Atari 8-bit - APX - 1983

Dandy

1 / 8

Genre: Arcade - Gauntlet
Year: 1983
Language: Machine Language
Publisher: APX
Controls: Joystick / Keyboard
Developer: Atari
Players: 1 / 2 (sim.) / 2+
Country
Programmer(s): Palevich, John Howard
License: Commercial
Graphic Artist(s): Palevich, John Howard
Medium
Sound: [n/a]
Rarity: 8
Cover Artist(s): [n/a]
Serial: 20210
Dump: Download

OTHER VERSIONS WITH THE SAME TITLE (2)

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

Updated on December 15th, 2022. Added pre-release "V0.0" obtained through former head of APX Fred Thorlin and John Hardie. Unlike other titles, there is no DISKNAME.DAT file on the disk. The label dates the program to April 29th, 1983 but this might simply be when Fred Thorlin was handed out the game. This "V0.0" actually has a different maze layout than the commercial release. However, an archived disk from the author dated April 23rd has the same maze as the finished version, meaning "V0.0" was actually an earlier build. Note that the commercially sold V1.1 - for which we also uploaded a "better" dump with correct DOS on disk - has a May 4th, 1983 "stamp date".

Known versions:
(+) 0.0
(-) 1.0 (?)
(*) 1.1

(+) original disk
(*) cracked disk
(-) missing entirely

Missing original disk image (V1.1)!

1 / 3

Disk 1

INSTRUCTIONS (1)

PDF

ADS (2)

1 / 3

Disk 1

VOTES / STATISTICS

Rating7.8/10

Hits: 46,551
Downloads: 4,049
Votes: 45

⬇ DOWNLOAD PDF

COMMENTS (6)

Atari A to Z (Pete Davison)4 Jul 2022
Dandy is the reason Gauntlet exists, making it a fascinating game from a historical perspective -- and a fun party game even today. Throw in the fact it has its own level editor and you have a remarkable achievement for the 8-bit era! Let's Play! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CtZB4OIgB0Q
AbbotKinneyDude18 Jan 2021
John H. Palevich also wrote the PD game "Shoot!" published in COMPUTE! #16 (September 1981). https://ksquiggle.neocities.org/asmgames/shoot.htm
Daniel Thomas MacInnes7 May 2011
This game was the inspiration for Atari's Gauntlet, which arrived a couple years later. I remember reading Ed Logg's endorsement years ago, although I cannot remember the source. But I wanted to add this bit of trivia to the great collective unconscious. A classic Atari 8-bit game.
Auntie Pastie31 Jan 2010
The similarities between this game and the later Gauntlet are obvious. Page 6 magazine even claimed that Dandy (AKA Dandy Dungeon) was better than what they considered the mediocre Atari 8-bit conversion of Gauntlet. Having read that, I must admit to having been slightly disappointed when I actually played Dandy Dungeon. I was probably spoiled by having played various (non-Atari) versions of Gauntlet, plus DD was already quite a few years old by then. But it certainly originated the concept, so credit where it's due. The theory behind the game is pretty interesting too.
Kumar Goundan14 May 2008
The developer, John Pavelich, is now a senior developer at Microsoft. He has ported Dandy to several languages, including C++ and F#. He has even written a version for the Xbox 360 (but not for sale). Great idea for a senior thesis (read the manual and learn his story). It must have left a lasting impression on him, knowing that he wrote versions of Dandy in many languages.
Muffy St. Bernard2 May 2007
Simply the best! Fun to play all around (though more than two players wasn't exactly practical), and a well-designed level editor for endless replayability. It loses something without joystick control but you can still enjoy it with a keyboard (in a pinch).