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Gaming in 1983 - An Overview, Part II
Atari SuperSystem
Once again, Atari focused on arcade ports as per norm. Games this year include Mario Bros., Pengo, Q*bert, and Pole Position. Movie tie-ins were also available, with a pair of Star Wars games and a game based on E.T. the Extra Terrestrial. The latter game was released in time for the holidays after a year of development, and was considered the SuperSystem's killer app.
ColecoVision
Toe-to-toe with the SuperSystem as the must-have home arcade of 1983, Coleco was no slacker to drive the ColecoVision to the forefront. Hits this year included Donkey Kong Jr., Frenzy, Pepper II, Mr. Do!, Q*bert, B.C.'s Quest for Tires, and SubRoc. Plans for a module that allowed the system to play Atari VCS were quickly shot down by lawyers.
The Japanese Console Wars
Two big names in the arcade machine industry, Nintendo and Sega, wound up releasing two competing home arcades on the same day: the Nintendo Family Computer and the Sega SG-1000. Both firms competed for dominance in the Land of the Rising Sun, with plans for international releases only a few years away.
Once again, Atari focused on arcade ports as per norm. Games this year include Mario Bros., Pengo, Q*bert, and Pole Position. Movie tie-ins were also available, with a pair of Star Wars games and a game based on E.T. the Extra Terrestrial. The latter game was released in time for the holidays after a year of development, and was considered the SuperSystem's killer app.
ColecoVision
Toe-to-toe with the SuperSystem as the must-have home arcade of 1983, Coleco was no slacker to drive the ColecoVision to the forefront. Hits this year included Donkey Kong Jr., Frenzy, Pepper II, Mr. Do!, Q*bert, B.C.'s Quest for Tires, and SubRoc. Plans for a module that allowed the system to play Atari VCS were quickly shot down by lawyers.
The Japanese Console Wars
Two big names in the arcade machine industry, Nintendo and Sega, wound up releasing two competing home arcades on the same day: the Nintendo Family Computer and the Sega SG-1000. Both firms competed for dominance in the Land of the Rising Sun, with plans for international releases only a few years away.
- StomperYoshi
- Word Count: 190