Challenge (1980)

by Nish
written by Nish 5 minutes read

Summary

Challenge (1980): A Retro Gem That’s Still Fun Today

Challenge is an action game developed and published by Funvision in 1980 for the Atari 2600. It was one of the first games to use vector graphics on the console, and it remains a popular classic among retro gamers today.

The goal of Challenge is to guide a spaceship through a series of obstacle courses, while avoiding enemies and collecting fuel. The game is played from a top-down perspective, and the player’s ship can move in any direction. The obstacles in each course vary, and include things like walls, mines, and enemy ships. The player must use their skill and reflexes to navigate the courses and reach the end goal.

Challenge is a challenging game, but it’s also very rewarding. The controls are simple to learn, but difficult to master. The game requires quick reflexes and good problem-solving skills. However, the sense of accomplishment you get from completing a difficult course is well worth the effort.

Challenge was a critical and commercial success when it was first released. It was praised for its innovative graphics, addictive gameplay, and challenging difficulty. The game has been ported to a number of different platforms over the years, and it remains popular among retro gamers today.

Gameplay

Challenge is a single-player game that can be played on the Atari 2600, Atari 5200, and Atari 8-bit computers. The player controls a spaceship that must navigate through a series of obstacle courses. The courses are filled with enemies, obstacles, and fuel pickups. The player must use their skill and reflexes to avoid the enemies and obstacles, and collect the fuel pickups to stay alive.

The game is played from a top-down perspective, and the player’s ship can move in any direction. The player uses the joystick to control the ship’s movement, and the fire button to shoot enemies. The player can also use the joystick to activate a shield, which will protect the ship from enemy fire.

The game is divided into a number of different levels, each with its own unique set of obstacles and enemies. The player must complete each level in order to progress to the next one. The game becomes increasingly difficult as the player progresses, and the later levels require quick reflexes and good problem-solving skills.

Graphics

Challenge was one of the first games to use vector graphics on the Atari 2600. Vector graphics are created using mathematical equations, and they can be scaled to any size without losing quality. This allowed Challenge to create sharp, detailed graphics that were far superior to the raster graphics used in most other Atari 2600 games.

The graphics in Challenge are simple, but they are effective. The player’s ship is a small, white triangle, and the enemies are simple geometric shapes. However, the game’s use of color and animation brings the graphics to life. The player’s ship leaves a trail of light behind it, and the enemies explode into a shower of sparks when they are destroyed.

Sound

The sound in Challenge is simple, but effective. The game uses a single sound effect for the player’s ship’s engine, and a different sound effect for the enemy ships. The game also uses a simple melody for the background music. The sound effects and music are not particularly memorable, but they do add to the game’s atmosphere.

Challenge (1980) is a classic arcade-style action game that is still fun to play today. It’s a challenging game, but it’s also very rewarding. The game’s simple graphics and sound are effective, and the gameplay is addictive. If you’re a fan of retro games, then you should definitely check out Challenge.

Tips for Playing Challenge

  • Use the shield to protect your ship from enemy fire.
  • Collect fuel pickups to stay alive.
  • Avoid the enemies and obstacles.
  • Use the joystick to control the ship’s movement and fire button to shoot enemies
  • Practice makes perfect! The more you play, the better you will become at navigating the courses and avoiding the enemies.

Legacy

Challenge was a critical and commercial success when it was first released. It was praised for its innovative graphics, addictive gameplay, and challenging difficulty. The game has been ported to a number of different platforms over the years, and it remains popular among retro gamers today.

Challenge has been cited as an influence on a number of other games, including the classic arcade game Asteroids and the modern indie game Geometry Wars. The game’s simple graphics and addictive gameplay have made it a timeless classic that continues to be enjoyed by gamers of all ages.

Review Score

8/10

Art

Cover Art

Screenshots

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Nish is a software engineer by day and avid gamer who loves to play video games after he puts his two boys to bed. His insights delve into the mechanics, and storytelling of the games he plays with the aim to share his passion with the audience. He loves to travel back to his native India and travel the country on his restored Royal Enfield Bullet 350, a relic from a simpler time, like some of the games he plays.

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