Draconus - Atari 800XL

[mcsiell]

Takes me back watching this,

Brilliant game for its time

[douro20]

And to think that this kind of graphics is being displayed using video hardware developed in 1977. The 800 was well ahead of its time.

[Regenwurmbaendiger]

the figure could change herself into a fish ...never seen before in the 80´s!

[davuk1972]

Fantastic game, I loved this and also Zybex same company, I had an Atari 800XL

I may have to look for an emulator!!

[Paar86]

@ScottishNonBeliever It is Atari 800XL. Zeppelin was good developer.

[SouthernSky]

that was a good game, wicked sounds :D

[SamusDrake]

god, that background music is annoying. If the game has a save feature I would consider giving it a go, because I really do enjoy metroid-style game.

[Paar86]

@SamusDrake Well, you can still try C64 version...

[SamusDrake]

@Paar86

The C64 port does look nice, I must say. Actually, they did a good job on the spectrum version as well! Zepplin must have had some good programmers back then...

[Paar86]

@SamusDrake C64 vesrion is the best looking... But Atari version has better hit detection (thus is more playable). ZX Spectrum is just proof that this can be done even on weaker machines, but I didn't make to the end. Finished just Atari and C64 versions...

[thorgallpl]

@SamusDrake haha actually, it creates a unique atmosphere :)

[darkfalzx]

Not sure if this was pointed out already, but Draconus came out in 1988 and original NES Metroid came out in 1986, so the inspiration has got to be the other way around. I do love the sound and music in Draconus better than in Metroid.

[Paar86]

@darkfalzx I was pointed already :). It's true of course, my mistake...

[Bloodthr0e]

I didn't realize music could be made that induced seizures. 

[edzzzwin]

This actually looks not so good than the C=64 version of Draconus, sorry dude. I miss a certain atmosphere that only the C=64 graphics can provide. But great game-play. LOL

[thorgallpl]

@edzzzwin i could say the same about the atari vesrion lol

[schoschie]

One of the games that I never had on my Atari. Seeing this for the first time.

[CoolDudeClem]

The weird noise in the background reminds me of Wizball on C64.

[edzzzwin]

@CoolDudeClem, yeah me to, Wizball is a great game on the C=64 bytheway!

[lordtrumpy]

I prefer the c64 version's graphics as well, but this looks a good conversion i must admit.

If you click my name here, you'll see a recording i made of the c64 version.

I agree actually that the tune is more catchy on the atari, it's a nicer remix of the c64 title tune.

[edzzzwin]

@lordtrumpy , nice recording, C=64 rules!

[jvilla1983]

It looks to me like the un-released "Grinch saves Castlevania".. lol.. Kidding. This actually looks kinda cool. ;-)

[Dfens2008]

i had this on the atari too,i never knew what to do in this game,but great memories

[nathanel1313]

well, it's an Atari game ;] It's not much younger that I am, I don't think that I could enjoy playing it.

HOWEVER! the general design kicks ass!

a humanoid reptile walking around temple-themed rooms killing abstract sprites? how cool is that ;D

those older games, though technologically lame as hell, usually created tons of atmosphere and put your imagination to work. that's why so many people say that they don't make games like they used to ;)

[Bananadine]

@nathanel1313 the other thing about the older games is that they (usually) don't make you wait, and wait, and wait while various stupid 3D animations go through their paces

older games tend to be more interactive, regardless of how abstract they are, and interactivity is central to gaming

[Pyroraptor]

I had this on C=64, too. First game I ever bought and played for a very long time!

[inphanta]

I had this on the C64. It was great but very hard.

[Paar86]

C64 version had way better graphics, but worse hit detection and music. Still good game (still prefer Atari version a little more), I beat both of them.

[inphanta]

I agree about the graphics and hit detection but the C64 version had way better music, IMO. Also, that bubbling sound must get annoying after a while!

[Paar86]

There are two reasons, why I like Atari version's music more:

1 - I simply grew up on Atari

2 - Atari version has different melody in certain part (8:42), which is - in my opinion - just better then C64's

[thorgallpl]

@Paar86 way better graphicson c64? LOL the atari version kicks ass

[mk2player0]

Yeah! my favourite atari game ever. I remeber it was very dificult because there were lots of secrets. I ended the game with 99 lives several times. I dreamt of Draconus

[sostasz]

good music

[cheekyleopard]

Was this by the same people who created ZYBEX???? Similar graphic style.

[Paar86]

you are right, by zeppelin. even music is similar.

[masterxrated]

Music its Perfect,and this graphic,85s years? gorgius

[NightSprinter]

Played the ZX Spectrum version, not bad either. The C64 port I couldn't say as much for.

[nitrotab]

I remember playing this years ago on a Atari 800, I also remember that background noise (that I think is supposed to be in-game music :p) did my head in after a while.

[guyvf]

If Samus Aran had been a fire breathing lizard...

[guyvf]

however, your history is off. Metroid came out in 1986 in Japan, and a year later in America. this game is copyright 1988.

[acenikdo]

tak v té třetí místnosti s netopýry jsem vždy skončil...díky, krásná nostalgie...-)))

[Paar86]

ve treti mistnosti? tomu nejak nerozumim, netopyri jsou prakticky neskodni :)

[acenikdo]

pro mě jsou i neškodní škodní....-) Neber to prosím tak vážně, ale nostalgie to je, mám Atari ještě pod postelí a k němu 30 kazet s kazeťákem....nejlepší byly Stealth, Hans Kloss nebo International karate...-)

[davee1977]

Ty zvuky jsou ale dost psycho. Jak dlouho se to da poslouchat?

[Paar86]

Kupodivu mi tam vubec nevadi ;)

[ultrazealot]

oh yesss

aan amazing game!!!!!!!

the best from the 8bits generation

:D

[Paar86]

I agree of course :)