the big m28 Oct 2024
Apparently lauded for it's lovely visuals but criticized for poor joystick controls on the 5200.
I imagine the 800 version has better control.
Impressive early arcade port.
Atari A to Z (Pete Davison)4 Jul 2022
Vanguard is an unusual shoot 'em up originally published by SNK, but brought to a variety of different platforms including the Atari 8-bit in the early '80s. It's primarily known for the fact it doesn't just scroll in one direction! Let's Play! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3fn8OtiGlyo
Pete Davison14 Mar 2019
This is a really faithful adaptation of the original SNK coin-op version of Vanguard -- right down to including the Continue option, one of the first games to incorporate that!
And, uh, I'll just add my voice to the choir of people pointing out that no, this most certainly was not a three-monitor game in its original form. You may be thinking of Darius, though how anyone could confuse that with this is beyond me! :)
Jeff Fulton20 Jul 2015
Yeah, this definitely was not a 3 monitor arcade game. This 8-bit version is pretty faithful to the arcade as was the 2600. This was one of my favorite early 8-bit arcade titles.
Gaz23 Jun 2011
"it was played on three monitors in width."
PMSL.
Carmel ?
Jonny EOL12 Feb 2008
I though this wasn't too bad a conversion of the arcade game. More variety than most shoot-em-ups of the time, at least.
Aegis16 Jun 2007
@Jim Kuchera: Umm... what version of Vanguard have you been playing? The original arcade machine was a single-screen cabinet as you can see at the Killer List Of Videogames:
http://www.klov.com/game_detail.php?letter=V&game_id=10293
The 5200/800/XL/XE version is actually a pretty good port of a fun game!
Jim Kuchera22 Dec 2006
The co-op version of this game was remarkable in that it was played on three monitors in width. It was a fantastic arcade game that took your breath away for its beauty. Though this 8-bit translation tries to render the game faithfully, it can't come close to the original arcade version. This game is not only available for the 5200, but the Atari 800/XL/XE group as well. I own it, but seldom play it though the musical score is worth listening too. Some games just can't be ported well because of the uniqueness of the original. Pass on this one.
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