Arcade / Arcade - Platformer (Single Screen) · 1986

Mr. Robot and His Robot Factory

Published by Databyte · Developed by [n/a]

atarimania.com — atari-400-800-xl-xe-games-mr-robot-and-his-robot-factory-6826

Information

Genre: Arcade - Platformer (Single Screen)
Language: Machine Language
Controls: Joystick
Players: 1, Demo
Programmer(s): Rosen, Ron
Graphic Artist(s): Rosen, Ron
Sound: Gilbertson, Gary
Year: 1986
Publisher: Databyte
Developer: [n/a]
Country: United Kingdom
License: Commercial
Medium: Tape, Disk
Rarity: 7 (Tape), 7 (Disk)

Votes / Statistics

Rating: 7.8/10 · Votes: 238 · Downloads: 6,082 · Hits: 24,696

Additional Comments

Missing disk image. Is it the same as the original release?

Screenshots (3)

Mr. Robot and His Robot Factory — screenshot 1

Mr. Robot and His Robot Factory — screenshot 2

Mr. Robot and His Robot Factory — screenshot 3

Cover Art (4)

Instructions (8)

Book / Magazine Reviews (1)

Electronic Fun · March, 1984 · Rating: 3.5 / 4

The full name of this Datamost epic is Mr. Robot and His Robot Factory, but it could be subtitled Bounty Bob Meets Lee Iacocca or Auto Worker 2049er. The game play is a direct ripoff of Miner 2049er - cover all the ground on each screen, eat energizers and annihilate aliens. There are three important improvements, though, which make Mr. Robot a standout by itself. First of all, you get 22 screens. Second, you can start at any screen you choose. Third, and most important, is the Robot Factory section of the game. This enables you to build your own screens and save them to disk.

There are loads of nifty devices in Mr. Robot which guarantee it will hold interest for innumerable plays. In addition to your basic platform and such familiar components as ladders, fire poles and escalators, you also have moving conveyors, transporters (they work like the teleporters that have come to replace elevators in the fully-equipped prime commercial space of 2049er) and my own personal favorite, the trampoline. You've also got levels constructed of bombs which blow you sky high if you linger. And did I mention the magnets?

All of these elements can be used when you build your own screens. Simply select the icon of your choice, grab it with the fire button, and either "stamp" or "paint" it - that lets you run a platform or ladder the length or height of the screen in one easy fluid motion of the joystick. You can test your screen, edit what you've done, and then save it to disk.

As with Miner, the tougher screens can only be completed when you tackle them in the right way. Otherwise you'll zap yourself into a corner. Unlike Miner, however, Mr. Robot lets you start wherever you choose. This is a huge improvement and one that ought to be incorporated into every similar multi-screen game. It's always seemed unfair to me that after you shell out all the money for a computer game, you can't see the thing all the way through unless you're willing to sacrifice hour upon hour perfecting your skill. Depending on what line of work you're in, figuring your time on an hourly basis that $30 game could end up costing you thousands.

The graphics are colorful but a little sketchy, probably to save memory for all the amazing things you can do in the Factory. No stinting with the music, though. Credited to Music by Paradise (a couple of composer / programmers in Hawaii), the theme to Mr. Robot is the greatest piece of original video game music since Shark, Shark. Greater, even. And longer. Except for the first shipment of disks which was rushed to market before the title screen was done, the music backs up some terrific animation of Mr. R. strutting his stuff on a conveyor belt. Automation never looked so good.

On the trampoline screen, go for the long leap.

Comments (13)

Monk — 9 Oct 2019
Early nostalgy classic for me - I always remember this game fondly. The Atari version seems to have been crafted with more love and care than the C64 version, what with the title music and animation and all. C64-version is still good to play, but it has no music, worse-looking, static title screen and smaller fonts. It's also missing many of the sound, like the jumping sound. The 'shield' sound is a bit improved, and the walking sound is less noisy and cacophonic, and I actually prefer the C64 walking noise. I love both versions, it's another case of 'both are excellent' - but the Atari-version offers a bit more. I like always comparing these old games, as they give personality to both computers so nicely, and it's fun to find the differences. Great game, especially since it comes with that amazingly user-friendly level editor!
Megadeth — 23 Jun 2019
I found one EMULATOR version that credits FAH ZBYDO instead of RON ROSEN.. Otherwise the game seems the same.
JJ — 22 Aug 2016
Heavily inspired by Miner 2049'er, but the different levels and obstacles keep both games feeling distinct.
Atariteca — 21 Aug 2016
They have just release a version for PC users. It can be downloaded for free from http://goo.gl/tlpWYy
Tommi — 17 Dec 2013
Great game, we played with c-64, for countles hours.
Daniel Thomas MacInnes — 10 May 2011
A bloody fantastic videogame and one of the all-time greats for the Atari 800. Some of the best graphics and color on the system, always entertaining, and the level editor alone kept me glued to the monitor for years. This is another one of those games you could bring back almost untouched. A perfect 10!
FastRobPlus — 31 Mar 2009
Pretty sure I will be buying an iPhone verison soon!
Gwobby — 28 Mar 2009
Hi Ron, thanks for creating such wonderful games. We've just played Mr Robot on the AtariAge forum's 8-bit High Score Contest: http://www.atariage.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=138387
Ron Rosen — 28 Mar 2009
WOW. 20 years later you guys still talk about these games? Pretty sure Im gonna do an iPhone version. Thanks for keeping it alive!!! Ron Rosen
kris — 23 Aug 2008
At first glance, just a standard run'n jump game, but actually one of the best ever for the 800. Items were positioned in just such a way to allow the levels to be completed - kind of like an "Incredible Machine" well ahead of its time. The construction set was awesome too - all of my creations involved hundreds of trampolines! Fantastic game!
Liz Still — 19 Aug 2008
I absolutly loved this game - do you know where I can get a copy of this game. I still have my old Atari 800XL & the Disk Drive 1080 and would love to get the floppy disk of this - I have been looking for this for years and havent managed to locate one - any help would be much appreciated :o) Thanks Liz
Tibby — 1 Dec 2006
I remember this game from my "younger days" and I have to say that this was one of my ABSOLUTE FAVORITES! Extremely fun, and it allows for tons of creativity. I highly recommend it!
Dave Grieser — 2 Jul 2004
Play value is excellent. Design your own game from scratch, makes the play unlimited. Very addicting, and you can skip to whatever level you want. Non-Linear. Great Game!!