Pixel Pirate Reflects¢---------------------¢¢Firstly may I wish all Atarians a happy new year for 1994.¢¢I have poured myself a glass of malt whiskey, heated a mince pie in the microwave and am ready to usher words of wisdom through this column.¢¢Software wise, 1993 I feel has been rather good, which is due to dedication shown by user groups etc. Let us hope that it continues and such groups are supported by all Atarians.¢¢I've just topped up the glass and removed the crumbs from the keyboard and wondering where to start. I have a pile of disks in front of me and there is so much good stuff, it is hard to make a selection.. '12 year old malt doesn't help !!'¢*¢Power Per Post released a demanding game called BOMBI. The object of the game is to move Bombi through 16 levels of 3D platforms with increasing difficulty on each platform. To complete a level you have to detonate various bombs, negotiate trapdoors and capture the bonus cross. There are three types of bombs.. the small one only blows up one square, the medium bomb blows up four squares while the big one blows up eight squares.. this sometimes can lead to a chain reaction, so make sure you are not standing on any of those squares. Trapdoors open once you have gone over them, if you need to go that way again press the fire on the joystick. You complete the level once you have destroyed 90% of the bombs and have captured the bonus. If you happen to fall off a platform into the dark void.. Goodbye Bombi!!¢ Gameplay is of the kind.. 'I must have another go..' and what with the uncluttering graphics, this game gets top score from me.¢This software can be purchased from DGS.¢*¢...Right I am back.. I was in the kitchen fixing myself a turkey butty and a glass of amontillado.. hic hic!!¢¢TRICKY PRINT, distributed by Micro Discount,is a brilliant piece of software that allows Atarians to print out Printshop files with an Atari 1029 printer. For best results use A4 fanfold paper as letterheads are programmed to this size. All the 'Printshop'and 'Printshop Companion' utilities can be used incuding font/icon/graphics data disks. When using the 'Banner' feature beware as it prints out in 16 foot lengths. This considerably slows the printer down. Tricky Print has certainly brought more life into my 1029 over the last few weeks and urge any '29'ers to purchase poste haste.¢*¢That's the Christmas cake finished, hold on, I'll just pour myself a liberal tankard of XXXX, rearrange my party hat and look for my final disk to write about. That's funny, my XL seems to be moving around the table.. oo! Now the disks are spinning and oh! my head. I'll have to run to the outhouse to clear my head........ That's a bit better.. I think I better get the article finished soon.¢¢STACK UP, a game originally distributed by Zepplin Games, but now available on disk from Micro Discount, is of the Tetris type. Blocks of up to three different characters fall from the top of the play area. These can be rearranged by pressing the fire button. Lines of three are needed to disintergrate the blocks. As you progress through the game various hazard screens are introduced to make life even more frustrating. I wouldn't rate this as the best Tetris clone but nor is it the worst. Tetris addicts, like myself, will want it for the their collection, but at #4.95 probably everyone should have a copy.¢*¢Hic Hic Slurp Slurp!! I think I better go and have a lie down, I'm not feeling too good !!¢¢Well before I go may I again wish all Atarians the best for the New Year and remember...¢¢ATARI 8-BIT CLASSIC RULES OK !!¢¢Peace - Pixel Pirate¢
