Summary
- Release Year: 1978
- Genres: Puzzle, Strategy
- Platforms: Atari 2600
- Developers: Atari
- Publishers: Atari
Flag Capture (1978)
Flag Capture is a hidden object game released for the Atari 2600 in 1978. It is one of the eleven Atari 2600 titles that were part of the second wave of games released that year. Flag Capture is a very early and primitive example of a hidden object game, and it can be seen as a precursor to games like Minesweeper.
Gameplay
The goal of Flag Capture is to find the hidden flag before your opponent. The game is played on a 9×9 grid of tiles. One player hides the flag under one of the tiles, and the other player tries to find it.
Players take turns revealing tiles. If a player reveals a tile with an arrow on it, the arrow will point in the direction of the hidden flag. If a player reveals a tile with a number on it, the number will indicate how many tiles away the flag is in that direction.
Players must also watch out for bombs. If a player reveals a tile with a bomb on it, the bomb will explode and the player will lose a turn.
The first player to find the flag wins the game.
Development
Flag Capture was developed by Atari programmer David Crane. Crane was inspired to create the game after playing the board game Battleship. He wanted to create a video game that was similar to Battleship, but that could be played on the Atari 2600.
Crane’s original design for Flag Capture was much more complex than the final game. In his original design, the game was played on a larger grid, and there were more types of tiles, including obstacles and power-ups. However, due to the limitations of the Atari 2600, Crane had to simplify his design.
The final version of Flag Capture is a simple game, but it is still fun to play. It is a challenging game that requires players to use logic and deduction to find the hidden flag.
Reception
Flag Capture was released to positive reviews. Critics praised the game’s simple but addictive gameplay. The game was also a commercial success, selling over 1 million copies.
Flag Capture is still considered to be one of the best Atari 2600 games. It is a classic hidden object game that is still enjoyed by gamers today.
Legacy
Flag Capture has had a significant impact on the video game industry. It is one of the first hidden object games, and it helped to popularize the genre. Flag Capture also inspired other games, such as Minesweeper.
Flag Capture is a classic Atari 2600 game that is still enjoyed by gamers today. It is a simple but addictive game that requires players to use logic and deduction to find the hidden flag.
Review Score
6/10
