Halloween (video game)
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| Developer(s) | MicroGraphicImage |
| Publisher(s) | Wizard Video Games |
| Designer(s) | Tim Martin, Robert Barber |
| Platform(s) | Atari 2600 |
| Release date | 1983 |
| Genre(s) | Action |
| Mode(s) | Single-player |
Halloween is a video game for the Atari 2600, released in October 1983 by Wizard Video Games. It is based on the classic horror film of the same name (1978). The game was designed and programmed by MicroGraphicImage, a software development company started by several ex-Apollo programmers.
[edit] Gameplay
The player plays as an unnamed babysitter (most likely Laurie Strode), who must save children from a knife-wielding enemy, Michael Myers. The player obtains points in two ways: by rescuing children and bringing them to "safe rooms" located at both ends of each floor of the house, and by stabbing Michael with the knife (if it can be located). The player advances a level either by rescuing five children or stabbing Michael twice. The killer gets faster with each level increase, and the game continues until all of the player's three lives are lost.
This game is similar to the concept of the original film, but unlike the film it has much blood and gore. For example, when the player is killed, their head is replaced with blood streaming out of the severed neck.
[edit] Controversy and Legacy
Like The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Wizard's other offering, Halloween was a controversial title at the time due to its violent content and subject matter. Many game retailers refused to carry the game and the ones who did often kept it behind the counter on a request-only basis. Largely because of this, the game sold relatively poorly.
Today, Halloween is a popular yet extremely scarce title due to its poor distribution and low initial sales. It is very hard to find complete in box. Copies of this nature command a high premium, and the game is popular with not only Atari collectors but horror memorabilia collectors as well.
Halloween, along with The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, drove Wizard Video Games to bankruptcy.[citation needed] While Wizard Video Games were liquidating its merchandise, some copies of the game were shipped and sold without a label, or with a simple white sticker with "HALLOWEEN" hand-written on it to cut costs. This led to even more stores rejecting the game due to its bootleg appearance.[1]
[edit] External links
- X-Entertainment's review of Halloween
- The Angry Video Game Nerd reviews Halloween, with shots of the hand-written label
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