Q*Bert Atari 800 v TI99/4A

[@pauljackson6168]

Wow, that TI99 version was pretty much spot on for a home conversion. I've never been very good at Q*BERT on any system myself 😂 but that still looked very playable today. Really enjoying these vs videos!

[@Tetlee]

Hey cheers Paul, great to hear you're enjoying them, shame I don't have more on both systems after Turmoil. Q*Bert is such a brilliant game, makes a real difference what system it is on the ease of play, super responsive on the TI99, not so much on the Atari. Cheers👍

[@PeBoVision]

When I got Q-bert home, I expected it to be a great conversion, that would be ever-so-slightly lacking when compared to its Atari counterpart. Imagine my surprise (and joy) at how much better it was in every way than the Atari version. Prior to this title, I used Parsec as the 'Atari/C64 killing app', but Qbert quickly took the crown as an actual arcade conversion that got VERY close to the original. It was the first time since TI-Invaders, that I was proud to show off a TI-port to my 8-bit owning friends, 40 years later I still consider it the best Q-Bert version released in-era. Every Sprite is layered for multi-coloured (every atari PM-graphic in this title is a single colour) and Q-bert's eyes give him back his personality. Controls are rock solid and there are none of the slow-downs that the Atari version suffers. (a bizarre reversal of fortune, seeing as the TI usually always had the slower ports...none more apparent (and appreciated) than PacMan/Ms PacMan. It should be noted that the TI also has two outstanding Q-bert clones that I actually play more than Q-bert in 2024... DataBioTec's 'Q-maze', also known as 'Jumpy' (programmed by Parsec's Paul Urbanus!!) and my personal favourite 'Topper' (the only Romox cartridge I ever owned, and besides Anteater, the only Romox cartridge worth owning.) Both of these control better than Atari 800 Q-bert, so I'm not sure what the coders got wrong on that one. In Q-maze you play a Qbert-like character on increasingly complex screens, while in Topper you play a Tortoise in a Top Hat on mazes where pieces radomly disappear as you play, thwarting any forward-planning. Both are highly recommended. I hope you will also be comparing the remaining 1980's Parker Brothers release, "Popeye". The TI version doesn't have the addictive gameplay music, but it is a graphically pleasing veraion of the game with outstanding replay value, that compares competititvely with the 800 version...the first arcade port I ever played on the Atari 800, and only the second Atari game I ever became addicted to. Parker Brothers was also going to give us "Choplifter" (imagine how wonderful that would have been). Unfortunately that never materialized (not even 40 years later, like Tutankham). But with only 3 original-era released ports to their credit, they still remain the best Ti developer of the original era. KZbin worked this time, and presented this video release on my landing page within hours of your posting!! Cool!

[@Tetlee]

Parker Bros did a tremendous job bringing an arcade perfect version to our beloved TI99, we were super lucky to have this one as it's up there with the best on the system for sure. I'll have to try both my TI99 and my Atari800 on my CRT at some point, just difficult as that sits on my other desk so would be a hassle to do that. Glad this one arrived in your subs feed, hope you enjoyed it 🙂

[@RetroSK3L3]

Great video mate, glad to see the TI99 redemmed itself after the :Pole Positon debrcle lol

[@Tetlee]

Yep this was almost role reveral, but the Atari version is still really good, just not nearly AS good. Cheers Matt👍

[@bundjohn]

I’ve never played this but know it’s a classic! Plus Wreck It Ralph!

[@Tetlee]

@@bundjohn haha I forgot about him being in Wreck It Ralph😄 You've never played Q*Bert?😮 You have to put that right at some point John buddy, as fun to play now as it was back in the 80's, an arcade classic!

[@Pjvenom1985]

Good ole Q*Bert, still happily hopping around like the legend he is. Well played buddy nice video.🕹🌠🍀

[@Tetlee]

@@Pjvenom1985 yep, Q*Bert was such a great game, and also character. I can certainly relate to his language when he dies😄

[@GenerationPixel]

Q*Bert really doesn't get the love he deserves. He's far superior to Pac Man, in my humble opinion 😎👍

[@SEGAZombie]

I agree totally Qbert dosent get the respect it deserves such a great game

[@Tetlee]

Yep Q*Bert needs more respect on his name. Even his language we could all relate to 😄

[@SEGAZombie]

Wow 😮 The Ti99 version of QBert looks amazing Great to see the ti99 smash it over the Atari this time round

[@Tetlee]

Yep the TI99 kicked Atari butt here. Looks and sounds better but in actual play the TI99 truly shines, one of the bets TI99 arcade conversions. Cheers for watching as always Scott🙂

[@stewsretroreviews]

Think the TI99 wins totally bud, because the gameplay is smoother, and graphics are certainly better I think 👍 And congratulations getting to 400 subs mate, awesome 😃 ✌️

[@Tetlee]

Oh yes cheers for that Paul, it's a nice milestone to reach and I prefer even numbers so the 400's look great to me🙂 Yep TI99 is the absolute Don when it comes to this game, had to be a perfect 30👌

[@ArttuTheCat]

Q*BERT is a legendary Arcade classic 😺👍🕹️. Even some of the clones are also brilliant on the Commodore 64 and Amiga 😺👍🕹️. At this point - in this video, of course - it's hard for meow to say, which one of these computers are winner, so... I CHOOSE BOTH 😹😺👍🕹️.

[@Tetlee]

Both are winners, but the TI99 is the champion here😉🐱

[@RetroEdUK]

Really impressed with both but was really cool to see the TI99 version in flow. And the sound 😮. Have a great rest of the week mate.

[@Tetlee]

@@RetroEdUK yeah both are great here Ed buddy, but the TI99 is perfection👌 Have a great rest if the week yourself👍

[@Gold2thGaming]

Q Bert i cannot help of think of that movie Pixel now,So the angle of the dangle has to be precise with any stick,will pee people off badly i bet some sticks been snapped 😂They both look good so if TI there isn’t no issues the joystick angles then that is the winner no doubt

[@Tetlee]

Yep it's odd that the Atari port couldn't master the controls. The TI99 is way better to play where the Atari you are fighting with the controls for the most part. Cheers buddy😉👍

[@marcgoesblindgaming2076]

Really been enjoying these comparison videos, I may have to steal this idea and do something similar in the future 😂 Can't argue with your scores on this one, Although both ports look great

[@Tetlee]

@@marcgoesblindgaming2076 hey glad you're enjoying them Marc, and steel away buddy, look forward to whatever you do😉 Yep both are great, but the TI99 is the greatER herr 😄

[@retrotap]

Shame about the controls on the Atari - I thought the pyramid looked better on that version, but the TI99 looks and sounds better on everything else. I've played a few versions where the controls are awkward, ruins the fun. Enjoying these comparisons mate.

[@Tetlee]

Yeah it's an odd one that they couldn't nail the controls on the Atari version, I see no reason they couldn't. When you switch between the two it's like you're playing a different game. Yep the pyramid looks good on the Atari if a little smaller playing field, but all the other graphics are better on TI99, from the target colour tile, to the more detailed balls and characters, but especially to the characterful Q*Bert with his cute little eyes which are just hollow on the 800. Oh if you like Q*Bert I cannot recommend Q*Bee on the Speccy Next highly enough, that one is brilliant!

[@retrotap]

@@Tetlee Cheers, I'll check that out if I ever boot up the Next again 🤣😂😭

[@Tetlee]

@@retrotap hehe I must confess that I haven't in a while, mainly been playing the trusty +2a but that's because it's on my main desk along with the Beeb, TI99 and Atari. Honestly thought you'll be happy you played Q*Bee, one of my favourite Next titles and perhaps THE best for a quick pick up and play🙂

[@steve36207]

Fairplay the ti99 looks outstanding lee buddy 😄 just seeing qberts eyes was good but hearing how it plays and sounds aswel 😄👊🕹

[@Tetlee]

@@steve36207 yep Q*Beet himself looks alive on the TI99, a bit soulless on the Atari. Both great but thr TI plays so much better. Cheers Steve buddy.

[@retroimportgamer513]

A definite win for the TI-99 this time Lee, this looks fantastic and by the sounds of it, the controls are way better too I do love Q bert but the control does seem a nightmare on a few versions I've tried Sure I'd have loved this if the parents had bought me the TI-99 instead of the Speccy as was planned. Awesome 👍

[@Tetlee]

Yep the TI99 was the clear winner in this battle. I always find Q*Bert best is you angle the joystick, but no matter how you try with the Atari it never responds close to the TI version which is a real joy. Still kinda wish you'd have owned the TI99 back in the day, I'm sure you'd have loved it as I did(well, and still do).

[@retroimportgamer513]

@@Tetlee definitely wish I'd had one at some point, always think it looks great when you show stuff, they must have actually been quite rare here I'm guessing

[@Tetlee]

@@retroimportgamer513 I read somewhere a while back that less than 20,000 units were shipped to the UK in total, I guess whether they all sold was another matter and either way I suppose not a large number in total. No idea how that figure compares with other systems.

[@retroimportgamer513]

@@Tetlee interesting, and you'd imagine not many of that 20k still survive today

[@nerdygeezer78]

Once again the Ti99 version looks and sounds the best

[@Tetlee]

@@nerdygeezer78 cheers Lee, yep clear winner this time around, TI99 all the way👍

[@colincoxhybridgamer906]

TI99 For me loved the graphics

[@Tetlee]

@@colincoxhybridgamer906 cheers Colin, yep only one winner here🙂👍

[@RetroClaire]

100% the 99 this one. I prefer the textured front you the tiles on the Atari though

[@Tetlee]

@@RetroClaire yep fair point Claire, the side texture of the cubes is nice. Still overall a clear win for the old TI99🙂

[@davidretrogamesplayedbadly3533]

Q-berts great, I love the little swear bubble 😂. Used to play a speccy rip off version loads, can't recall the name though. Both are great, but as you said the TI-99 wins for me.

[@Tetlee]

Yep, doubt many could argue which is better here even without playing, bit when you actually play them the TI99 really shines! Yep gotta love the little orange swear-meister😂 Hope you're revived after your little break mate👍

[@allanmailer4540]

And the TI is pulling back into the race. The TI version is great but I'm truly amazed at what a poor job was made of the Atari game.....Only the C64 cartridge version is better than the TI and it's not by much.This makes me appreciate the TMS graphics chip in the TI as we didn't have to put up with some of the colour/resolution constraints that some other machines had.

[@Tetlee]

Yep the TI99 had this one in the bag, absolutely wonderful conversion and playing both it stands head and shoulders above, especially in gameplay. Cheers Allan.

[@tootyuk]

You can hear you fighting with the joystick to move (i hate games that do that to you) tbh i prefer the playfield view on the atari, the more zoomed out if you will, but everything else i agree the TI does it better!

[@Tetlee]

@@tootyuk yep it's strange when Parker Bros were responsible for both ports, one controls like a dream and the other is a bit if a struggle. The Atari is a good port but the TI the clear winner on this one. Have a great weekend Stu👍