Videogaming Illustrated Issue 9

PRIMARY SYSTEMS COVERAGE THIS ISSUE

Intellivision
ColecoVision
Odyssey2
Commodore PET
Texas Instruments TI99/4A
Commodore 64
Atari VCS - 2600
Commodore VIC-20
Timex Sinclair 1000
Atari computers
Apple computers
PC
Vectrex
Radio Shack TRS-80 Color Computer
Atari 5200
arcade
pinball

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(The following is loosely based on this issue's table of contents with select article taglines and/or excerpts (noted in quotes) included. (Notes) and bullet lists added for clarity.)

(Videogaming Illustrated overhauls its Table of Contents section this issue, with formal descriptions of each feature. Also, a new, recurring 'Nybbles' column is introduced, replacing the issue's editorial with each appearance.)

Nybbles

Introducing Nybbles, a brand new column of industry whispers. (rumors and speculation; by Profundo)

Eye On

New games from Atari, new hardware for Vectrex, an industry shakeup. (news section; column headlines:)

• Promises Promises (upcoming games, sorted by system:)
  • Atari 2600
  • Atari 5200
  • ColecoVision
  • Odyssey
• That Number Again (Xonox double-enders)
• Rescue Me (upcoming Vectrex games; Light Pen, 3D Imager accessories (shown))
• Resignation (Atari's Ray Kassar replaced by James J. Morgan)
• Sticks, Not Stones (new joysticks from Atari, Comrex International, D-Zyne Video Products)
• The Rising Sun Has Landed (Japanese computers; Panasonic JR-300,JR-200; NEC PC-6000,PC-8000)
• Conformity (Japan MSX standard; Spectravideo MSX compatibility plans)
• Any Relation To Mindmaster? (GameMaster online gaming network)
• A Mouse In Your House (computer mouse overview; Wico Computer Command Mouse)
• A Zerk In Your Arcade (upcoming Apple software from Broderbund)
• Ozzie Ozone and The Dudes (upcoming software for the VIC-20 and C64)
• The Digital Dr. J (new company Electronic Artists (aka EA); upcoming software)

Preview

Is Space Dungeon the best videogame ever created? (console videogame reviews, most with box art and screenshot; includes 'It's Bomb!' sidebar)

• Enduro (2600)
• Tutankham (2600)
• Revenge of the Beefsteak Tomatoes (2600)
• Safecracker (Int)
• Master Builder (2600)
• Halloween (2600)
• The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2600)
• Turmoil (2600)
• Vanguard (2600)
• Kangaroo (5200)
• Space Dungeon (5200)
• Mission X (Int)
• Burgertime (Int)
• Z-Tack (2600)
• Plaque Attack (2600)

Focus On: Traditional Education Bytes It!

Computers are playing a major role in education in America; herein VCI provides tips to the bewildered: guidelines that will help parents select educational software, comprehensive lists of some of the best programs available, a quick glimpse at computers, and a wild projection of teachers of the future. ('Educational Software: The New Frontier' by Susan Levitan and Martin Levitan)

The Hardware Store

A superficial display for the window shopper. (computer options sorted by price; this article is not listed in this issue's TOC)

Conquering

Robot Tank is a stunning new combat game from Activision. ('Conquering Robot Tank' by Robert J. Sodaro; 2600; game overview and strategy)

Conquering

Sir Dudley Dashley will need help to rescue Lady Penelope in Jungle Hunt. ('Conquering Jungle Hunt;' 2600; game overview and strategy)

Behind the Scenes

Your right to play videogames: don't bet on the Constitution for support. ('Your Right To Play! Don't Bet On The Constitution!' by Stephen Bent, Esq.)

Chip Ahoy

New Coleco games and an arcade laserdisc fantasy game are previewed. (image gallery with detailed caption commentary; box art, screenshots, photos)

Supergaming

Step by step instructions will explain how to fix your Atari joystick. ('Troubleshooting! A Guide To Home Joystick Repair' by Bob Guerra)

Championship Videogaming

Our readers submit player's tips, Earthworld solution! (reader submitted game strategies and trivia; usually addendums to game guides published in prior issues; this issue:)

• Journey Escape
• Pole Position
• Tempest
• Donkey Kong Jr.
• Swordquest Earthworld Solution!

Arcadia

Flash! Pinball is alive and well and returning in force to arcades! ('Pinball Reborn - Two Industry Insiders Fight For A Silver Ball Future. Players Secrets! New Games Revealed!' by Richard Meyers)

Conquering

Sinistar - can it be destroyed? Bubbles - can they clean the crumbs? Bagman - can he clean up as well? Answers can be found herein. ('Conquering Sinistar - Arcade Strategy Tips by Randy Palmer;' games covered:)

• Sinistar
• Bubbles
• Bagman
• Zookeeper
• Gyruss

Computereyes

LOGO is slicker and easier to use than BASIC. ('My First Computer Language - Or Real Programmers Don't Use BASIC' by Martin Levitan)

RAMblings

Reviews of Wizard & Princess, Jumpman, Arcade Machine. (computer game reviews:)

• Sherwood Forest (Apple II)
• Jumpman (800)
• The Arcade Machine (Apple II)
• The Wizard and the Princess (Apple II/II+)

Input

The Atari vs. Coleco controversy is revived in our readers' letters column.

Early Childhood Software

Listing compiled and reviewed by Susan Levitan. (this article is not included in this issue's TOC; short commentary reviews of the following:)

• Kindercomp (Apple,PC,Atari,C64)
• Hey Diddle Diddle (Apple,PC,Atari,C64)
• Rhymes and Riddles (Apple,PC,Atari,C64)
• Facemaker (Apple,PC,Atari,C64)
• Juggles' Rainbox (Apple,Atari)
• Sticky Bear Numbers (Apple)
• Lunar Leeper Learning (Apple)
• Counting Bee (Apple)
• Spelling Bee/Reading Primer (Apple)
• Preschool IQ Builder 1 (Apple,Atari)
• Preschool IQ Builder 2 (Apple,Atari)
• Aliencounter (Apple,Atari)
• Early Games For Young Children (Apple)
• Mix and Match (Apple)
• Ernie's Quiz (Apple)
• Alphabet Beasts and Co. (Apple)
• Bop-A-Bet (Apple)
• My First Alphabet (Atari)
• Alphabet Arcade (Atari)
• Calendar (Atari,PET)
• Counting (Atari,PET)
• Early Learning Fun (TI99/4A)
• Terry Turtle's Adventure (TI99/4A)
• Nine Games For Preschoolers (TRS80)
• Missing Letter (TRS80)
• Upper/Lower Case Matching (TRS80)
• Alphabet (PET)
• Number Sequences I and II (PET)
• Clock (PET)
• Home Babysitter (VIC20)
• ABC's 1 and 2 (VIC20)
• Alpha Tutor (TS1000)
• Vowel Tutor (TS1000)
• Alphabet (TS1000)
• The Count (TS1000)

Computer Literacy

Significant Turtle-Related Beginner's Languages. (this article is not listed in this issue's TOC)

Teachers Of The 21st Century! (robots in the classroom; tongue-in-cheek; this feature is not listed in this issue's TOC)

Take Notes!

Random Input on the Educational Scene. (collection of short news stories; this column is not listed in this issue's TOC)

Videogames Come To Harvard

Or What Is The Long Term Social Significance of Playing Donkey Kong? (by Craig Shaw Gardner; this article is not listed in this issue's TOC)

Educational Software Publishers (contact information; this feature is not listed in this issue's TOC)

VCI Special

The Book of Videogame Lists - an indispensable and irrelevant guide. (list index of videogames, many with screenshots, sorted by genre or frivolous category; part two)

• Multilevel Madness
• Mazes
• Linear Chew-A-Maze
• Bounce!
• Maze Shoot-Outs
• Sports
• In A Class By Themselves
• Simultaneous Competition
• Inside The Body
• Tanks
• Sea Battle
• Run and Jump
• Games For Children
• Strategic
• Rhyming Titles
• Game That Were Announced But Never Released

Video Victor (comic strip)