Let's Compare ( Robotron ) REMAKE

Video Locations:
1. Arcade 0:39
2. Dragon 32/64 1:45
3. Commodore Vic 20 2:54
4. TI99 3:58
5. DOS 5:12
6. Commodore 64 6:15
7. BBC Micro 7:20
8. Apple 2 8:25
9. ZX Spectrum 9:29
10. Acorn Electron 10:35
11. Atari XE / XL 11:39
12. Atari 5200 12:44
13. Atari 7800 13:48
14. Atari ST 14:53
15. Atari Lynx 15:59
16. Gameboy Advance ( Midway's Greatest Arcade Hits ) 17:04
17. Genesis ( Williams Greatest Hits ) 18:14
18. Super Nintendo ( Williams Greatest hits ) 19:18
19. Nintendo 64 ( Midway's Greatest Hits ) 20:22
20. Playstation & Sega Saturn ( Williams Greatest Hits ) 21:42
21. Windows ( Clone ) ( Mechatron 2154 ) 22:50
22. Nintendo 64 ( Robotron 64 ) 23:55
23. Playstation ( Robotron X ) 26:54
Creds. 29:57
Description Source:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robotron...
Robotron: 2084 (also referred to as Robotron) is an arcade video game developed by Vid Kidz and released by Williams Electronics in 1982. It is a shooting game that features two-dimensional (2D) graphics. The game is set in the year 2084, in a fictional world where robots have turned against humans. The aim is to defeat endless waves of robots, rescue surviving humans, and earn as many points as possible.
The designers, Eugene Jarvis and Larry DeMar, drew inspiration from other popular media: Nineteen Eighty-Four and Berzerk. A two joystick control scheme was developed to provide the player with more precise controls, and enemies with different behaviors were added to make the game challenging. Jarvis and DeMar designed the game to instill panic in players by presenting them with conflicting goals and having on-screen projectiles coming from multiple directions.
Robotron: 2084 was critically and commercially successful. Praise among critics focused on the game's intense action and control scheme. The game is frequently listed as one of Jarvis's best contributions to the video game industry. Robotron: 2084 arcade cabinets have since become a sought-after collector's item. It was ported to numerous platforms, inspired the development of other games, and followed by sequels.
The game is considered by many to be an unofficial part of the company's Defender saga, including by many of its developers.
GAMEPLAY
Robotron: 2084 is a 2D, fixed shooting game in which the player controls the on-screen protagonist from a top-down perspective. The game is set in the year 2084 in a fictional world where robots ("Robotrons") have taken control of the world and eradicated most of the human race. The main protagonist is a nameless superhuman attempting to save the last human family.[1][2][3]
The game uses a two-joystick control scheme; the left joystick controls the on-screen character's movement, while the right controls the direction the character's weapon fires. Both joysticks allow for an input direction in one of eight ways. Each level, referred to as a "wave", is a single screen populated with a large number of various enemy robots; types include invincible giants to robots that continually manufacture other robots that shoot the protagonist. Coming into contact with an enemy or enemy projectile results in the character dying. Waves also include human family members which can be rescued to score additional points. Defeating all the onscreen-robots allows the player to progress to a more difficult wave; a cycle which continues until the player depletes extra attempts to continue the game.

[@Carlos-nq7up]

I played the original Robotron 2084 arcade game by Williams back in the 80s and I used to love the sound effects. They had that thing cranked up to max volume, I loved it 😀

[@biffrapper]

Nothing beats the original version.

[@ThrilloVanHouten]

Wow, the VIC-20 version beats the C64 version; really goes to show what a difference in programming skill can do

[@scottbreon9448]

They were both programmed by the same guy though. However with that said, the guy who coded it was more comfortable programming on the VIC which is probably why the VIC version was better.

[@CreeperDudeBro]

Jeez, the N64 and PS1 versions of the arcade original aren't as bad as this video seems. They actually run really well on actual hardware. I think the recorder or emulators playing those collections don't do it justice.

[@Galimah]

i had super fun with Robotron 64

[@Gunzee]

Imo 7800 looked really good, it also had the intense arcade speed. The remakes on the n64 and PS are pretty good.

[@spike007980]

I love the midway arcade origins so good.

[@pkretsch]

I had the PC booter version when I was a kid. Really well done port for the time; it even had the arcade attract mode! Only thing it was missing were the electrodes.

[@handsomebrick]

I played the second N64 one a lot as a teenager and it's really great, the techno soundtrack and 3D perspective jive with the gameplay surprisingly well and they also have this weird ultra-immersive effect. That similar Playstation game looks like it has a terrible camera that interferes with the gameplay, I've never played it though.

[@chupacabra1817]

I got the same vibe ( “weird ultra-immersive effect” ). There’s some kinda creepy about it as well.

[@scottjohnston3098]

looks like they slowed the 64 version down for kids

[@Hologhoul]

Excellent! When you're really fond of a game, especially an all-time classic like Robotron 2084 which I'm playing a lot currently, a comparison video like this is really fascinating. Great job!

[@GamingHistorySource]

Thank You ! I'm Glad you enjoy it.

[@Popcornio]

Robotron 64/X had some soundtracks ahead of its time!

[@dalton2k538]

That BBC Micro version was much, much better than I expected.

[@ridiculous_gaming]

The Atari Lynx version is still fantastic to play with very accurate sounds. Also, I usually don't like remakes, but the 3D version on the PS1 is simply a fantastic enhancement using both analogue sticks as nature intended.

[@Hyper_Egret]

The ZX spectrum sound makes my ears go ride with headphones haha :) Amazing compilation btw.

[@lurkerrekrul]

Thanks for the explanation. I only tried it a couple times on the C64 and didn't care for it, and I never played it in the arcades. It always just looked like a big mess of robots on the screen and I never knew which ones you were supposed to shoot, which ones you could pick up, etc.

[@darthkur]

Love this game in all of it's iterations, that I've come across. Even the one of the Game.com. Great vid. There were a few that I was unaware of. Will have to procure those.

[@lactobacillusprime]

Holy crap I didn't even know a Vic-20 version existed!

[@TheTubeMeister]

I own Robotron 2084. Have it in my basement. Greatest arcade game ever!

[@gordonhamachi126]

Thanks for the excellent review.

[@WinrichNaujoks]

VIC-20.... multi colour "sprites" and pixelwise movement. Great!

[@bshaw71]

Willi Hansen yeah, for those of us who know the hardware limitations of the Vic, this was a pretty nifty conversion.

[@thesman32]

i play this on my mame cab all the time (dual sticks) love it,watch your volumes mate the electron version was really loud compared to the rest,but apart from that another excellent video man.

[@GamingHistorySource]

wasn't as bad as the vic 20 & dragon versions. 0_0 the surprise entry for me was the spectrum. Extremely well done but hard as nails ! It took me about 30 tries to get suitable footage without getting my ass kicked thoroughly by the computer.

[@strydom666]

The last human family shouldn't be walking around casually when this robot fuckery is going on.

[@motonerve]

I have the 7800 version and I love it. It is perfect to play with two Amiga power stick controllers.

[@bjbell52]

I'm trying to learn how to write games for the 7800. It's a totally different beast from what I've programmed before. From what I've read, it's designed more like an arcade machine than a home computer. Its custom video chip is fantastic pushing out lots of sprites. It has no bit mapped graphics and only has re definable character sets for backgrounds. They have a 7800 Basic language which is good since programming in 6502 machine language is hard to learn.

[@MrSEA-ok2ll]

There was a mount to hold 2 Atari 2600 controllers allowing the player to steer and shoot the direction they chose. What an amazing and inspiring game that has evolved into newer titles that are still released today!

[@AudioGuyBrian]

Believe it or not. I have some friends that love this game including one that was born the year it came out. They appreciate "Twitch Games" like this. A nice break from the ever so sameness of FPS games on modern consoles. They agree that pretty graphics mean nothing if the game is not a hard-core challenge, for which Robotron surely is. We play at least for a few hours a week on average. I personally have played the Atari versions, the N64 one, and now pretty much just the MAME version on the PC using an X-Arcade dual stick controller. It's amazing that the game didn't get a good representation until the Sega Genesis came out. Then it was bastardized to death with the "X" version and Robotron 64 garbage. This is a great video you created and I'm sure it took quite some time to assemble. This Robotron Player thanks you!

[@MetalSonicodraco7342]

Best versions (Or almost for me) Dragon 32/64 Texas Instruments TI99/4a DOS Apple ][ ZX Spectrum Atari 8-BIT/5200 Atari 7800 Atari ST Arcade Conversion/compilations, my favorite could be the Genesis, the sound is bit diferent but sound a little more cool for me Mechatron for Windows could not be official in any sense, but it's good and it's what should be the shits of N64 and PSX

[@bjbell52]

The Apple ][ better than the Atari 8-bit? Have Santa buy you some glasses.

[@BroqHans]

It is a testament to Eugene Jarvis & Co. that they made the original run so smoothly. Not even the Atari or Amiga version years later were able to come close.

[@Qu0thTheRaven]

nice video

[@georgeshelton6281]

I definitely played the apple lle video game version of Robotron 2084. Robot Battle was a mock-up version of Robotron 2084.

[@StandingUpForBetter]

I LOVE Robotron 64. It is a worthy sequel to the original. In my opinion it is a retro re-make done right. Did not know about the Robotron X on the PS1 version. I will have to check that out. Thanks for the video.

[@arcadeerik2603]

Robotron 2084 rules, I love my home arcade and that game is the best arcade game.

[@leftintheoxafire]

Commodore Vic-20 showed it’s best work.

[@konajinx]

I always liked how everything on the VIC was gigantic compared to other ports. Those '90s remixes are naff as hell.

[@JLJones0664]

Robotron is always a special game in my heart, was the only arcade game I managed to score over a million on (twitch games forever!)

[@kevin12567]

There's a modern take on this game out now called Nex Machina. Eugene Jarvis was involved in its development, so if you miss the frenetic action of Robotron, you should definitely check this game out! It's currently on Steam and PS4.

[@dewback88]

Thanks for the heads up!

[@daviddavies3637]

I had the big box Atari 8-bit version. I'm surprised that it looks better than the 7800 version. Damned good conversion. The big box had a built-in joystick holder for two standard Atari joysticks. So you could play it as a twin-stick shooter. One of my biggest regrets is selling it years later.

[@atarileaf]

I've played both the XL/XE and 7800 versions using two joysticks. I don't find it a problem having two joysticks on a desk or table. The little rubber grips on the bottoms help hold them in place for me.

[@derekdash2179]

Used to have the Lynx version years ago. Now I just have Robotron X on Playstation and Midway Arcade classics on PS3.

[@atariforever2002]

Love this game! Thanks! A couple of requests if you haven't done them yet: Kid Niki & Alien Syndrome.

[@Lauren_Tyler]

Some might say that the Atari 800/XEGS and Atari 5200 versions look alike. That's pretty much because the Atari 5200 is pretty much an Atari 8-bit computer without a keyboard.

[@rossydv]

I had no idea there were so many variations. The vic20 one cracked me up. Any versions since this was uploaded?

[@TMS5100]

suprisingly good vic-20 effort, considering how limited the platform is. would have liked to have seen an atari 2600 port :D

[@LMMEjsmith]

I feel like this inspired Smash TV....

[@RockBrentwood]

We start to reach parity 18:15, and then around 22:52, it starts to eclipse Jarvis. Moore's Law at work - both game and real life. But seriously! We couldn't get a 80x86 machine to match up to the arcade game, which was only 6809-based? Even a 68k machine, like the Amiga, could have outdone that before 1990 arrived. Williams games were 304 x 256; the Amiga came in several sizes including 320 x 256, color and also TV-linkable.

[@nitorishogiplayer3465]

Good thing I have the ProSystem emulator. It allows you to play the 7800 version with 2 controller inputs.

[@Lightblue2222]

Yep. The original system does as well. Gotta have that 8 directional fire to do well.

[@Lightblue2222]

It shows the power of the 7800, as it has the ability to put more sprites on screen vs the NES.

[@markemerson98]

some great ports but the original all the way is just insane and brutal. nice post

[@lsgnkdmstwsl]

The C64 version looks sad.

[@ThePbrook1967]

Can you not move in the Dragon version??

[@wingnut4427]

The giant flashing robots cannot be destroyed. So that is why it moves You ahead.

[@Canuckster1169]

genesis seems to have the truest version

[@lurkerrekrul]

It's just that there's so much stuff on the screen that I never knew what was what.

[@richbiles230872]

I had the same problem. A friend suggested i practiced meditation as a means to help me to master the game. Five years later whenever I wanted to play I adopted a Zen state and bossed it.

[@lurkerrekrul]

@@richbiles230872 I recently tried a game for the PS2 called Spartan: Total Warrior. It's sort of a God of War type game, but with specific tasks you have to accomplish, like guarding someone, eliminating certain enemies, etc. Except that there are so many guys (both enemies and allies) swarming around, that I keep losing track of who I'm supposed to be guarding or attacking. There's a radar and it puts an arrow over the target's head, but they still get lost in a sea of bodies.

[@feenix219]

Could you post the intro from the DOS version please? Is it the same text as the arcade game? I haven't seen it since I was a kid with an 8088 XT... lol.

[@GamingHistorySource]

www.myabandonware.com/game/robotron-2084-2t

[@RockBrentwood]

The source code for RoboTron, written in 6809 assembly language, is on GitHub. It might be possible to remake it in C, on a Qt framework ... with a legacy version provided for DOS. I have an operational DOS machine (and a C compiler for it), in addition to DOSBox on Linux. It might be worth a try.

[@mistersqueebles1363]

Impressive that the the arcade version held up until the Atari ST.

[@atarileaf]

The Dragon/Tandy Coco version (Robotack) is actually very good on real hardware. Looks and sounds like there's some emulation problems here. Of course the Tandy Version is in color. I did a mini review of it a couple of years back and really like it. Of the ones you posted though, the 7800 is my favorite from the classic consoles. Of course with all the home versions, you need two joysticks to really enjoy this game.

[@AlexEvans1]

No artifact colors. Of course, on the Dragon (unless its a TANO) there wouldn't be any, but it was abundantly clear that it was supposed to take advantage of artifact colors.

[@comicKkrakK]

The BBC Micro version looks pretty great

[@metalcoola]

I watched CGR review of Robotron 64, Mark loved that game, but hated PSX port, as for other ports, yes, C64 was very disappointing, but, i can imagine how hard it was, to convert game that use 2 sticks.

[@samcoupe4608]

sam coupe version please?

[@mattjackson9859]

I never could work out which one of the robots was called Ron...

[@crlgroup]

I love Robotron. But you missed the very best ROBOTRON game ever! Its LLAMATRON on the AMIGA by JEFF MINTER!

[@BrBill]

Oh yes, Llamatron was awesome!

[@bjbell52]

I had the PC version

[@sladkinable]

Mah names Jeff

[@cootmaster]

i like comodore 64 clear board music

[@guillaumetruche2771]

Sound like real gameboy

[@AaronBruceLadner]

I Can Only Wonder what ROBOTRON: 2084 would Look like on the NES.

[@xaer0knight]

thats a lot of versions

[@lurkerrekrul]

I never understood Robotron. The waves just seem to end at random when there's only a few robots left. It's like the game thinks "Close enough..." and bumps you to the next level.

[@MattMcIrvin]

The Hulks are indestructible, so killing them is not necessary to end the level.

[@maxheadroom22and26]

I have never played the game, but i thought exactly the same. "Ok, that's enough. Let's go on..." What a fast paced shooter the arcadegame is. And how terrible slow some ports are... I'd like to play one of the fast versions, must be fun! If you'd remake Robotron in 3D, what would you get? Right, all the hip zombie shooters, where hordes of zombies attack you... :-)

[@GamingHistorySource]

I have done Alien Syndrome.. but it's not that good. Kid Nikki only has 3 versions that I could find & doesn't meet the criteria for a compare. I need at least 6. So if You know of more I may revisit it.

[@JoeyJoJoJoestarJuniorShabadoo]

Robot Ron?

[@kennithyoung6306]

Break dance practice, KZbin

[@mangochipps7050]

Wow the C64 looks sad. The Apple II and Spectrum are really decent conversions considering the hardware limitations. Mega Drive looks perfect.

[@daveheel]

it took sega genesis to get a version faithful to the arcade. i had a vic -20 but most of the games were crap especially the ports. the windows version looks cool.

[@Federal3t22]

At 24:47 I swear the game just said "droid" just like the way an Android phone would say now.

[@RHINOWINOLUNATIC]

Had the Atari 800xl version which us crippingly slow compared to the 5200 and 7800 versions. Same compa0ny different game almost.

[@tylerabel9704]

Artsi 65 xe with robot knights 2 players

[@thehiddenwatcher]

4:00

[@NadrianATRS]

I'm confused how this game was capable of being played on systems that didn't have 2 joysticks side by side. Like the c64 or Atari versions.

[@jugglingembalmer]

The little boy on the arcade version always looked too much like a robot to me.

[@phj9894]

jugglingembalmer yes, i sometimes run into kids and realize it was actually the red robot.

[@ioet2007]

Nintendo 64 version-EPROM code hack?.

[@orlandeuce6567]

23 Systems???? #not #bad

[@Infinitrium]

No game.com version? lol

[@DavidKimFX]

TOP 5 1. Playstation/Saturn 2. N64 3. SNES 4. Genesis 5. GBA

[@phj9894]

i can't understand why snes version is better than genesis one, the red particles that don't move smooth looked pathetic.

[@perfectionbox]

"uhhh the platform doesn't really have the right controls..." "let's port the game anyway, what could possibly go wrong?" 🙄

[@leftintheoxafire]

I bet that’s EXACTLY what the programmers said XD

[@mister_darsey]

you forgot tiger gamecom

[@GamingHistorySource]

No .. I didn't forget it. lol I chose to ignore it ... That & there is no good emulation for it.

[@reddhead2948]

Gaming History Source I figure you would love to forget it existed

[@ztevezen9434]

+Gaming History Source did you know you can collect the family members for extra points

[@GamingHistorySource]

+Stephen Rodriguez yup. I know. :)

[@ztevezen9434]

Gaming History Source oh ok then im a little confused

[@BrianPicchi]

C64 version is surprisingly terrible.

[@dfnuniverse2198]

KUDOS TO YOU ON COMPILING SO MANY VERSIONS OF ROBOTRON. UNFORTUNATELY, THE REMAKE OF THIS POPULAR GAME WAS DOOMED AT THE OUTSET. ONLY SEGA GENESIS AND SUPER NINTENDO GOT IT RIGHT. SURPRISINGLY, GAMEBOY ADVANCED DID IT JUSTICE IN A MINI VERSION. THE REST WERE TERRIBLE-PARTICULARLY WITH SOUND AND GRAPHICS. 🧐😖😥

[@wingnut4427]

humanoid :)

[@scottferguson9036]

Remakes = Boo

[@supermariofan772003]

God, the C64 version is miserable.

[@noiselabproject9659]

Megadrive wins .................... well the arcade machine wins but Megadrive best conversion

[@Vargon7]

My favourite arcade game. Stick with the original.

[@markorendas1790]

MOST ARE HORRIBLE EMBARRASSING.

[@unebonnevie]

BBC not bad. C64 port is shitty! Apple port is shitty as well, but like anything else Apple will sell shitty products for high price. Atari ST port is a disgrace. Gameboy Advanced port is AWESOME! Sega Genesis and SNES ports are like the real arcade! Same for the powerful machines, like N64, although the PS1 is like a John Travolta version, like a freaky dance floor for the playfield.