Summary
Circus (1977): A Classic Arcade Gem
Circus is a black and white arcade game released by Exidy in 1977. It was one of the first games produced by Exidy that used a CPU (6502) to control the game logic instead of hand-crafted hard-coded logic circuits. It ran on a black & white monitor with a color overlay that gave each row of balloons at the top of the screen a different color. It was designed and programmed by Edward Valeau and Howell Ivey of Exidy.
Gameplay
The goal of Circus is to juggle balls and jump over obstacles while navigating a tightrope. The player controls a clown who stands on a tightrope suspended high above the ground. The clown can juggle up to three balls at a time, and must keep them in the air by spinning them with the analog spinner. The player must also jump over obstacles that appear on the tightrope, such as unicycles, elephants, and lions.
If the clown drops a ball or touches an obstacle, he will fall off the tightrope and lose a life. The game ends when the player loses all three lives.
Development
Circus was designed and programmed by Edward Valeau and Howell Ivey of Exidy. It was one of the first games to use a CPU to control the game logic, which allowed for more complex and varied gameplay than was possible with hard-coded logic circuits. The game’s unique black and white monitor with a color overlay was also a novel feature at the time.
Release
Circus was released in arcades in 1977. It was a critical and commercial success, and is considered one of the classic arcade games of the era. It was ported to the Atari 2600 in 1980, and has since been re-released on a number of other platforms.
Legacy
Circus is remembered as one of the classic arcade games of the 1970s. It was one of the first games to use a CPU to control the game logic, and its unique black and white monitor with a color overlay was a novel feature at the time. The game’s simple but challenging gameplay has also made it a popular choice for homebrew and indie developers.
Critical Reception
Circus was well-received by critics upon its release. It was praised for its innovative gameplay, unique visuals, and challenging difficulty. The game was also a commercial success, selling over 13,000 units.
Accolades
- Circus was ranked #20 in Electronic Games’ “Top 100 Games of All Time” in 1981.
- Circus was inducted into the World Video Game Hall of Fame in 2015.
Technical Details
- CPU: 6502
- RAM: 2 KB
- ROM: 4 KB
- Monitor: Black and white with a color overlay
- Controls: Analog spinner, start button
- Cabinet: Upright or cocktail
Cultural Impact
Circus has had a lasting impact on popular culture. The game has been referenced in numerous films, television shows, and songs. It has also been parodied and imitated by other games.
Legacy
Circus is a classic arcade game that is still enjoyed by gamers today. Its simple but challenging gameplay, unique visuals, and catchy music have made it a timeless classic. The game has been ported to numerous platforms and has inspired numerous sequels and spin-offs.
Conclusion
Circus is a classic arcade game that deserves its place in the World Video Game Hall of Fame. Its innovative gameplay, unique visuals, and challenging difficulty have made it a popular choice for gamers for over 40 years.
Review Score
8/10
