arcade cabinets, and I went there just because I LOVED the games. But one day they sold all of the cabinets to The Boys and Girls club thing (or so what I have heard.). Never went back since.

[@Mickr4]

Why you want a girl ruining your gaming experience ?

[@Nate0514]

Why the fuck are people comparing Shenmue to GTA? Two completely different types of games.

[@daneofurexistence]

ome1211 True.

[@daneofurexistence]

VicRules666 Do you know where I can find some?!

[@retroguy74]

Damn Mike, you're killing it with these reviews! I played the 2600 game when I was a kid, and I agree it was one of the better games on the system. I also like Warlords a lot, as it was sort of close to the arcade game and made good use of the paddle controllers. That said, hearing that machine in the arcade was awesome and nothing compared to that experience. Usually this one and Sinistar were turned up to 11 blasting through the arcade. Intimidating for an 8 year old, that's for sure. Keep it up Mike, and thanks again for this!

[@JamesNintendoNerd]

Warlords is one of my favorite simultaneous two player 2600 games. I've been meaning to get a copy of Sinistar somewhere. - Mike

[@soupalex]

Cinemassacre "WoW" looks great, Mike! Have you ever played "Berzerk"? It looks very similar (Midway's Wizard of Wor was apparently published a year after Stern Electronic's Berzerk), especially with the use of synthspeech taunts; Berzerk had some great ones: "COIN DETECTED IN POCKET." (when in "attract mode") "CHICKEN. FIGHT LIKE A ROBOT." (when the player character uses the stage exit without killing all enemy robots)

[@tvtimetravel]

soupalex Sounds much more similar to Gorf! Same type of voice!

[@sandal_thong8631]

I played Sinistar on PlayStation. When I beat level one, I found level two to be impossible.

[@ExcenGaming]

My childhood friend had this arcade cabinet. His dad collected them. And this was my favorite one to play. We never got too far in it. But seeing it again after all of these years is the purest gaming nostalgia for me.

[@Ninjamohawk]

I love his taunts, really unique. Other than that I like the concept of a two-player Berzerk with more maze elements.

[@garymalarkey4626]

They had a WoW machine in the Circle K down the street from my house when I was a kid. It ate many of my spare quarters, until they swapped it out for a Gladiator arcade machine. Then Gladiator ate all my quarters. I miss the days when they had arcade machines in convenience stores... and laundromats... and grocery stores... and just about everywhere else.

[@luvmenow33]

Loved this game on the 5200. Underrated system IMO. Once you got the hang of recentering the controller it was easy to use and innovative for the time IMO.

[@thesynthguy_1428]

I knew all of the music that was playing in the background. 0:21 and 2:59 was Ocean Loader 3(Peter Clarke) 2:02 was Central Park from The Last Ninja 2(Matt Grey) 1:00 was One Man and his Droid(Rob Hubbard) Music Chip: SID Chip (I don't know if it's 6502 or 8580) System: Commodore 64 (PAL)

[@AmberShort]

This is also on the PSP as Midway's Arcade Treasures. It's pretty fun.

[@jakeself1911]

I'm still annoyed that Blizzard made World of Warcraft instead of Warcraft IV. Though Warcraft IV will probably never be made, I still hope it will be. Not all of us wanted the next Warcraft game to be an MMORPG.

[@spicyjuniormint]

Something about that digitized voice is so hilarious and charming! I'd like to see someone make a modern day "8 bit style" game with digitized voices like those, I think it'd be great. Nice review as always Mike!

[@DeckerFI]

Gotta love the soundtrack. 0:20 Ocean Loader 3 (Peter Clarke)

[@HerrKlugscheisser]

I played this at Richie Knucklez Arcade in Flemington, NJ a week ago. Great game and I remember playing it when it originally came out.

[@Gintaras64]

I really love the fact, that Mike is making Atari reviews. I really like them.

[@FNHot]

I have this in an old school arcade cab i made. Makes me want to go back and play it again.

[@Phoosh]

Not one, but two accordions. This guy has life figured out.

[@abortretryfail2053]

I'd love to see a video on your atari 2600 collection. I can see from some of your videos that you've got some pretty rare games (quadrun, q*bert's qubes). Thanks for the recent videos. It's good to see the Atari VCS get some love.

[@Inurantchan]

Cool vid. That ending music sounds like the beginning of Donkey Kong though....strange..

[@prophismusic]

Mike i will never understand why you choose the most random old games, but all your reviews are good.

[@ShutterAuthority]

Hey Mike! Totally enjoy your videos man! 

[@carvineytech9157]

Been follwing since a long time ;)

[@zork2001]

I built a MAME arcade machine shown in my avatar. I have like 5000 games on it, the first game I will usually show\play is Wizard of War. Easy to pick up and play, it’s fun co-op and will bring a smile to anyone face even if they don’t care that much about video games.

[@RetroEjit]

At 0:20 I heard whatever was said as "Remember I'm Peppi Le Pew" 😉 You got to love the early days of digitized voices 😄

[@Mackened]

I love these Mike review that pop up randomly! Please make more!

[@davidlemos1136]

It really looks like a good and cool game, thank you for reviewing such an obscure gem. Ps: man i love how the wizard's voice sounds.

[@Musicradio77Network]

This was long before Microsoft Sam and GoAnimate came along.

[@sandal_thong8631]

"Some galactic defender you are, Space Cadet." -GORF

[@nobel11]

Sweet review. I've got some fond memories of playing this one in the arcade.

[@GrnArrow092]

I grew up playing the Commodore 64 version of this game. I LOVED it... and still do. I can remember playing this game with one of my best friends at the time back in the mid 80's and we would have a blast playing it. I didn't have the console version, so I was unaware that this game had an electronic voice. It was still a great game, though.

[@ZPEntertainment]

Dat Ocean Loader 3 music. A great tune for a great (though unrelated) game!

[@petewadesays12]

Still have this on 2600 Nice review Mike, it'd be cool to see ya do more ATari games but I imagine how busy you must be on a regular basis.

[@DanielRenardAnimation]

Wizard of Wor was my first game for the C64, which ever came with some weird screen overlay that I guess was meant to fade the screen to reduce eye-strain, but I stopped using that. No voices, since it was the C64 port, but I still think it was a great game for its time. Funny enough I used to call the Wizard a "Witch" for the high-pitched wailing when you kill him. I recall that I used to start up 2 player, even when playing alone, just so I could play as blue and pull up the yellow guy and farm extra points.

[@LetterRobo]

Lesbian Spider Queens from Mars is a simply lovely tribute to the Wizards of Wor, though I think it stands on it's own as it's own game.

[@Methusalen]

My uncle owns a WOW arcade cabinet, which I've had the pleasure of dropping quarters into. The game is surprisingly addictive, and I was actually surprised when the wizard started mocking us...

[@tommybagley1584]

The wizard kinda sounds like the computer voice from War Games, possibly the best Matthew Broderick movie without "Ferris" in the title.

[@sw1tched]

The coin-op up was one of my favorite games ever

[@jetpackman01]

I recognize that music in the background! It's Ocean Loader III by Peter Clarke and Central Park from The Last Ninja II by Matt Gray.

[@warhammernerd52Daxx-Lorenzo898]

Mike Matei, why wasn't Evil Otto, Wolfenstein and Wolfenstein 2 mentioned when talking about voice software? Did those games come out after WOW?

[@gluserty]

I have this game on the "Midway Arcade Treasures 2" PS2 disk (for a long time I mostly went for classic game compilations for that system), and think it's a real treat, since i really like those early arcade games. I've never played it with two players, though, which really looks like quite the good time.

[@adultmoshifan87]

I played Atari 5200 at a retro convention recently, and the controller worked! It was the console's original pad, believe it or not, I guess it was repaired and wotnot. Even then, it still didn't work perfect, but for it to work as well as it did, that's an achievement.

[@TimWUnderwood]

I used to play Wizard of Wor in the 2600 with my dad all the time! I loved that game

[@Wario7793]

I lucked out and had this as an actual arcade game in my dining room as a teen! I spent hours playing this frustrating but funny game.

[@vintagecomputermuseum8815]

Best home port in my opinion was the C64 version. It had speech in it with an additional hardware plugged in (Magic Voice cartridge). This game is soooooo much fun. Simplicity at its best.

[@Musicradio77Network]

Vintage Computer Museum And let's not forget the home version of this game for the Bally's Astrocade, a rare console from 1977 and it is commonly rare. The Astrocade version are much the same as this version, minus the synthesized voices.

[@tonyvillarreal1812]

This is one of my top favorites of the 80s. Right up there with Satans Hollow and Sinistar.

[@SeekerLancer]

This was one of my favorite spins on the maze game genre. An underrated arcade classic.

[@olesideburns]

Intellivision had a Voice addon also. I remember playing it a few times. There was flight game where they would call out where the boogies were.

[@Moggray87]

UGH My dad and I used to play this so much when I was younger on the C64! I would have been about 6 or 7 maybe younger. Unfortunately he passed away a few years back, but I really wanna bust this game out again, still have my C64 :). Thanks for showing this one!

[@PlasmaProd]

One of my favourite 2600 games, besides Combat, SpaceMaster X-7 and Missile Command.

[@brianoconnell6459]

Another thing to note is many of the sounds seem to be ported over from Gorf. Also some seem to have been used in Daft Punk's End of Line song from Tron Legacy.

[@retrovertigoes]

Love the Commodore 64 background music. Invade-a-load and Ocean loader v.3.

[@ckjuicyj82]

My aunt and uncle use to have this arcade machine in their house and my brother and i use to play it a lot. Good times.

[@josehinostrozavasque]

I forgot all about this game... back then was one of my favorites!

[@stufaman]

Wizard of Wor was eons ahead of it's time and still damn good fun to play. Two player co-op and vs. You're lucky if you get that in a modern shooter.

[@abadoxnes1065]

My gf just bought me Midway Arcade Origins as a gift for the 360 a few days ago. I played Wizard of war and thought it was a fun game. Thanks for reviewing the game. Hopefully you get to review a few more games from the disc.

[@Forvern]

I like the less known reviews, even if they are short. Wizard of Wor looks smooth and stays to the gaming roots.

[@drewsebastino2889]

3:43 Saying two words is a whole other story compared to saying complete sentences. Even if the system could handle decent sounding voice samples, it would have dramatically increased the game size and driven the price sky high, as memory was very expensive back then.

[@GrandHustler15]

Can you guys do a "James and Mike Play" for the NES game Gauntlet II? It's a 4 Player game so it'll be cool to play with some guests using the Four Score

[@vanderzarth]

I used to play it over and over on my commodore 64. Sweet memories!

[@GlensRetroShow]

The Bally Astrocade was I feel the Best home conversion..

[@Musicradio77Network]

The arcade game "Wizard of WOR" had the same chip which was used in the Bally Astrocade console, but this one was arcade only, using the same graphics and sounds that are from the Astrocade. The game was made by Bally/Midway. Bally did owned Midway at the time, the same company that made pinball machines. They also did "Pac-Man" and "Ms. Pac-Man" which was originally from Namco in Japan.

[@GlensRetroShow]

The real difference was the astrocade motherboard was limited to the arcade board low res mode. If ram was not as expensive as it was then the same mode would have been available to the astrocade for arcade perfect versions of gorf. And wow as would be the same chipset. But ram was to expensive so the actual address lines were not even connected .. Forcing the astrocade to low res only mode ..but audio was spot on. Controllers also excellent

[@JaredSoll]

I remembered play the arcade version of this game @ my uncle's house when I was a kid. Also the formation with two players back to back my cousins and I called it "The Death Butterfly"

[@Pleaseunderstand]

I love the whole "epilepsy be damned!" era of video games.

[@awesomefanger]

The Bally home arcade system had "the incredible wizard" the music and sounds were the same but no voice. Was my favorite on bally's home game.

[@mbcoll8154]

Clearly a masterpiece but I don't think I ever saw it in the wild.

[@zonda82]

Nice :) I can hear Gryzor Commodore 64 0:23 background music ✌️

[@TenchiFanatic3]

i've always loved standing in front arcade machines and hearing the random beeps and various effects . the feel of playing an arcade machine is way different then playing a console. I was expecting a review and that what I got. not every one is trying to troll/piss you off, I say that's awesome as shit keep doing it. you knows what it is I speak of do you not?... videos about video games.

[@ArabianSphinx]

I do enjoy Mike's reviews no question, especially as someone who wasn't growing up in this era of gaming but is there a reason why James isn't making AVGN episodes anymore? Thanks.

[@mathesar]

The Arcade version of Wizard of Wor is also available on PS3 via Midway Arcade Origins.

[@Hhesu]

Mike is the boss. Those reviews are best ever.

[@Rych3rInLyf3]

Never thought id see a review of my favorite obscure Atari game. I was addicted to this game when I owned it for the Atari 800XL.

[@RogueFox112]

Wizard of Wor is also on Midway's Arcade Treasures 2, for those of you who may not have an Xbox 360, but have a PS2, Gamecube, or original Xbox. Probably get it pretty cheap used online or at a used game store.

[@shadow-wolfgaming1737]

Yes I had that game too sucked they didnt had rampage better version of it on midway treasures 2 one on orgins was not that good plus would of been nice primal rage was on origins even for nice HD graphics on xbox360 lol

[@drunclecookie216]

this game is also on Midway Arcade Treasures 2 for the Playstation 2

[@ex0duzz]

OmG. This is my favourite game on the Commodore 64. 2 player of this game was SICK FUN. The music is so heart pumping..

[@NaaLaaCreator]

So THAT'S where the laugh in the arcade scene of Monster House (old cgi movie) comes from.

[@IronSalamander8]

Love this one. We played the heck out of this in the arcade as a kid and later on the Commodore 64 version which was pretty faithful to the arcade version. Playing it 2 player was hilarious. It's a genuine classic!

[@mongooseonaunicycle2056]

Ah the epilepsy inducing effects of the 2600 brings back a lot of memories.....more Atari reviews please Mike.

[@GamesCourier]

I played it on the Commodore 64 and I cant remember that the Wizard would taunt you. But it is a lot of fun especially in Koop. Wars begun when the first one hit the other player by accident. "You did that on purpose" and "I will kill all of your men now!" werent rare phrases. Nice Review, I will look into the XBox-Version.

[@tetsujin_144]

Love that "One Man and his Droid" music. Game's pretty cool, too. Doesn't have much to do with Wizard of Wor though...

[@inmymemory507]

I can't get in to those old arcade games, but I like some NES games. I really got into gaming during the 16-bit era. I have fond memories of SNES and GENESIS.

[@MrFixer1983]

Nice video, I like the C64 version. Do I hear the Monty on the run theme music from the C64 ;)

[@godfunk]

The Bally Astrocade port blows those other home systems away

[@hermankatnip]

That red 5200 controler looks like a trainer sized but plug

[@CasualRonin]

I remember playing this with a former friend who had the 2600 version. The game was a shitload of fun.

[@seven0929]

Robot voice: We are harbinger, resistance is futile. I would play this one for the flashing screen :)

[@TreatmentsPsoriasis]

I miss the old AVGN. Seems like the nerd is DEAD!

[@Ten80pete]

Great commentary Mike. I've said it before, but you're really coming into your own with these reviews. I'll just throw out a game review suggestion: Battlezone. Keep it up man.

[@azalea_k]

Holy C64 tunes... Ocean Loader by Martin Galway, Invade-a-load by Rob Hubbard, Last Ninja 2 by Matt Gray... I remember WAY too much of that stuff :P

[@raydeen2k]

Wizard of Wor was the game that originally taught me how to be a camping bastard. I had the Atari 400/800 home version and it was pretty much spot on except for not having the starfield background and the voice synth. I think I made it to board 21 one time. Things were hella fast and I was just plain lucky. I recently played the Bally Astrocade version and was blown away at how good it was. I'm now kinda looking for one just to get WoW for it.

[@Sohberson]

Mike, is there any chance of "Adventures of Batman and Robin" (SEGA) showing up on this channel? It's great, believe me

[@RaymondTracer]

I remember when I was a kid, my mother and father absolutely loved this game, they'd even let me play in a coop which was fun as hell. also didnt the C64 version have support for up to 4 players? I think I recall playing in a 3 player coop with my parents.

[@thisisrob8750]

no only 2 players

[@IntyMichael]

Nice review Mike! I've played Wizard Of Wor a lot on the C64 back in the time. It has even voice, but only with the C64 voice add on by Commodore.

[@RockulaProductionsYoutube]

NO ONE at Galaxy Arcade in the Towne Center strip mall could touch me on Wizard of Wor. Single player or VS mode

[@AutisticJoker88]

Wizards of Wor was also developed by Dave Nutting Associates - An In-House Developer for Midway, Dave Nutting Associates was founded by Dave Nutting (Engineer famous for working on the Jeep Grand Wagoneer and Enstrom Helicopter. He later went into arcade machines and pinball and even hired a trans woman to work for him (see Jamie Fenton for reference and her brilliant work)

[@SeagreenSerenades]

I really enjoy these Arcade/Atari game reviews. Very interesting and fun to watch.

[@Musicradio77Network]

Never heard of this game before, the graphics and sounds looked a lot like one you've seen in the Bally Astrocade, the second console which was released in 1977, the same year Atari VCS/2600 came out. The arcade version has the voice synthesis module built-in to the game, just like the Intellivision's Intellivoice which was an add-on to the Intellivision console, remember "Beeeee Seven-teeeen Bawmer"? There are some arcade game that uses a built-in module including "Star Wars", the arcade game from Atari, that uses the voice where he says "Red 5 Standing By" and then he says "Use the force, Luke!" And some other speeches taken right out of the movie. "Star Wars", the original 1983 arcade game from Atari was a first-person shooter where you can fight the enemy Tie Fighters and destroy the Death Star to rack up your bonus score. That followed very well with "A New Hope" where they are in the Death Star battle. It had vector graphics which fits well with the game.

[@zawzero]

If you are searching to do some experiments: The chip of those games you mention is a GI SP0256-AL2. I did some cool stuff with it, really fun!

[@afficial83]

the voice in the game reminds me of the red room scenes in twin peaks

[@mitchawesomefoot6139]

May have to try this out as I have Midway's Arcade Treasures Volume 2 on the original XBox.

[@nick6var]

I've never played the arcade original, but the compilation is on my wish list. The 2600 version is in my collection, though, and it looks and feels the way a Ghostbusters game for the 2600 should've been. Sometimes I throw on the Ra Parker Jr 45 and throw in the cart. Oddly, it also requires the second port to play the game. It was an oddity on the 2600, but was commonplace on my old C64.

[@tribalmask1]

How much inch is that tv? Like 70+?

[@JamesNintendoNerd]

My TV is 65 inches - Mike

[@Th1rt3eNoriginals]

Chafe strangely enough it's the same answer... 65 inches

[@tribalmask1]

Cinemassacre thanks Mike, im actually looking for a tv right now, thinking of buying a 55 inch, maybe a 60. well thanks for replying and keep up the good work :D

[@Video-Games-Are-Fun]

no. 70 inches is a monster. this is a basic 45 inch model. it's not actually that big.

[@tribalmask1]

he just said it is 65 inch tho so i dont think its 45 inch then