Summary
- Release Year: 1980
- Genres: Strategy
- Platforms: Intellivision
- Developers: APh Technological Consulting
- Publishers: Mattel Interactive, Sears
ABPA Backgammon (1980): A Classic Backgammon Game for the Intellivision
ABPA Backgammon is a classic backgammon game released for the Intellivision in 1980. It was developed by APh Technological Consulting and published by Mattel. The game is based on the traditional backgammon game, but with a few Intellivision-specific features.
Gameplay
ABPA Backgammon is played on a 24-point board, with each player having 15 pieces. The object of the game is to be the first player to move all of your pieces around the board and off the board.
Players take turns rolling two dice and moving their pieces accordingly. Pieces can be moved either forward or backward, but they cannot move over or land on top of an opponent’s piece.
If a player rolls a double, they can move one piece four times, two pieces twice, or four pieces once.
The game ends when one player has moved all of their pieces off the board. The other player’s pieces are then removed from the board, and the winner is declared.
Features
ABPA Backgammon includes a number of features that make it a great choice for Intellivision owners. These features include:
- Two skill levels: The game can be played at either a beginner or expert level. The beginner level is designed for players who are new to backgammon, while the expert level is designed for more experienced players.
- Two-player mode: The game can be played by two human players or against the computer.
- Save/load feature: The game can be saved and loaded, so you can pick up where you left off later.
- Intellivoice support: The game supports Intellivoice, which allows the computer to speak to the player.
Reception
ABPA Backgammon was well-received by critics upon its release. The game was praised for its faithful recreation of the traditional backgammon game, as well as its Intellivision-specific features.
The game was also a commercial success, selling over 100,000 copies.
Legacy
ABPA Backgammon is considered to be one of the best backgammon games ever released for a video game console. The game is still enjoyed by many retro gamers today.
Tips for Playing ABPA Backgammon
Here are a few tips for playing ABPA Backgammon:
- Control the center of the board: The center of the board is the most important area in backgammon. Try to keep your pieces in the center as much as possible.
- Don’t be afraid to hit your opponent’s pieces: Hitting your opponent’s pieces can give you a big advantage. However, be careful not to leave your own pieces vulnerable to attack.
- Bear off your pieces as soon as possible: Once you have moved all of your pieces around the board, you should try to bear them off as soon as possible. This will give you the win.
Conclusion
ABPA Backgammon is a classic backgammon game that is still enjoyed by many retro gamers today. The game is faithful to the traditional backgammon game, but with a few Intellivision-specific features that make it a great choice for console gamers.
If you’re a fan of backgammon, or if you’re just looking for a classic Intellivision game to play, then I highly recommend ABPA Backgammon.
Review Score
8/10
