Summary
- Release Year: 1977
- Genres: Arcade
- Platforms: Atari 2600
- Developers: Atari
- Publishers: Atari, Sears
Surround (1977): The Atari 2600 Game That Paved the Way for Snake
Released in 1977 for the Atari 2600, Surround was an unofficial port of the arcade game Blockade, which had been released the previous year by Gremlin. As such, it was the first home console version of the game that would become widely known on other platforms as Snake.
Gameplay
The object of Surround is simple: maneuver your sprite across the screen, leaving a trail behind you. The goal is to force your opponent to crash into one of your trails.
The game can be played with two players, each controlling a sprite. The sprites can move in four directions: up, down, left, and right.
There are a number of options that can be adjusted to change the gameplay. These options include:
- Speed: The speed of the sprites can be set to slow, medium, or fast.
- Diagonal movement: Diagonal movement can be turned on or off.
- Wrap-around: Wrap-around can be turned on or off. When wrap-around is on, the sprites will reappear on the opposite side of the screen when they reach the edge.
- Erase: Erase can be turned on or off. When erase is on, the sprites will not leave a trail behind them.
Legacy
Surround was a critical and commercial success, and it helped to popularize the Snake genre on home consoles. The game was praised for its simple but addictive gameplay, and it remains a popular choice for retro gamers today.
Surround was also notable for being one of the first Atari 2600 games to be licensed to Sears, which released it under the name Chase. This was a significant step for Atari, as it helped to legitimize the company and its products.
Surround and the Development of Snake
Surround played a significant role in the development of the Snake genre. The game’s simple but addictive gameplay proved to be a hit with players, and it inspired a number of similar games on other platforms.
One of the most notable of these games was Snake, which was released for the Nokia 6110 in 1997. Snake quickly became one of the most popular mobile games of all time, and it helped to introduce the Snake genre to a new generation of players.
Snake has since been ported to numerous other platforms, including PCs, consoles, and mobile devices. The game remains popular today, and it is considered to be one of the most iconic video games of all time.
Conclusion
Surround is a classic Atari 2600 game that helped to popularize the Snake genre on home consoles. The game’s simple but addictive gameplay has stood the test of time, and it remains a popular choice for retro gamers today. Surround also played a significant role in the development of Snake, one of the most popular mobile games of all time.
Review Score
8/10
Art
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