Secret Quest Review :: Atari 2600 Game Reviews

Believe it or not but Secret Quest is the first Atari 2600 game we've reviewed on the channel! And its an interesting video game to start with that's for sure! But how good is it really? It's a red box game which means it came out in the late 1980's but would that time of better been spent supporting the Atari 7800 or XEGS? Well lets watch this review of Secret Quest and find out!
This is also the first episode to use console appropriate controllers when reviewing and scoring games even though I still said Proline Controllers out of habit. So that's long overdue but cool in my opinion. Here are what each score means in my reviews:
5 controllers out of 5 : A must own title for the console its on. You need this!
4 controllers out of 5 : Highly Recommended
3 controllers out of 5 : Recommended
2 controllers out of 5 : Not Recommended
1 controller out of 5 : Not worth the plastic its made out of. Hard pass!
I don't give games half scores, like 2.5 out of 5 etc because I feel if I do that I should just have a 10 point scale. And that's the scoring in a nutshell.
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3. Preserve the history of Atari in the video game hobby so that it survives long after us
Check out my written reviews and all of Vinnies 20 years of hard work here
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#atari #atari2600 #retrogaming #2600 #videogames #gaming #oldschoolgaming

[@TheAtariNetwork]

So I recorded this audio a while ago but before I edited everything together I finally finished making scoring cards for each unique console. Thats right, no more prolines representing 2600, VCS or Jaguar stuff! Each console score uses its own controllers. It was a much larger task than you might think and I have scoring cards for the 8 bits, ST and Lynx too, so im prepared when we start covering those! Thats the Atari Network difference, taking a long time to do something I should've done from the start! Thanks for watching!

[@johnketo2150]

I think you should give ProLine controllers for all your Atari reviews. It could be your shtick!

[@retrojoe85]

Along with Solaris, this is the most complex and advanced game ever developed by Atari for the limited 2600 (at that time), with the result of being the best adventure game for the system. Plus, the enemy sprites and game mechanics are fantastic for being part of a 2600 game.

[@TheAtariNetwork]

Solaris is another great red box game. I agree that it's the best adventure I've played so far on the console. Thanks for watching!

[@AutisticJoker88]

While the Secret Quest Box credits Nolan Bushnell as the creator of Secret Quest, the real person behind the game was Steve DeFrisco. While running Pizza TIme Theatre Inc (Then parent company of Chuck E Cheese), Nolan founded Catalyst Technologies - One of the first technology company incubators. Fun fact: Al Alcorn assisted with plenty of projects for the company. Catalyst Technologies had many offshoots. One of them was Axlon - A toy company that made AG Bear. In the late 80s, Axlon would make games for the Atari 2600 and even then, they would only make a few including Secret Quest. Axlon was eventually sold off to Hasbro. As for why Nolan is featured on the Secret Quest Box and Cartridge if someone else developed the game, according to Steve DeFrisco, Atari (Corporation) thought Nolan's name and picture would entice people to buy more Atari 2600 Games.

[@TheAtariNetwork]

Absolutely right. And it's questionable how much Nolan's name helped sales but it was an understandable position from a sales point of view. But from a programming and moral point of view it was awful to give him the rights for somebody else's hard work.

[@AutisticJoker88]

@@TheAtariNetwork Right?! It would be like if say Dave Nutting (Industrial Design turned Arcade Game Engineer who helped design the Jeep Grand Wagoneer and the Enstrom Helicopter. He later founded Dave Nutting Associates - A Midwest Based Arcade Game and Pinball Developer that was later bought out by Midway in 1974) founded another game developer (after Midway closed DNA in 1984) that made official games for the Bally Astrocade and on one of the last official releases for that console, Dave ended up getting credit for that game on the box and cartridge and not the staff within his company just so Bally could sell more Astrocade games

[@southtexasatlatl]

Love this game! Didn't even know it existed until I tried it out on the Atari 50th on the Switch. Just bought a CIB copy for my 2600

[@socrates0603]

Great review, Jon. In addition to explaining and describing the game, I love all the different perspectives you address (e.g., people who aren’t into adventure games on the system like ET). For someone like me who isn’t into Zelda type games, this review really helps me understand what I can expect. You do make it sound interesting and fun, and with a 4-CX40 rating, I will definitely give it a spin.

[@TheAtariNetwork]

Thanks. I think I'm getting a handle on this review thing lol. Seriously I'm glad you found some value in it!

[@Jolt7800]

The Atari Network is getting more awesome by the day. I was very excited to see this review on such a mysterious game. But I waited till today, when I was able to watch the review on my big screen without distractions. I definitely plan to tackle this game and do it the right way, by mapping it and all.

[@TheAtariNetwork]

Oh that's cool that you watched it on the big screen. I assume most people watch my stuff on their computers or phones but it's fun to think of my videos on your TV! I'm glad you enjoyed the review and I'm sure you'll like the game. It's a good one for anybody who has picked up the 2600+ lately too!

[@kevinstrade2752]

Underated game. Impressive for that platform! Thank you for recognizing it!

[@TheAtariNetwork]

Thank you for watching!

[@ObsidianContraption]

This was a nice gem to find in the Atari 50 collection. Looking to find this cart for the 2600+

[@TheAtariNetwork]

It would be a good game to get for the 2600+ in my opinion, especially if you're looking for an adventure game. Also unrelated but if you can get a hold of me and let me know what VCS releases you were involved with I'd appreciate it. Either here or in an email. Thanks!

[@ObsidianContraption]

@@TheAtariNetwork i am Uncle Flip of Liminalist Contraptions games. I worked heavily on the newer version of Doodle Taxi with Metgan Games. I've also tested a bunch of games on the console, notably Ends Reach. I'm currently working on my own game Sky Frizz for the system

[@TheAtariNetwork]

@@ObsidianContraption thank you!

[@notagainwiththisdyingferfe7722]

I thought it was really cool. But I was worried about who animated Grandmas false teeth and set them loose in a dungeon.

[@mikemayberry7121]

I never gave this game a chance because I don't usually like adventure games on the 2600. They're too obtuse and difficult to understand without a manual and other supplemental crapola. But I do want to play Nolan Bushnell's grand Atari return game! Nolan is a personal hero of mine. Between Atari and Chuck E. Cheese's, Nolan has a lot of my dad's money lol but seriously, Nolan's innovation and vision and work ethic is awe inspiring. Plus he seems like he's pretty down-to-earth. Ultimately, I'm very impressed by what they could do with the 2600 late in it's life. I might try this one.

[@TheAtariNetwork]

It's the most approachable 2600 adventure game I've ever played. I think a lot of people (today especially) avoid 2600 adventure games for the reasons you said. But this one doesn't suffer from those issues and I was able to get into it much easier. The manual isn't required but it does help a lot too. I recommend it.

[@mikemayberry7121]

@@TheAtariNetwork I'll give it a go. BTW have you read about Mr. Bushnell much? I've read quite a few video game history books and he's a fascinating man. The original Atari we all know and love might never have existed if Nolan hadn't lost his tuition money in a poker game!

[@TheAtariNetwork]

@@mikemayberry7121 I've read a little about it him and some of his time with the original Atari / Synergy. I should definitely read more it sounds like!

[@mikemayberry7121]

@@TheAtariNetwork I'd highly recommend the book "ZAP! The Rise And Fall Of Atari" by Scott Cohen. It's a short read, but it's full of interesting stuff and exclusive interviews.

[@TheAtariNetwork]

@@mikemayberry7121 I'll definitely check that out I'm always looking for more Atari reads to add to my "library" of books on the company! Thank you!

[@JumboJosh-lv3mo]

I personally think that secret quest is better than the legend of Zelda because the legend of Zelda becomes super cryptic after the 3-4th dungeon. This game is fair, yet unforgiving and is my favorite 2600 game, even better than yars’ revenge.

[@TheAtariNetwork]

That's an interesting and unique take. I could never figure out the Legend of Zelda after a certain point.

[@GTV-Japan]

Ba ba ba ba de da de da de da ba ba ba ba …..

[@TheAtariNetwork]

Google translates your post to it's not, it's not, it's not, it's not in English. What language does it think your typing?

[@GTV-Japan]

It doesn’t know this is the sheet music to the game haha

[@TheAtariNetwork]

@@GTV-Japan or maybe there was a secret message in the music all along! Dun dun duuuummmmm

[@GTV-Japan]

@@TheAtariNetworkit probably ties into the lore of how Chuck E. Cheese was a world famous pong player