Sports / Sports - Miscellaneous · 1987

Ballblazer

Published by Atari · Developed by Lucasfilm Games

atarimania.com — atari-400-800-xl-xe-games-ballblazer-476

Information

Genre: Sports - Miscellaneous
Language: Machine Language
Controls: Joystick
Players: 1, 1 vs. 2, Demo
Programmer(s): Levine, David, Wilmunder, Aric
Graphic Artist(s): Winnick, Gary
Sound: Langston, Peter
Cover Artist(s): [unknown]
Year: 1987
Publisher: Atari
Developer: Lucasfilm Games
Country: USA
License: Commercial
Medium: Cartridge
Rarity: 4
Serial: RX8064

Votes / Statistics

Rating: 8.1/10 · Votes: 1,297 · Downloads: 11,672 · Hits: 43,395

Additional Comments

Type 'AUTHOR' during the title sequence while the credits fade in and out to see the programming credit. It reads, "Concept, Graphics, Dynamics, and Control Structures..DAVID LEVINE Music, Sound Effects, Rules, and Droid Strategies..PETER LANGSTON”.

Screenshots (4)

Cover Art (3)

Article (2)

Lucas / Atari

from Electronic Games (September 1984)

Lucasfilms

Trivia (1)

Working title was Ballblaster.

Book / Magazine Reviews (1)

Atari User · July, 1988

It is the year 3097 and you are about to become a contestant in the newest and fastest cult sports game in the Universe. This is your chance to become the ultimate champion. Strapped into your Rotofoil, a hovercraft like vehicle capable of speeds of up to 50 metres a second, you must gain control of the Plasmorb and shoot it through your opponent's goal. The game uses a split-screen similar to the one used in Speed Ace by Zeppelin which shows a simultaneous first-person perspective for each player. Once the game gets going the sheer speed is awesome. There are three play modes: regulation game, practice mode and spectator mode. A game lasts for three minutes and offers the ultimate in two player, head-to-head competition. A very original game that offers a challenge to both your nerve and speed of reactions. Yet another programming delight from Lucasfilm Games.

Comments (10)

the big m — 24 Aug 2023
Wow! Lucas Films are always state of the art. Peter Langston developed an algorithm of 32 note melody fragments that plays fricken randomly over a repeated riff! What an amazing game!
Gildahl — 9 Jul 2022
Anti-aliasing! Amazing. First person! Two player split screen! Crazy fast! Computer generated improvised music! And a blast to actually play. This was the kind of innovation Lucasfilm games brought. No cookie cutter stuff here. Yes, gameplay was also very simple--basically computer air hockey with a moving goal. Great stuff and a classic.
Punkydudester — 21 Dec 2014
Excellent game and an all time favorite, catchy music, nice sound, smooth 3D scrolling. You just didn't see games made this well very often.
VD Tonic — 18 Jun 2014
Brilliant game with awesome graphics, music, sound fx and gameplay. Absolutely addictive when played with 2 players. Shows off the capabilities of the Atari 800.
Huh — 9 Mar 2012
Hmmm a game that was leaked by Atari themselves on their very own BBS. Two whole years before it was officially released. Chances are people would run into it before then.
belmont77 — 7 Apr 2010
busted. :) Rescue on Fractalus! is what you should have said. Happy days indeed.
Lockett — 31 Aug 2008
Nice to know that you played pirate copies, Palf.
Palf — 14 Dec 2007
All of these early lucasfilm games totally rocked! I spent untold hours playing ballblaster koronis rift, eidolon and behind jaggi lines. Oh happy days...
Kr0tki — 12 May 2005
If you manage to win within the 1 minute limit, you will see authors' initials written at the very right ene of the playfield.
Kr0tki — 12 May 2005
When on title screen (that with the game title and copyright text fading in/out at the center) type the word "AUTHOR" (you have to start typing after the center text fades in, and finish befor it starts fade out, so do it quickly). Then you will see the credits fade in.