Atari Emulator -> UPGRADE!

As I've blogged before, I always like to try new things. Whelp, according to the file information it's been almost 20 years, so I went to virtualdub.org to see about an upgrade. Also, a big thank you to free time in college! As you can see, Blue Max now works (Zaxxon, please. This one's WAY better than Zaxxon) and, more importantly, so does Bristles. Ah, that really takes me back. As for something like Zone X... nope! STILL a no go. But if I ever get some free time, I'll look into it some more. And unlike MAME, may they never shut us down... I'm just saying! I gotta re-upgrade all my shi... stuff again! Where's the plethora of mirror sites that once was?

Zone X: Level 1, Zone 8

Wow! Getting a lot of hits lately! Oh... I get it. I guess anything on the internet named "Zone X" is bound to get a lot of hits. Anyway, despite the fact that this level... this zone has a warp, it's an unnecessary warp, and the zone can be completed without it. It would probably be easier if I used some of those "mats" thingies, but what can I say? I'm a glutton for punishment. So, even though it can be done without the warp, I did have to sacrifice one life... yup, sorry, but I was relying on the "save" feature, unlike with that Bounty Bob game... which is probably why I still haven't completed it yet! SPOILER ALERT For those of you who are fans of going all the way back to the beginning to get that one last item, are you in for a treat!

Zone X: Level 1, Zone 7

As with 'Boulder Dash', where you're only allowed to start at levels A, E, I or M, so too with "Zone X" are you only allowed to start at certain zones. In this game's case, 1, 4, 7 or 10. In math terms, divided by 3 with a remainder of 1. But this lovely bipartite level is a great place to start for the seasoned Zone X player. And hey! There's a brand new feature: the shovel, or 'spade.' It works exactly like keys and locks: one shovel for one piece of extra-tough dirt... what will future generations think of us? Why is it not like "Doom"? One key for all doors of its color! Makes sense, don't it? Not to us gamers of the previous generation it doesn't. What about Dandy? What about TUTANKHAM????? ...what else about this level? For some reason, I'm trying to resist using mats to block my many, many enemies. Maybe because of the bonus points you get at the end, maybe because it's kind of an unfair fight anyway. Of course, as a gamer, I tend to get hypnotized by flying bullets and walk into them anyway. Didn't play enough Zig Zag as a child, I guess. So there you go... I exposed another one of my weaknesses just for you. As for my password? I don't care how many times I get hacked, I'm never changing "Handsome69" ever. Not for anything. But I am going to try to get something else done this week, so this is the last Zone X map I'll make for a while. Unless there's a great public outcry?... no? Okay, I'll take a break, and you probably should too.

Zone X: Level 1, Zone 5

A perfectly lovely level: nice color scheme, nice long, narrow hallways so the slow bad guys can really stick it to you... and a nice new feature to try out: the 'warps' from Tutankham. UNFORTUNATELY, even though I was able to synthesize a full map of this one, there's an error in my Atari Emulator program that prevents me from trying out the warps. Same thing happens when I try to turn left in 'Bristles,' so it looks like someone else is going to have to bring you Zone 6. But I did manage a map of Zone 7! Let's get that one over with now!

Zone X: Level 1, Zone 4

Back to fundamentals! Another mean level. The meaner the better, as far as I'm concerned. No new functions yet, or whatever you'd call them. Still the same Herbrand Universe (TM)(R)(C), so to speak. One major difference, depending on your point of view: the slow enemies of Zone 2 are now the fast enemies here. And in case you don't see the influence of Boulder Dash yet, the fireflies are the slow enemy here. This zone has the structure of Boulder Dash level 'A' (original), and the color scheme of level 'L' (original). I guess the programmer didn't have time to be influenced by the official Boulder Dash sequel which came out in 1985 as well.

Zone X: Level 1, Zone 3

Got through this one faster than I thought! The programmer's influences are a little clearer here: the dirt of Boulder Dash (same font, too!), the big empty spaces of Tutankham's Level Two, second half... the creepy-crawlies of Shamus. This game forces me to use my limited patience to outwit the easily-outwittable enemies. Their strength? Brute force and superior numbers. As in life, what chance does one player have against it?

Zone X: Level 1, Zone 2

Well, THIS one's certainly a bit nicer! The universe of items has practically doubled in this next one: more safety zones, one-use gates, one spring-loaded trap door to release more baddies. Also, the baddies look decidedly different! You still got slow ones and fast ones, and perhaps by now you've figured out their movement patterns. Not quite as sophisticated as, say, Boulder Dash, but they still gitcha quite a bit, if you're a big dummy like me. Other new items: these clock thingies. As it turns out... SPOILER ALERT... the time you get to carry the radioactive 'X's to a depository doesn't renew unless you die. And by that, I mean in the video game. Well, the various social movements haven't come for video game 'deaths' yet, but I'll grant you that they are a peculiar idea. Once you get used to it, it's kinda fun! Ever notice how in Pac-Man you score more points with your first life than with the others? Oh, did I point that out already elsewhere? Probably. Besides, it's got a sliver... silver lining to it! Even in something semi-dreary like "Zone X." For instance, if you complete a level... or a zone... I forget which is which. Anyway, if you complete one without dying, you get an extra life! Just like in... I forget which. Well, similar concept in "Bubble Bobble." In that one, if you make it to level 20 without dying, you get one of those sweet, sweet cave bonuses. Next one's at level 30... then 50? At 50, you get to skip to 75, which is good! For some reason, those "Drunks" are really good bottle throwers. Also, I do like the fact that "Zone X" doesn't have a general countdown clock... for one thing, seeing as how slow your AVATAR is!!!!!!!

Zone X - Level 1, Zone 1

Whelp, it took some doing, but here's the first level.  Not that I don't love finding out later that there's a finite number of keys for a larger number of doors.  Some levels of Dandy are like that, if memory serves.

Atari Emulator ---> Zone X

I'm back!  Didja miss me?  That's okay... I tell you, inconsistent is inconsiderate.  That should be my official slogan, and I should sell t-shirts.  But that's what happens when you try and follow someone who paints themselves into a corner like I do.  I mean, how are you supposed to keep blogging about Rainbow Walker and Boulder Dash all the time?  You gotta reach out and try new things.  For instance, many moons ago I went to all the trouble to download the then 266 .zip files of Mushca fame.  So many more to get now.  Then, you have to unzip them to get to the files that the Atari Emulator can actually use.  And I haven't even unzipped them all!  But I did get to a new one in search of my newest obsession.  It took a while... but here it is.  A little bit of Tutankham, Shamus, Boulder Dash and probably some others, all rolled into one.  Include Pastfinder if only for the radioactivity angle.  Make it a little less exciting, and what do you get?  Mushca Disk 51's Zone X by Derek Johnston, a game even James Lovelock might have liked ... if he didn't pass on in July.  How many levels could this thing possibly have?  Perhaps it's time to find out!

Mushca Disk 51 - Zone X

Zone X's official home at Atarimania.com