Summary
Shark Jaws (1975): A Classic Arcade Game That’s Still a Lot of Fun Today
Shark Jaws is a 1975 arcade game by Atari, Inc. that was inspired by the blockbuster movie Jaws. The player controls a deep-sea diver who must collect treasure while avoiding a great white shark. The game is simple to play but challenging to master, and it’s still a lot of fun to play today.
Gameplay
The player controls a deep-sea diver who must collect treasure while avoiding a great white shark. The diver can move left and right, and he can shoot bubbles to stun the shark. The diver can also collect power-ups that will give him temporary invincibility or extra points.
The game is played in a single-screen environment, and the diver must collect all of the treasure on the screen before he can move on to the next level. The shark will constantly patrol the screen, and it will try to eat the diver if it gets too close. The diver can stun the shark by shooting bubbles at it, but the shark will eventually recover and continue to pursue the diver.
Development
Shark Jaws was developed by Atari, Inc. in 1975. The game was originally supposed to be called Jaws, but Atari was unable to secure the rights to the name from Universal Pictures. Instead, the game was retitled Shark JAWS, with the word Shark in tiny print and JAWS in large all caps print to create greater prominence.
Atari head Nolan Bushnell also created a second hidden subsidiary corporation, Horror Games – the previous being Kee Games, to help isolate Atari from possible lawsuit.
The game was designed by Steve Bristow, who was also responsible for designing other classic Atari games such as Pong and Breakout. Shark Jaws was one of the first arcade games to feature a trackball controller, which allowed the player to control the diver’s movement with greater precision.
Release and Reception
Shark Jaws was released in arcades in 1975. The game was a commercial success, and it helped to establish Atari as a major force in the arcade industry. Shark Jaws was also one of the first arcade games to be ported to home consoles, and it was released for the Atari 2600 in 1977.
Shark Jaws was well-received by critics, who praised the game’s simple but addictive gameplay and its charming graphics. The game was also a commercial success, and it helped to popularize the arcade genre.
Legacy
Shark Jaws is considered to be one of the classic arcade games of the 1970s. The game’s simple but addictive gameplay and its charming graphics have made it a favorite of gamers for decades. Shark Jaws has also been ported to numerous home consoles and mobile devices, and it continues to be enjoyed by gamers of all ages.
Conclusion
Shark Jaws is a classic arcade game that’s still a lot of fun to play today. The game’s simple but addictive gameplay and its charming graphics have made it a favorite of gamers for decades. If you’re a fan of classic arcade games, then you should definitely check out Shark Jaws.
Additional Information
- Shark Jaws was the first arcade game to feature a trackball controller.
- The game was originally supposed to be called Jaws, but Atari was unable to secure the rights to the name from Universal Pictures.
- Shark Jaws was ported to the Atari 2600 in 1977.
- The game has been re-released on numerous home consoles and mobile devices.
- Shark Jaws is considered to be one of the classic arcade games of the 1970s.
Review Score
7/10
Art
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