Robotron: 2084 (Atari 5200 review)

Developer: Atari, Inc.
Publisher: Atari, Inc.
Released: 1983

Robotron: 2084 is a wave shooter that was first released in the Arcade in 1982.

+ Throws an enormous amount of sprites and animations around the playfield, and there's never any flicker or slowdown.

+ Having only a second or two to survey the most urgent threat(s) prior to the wave commencing is endlessly gripping.

+ Deciding whether to rescue humans or deal with the onslaught of robots is a great hook that adds risk-reward.

+ Better transition screens / SFX than the Atari 7800 port (1986), and using two controllers to fire and strafe works brilliantly.

- Doesn't play nearly as well with just a single controller, as you can't be as nimble when evading / shooting enemies.

- Challenge is brutal compared to the Atari 7800 version and less skilled gamers won't last long even on Level 0.

- Animation is often quite choppy, which isn't ideal in a fast-twitch game where every micro-movement is crucial.