Summary
- Release Year: 1981
- Genres: Arcade, Shooter
- Platforms: Atari 5200, Atari 8-bit
- Developers: K-Byte
- Publishers: CBS Electronics, K-Byte
K-Razy Shoot-Out: A Berzerk Clone for the Atari 8-Bit Family
Released in 1981 by K-Byte, a division of Kay Enterprises, K-Razy Shoot-Out is a clone of the popular arcade game Berzerk. The game was written by Torre Meeder and Dr. Keith Dreyer and released for the Atari 8-bit family of computers. An Atari 5200 version followed in 1983.
K-Razy Shoot-Out is one of a series of games with the “K-” prefix, including K-Razy Kritters and K-Star Patrol. All of these games were published on cartridge and later published by CBS Software, including the Atari 5200 port of K-Razy Shoot-Out.
Gameplay
K-Razy Shoot-Out is a maze game in which the player controls a character armed with a gun. The goal of the game is to shoot all of the robots in the maze while avoiding being killed by them. The robots move in predictable patterns, and the player must use their wits and reflexes to outsmart them.
The game is played from a top-down perspective, and the player can move their character in any direction. The robots can shoot at the player, and the player can shoot back. The player can also collect power-ups that give them special abilities, such as increased speed or the ability to shoot through walls.
Development
K-Razy Shoot-Out was developed by Torre Meeder and Dr. Keith Dreyer. Meeder was a programmer who had previously worked on several other Atari 8-bit games, including Missile Command and Space Invaders. Dreyer was a mathematician and computer scientist who had developed a number of algorithms for generating mazes.
The game was developed using the Atari BASIC programming language. Meeder and Dreyer used a number of innovative techniques to create the game’s graphics and gameplay. For example, they used a technique called “sprite multiplexing” to create the game’s robots. This technique allowed them to create multiple robots on the screen at the same time without using up too much memory.
Release
K-Razy Shoot-Out was released in 1981 for the Atari 8-bit family of computers. The game was a critical and commercial success, and it was one of the best-selling Atari 8-bit games of all time. The Atari 5200 version of the game was released in 1983, but it was not as well-received as the Atari 8-bit version.
Legacy
K-Razy Shoot-Out is considered to be one of the best Berzerk clones ever made. The game is still enjoyed by retro gamers today, and it is available on a number of platforms, including the Atari 8-bit, Atari 5200, and PC.
Conclusion
K-Razy Shoot-Out is a fun and challenging Berzerk clone that is still enjoyable today. The game’s simple but addictive gameplay and innovative graphics make it a classic of the Atari 8-bit era.
Review Score
8/10
Art
Cover Art
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