Video Games Issue 14

PRIMARY SYSTEMS COVERAGE

• Atari VCS - Atari 2600
• 2600 Starpath Supercharger
• Atari 5200
• Atari computers
• Commodore VIC-20
• arcade
• pinball

(TOC transcription follows, with (notes) and bullet lists added for clarity.)

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FEATURES

ED BOGAS

The Music Man breaks the video game sound barrier. (interview by Mary Claire Blakeman; 'The Music Man: Ed Bogas Breaks the Video Game Sound Barrier')

THE MAKING OF STAR WARS THE VIDEOGAME

Going behind the scenes at Atari coin-op. (by Jamie Williams)

SWEET SEVENTEEN

Getting a handle on joysticks and controllers. (reviews by Perry Greenberg)

• Discwasher Pointmaster Pro
• Discwasher Quick Stick
• Wico The Boss
• TG Enjoystick
• Zircon Z-Stick
• Newport Controls Pro Stick II
• Newport Controls Pro Stick III
• Kraft Switchhitter
• Suncom Joysensor
• Gemini Gemstick
• Championship Electronics Super Champ Joystick
• Amiga Power Stick
• Amiga Joyboard
• Questar Pro
• Atari 5200 Trakball

SPECIAL SECTION:

Welcome to the Computer Age

A complete guide to what you'll ever need to know about personal computers. (by Jerry Willis; 'Welcome to the Computer Age: A Comprehensive Guide to All You'll Ever Need to Know About Personal Computers;' shown: VIC-20, IBM PC, Eagle 1600 Series, Tomy Tutor, Timex/Sinclair 1500, Commodore 64, Texas Instruments 99/4A, Atari Trak-Ball and Touch Tablet accessories, Milton Bradley's MBX expansion system for TI 99/4A, Panasonic TR-120 MPDA display, Apple II with Apple graphic tablet, Amdek Color II monitor, Morrow Decision I and S-100, Radio Shack MC-10 micro color computer, Coleco ADAM, Atari 1450XLD, Apple IIe)

DEPARTMENTS

HYPERSPACE (editorial)

Insights into the issue at hand.

DOUBLESPEAK (letters column)

VIDEO GAMES' readers speak out.

BLIPS (news section)

Lone Star sensation; more video TV; making a play for WarGames.

• The Junkmen Cometh ('The Works' computer animated movie)
• Branching Out (Atari goes multi-platform)
• More Video TV ('The Video Game Challenge,' 'Video Game Previews' TV shows)
• Foul Play ('Many Roads To Murder' interactive videodisc game)
• Winning Ways ('Championship Pac-Man' TV show)
• The Sound of Music (music edutainment games)
• Making A Play for WarGames ('Computer War' video game)
• Life Imitates Art (hackers inspired by WarGames movie)
• Open and Shut Cases (computer carrying cases and game/accessory storage)

COMPUTER CORNER

Software action on view. (game reviews by Dawn Gordon and Dan Persons)

• Dig Dug (Atari cart)
• Fantastic Voyage (400/800 cart)
• Final Orbit (400/1200XL cart)
• Squish 'Em (Atari cart)
• Deadly Skies (VIC20 cart)
• Scorpion (VIC20 cart)
• Sneakers (400/800 disk)
• Spider City (400/800 cart)
• Alpha Shield (400-1200XL cart)

COIN-OP SHOP

Arcade '83 - The year in review: Minefield; Dragon's Lair; Crystal Castles (commentary & arcade reviews by John Holmstrom; 'Arcade '83: The Year In Review (So Far)')

• Minefield
• Dragon's Lair
• Crystal Castles
• Change Lanes
• Motorrace USA

FLIPSIDE

A double play combination: Amazon Hunt and Gold Ball. (commentary and pinball reviews by Zelmo; 'A Double Play Combination')

SOFT SPOT

Home cart screen gems on view: Solar Storm, Pole Position and more. (commentary and home video game reviews by Perry Greenberg and Dan Persons; 'Home Cart Screen Gems On View')

• Solar Storm (2600)
• Halloween (2600)
• The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2600)
• Swordquest: Fireworld (2600)
• Dragonstomper (2600 Starpath Supercharger)
• Tutankham (2600)
• Strawberry Shortcake (2600)
• Pole Position (2600)
• Plaque Attack (2600)
• Killer Satellites (2600)

BOOK BEAT

Cosmic tales: video's amazing literary effort. (by Anne Krueger; book review of 'Race Against Time With Mazewarps: 24 Challenging Video Mazes')

COMIC RELIEF (comic strip)

The Zydroid Legion.

STATS (high scores and Top lists)

Cover Illustration by Richard Kriegler