Summary
- Release Year: 1983
- Genres: Puzzle
- Platforms: Atari 2600
- Developers: Atari, Children’s Computer Workshop
Alpha Beam With Ernie: A Nostalgic Journey Through the Cosmos
Released in 1983 for the Atari 2600, Alpha Beam With Ernie is a charming and educational game that takes players on a whimsical adventure through space with Sesame Street’s beloved character, Ernie. As Ernie, the player must pilot a small shuttle, collect fuel tanks marked with letters of the alphabet, and return them to his spaceship so that he can return to Earth.
Gameplay
Alpha Beam With Ernie is a side-scrolling game with simple yet addictive gameplay. Ernie’s shuttle moves automatically from left to right across the screen, and the player controls its vertical movement using the joystick. The shuttle can be moved up and down to collect fuel tanks and avoid obstacles.
The fuel tanks are randomly scattered throughout the playfield, and each tank is marked with a different letter of the alphabet. Ernie must collect all of the fuel tanks in order to fill up his spaceship and return to Earth.
In addition to fuel tanks, Ernie must also avoid a variety of obstacles, including asteroids, comets, and UFOs. If Ernie’s shuttle collides with an obstacle, he will lose a life. Ernie has three lives, and if he loses all of his lives, the game is over.
Educational Value
Alpha Beam With Ernie was marketed as a family-friendly game that could teach children pre-reading skills such as identifying and matching letters. The game’s simple gameplay and colorful graphics make it accessible to young children, and the educational elements are seamlessly integrated into the gameplay.
As children play Alpha Beam With Ernie, they will learn to recognize the letters of the alphabet, match uppercase and lowercase letters, and spell simple words. The game also helps children to develop their hand-eye coordination and problem-solving skills.
Legacy
Alpha Beam With Ernie was a critical and commercial success, and it remains popular among retro gaming enthusiasts today. The game has been praised for its innovative gameplay, educational value, and charming graphics.
Alpha Beam With Ernie was one of the first games to be developed specifically for the Atari Kid’s Controller, which was sold separately. The Kid’s Controller was designed to be easier for children to use than the regular Atari joystick, and it featured a large, colorful button that was perfect for controlling Ernie’s shuttle.
Alpha Beam With Ernie is a timeless classic that continues to entertain and educate children of all ages. The game’s simple yet addictive gameplay, educational value, and charming graphics make it a must-have for any Atari 2600 collection.
Tips for Playing Alpha Beam With Ernie
- Use the Kid’s Controller if you have one. The Kid’s Controller is much easier to use than the regular Atari joystick, especially for young children.
- Start with the easiest difficulty level. There are three difficulty levels in Alpha Beam With Ernie: Easy, Medium, and Hard. Start with the Easy level to get the hang of the game, and then move on to the harder levels as you become more proficient.
- Collect the fuel tanks in order. The fuel tanks are marked with letters of the alphabet, and you must collect them in order to fill up your spaceship. If you miss a fuel tank, you will have to go back and collect it later.
- Avoid the obstacles. The obstacles in Alpha Beam With Ernie can be difficult to avoid, but there are a few things you can do to make it easier. First, try to stay in the center of the screen as much as possible. This will give you more room to maneuver and avoid the obstacles. Second, try to anticipate where the obstacles are going to appear. The obstacles move in predictable patterns, so you can usually figure out where they are going to be next.
- Don’t be afraid to use your lives. You have three lives in Alpha Beam With Ernie, so don’t be afraid to use them. If you are about to collide with an obstacle, don’t hesitate to lose a life and start over. It’s better to lose a life than to have to restart the entire game.
Conclusion
Alpha Beam With Ernie is a charming and educational game that is perfect for children of all ages. The game’s simple yet addictive gameplay, educational value, and charming graphics make it a must-have for any Atari 2600 collection.
Review Score
8/10
Art
Cover Art
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