(PA2082 on Atari’s Master Part Number Listing)
In this episode I cover a very highly regarded arcade port for the Lynx, Robotron: 2084, released for the Lynx in 1991. Included are statistics for the game, a run-down on how to play it, reviews and ratings, some fun facts and trivia, and (of course) listener feedback about the game. Plus, during the course of this episode, I begin to foster grave concerns about Monty’s true motivations regarding the future of our planet. Crikey.
Before viewing the following show notes, you must click on the link below:
ROBOTRON: 2084 VITAL STATISTICS
Release Date: August of 1991.
Initial Retail Price: $38.99 in the US; £29.00-£34.99 in the UK.
Cartridge Information: 128kB stereo curved lip-style cartridge.
Game Genre: Top-down-view 2-dimensional multidirectional action shooter for 1 player only.
Screen Playfield Orientation: Landscape (horizontal).
Based On: The arcade cabinet of the same name created by Eugene Jarvis and Larry DeMar of Vid Kidz and released by Williams Electronics in 1982. This arcade game was in turn inspired by Jarvis’ and DeMar’s previous game, Defender, as well as by the arcade game Berzerk, the Commodore PET game Chase, and the 1949 George Orwell novel “Nineteen Eight-Four” (also known as “1984”).
Ports to Other Systems: Acorn Electron, Apple ][, Apple MacIntosh, Atari 5200, Atari 7800, Atari 8-bit line of computers, Atari ST, BBC Micro, Commodore 64, Commodore VIC-20, IBM PC (PC booter), and Xbox 360. There is also a brand new home brew port of Robotron: 2084 for the original Atari VCS (2600) from Champ Games . It is called RobotWar 2684, and it will be released sometime this fall at AtariAge; you can find more info about it here.
Game Levels: At least 50. The arcade cabinet Robotron: 2084 includes 40 unique levels, or waves. After wave 40, the game repeats waves 21-40 over and over again until wave 255 is reached.
Packaging: A full-color standard flap-tab regular-size box (5 3/8″ by 4 3/8″ by 7/8″). The French variant included a sticker on the front (Pin’s Gratuit) indicating the inclusion of a lapel pin.
Instruction Manual: A 16-page (including front and back covers) stapled regular-sized booklet manual in full monochrome, measuring the usual 4 7/8” high by 3 ¾” wide. The manual was released in English in North America and in Europe, and in French in France.
ROBOTRON: 2084 CREDITS
Publisher: Shadowsoft, Inc.
Licensee: Williams Electronics Games, Inc./WMS Industries, Inc.
Developer (Arcade): Vid Kidz
Programmer, Graphics, and Sound Effects: Dave Dies
Music: Chris Gundlack
Be sure to check out our partner AtariGamer.com to stay “Lynxed In” to all of the latest news about our favorite handheld gaming console!
LYNX LYNKS
Kieren Hawken’s 2019 book “The A-Z of Atari Lynx Games Volume 1”.
Information About Robotron: 2084:
Atari Age title info/rarity guide for Robotron: 2084
Atari Gamer title info/rarity guide for Robotron: 2084
Digital Press title info/rarity guide for Robotron: 2084
GameFAQs article about Robotron: 2084
Moby Games article about Robotron: 2084
PriceCharting.com value guide about Robotron: 2084
RarityGuide.com rarity/value guide about Robotron: 2084
Wikipedia article about Robotron: 2084
Reviews and Ratings for Robotron: 2084:
Review by Tom R. Halfhill in Game Player’s (US; August 1991; page 43)
Review by David Upchurch in ACE [Advanced Computer Entertainment] (UK; Issue #53; February 1992; page 77)
Review by Tim Boone in Computer and Video Games Go (UK; Issue #04; February 1992; page 8)
Review in Computer and Video Games Go (UK; Issue #08; June 1992; page 25)
Review by Paul Rixon in Atari User (UK; Issue #56; June 1992; page 41)
Review by Keita Iita at Atari HQ (undated)
Review by Robert A. Jung at IGN (1999; updated 2018)
Review by Dan Loosen at The Atari Times (2004)
Review by forcexdistance at GameFAQs (2011)
Review by David James Keaton at Spiders Are Our Friends (2013)
Review at 8-Bit Central (2014)
Review by Brian Thomas Barnhart at Atario.io (2016)
Review by Jon Mc at Atari Gamer (2018)
Review by The Video Game Critic (2019)
YouTube Videos About Robotron: 2084:
Playthrough (World-of-Longplays)
Playthrough (Atari7800com)
Playthrough and Review (ArcadeUSA)
Playthrough and Review (BTB/Lynx Lounge)
Playthrough and Review (Leftover Culture Review)
Playthrough and Review (RetroGamerDaz)
Retailers Selling Robotron: 2084:
B & C ComputerVisions: US$10.00 (box only), US$19.95 (cart/manual combo), US$19.95 (NIB w/damaged box) and for US$29.95 (NIB) through eBay under the user name MyAtari…check his online store on eBay for availability.
Best Electronics (last updated July 31, 2021; check website for availability): US$14.95 (loose cart).
The Gamesmen (Australia): AU$24.95 (CIB).
The Goat Store: None Available.
Telegames (UK): None Available.
Video 61 & Atari Sales: None Available.
After-Market and Home Brew Lynx Titles Now Available:
As of the recording date, here are the after-market and home brew Atari Lynx titles available from Luchs Soft in Germany (prices include VAT but not shipping costs):
Alpine Games (€55,92)
Ejagfest Slideshow (€49,97)
Quadromania (€55,92)
Retro X-MASsacre (Pre-order; €44,02)
Space Battle (Single: €55,92)
Space Battle (Double: €74,96)
Unseen (€49,97)
Yastuna-The Alchemy of Cubes (€49,97)
Click here if you’re interested in ordering from Luchs Soft.
As of the recording date, here are the after-market and home brew Atari Lynx titles available from Songbird Productions in the US (prices do not include tax or shipping costs):
Alpine Games ($59.95)
Alpine Games (bonus cart only; $49.95)
Biniax 2 ($49.95/$79.95)
Bubble Trouble ($69.95)
A Bug’s Trip Redux ($49.95)
Centipede ($49.95)
CGE 5th Redux ($39.95)
Championship Rally ($59.95/$89.95)
Crystal Mines II: Buried Treasure ($59.95)
Crystal Mines II: Buried Treasure (black PCB; $59.95)
CyberVirus ($59.95)
CyberVirus: Lost Missions ($49.95)
Fat Bobby ($69.95)
Hyperdrome ($69.95)
Krazy Ace Miniature Golf ($69.95)
Lexis ($59.95)
Loopz ($59.95/$89.95)
MegaPak 1 ($59.95)
Othello ($49.95/$79.95)
Ponx ($49.95)Ponx (black PCB: $59.99) [Out of Stock]
Quadromania Redux ($49.95)
Raiden ($69.95)
Remnant: Planar Wars ($59.95)
SFX ($49.95)SFX (Black PCB: $59.99) [Out of Stock]
SIMIS ($59.95/$89.95)
Sky Raider Redux ($59.95)
T-Tris ($49.95/$79.95)
unnamed ($59.95)
Wyvern Tales ($69.95)
Xump: The Final Run ($49.95)
Click here if you’re interested in ordering from Songbird Productions.
As of the recording date, here are the after-market and home brew Atari Lynx titles available from Telegames in the UK (all prices include VAT):
Alpine Games (£55.00)
Bubble Trouble (£49.98)
Championship Rally (£49.99)
Crystal Mines II: Buried Treasure (Limited Edition; £49.99)
CyberVirus (Limited Production; £49.99)
Fat Bobby (£49.99)
Hyperdrome (£52.98)
Krazy Ace Miniature Golf (£49.99)
Lexis (Limited Edition; £49.99)
Lynx Reloaded (Pre-order; with Othello and MultoPong; £44.99)
Ponx (£39.98)
Raiden (£52.98)
Remnant: Planar Wars (£49.98)
SFX (Pre-order Limited Cartridge; £39.86)
SIMIS 5 w/Space Invaders (Limited Production; £49.98)
Sokomania (Pre-order; £52.98)
T-Tris (£49.98)
Click here if you’re interested in ordering from Telegames.
YASTUNA GAMES
As of the recording date, here are the after-market and home brew Atari Lynx titles available from Yastuna Games in France (no VAT is required):
The Alchemy of Cubes (Pre-order; cart only; €15,00)
Asteroids Chasers (€40,00)
Asteroids Chasers Deluxe (€65,00)
Raid On TriCity – Second Wave (€40,00)
The Space Incident (Pre-order; cart only; €15,00)Ynxa (€40,00) [Out of Stock]Ynxa Deluxe (€70,00) [Out of Stock]
Grand Opening Special Order #1 (with Asteroids Chasers, Raid on TriCity – Second Wave, The Alchemy of Cubes, and The Space Incident; €100,00)
Grand Opening Special Order #2 (with Asteroids Chasers Deluxe, Raid on TriCity – Second Wave, The Alchemy of Cubes, and The Space Incident; €125,00)
Click here if you’re interested in ordering from Yastuna Games.
Resources for Atari Lynx Console/Game-Related Collecting Materials/Tools:
Resource: Game Boy Color cases for Atari Lynx cartridges from Amazon
Resource: 2 1/2″ coin storage sheets from Amazon.
Resource: Atari Lynx regular-size game box sleeves from BuzzandBingosMoonCircus (eBay).
Resource: Atari Lynx custom game box sleeves from RetroProtection.
Resource: Building a custom Atari Lynx game box shelving unit from AtariGamer.
Resource: Atari Lynx II display stand in a choice of 2 colors from RoseColoredGaming on Etsy.
Resource: Atari Lynx I and II display stands (along with cartridge stands) from TelltaleShop on Etsy.
Resource: BennVenn’s drop-in LCD replacement kit (requires soldering; includes screen plus AtariGamer.com’s 3D-printed screen bracket frame for the Atari Lynx I).
Resource: BennVenn’s drop-in LCD replacement kit (solderless-type; includes screen plus AtariGamer.com’s 3D-printed screen bracket frame for the Atari Lynx II).
Resource: BennVenn’s ElCheapoSD storage cartridge for the Atari Lynx.
Resource: RetroHQ’s GameDrive SD storage cartridge for the Atari Lynx.
Resource: AtariGamer Online Shop (upgrades, mods, and kits for the Atari Lynx)
“Thank You’s” and Other Lynks:
Antic: The Atari 8-Bit Podcast (Thanks to Brad Arnold, Randy Kindig, and Kevin Zavitz for the shoutout about The HandyCast in Episode 50!)
AtariGamer.com (Thanks to Igor for incorporating The HandyCast into his excellent website!)
The Atari 2600 Game By Game Podcast (Thanks to The Podfather himself, Ferg, for encouraging his listeners to check out The HandyCast in both Episode 151 and Episode 154!)
The Atari Jaguar Game By Game Podcast (Thanks to Shinto for encouraging his listeners to check out The HandyCast in Episodes 22 and 26!)
Curtis Herod (Cujo)‘s The Bl^ck Book v2 (Check HERE to see the now-expired Indiegogo campaign, where you can find out more about the book. And please consider purchasing Curtis Herod’s The Black Book v2 by emailing him at cujo86@gmail.com.)
Gaming on Ten (Thanks to Nick and Don for encouraging his listeners to check out The HandyCast in Episode 09!)
Into the Vertical Blank Podcast (Thanks to hosts Jeff and Steve Fulton for “singing” about The HandyCast in Season 1, Episode 10!)
Please Stand By (Thanks to Zerbe and Ferg for helping to promote The HandyCast on several episodes of this fun-to-listen-to show, starting with Episode 60!)
The RCR Podcast (Thanks to the Retro Computing Roundtable: Paul Hagstrom, Quinn Dunki, Jack Nutting, and Carrington Vance, for highlighting The HandyCast in Episode 167!)
The Retro MacCast Podcast (Thanks to Retro MacCast hosts James Savage and John Leake for highlighting The HandyCast in Episode 475!)
Retro Video Gamer Forums (Thanks to Eugenio/TrekMD for helping to promote The HandyCast on his wonderful forums!)
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Thanks go to everyone who contributed feedback about Robotron: 2084 (and other games) for this episode: Eugenio (TrekMD), Todd Ford, Kieren Hawken (The Laird’s Lair YouTube Channel), Curtis Herrod (Cujo86), Bill Kendrick (The Atari XEGS Game by Game Podcast), lynxtosg03, rayrayrayraydog, H.R. Segovia, Shinto (The Atari Jaguar Game by Game Podcast), sramirez2008, and Bobby Tribble. I really appreciate your feedback!
Also, I would like to thank the Free Music Archive for the following musical artists and songs that were used in this episode under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License: “8-Bit Core” by Tagirijus (opening and closing theme music), along with “Amigabass,” “Changemode,” “Chipset (Steve’s Vocoder Dudez Version),” “For Robots,” “For Robots Friendly Floater Mix,” “Herz Aus Gold,” and “Loading,” all by Tom Woxom.
Thanks also to Elvira, Mistress of the Dark (Cassandra Peterson) for the “Oooh, let’s party!” and “Leaving so soon?” digitized speech clips captured from the Atari Lynx game Pinball Jam that are used at the beginning and end of each episode of The HandyCast.
I would especially like to thank Shinto for submitting his memories of various Atari Lynx games he’s owned in the past to The Atari Lynx HandyCast…they are greatly appreciated. And you should all check out Shinto’s wonderful Atari Jaguar Game by Game Podcast; it’s definitely worth listening to, even if you’ve never owned a Jaguar. You can find it here.
Many, many thanks also go to Zerbinator for his continued support. His encouragement and expertise are very much appreciated by me. You can find all of his fun-to-listen-to podcasts here, including my favorite, Please Stand By.
Finally, my thanks to the Podfather himself, Ferg of The Atari 2600 Game by Game Podcast. His inspiration and dedication to covering every game cartridge ever made for the Atari 2600 (I think over 1000 of them!) is what gave me the courage to begin this podcast. Please, check out his don’t-miss podcast, even if you’re not an Atari 2600 collector; you should also visit his website here.
I hope you enjoy this episode of The Atari Lynx HandyCast. And please don’t forget to visit the official Atari Lynx HandyCast website by clicking here!
-Mark
Next Episode: “EPISODE 22: Paperboy”
