Summary
- Release Year: 1980
- Genres: Arcade, Shooter
- Platforms: Arcade, Atari 2600, ColecoVision, Intellivision
- Developers: Sega/Gremlin
- Publishers: Coleco, Sega Enterprises, Inc.
Carnival (1980): A Classic Arcade Shooter
Carnival is a classic arcade shooter game that was released in 1980 by Atari, Inc. The game is set in a carnival shooting gallery, and the player controls a gun that can shoot at targets that scroll across the screen. The targets include rabbits, ducks, owls, and bonus items. The player must shoot the targets while avoiding running out of bullets.
Carnival is a simple game to learn, but it is difficult to master. The targets move quickly and in different directions, and the player must be accurate with their shots in order to hit them. The game also gets more difficult as the player progresses, with more targets appearing on the screen and fewer bonus items available.
Despite its difficulty, Carnival is a very addictive game. The gameplay is fast-paced and exciting, and the player is always trying to beat their high score. The game also has a charming retro aesthetic that appeals to many gamers.
Gameplay
The goal of Carnival is to shoot as many targets as possible while avoiding running out of bullets. The game is played in a series of rounds, and each round consists of three waves of targets. The first wave is made up of rabbits and ducks, the second wave is made up of owls and bonus items, and the third wave is made up of a spinning wheel with eight pipes.
The player must shoot all of the targets in a wave in order to complete the round. If a target reaches the bottom of the screen without being shot, it will come to life and begin flying down toward the player. Any targets that reach the bottom of the screen in this manner will eat some of the player’s bullets.
The player receives bonus points for shooting certain targets, such as owls and bonus items. The player also receives bonus points for completing a round without losing any bullets.
At the end of each round, the player plays a bonus round. The bonus round consists of a large white bear with a target that walks across the screen. The player must shoot the bear as many times as possible before it escapes off the screen. The player receives bonus points for each time they shoot the bear.
Development
Carnival was developed by Atari, Inc. and was released in arcades in 1980. The game was designed by Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak, who were the co-founders of Apple Computer.
Carnival was one of the first arcade games to use a trackball for controlling the player’s gun. The trackball allowed for more precise aiming than the joysticks that were used in previous arcade shooters.
Carnival was a commercial success, and it helped to popularize the arcade shooter genre. The game has been ported to a number of home video game consoles, including the Atari 2600, the Atari 5200, and the Nintendo Entertainment System.
Legacy
Carnival is considered to be one of the classic arcade shooters. The game’s simple but addictive gameplay has made it a favorite of gamers for over 40 years. Carnival has been praised for its charming graphics, its catchy music, and its challenging gameplay.
Carnival has been cited as an influence on a number of later arcade shooters, including Time Pilot (1982), Duck Hunt (1984), and Hogan’s Alley (1984). The game has also been featured in a number of video game compilations, including Atari Anthology (2004) and Midway Arcade Treasures (2005).
Conclusion
Carnival is a classic arcade shooter that is still a lot of fun to play today. The game’s simple but addictive gameplay, charming graphics, and catchy music make it a timeless classic. If you are a fan of retro gaming, then I highly recommend checking out Carnival.
Review Score
8/10
Art
Cover Art
Screenshots
