Summary
- Release Year: 1989
- Genres: Sport
- Platforms: Amiga, Amstrad CPC, DOS, Family Computer, Mac, NEC PC-6000 Series, Nintendo Entertainment System, Sharp X68000
- Developers: Brøderbund Software
- Publishers: Brøderbund Software
Shufflepuck Cafe: A Classic Air Hockey Game That’s Still a Lot of Fun Today
Shufflepuck Cafe is a computer air hockey game developed by Christopher Gross, Gene Portwood and Lauren Elliott for Brøderbund. It was released in 1989 for the Amiga, Atari ST, Commodore 64, and MS-DOS. The game is a simple but addictive take on air hockey, with charming characters and a variety of different tables to play on.
Gameplay
The goal of Shufflepuck Cafe is to score more goals than your opponent by hitting the puck into their goal. The game is played on a table with air jets that keep the puck floating. Players use their paddles to hit the puck and move it around the table. The puck can be hit in any direction, and players can use the walls of the table to bounce the puck off of.
There are two game modes in Shufflepuck Cafe: tournament and practice. In tournament mode, players compete against a series of opponents in a single-elimination tournament. In practice mode, players can practice against any of the opponents in the game to learn their strengths and weaknesses.
Characters
There are eight different characters to play as in Shufflepuck Cafe. Each character has their own unique personality and playing style. Some of the characters are easier to play as than others, so players can choose the character that best suits their skill level.
The eight characters in Shufflepuck Cafe are:
- Ace – A skilled air hockey player who is always up for a challenge.
- Blade – A tough and aggressive player who is not afraid to use his elbows.
- Dynamo – A fast and agile player who is hard to keep up with.
- Flash – A flashy and flamboyant player who loves to show off his skills.
- Gizmo – A small and nimble player who is surprisingly good at air hockey.
- Hammer – A large and powerful player who can hit the puck like a sledgehammer.
- Slick – A smooth and slippery player who is hard to hit.
- Sparks – A fiery and passionate player who always gives 100%.
Tables
There are four different tables to play on in Shufflepuck Cafe. Each table has its own unique layout and obstacles. Some of the tables are more difficult to play on than others, so players can choose the table that best suits their skill level.
The four tables in Shufflepuck Cafe are:
- The Classic – A simple and straightforward table with no obstacles.
- The Labyrinth – A maze-like table with walls and obstacles that can make it difficult to score goals.
- The Warp Zone – A table with teleporters that can transport the puck to different parts of the table.
- The Black Hole – A table with a black hole in the center that can suck up the puck.
Legacy
Shufflepuck Cafe was a critical and commercial success when it was released in 1989. The game was praised for its simple but addictive gameplay, charming characters, and variety of different tables. Shufflepuck Cafe has been ported to a number of different platforms over the years, and it remains a popular game today.
Conclusion
Shufflepuck Cafe is a classic air hockey game that’s still a lot of fun to play today. The simple gameplay and charming characters make it a great choice for gamers of all ages. If you’re looking for a fun and challenging air hockey game, then Shufflepuck Cafe is definitely worth checking out.
Review Score
8.5/10
Art
Cover Art
Screenshots
