Atari 2600 Video Game Release Dates for 1982
With pop culture atmosphere.
Information compiled by Duane Alan Hahn, a.k.a. Random Terrain.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Spacechase BG ✔
Pac-Man [March/April] ✔
Donkey Kong BG ✔
Atlantis ✔
Cosmic Ark BG ✔
Star Wars: TESB BG ✔
Gangster Alley BG ✔
Planet Patrol BG ✔
Berzerk ✔
Astroblast BG ✔
Space Attack BG ✔
Super Ch. Baseball BG ✔
Super Ch. Football BG ✔
Frogger BG ✔
King Kong BG ✔
Sneak'n Peek BG ✔
Word Zapper BG ✔
Pitfall! ✔
Infiltrate BG ✔
Venture BG ✔
Room of Doom BG ≈ ✔
Armor Ambush BG ✔
Lock 'N' Chase BG ≈ ✔
Submarine Commander BG ✔
Communist Mutants BG ✔
Fireball BG ✔
Phaser Patrol BG ✔
Suicide Mission BG ✔
Threshold BG ✔
Final Approach BG ✔
Wabbit BG ✔
Mouse Trap BG ✔
Airlock BG ✔
Bugs BG ✔
Encounter at L-5 BG ✔
Sssnake BG ✔
Warplock BG ✔
Beany Bopper BG ✔
Deadly Duck BG ✔
Fast Eddie BG ✔
Worm War I BG ✔
Frogs and Flies BG ✔
Challenge of Nexar BG ✔
Cross Force BG ✔
Tapeworm BG ✔
Jawbreaker BG ✔
Commando Raid BG ✔
Towering Inferno BG ✔
Guardian EBG ???
Carnival BG ✔
Mines of Minos BG ✔
Alien BG ✔
Mega Force BG ✔
Turmoil BG ✔
Dark Cavern BG ✔
Bachelor Party BG ✔
Beat'Em & Eat'Em BG ✔
Custer's Revenge BG ✔
Amidar BG ✔
CocoNuts BG ✔
Fast Food BG ✔
Condor Attack BG ✔
Karate BG ???
E.T. ≈ ✔
Vanguard ✔
Gorf BG ✔
Wizard of Wor BG ✔
Fantastic Voyage BG ✔
Dragonfire BG ✔
International Soccer BG ✔
Spider-Man BG ≈ ✔
China Syndrome BG ≈ ✔
Dragonstomper BG ✔
Escape…Mindmaster BG ✔
Cosmic Creeps BG ✔
Marauder BG ≈ ✔
Air Raid ???
Pages in this Subsection
Page last updated on: 2023y_08m_14d_0052t
Below is an incomplete list of Atari 2600 video game release dates by month in the USA for the year 1982 along with lists of top 100 music (selected hits in the order they charted), new movies at the theater, and new TV shows to help summon your treasured memories of the Atari 2600 years with the bonus of recreating the magical feelings of that special time.
If you were too young or not even born yet, play the songs in the order they are listed and watch video clips or commercials for the movies and TV shows (in order) and you might get a sense of what it was like living from month to month back in 1982. There were no smartphones with an Internet full of knowledge and entertainment at your fingertips. If you wanted to know something, you had to go to the library and try to find the information in a book. If you were lucky, you had an encyclopedia set at home, but it would probably be many decades out of date.
Links that jump to other places on this page are blue. Links that lead to other pages online are red.
For those who only want release dates and nothing else, the game entries are listed in the Page Table of Contents. This page also has an Index to help you find a specific game. There's also an Atari 2600 NTSC Game Index for 1977 to 1991.
Most of the release dates below are not set in stone. Games will be moved as better information is found, so be sure to check back once in a while.
Many games are marked as a best guess. Some guesses are worse than others. Below is a list of the types of guesses that might be on this page.
Best Guess (BG): At least one magazine or newsletter mentioned the month a game was released or supposed to be released or newspaper ads have been found.
Extreme Best Guess (EBG): A vague mention of the release month in a magazine, newsletter, or newspaper.
Super Extreme Best Guess (SEBG): The Video Game Update newsletter only had a review for the game (no release month mentioned), so it's a semi-educated wild guess. The review could have happened the same month the game was released or the review could have been published a month or more later.
Desperate Super Extreme Best Guess (DSEBG): There might be an ad in a magazine or newspaper to go on if we're lucky. It's a desperate semi-educated wild guess.
I signed up for the most expensive subscription option at Newspapers.com in November of 2020 so I could finally look up games for myself. As I find the earliest newspaper ads for a game, I'll add a green check mark for that entry to indicate that the definitive release date has probably been found for that game.
≈ ✔ An almost equal symbol with a green check mark means that the game might have been available in some areas in the previous month. The entry is close enough.
☹ ✔ A sad face with a green check mark means that I couldn't find any useful newspaper ads, but there is enough evidence showing that the entry probably belongs in that month.
✳ A green eight spoked asterisk means that the entry might need to be moved if more information is found, but ads or news items suggest that the entry might be close enough to the correct month.
??? Three orange question marks indicate that I searched the newspapers and couldn't find anything helpful, so a more accurate release date for that game still needs to be found.
Remember, the date on the box, cartridge, manual, and copyright screen can be different from the actual release date. For example, Atari 2600 Pac-Man was released in March/April of 1982, but the box, cart, manual, and copyright screen have 1981 as the copyright date. It usually took around 6 months for a programmer to make an Atari VCS game back then and that’s not counting the time it took to make the manuals, boxes, and cartridges.
To help make your experience more enjoyable, most items listed on this page have a link to related search results at YouTube (YT) where you can watch music videos, scenes from movies, or clips from TV shows. The movies and TV shows listed on this page also have links to web sites such as the Internet Movie Database (IMDb) and Wikipedia (WP).
If you find a mistake, or have more information to add, such as month/year release dates for games, please contact me. Every little bit of credible information helps, no matter how insignificant you think it might be. Thanks for your help.
January 1982
Super Breakout (Atari) ✔
January release according to A.N.A.L.O.G. and ‘82 In Review from AA V1n4. AtariProtos.com says that Super Breakout was a Sears Tele-Games exclusive and you can see that's true by looking at the Sears ads that were in newspapers starting in October of 1981. People who didn't shop at Sears couldn't buy Super Breakout until January of 1982.
Sears name: Super Breakout (unchanged).
THE RED-HOT NEW CARTRIDGES FOR 1982
How To Win At Home Video Games (82 p58)
Electronic Games 1983 Software Encyclopedia (83 p32)
Book of Atari Software (83 p317)
Be A Home Videogame Superstar (82 p116)
Newspaper: Supеr Brеakout [Sears] (Oct 4, 81)
Newspaper: Supеr Brеakout [Sears] (Oct 11, 81)
Newspaper: Supеr Brеakout [Sears] (Oct 13, 81)
Newspaper: Supеr Brеakout $29.99 [Sears] (Nov 18, 81)
Newspaper: Supеr Brеakout COMING SOON (Nov 26, 81)
Newspaper: Supеr Brеakout $31.95 (Jan 8, 82)
Newspaper: Supеr Brеakout $26.87 (Jan 17, 82)
Newspaper: Supеr Brеakout IN STOCK (Jan 28, 82)
Newspaper: Supеr Brеakout $26.87 (Jan 31, 82)
January 1982
Best Guess using info from Video Games Magazine. According to The New York Times in April, this game was “just released.” They probably should have said that the game was just re-released with the Quaker Oats name on the back of the box. According to Video Take-Out, Space Jockey would be available in mid-March. The April Video Take-Out said that Space Jockey was being shipped to them as the newsletter was going out. Space Jockey was being sold at REVCO in a Feb 9, 1982 newspaper ad for 5.99.
Newspaper: Fisher-Price To Manage Games Firm (Apr 22, 82)
Newspaper: Space Jockey in Quaker Stable (Apr 23, 82)
Newspaper: Michael Blanchet (Jul 29, 82)
Arcade Express (Aug 15, 82 p6)
Electronic Games 1983 Software Encyclopedia (83 p31)
Early Box With No Mention of Quaker Oats (GameFAQs)
The Kitchens, Inc. - Electronic Fun (Apr 83 p40)
Brothers By Design - Enter (Jun 84 p42)
Newspaper: Spacе Jockеy $5.99 (Feb 9, 82)
Newspaper: Spacе Jockеy $10.95 COMING SOON! (Apr 2, 82)
Newspaper: Spacе Jockеy $19.95 (Apr 8, 82)
Newspaper: Spacе Jockеy NEW (Apr 9, 82)
Newspaper: Spacе Jockеy $16.95 (Apr 18, 82)
Newspaper: Spacе Jockеy $22.95 (Apr 22, 82)
Newspaper: Spacе Jockеy $22.99 (Apr 22, 82)
Newspaper: Spacе Jockеy $19.99 (May 2, 82)
Newspaper: Spacе Jockеy $2.99 (Dec 26, 82)
January 1982
“I Can't Go For That” by Hall and Oates (Nov 14, 81) YT [Still on the radio a lot.] 100%
“Mirror, Mirror” by Diana Ross (Jan 9) YT 55%
“Pac-Man Fever” by Buckner & Garcia (Jan 9) YT 75%
“Open Arms” by Journey (Jan 16) YT
“That Girl” by Stevie Wonder (Jan 16) YT
“Tainted Love” by Soft Cell (Jan 16) YT 60%
“Spirits In The Material World” by The Police (Jan 16) YT
“Bobbie Sue” by Oak Ridge Boys (Jan 16) YT
“Call Me” by Skyy (Jan 16) YT
“I Believe” by Chilliwack (Jan 16) YT 55%
“867-5309/Jenny” by Tommy Tutone (Jan 23) YT 75%
“Should I Do It” by Pointer Sisters (Jan 23) YT
“Tonight I'm Yours (Don't Hurt Me)” by Rod Stewart (Jan 23) YT
“Genius Of Love” by Tom Tom Club (Jan 23) YT
“We Got The Beat” by The Go-Go's (Jan 30) YT 75%
“Take Off” by Bob & Doug McKenzie [Rick Moranis and Dave Thomas] (Jan 30) YT 50%
“My Guy” by Sister Sledge (Jan 30) YT
January 1982
Pennies from Heaven (Jan 1 wide) YT IMDb WP
February 1982
Haunted House (Atari) ✔
February release according to A.N.A.L.O.G., THE RED-HOT NEW CARTRIDGES FOR 1982, ‘82 In Review from AA V1n4 and newspaper ads.
THE RED-HOT NEW CARTRIDGES FOR 1982
G-CO17039-54 REV. 1 — January 1982 — Aopak — The 6 is missing from the 10 numbers under the date.
Radio Electronics (Jul 82 p64)
Electronic Games 1983 Software Encyclopedia (83 p25)
How To Win At Home Video Games (82 p59)
Newspaper: Hauntеd Housе coming in Feb (Jan 31, 82)
Newspaper: Hauntеd Housе COMING SOON (Feb 5, 82)
Newspaper: Hauntеd Housе NOW IN STOCK! (Feb 18, 82)
Newspaper: Hauntеd Housе (Feb 18, 82)
Newspaper: Hauntеd Housе $27 (Feb 19, 82)
Newspaper: Hauntеd Housе LIMITED QUANTITY (Feb 19, 82)
Newspaper: Hauntеd Housе (Feb 20, 82)
Newspaper: Hauntеd Housе $22.99 (Feb 21, 82)
Newspaper: Hauntеd Housе $29.99 (Feb 22, 82)
Newspaper: Hauntеd Housе NEW! (Feb 23, 82)
Newspaper: Hauntеd Housе $19.99 (Feb 25, 82)
Newspaper: Hauntеd Housе (Feb 25, 82)
Newspaper: Hauntеd Housе $22.75 (Feb 25, 82)
Newspaper: Hauntеd Housе $18.97 (Feb 25, 82)
Newspaper: Hauntеd Housе $23.95 (Feb 26, 82)
Newspaper: Hauntеd Housе $19.88 (Feb 26, 82)
Newspaper: Hauntеd Housе $31.95 (Feb 25, 82)
Newspaper: Hauntеd Housе $24 (Feb 26, 82)
Newspaper: Hauntеd Housе $22.50 (Feb 28, 82)
Newspaper: Hauntеd Housе $22.95 (Feb 28, 82)
Newspaper: Hauntеd Housе NOW IN STOCK (Feb 28, 82)
February 1982
Spacechase (Apollo) ✔
Best Guess using info from Videogaming and newspaper ads. Doesn't seem to be in newspaper ads until early February 1982, so this entry has been moved from January to February.
First Use In Commerce Date: Nov 20, 81 - Filing Date: Jan 18, 82
According to Electronic Fun, Space Chase was the first scrolling game for the Atari VCS and Ed Salvo finished it in just nine weeks.
Book of Atari Software (83 p323)
Newspaper: Spacеchase $26.95 (Feb 6, 82)
Newspaper: Spacеchase $24.99 (Feb 7, 82)
Newspaper: Spacеchase NEW (Feb 11, 82)
Newspaper: Spacеchase $28.95 (Feb 12, 82)
Newspaper: Spacеchase $29.90 (Feb 12, 82)
Newspaper: Spacеchase $26.95 (Feb 18, 82)
Newspaper: Spacеchase (Feb 18, 82)
Newspaper: Spacеchase (Feb 18, 82)
Newspaper: Spacеchase $24.95 (Feb 21, 82)
Newspaper: Spacеchase $22.99 (Feb 21, 82)
Newspaper: Spacеchase $21.75 (Feb 25, 82)
Newspaper: Spacеchase $22.50 (Apr 8, 82)
February 1982
“I Love Rock'n Roll” by Joan Jett and the Blackhearts (Feb 6) YT 70%
“Do You Believe In Love” by Huey Lewis & The News (Feb 6) YT
“(Oh) Pretty Woman” by Van Halen (Feb 6) YT
“Theme From ‘Magnum P.I.’” by Mike Post (Feb 6) YT 60%
“Make A Move On Me” by Olivia Newton-John (Feb 13) YT 70%
“Find Another Fool” by Quarterflash (Feb 13) YT
“Nobody Said It Was Easy” by Le Roux (Feb 13) YT
“Juke Box Hero” by Foreigner (Feb 13) YT
“Pop Goes The Movies Part I” by Meco (Feb 13) YT
“Apache (Jump On It)” by SugarHill Gang (Feb 13) YT
“Freeze-Frame” by The J. Geils Band (Feb 20) YT 80%
“Edge Of Seventeen (Just Like The White Winged Dove)” by Stevie Nicks (Feb 20) YT
“‘65 Love Affair” by Paul Davis (Feb 27) YT
“Get Down On It” by Kool & The Gang (Feb 27) YT
“Baby Makes Her Blue Jeans Talk” by Dr. Hook (Feb 27) YT
February 1982
On Golden Pond (Feb 12) YT IMDb WP
The Border (Feb 12 wide) YT IMDb WP
Cannery Row (Feb 12) YT IMDb WP
Quest for Fire (Feb 12) YT IMDb WP
Shoot the Moon (Feb 19) YT IMDb WP
February 1982
February 1982
The Pac-Man Fever single was released in December of 1981.
From STARLOG #60 (Jul 82 p31), “In February, Columbia Records released ‘Pac-Man Fever,’ by songwriters Buckner & Garcia.”
Q & A With Buckner & Garcia - Video Games (Aug 82 p9)
Newspaper: Pác-Mania (Dec 24, 81)
Newspaper: Jonathan Takiff (Jan 6, 82)
Newspaper: Tom Campbell (Jan 30, 82)
Newspaper: Pаc-Mаn Fеver $4.99 (Feb 21, 82)
Newspaper: Mark Faris (Mar 3, 82)
Newspaper: Kmart Coupon (Mar 22, 82)
Newspaper: Mary Campbell (Apr 10, 82)
March/April 1982
The official Atari RED-HOT NEW CARTRIDGES FOR 1982 release schedule has “available March/April” printed on it. There are also newspaper ads in parts of the country showing how some stores couldn't get the game until April.
The main reason my family bought an Atari 2600 was for Pac-Man and we brought that first Atari 2600 home on March 27, 1982. We pre-ordered Pac-Man and got it as soon as it hit the store (Woolco in Tanglewood Mall Roanoke, Virginia). Although people in various states could buy Pac-Man in March, not everyone in every state could. Pac-Man didn't get to our store until April. I was stuck playing Combat for at least a week until Pac-Man arrived at Woolco.
Note: Although the box, cart, manual, and copyright screen have 1981 as the copyright date, Atari 2600 Pac-Man wasn't released until March/April of 1982.
THE RED-HOT NEW CARTRIDGES FOR 1982
Radio Electronics (Jul 82 p64)
According to Video Games Player, Pac-Man sold more in its first month than Space Invaders did in a year.
Newspaper: Pac-Man's Ready to Gobble a Path Into the Home (Mar 1, 82)
Newspaper: Pac-Man Fever (Mar 1, 82)
Newspaper: Hundreds Seeking Pac-Man Games (Mar 1, 82)
Courier Express (Mar 18, 82)
Pac-Man Demand Insatiable
By Carolyn Raeke
Courier-Express Staff Writer
Western New Yorkers are gobbling up Pac-Man.
They have purchased hundreds of the new Atari Inc.'s Pac-Man cartridges this week at prices ranging from $27.68 to $34.99, and their appetite shows no signs of abating.
Managers of area toy and department stores reported last night that the inquiries—which began as much as three months before the cartridge was even to be available—were continuing yesterday as the word spread.
“People have been calling for the last two or three months,” said Susan Kausner, assistant manager of Child World in Clarence Mall. “Everyone hears by word of mouth.”
The game, featuring a creature that runs through an electronic maze gobbling dots while avoiding pursuing minsters, was made popular in video arcades and is now available from Atari, the leader in home computer game systems.
The home video cartridge has become a “now-you-see-it-now-you-don't” phenomenon, going out of stores almost as fast as it is coming in.
Sears Roebuck and Co. at Eastern Hills Mall received 350 of the cartridges—at $34.99—last week, and all were quickly sold, according to sales clerk Kenneth Tomporowski.
“We got a shipment of 300 in on Monday afternoon,” said a clerk at Child World, where the cartridge sells for $28.97, “and they were gone Tuesday afternoon.”
The Hills Department Store on Sheridan Drive in Eggertsville put its first 108 Pac-Man cartridges on sale for $27.68 each at noon Monday,and by 5 p.m. they were all sold, according to Mark Nelson, the operations manager.
“We received an additional 400,” Nelson said last night, “and we've sold almost half of them. We still have some in stock, but the phone hasn't been as bad as Tuesday. It was ringing off the hook.”
Cynthia Ali, manager of the appliances department of the K mart store on Ridge Road in Lackawanna, said she received 36 of the cartridges Monday and “three hours later” they were sold out, at $32.88 apiece.
“I'm hoping to get another shipment within 10 days,” Mrs. Ali said. “I've ordered several hundred more. It's going to be a fantastic seller. A lot of people have been calling every single day.”
She estimated the store has had “at least a good 2,000 to 3,000” inquiries in the last four months—by telephone and in person.
The Pac-Man cartridge is apparently the biggest thing since the Strawberry Shortcake doll, which both Ms. Kausner and Nelson said were recent hot items. Of course, the Pac-Man cartridge requires a bit more of an investment because the user has to have an Atari unit, which costs about $130, and a television.
“It's just like any fad,” said Nelson of Hills. “Everybody's got to have it. It's something new and they want to have it. It's a little more expensive than the Strawberry Shortcake doll, and we've had people trying to kill themselves to get that.”
He added, “I think Pac-Man is probably going to be the best in terms of sales. it's a good game, so a lot of people enjoy it. I think everybody's played it at least once and to get the tape and play it at home is really neat.”
None of the stores is taking orders, just telling callers and visitors to check again.
“With a popular item like that, no one takes orders,” said Ms. Kausner of Child World. “It's just a matter of checking on a weekly basis.”
“Right not we just tell them hopefully we'll be getting another shipment in within 10 days,” said Mrs. Ali of K mart. “A lot of people have been calling in every day. Sure, it was word of mouth that they were in. Word gets around very quickly.”
Pac-Man Day - JoyStik (Sep 82 p41)
Electronic Games 1983 Software Encyclopedia (83 p28)
Book of Atari Software (83 p313)
Be A Home Videogame Superstar (82 p88)
How To Win At Video Games A Complete Guide (82 p134)
Newspaper: Pаc-Mаn COMING SOON (Nov 26, 81)
Newspaper: Pаc-Mаn coming Mar/Apr (Jan 31, 82)
Newspaper: Pаc-Mаn late March (Feb 26, 82)
Newspaper: Pаc-Mаn March/April Taking Orders (Feb 28, 82)
Newspaper: Pаc-Mаn approximately April 15th (Mar 1, 82)
Newspaper: Pаc-Mаn Reserve List (Mar 5, 82)
Newspaper: Pаc-Mаn is coming! (Mar 12, 82)
Newspaper: Pаc-Mаn IN STOCK NOW (Mar 16, 82)
Newspaper: Pаc-Mаn $39.99 (Mar 17, 82)
Newspaper: TWO MORE DAYS UNTIL PÄC-MÄN DAY (Apr 1, 82)
Newspaper: Pаc-Mаn $34.95 (Apr 3, 82)
Newspaper: TODAY IS ATARI NATIONAL PÄC-MÄN DAY (Apr 3, 82)
Newspaper: Pаc-Mаn $34.95 (Apr 3, 82)
Newspaper: Pаc-Mаn $32.95 (Apr 5, 82)
Newspaper: Pаc-Mаn $34.15 (Apr 6, 82)
Newspaper: Pаc-Mаn $34.95 (Apr 7, 82)
Newspaper: Pаc-Mаn $28.88 (Apr 15, 82)
Newspaper: Pаc-Mаn IN STOCK (Apr 15, 82)
Newspaper: Pаc-Mаn $32.88 (Apr 18, 82)
Newspaper: Pаc-Mаn JUST ARRIVED! (Apr 19, 82)
Newspaper: Pаc-Mаn $29.99 (Apr 19, 82)
Newspaper: Pаc-Mаn $35 (Apr 19, 82)
Newspaper: Pаc-Mаn $31.99 (Apr 21, 82)
Newspaper: Pаc-Mаn $27.95 (Apr 22, 82)
Newspaper: Pаc-Mаn $31.88 (May 9, 82)
Newspaper: Pаc-Mаn BACK IN STOCK (May 13, 82)
Newspaper: Pаc-Mаn Merchandise (May 13, 82)
March 1982
March release according to Activisions (newsletter), catalog, and newspaper ads.
Book of Atari Software (83 p314)
Be A Home Videogame Superstar (82 p145)
Interview With Three Game Designers - Video & Arcade Games (Fall 83 p12)
. . . innovators rather than imitators . . . - JoyStik (Sep 82 p61)
Newspaper: Barnstоrming JUST ARRIVED (Mar 7, 82)
Newspaper: Barnstоrming NEW (Mar 11, 82)
Newspaper: Barnstоrming $24.99 (Mar 12, 82)
Newspaper: Barnstоrming $26.99 (Mar 14, 82)
Newspaper: Barnstоrming $27.88 (Mar 18, 82)
Newspaper: Barnstоrming NEW (Mar 19, 82)
March 1982
Grand Prix (Activision) ✔
March release according to Activisions (newsletter), catalog, Videogaming, and newspaper ads.
Newspaper: Lou Hudson (Jun 26, 82)
Electronic Games 1983 Software Encyclopedia (83 p25)
How To Win At Home Video Games (82 p62)
Be A Home Videogame Superstar (82 p173)
Newspaper: Grаnd Prіx JUST ARRIVED (Mar 7, 82)
Newspaper: Grаnd Prіx NEW (Mar 11, 82)
Newspaper: Grаnd Prіx $24.99 (Mar 12, 82)
Newspaper: Grаnd Prіx $26.99 (Mar 14, 82)
Newspaper: Grаnd Prіx $27.88 (Mar 18, 82)
Newspaper: Grаnd Prіx NEW (Mar 19, 82)
March 1982
“Don't You Want Me” by The Human League (Mar 6) YT 60%
“Don't Talk To Strangers” by Rick Springfield (Mar 6) YT
“I've Never Been To Me” [re-release] by Charlene (Mar 6) YT
“Always On My Mind” by Willie Nelson (Mar 6) YT
“On A Carousel” by Glass Moon (Mar 13) YT
“The Other Woman” by Ray Parker, Jr. (Mar 20) YT
“Did It In A Minute” by Hall & Oates (Mar 20) YT 75%
“Empty Garden” by Elton John (Mar 20) YT 60%
“Hang Fire” by Rolling Stones (Mar 20) YT
“Let's Hang On” by Barry Manilow (Mar 20) YT
“Man On The Corner” by Genesis (Mar 20) YT
“The Beatles' Movie Medley 1982” by The Beatles (Mar 27) YT WP
“Still In Saigon” by Charlie Daniels Band (Mar 27) YT
“Fantasy” by Aldo Nova (Mar 27) YT
“My Girl” by Donnie Iris (Mar 27) YT 70%
“Stars On 45 III (A Tribute To Stevie Wonder)” by Stars On (Mar 27) YT
March 1982
Porky's (Mar 19 wide) YT IMDb WP
Victor Victoria (Mar 19) YT IMDb WP
March 1982
Chicago Story NBC (Mar 1) YT IMDb WP
T.J. Hooker ABC (Mar 13) YT IMDb WP
Herbie, the Love Bug CBS (Mar 17) YT IMDb WP
The Phoenix ABC (Mar 19) YT IMDb WP
Joanie Loves Chachi ABC (Mar 23) YT IMDb WP
Q.E.D. CBS (Mar 23) YT IMDb WP
Cagney & Lacey CBS (Mar 25) YT IMDb WP
March 1982
Text from Video Game Update/Video Take-Out (Vol 1, #2 82)
A brand new company, with former ATARI & INTELLIVISION whiz kids running it! The first games (compatible ONLY with ATARI) have been announced for late April (the graphics are TERRIFIC!)
IA-3000 TRICK SHOT $18.20
IA-3200 DEMON ATTACK $23.60
IA-3201 STAR VOYAGER 23.60
IC-5000 VIDEO ACTION 23.60 [video storage center]
Get your pre-orders in now. These games will be hot!
More cartridges on the drawing board and plans call for cartridges for your INTELLIVISION system by the FALL!!
Another brand new entry to the cartridge makers! U.S. GAMES have some terrific things planned too. Again, only compatible with ATARI at this point but plans for INTELLIVISION compatible cartridges upcoming for Fall. Available in mid-March . . .
VC-1001 SPACE JOCKEY $19.95
VC-1002 HIDE & SEEK $25.50
Planned for May . . .
VC-1003 WORD GRABBER $25.50
VC-1004 COMMANDO RAID $25.50
Text from Video Game Update/Video Take-Out (Vol 1, #3 Apr 82)
SPACE JOCKEY is shipping to us as this newsletter goes out (19.95). Watch our next newsletter for a review. U.S. Games has restructured prices on all other games (prices supercede those in our current MENU). They are:
VC-1002 Hide & Seek 25.50
VC-1004 Commando Raid (summer) 25.50
VC-1003 Word Grabber (summer) 25.50
VC-1005 Missile Intercept (summer) 25.50
VC-1006 Catch (summer) 25.50
VC-1007 The Fly (fall) 25.50
VC-1008 Darts (fall) 25.50
Text from Videogaming (December 83, page 25)
In March 1982, Imagic released its first three games, Trick Shot, Star Voyager, and Demon Attack. Demon Attack quickly shot to the top of the bestseller lists and stayed there. Demon Attack money helped Imagic adapt to the changing market . . . for a while. [Note From DAH: Every other source says that these games were released in April. No specific ads seem to appear in newspapers until March 28, 1982.]
Text from Videogaming Illustrated (August 82, page 15)
Q: Have there been ideas which Activision has found impossible to conquer, even with its obvious pool of talent?
A: That always happens. But what appears, initially, to be difficult to make work. eventually comes around and does work. Grand Prix, which we released in March, was developed over a year ago. But David (Crane) put it on the shelf and came back to it. You can't say of any particular concept that we have not completed and released that it may not come back around, a solution found to whatever problems plague it during the design.
April 1982
Demon Attack (Imagic) ✔
Best Guess using info from The Video Game Update/Video Take-Out, newspaper articles, and newspaper ads.
The Video Game Update/Video Take-Out
First Use In Commerce Date: Feb 19, 82 - Filing Date: Mar 10, 82
Newspaper: New Firm Imagic (Jan 31, 82)
He expects Imagic's sales to top $10 million in 1982 even though the firm won't sell a single cartridge until April.
Video & Arcade Games (Spring 83 p70)
Electronic Games 1983 Software Encyclopedia (83 p23)
How To Win At Home Video Games (82 p24)
Be A Home Videogame Superstar (82 p234)
Rob Fulop: Arcade Noir - Electronic Games (Jan 83 p112)
Columbia Video Game Club Magazine (N4, N5, N6 83)
Newspaper: Dеmon Attаck $31 (Mar 28, 82)
Newspaper: Dеmon Attаck NEW IN STOCK! (Apr 1, 82)
Newspaper: Dеmon Attаck JUST IN! (Apr 3, 82)
Newspaper: Dеmon Attаck $27.99 (Apr 4, 82)
Newspaper: Dеmon Attаck $24.95 (Apr 9, 82)
Newspaper: Dеmon Attаck $24.99 (Apr 12, 82)
Newspaper: Dеmon Attаck NEW RELEASE (Apr 15, 82)
Newspaper: Dеmon Attаck $31.95 (Apr 15, 82)
Newspaper: Dеmon Attаck $27.99 (Apr 15, 82)
Newspaper: Dеmon Attаck $32 (Apr 16, 82)
Newspaper: Dеmon Attаck $26.88 (Apr 20, 82)
Newspaper: Dеmon Attаck $26.88 (Apr 21, 82)
Newspaper: Dеmon Attаck $26.77 (Apr 22, 82)
Newspaper: Dеmon Attаck $25.99 (Apr 22, 82)
Newspaper: Dеmon Attаck $29.88 (Apr 23, 82)
Newspaper: Dеmon Attаck $26.99 (Apr 25, 82)
Newspaper: Dеmon Attаck $26.88 (Apr 27, 82)
Newspaper: Dеmon Attаck $26.95 (Apr 29, 82)
April 1982
Star Voyager (Imagic) ✔
Best Guess using info from The Video Game Update/Video Take-Out, newspaper articles, and newspaper ads.
The Video Game Update/Video Take-Out
Newspaper: New Firm Imagic (Jan 31, 82)
He expects Imagic's sales to top $10 million in 1982 even though the firm won't sell a single cartridge until April.
Newspaper: Michael Blanchet (Mar 31, 82)
One such game is Star Voyager, due out in April from Imagic, a company new to the business.
First Use In Commerce Date: Feb 19, 82 - Filing Date: Mar 10, 82
Electronic Games 1983 Software Encyclopedia (83 p32)
How To Win At Home Video Games (82 p63)
Book of Atari Software (83 p326)
Newspaper: Stаr Voyаger $31 (Mar 28, 82)
Newspaper: Stаr Voyаger NEW IN STOCK! (Apr 1, 82)
Newspaper: Stаr Voyаger JUST IN! (Apr 3, 82)
Newspaper: Stаr Voyаger $27.99 (Apr 4, 82)
Newspaper: Stаr Voyаger $24.95 (Apr 9, 82)
Newspaper: Stаr Voyаger $24.99 (Apr 12, 82)
Newspaper: Stаr Voyаger NEW RELEASE (Apr 15, 82)
Newspaper: Stаr Voyаger $31.95 (Apr 15, 82)
Newspaper: Stаr Voyаger $27.99 (Apr 15, 82)
Newspaper: Stаr Voyаger $32 (Apr 16, 82)
Newspaper: Stаr Voyаger $26.88 (Apr 20, 82)
Newspaper: Stаr Voyаger $26.88 (Apr 21, 82)
Newspaper: Stаr Voyаger $26.77 (Apr 22, 82)
Newspaper: Stаr Voyаger $25.99 (Apr 22, 82)
Newspaper: Stаr Voyаger $29.88 (Apr 23, 82)
Newspaper: Stаr Voyаger $26.99 (Apr 25, 82)
Newspaper: Stаr Voyаger $26.88 (Apr 27, 82)
Newspaper: Stаr Voyаger $26.95 (Apr 29, 82)
April 1982
Trick Shot (Imagic) ✔
Best Guess using info from The Video Game Update/Video Take-Out, newspaper articles, and newspaper ads.
The Video Game Update/Video Take-Out
Newspaper: New Firm Imagic (Jan 31, 82)
He expects Imagic's sales to top $10 million in 1982 even though the firm won't sell a single cartridge until April.
How To Win At Home Video Games (82 p62)
Newspaper: Trіck Shоt $24 (Mar 28, 82)
Newspaper: Trіck Shоt NEW IN STOCK! (Apr 1, 82)
Newspaper: Trіck Shоt JUST IN! (Apr 3, 82)
Newspaper: Trіck Shоt $19.99 (Apr 4, 82)
Newspaper: Trіck Shоt $19.95 (Apr 9, 82)
Newspaper: Trіck Shоt $19.99 (Apr 12, 82)
Newspaper: Trіck Shоt NEW RELEASE (Apr 15, 82)
Newspaper: Trіck Shоt $24.95 (Apr 15, 82)
Newspaper: Trіck Shоt $19.99 (Apr 15, 82)
Newspaper: Trіck Shоt $23 (Apr 16, 82)
Newspaper: Trіck Shоt $19.88 (Apr 20, 82)
Newspaper: Trіck Shоt $18.88 (Apr 21, 82)
Newspaper: Trіck Shоt $20.97 (Apr 22, 82)
Newspaper: Trіck Shоt $19.99 (Apr 22, 82)
Newspaper: Trіck Shоt $22.88 (Apr 23, 82)
Newspaper: Trіck Shоt $19.99 (Apr 25, 82)
Newspaper: Trіck Shоt $19.95 (Apr 29, 82)
April 1982
“Ebony And Ivory” by Paul McCartney with Stevie Wonder (Apr 10) YT 55%
“Murphy's Law” by Cheri (Apr 10) YT 65%
“Work That Body” by Diana Ross (Apr 10) YT
“Rosanna” by Toto (Apr 17) YT 75%
“Heat Of The Moment” by Asia (Apr 17) YT
“Baby Come To Me” by Patti Austin & James Ingram (Apr 24) YT
“Hurts So Good” by John Cougar Mellencamp (Apr 24) YT
“Let It Whip” by The Dazz Band (Apr 24) YT
“Only The Lonely” by The Motels (Apr 24) YT 60%
April 1982
Text from New York Times (April 23, 82)
U.S. Games announced earlier this year that it planned to introduce eight video game cartridges that would be compatible with Atari units by the end of this year. It has just released the first one, Space Jockey.
May 1982
Yars' Revenge (Atari) ✔
May release according to A.N.A.L.O.G., ‘82 In Review from AA V1n4, and newspaper ads.
I got to buy this game when it was new in May with money I earned. I was supposed to move some bushes for an old lady (my former step-father's mother). I caught a ride to Woolco, which was only a few miles away from her house, so I decided to walk. I thought I could find a shortcut through some woods, but instead, it took many hours to get there because I kept hitting roadblocks of all kinds: fences, trenches (full of bushes and trees) that were too deep and too wide to cross, vicious dogs, and so on. I don't remember how I finally got there, but I did get there somehow. I transplanted the bushes, got paid around $30 and her husband drove me to a department store so I could buy Yars' Revenge for $24.97.
G-CO17039-55 REV. 3 — March 1982 — Ivy Hill — The 10 is missing from the 10 numbers under the date.
Newspaper: Lou Hudson (Jul 24, 82)
Radio Electronics (Jul 82 p65)
Book of Atari Software (83 p311)
Electronic Games 1983 Software Encyclopedia (83 p34)
How To Win At Home Video Games (82 p51)
Be A Home Videogame Superstar (82 p133)
Newspaper: Yаrs Rеvenge COMING IN MAY (Apr 6, 82)
Newspaper: Yаrs Rеvenge COMING SOON MID-MAY (Apr 18, 82)
Newspaper: Yаrs Rеvenge $25.99 COMING IN MAY (Apr 21, 82)
Newspaper: Yаrs Rеvenge due in May (May 6, 82)
Newspaper: Yаrs Rеvenge $25.56 (May 12, 82)
Newspaper: Yаrs Rеvenge $22.95 (May 12, 82)
Newspaper: Yаrs Rеvenge $31.95 (May 13, 82)
Newspaper: Yаrs Rеvenge JUST ARRIVED! (May 13, 82)
Newspaper: Yаrs Rеvenge $31.95 (May 13, 82)
Newspaper: Yаrs Rеvenge NOW IN STOCK (May 13, 82)
Newspaper: Yаrs Rеvenge $29.95 (May 13, 82)
Newspaper: Yаrs Rеvenge $25.99 (May 13, 82)
Newspaper: Yаrs Rеvenge $35 (May 14, 82)
Newspaper: Yаrs Rеvenge $27.95 (May 14, 82)
Newspaper: Yаrs Rеvenge $29.99 (May 14, 82)
Newspaper: Yаrs Rеvenge $25.99 (May 16, 82)
Newspaper: Yаrs Rеvenge $29.88 (May 19, 82)
Newspaper: Yаrs Rеvenge $29.97 (May 20, 82)
Newspaper: Yаrs Rеvenge $25.70 (May 21, 82)
Newspaper: Yаrs Rеvenge $24.99 (May 22, 82)
Newspaper: Yаrs Rеvenge $22.95 (May 23, 82)
Newspaper: Yаrs Rеvenge $24.99 (May 23, 82)
Newspaper: Yаrs Rеvenge $23.88 (May 23, 82)
Newspaper: Yаrs Rеvenge $19.95 (May 23, 82)
Newspaper: Yаrs Rеvenge $22.99 (May 30, 82)
May 1982
Space Cavern (Apollo) ✔
Best Guess. Space Cavern ads were in newpapers in May and Atari CES Review (1982) said that the market date was April 15, 1982, so Space Cavern was shipped in time for a May release.
[Space Cavern was reviewed in the July 1982 issue of The Video Game Update newsletter.]
Newspaper: Lou Hudson (Aug 21, 82)
How To Win At Home Video Games (82 p63)
Book of Atari Software (83 p318)
Electronic Games 1983 Software Encyclopedia (83 p30)
Conquering: Space Cavern - Videogaming (Oct 82 p25)
Newspaper: Spаce Cаvern $27.95 (May 13, 82)
Newspaper: Spаce Cаvern NEW (May 14, 82)
Newspaper: Spаce Cаvern $19.95 (May 16, 82)
Newspaper: Spаce Cаvern NEW (May 20, 82)
Newspaper: Spаce Cаvern $21.99 (May 20, 82)
Newspaper: Spаce Cаvern $23.99 (May 23, 82)
Newspaper: Spаce Cаvern $20.75 (May 27, 82)
Newspaper: Spаce Cаvern $20.95 (May 27, 82)
Newspaper: Spаce Cаvern (Jun 6, 82)
Lochjaw: Defy - Electronic Games (Jun 82)
Your Joystick - Electronic Games (Aug 82)
Four Exciting - Videogaming (Aug 82)
May 1982
Best Guess. The first use in commerce date for the name “CommaVid” was Apr 14, 82. The first Cosmic Swarm ad I've found so far was from May 1982.
First Use in Commerce Date for the Name CommaVid: Apr 14, 82
Newspaper: Michael Blanchet (Jul 29, 82)
Newspaper: Lou Hudson (Sep 18, 82)
Video & Arcade Games (Spring 83 p38)
Video & Arcade Games (Spring 83 p67)
Electronic Games 1983 Software Encyclopedia (83 p22)
How To Win At Home Video Games (82 p57)
Columbia Video Game Club Magazine (N4 83)
Newspaper: Cоsmic Swаrm $31.45 (May 14, 82)
Newspaper: Cоsmic Swаrm IN STOCK (Jun 17, 82)
Newspaper: CommaVid mentioned (Jun 24, 82)
Newspaper: Cоsmic Swаrm (Jul 9, 82)
Newspaper: Cоsmic Swаrm (Aug 20, 82)
Newspaper: Cоsmic Swаrm (Aug 20, 82)
Newspaper: Cоsmic Swаrm $23 (Aug 25, 82)
Newspaper: Cоsmic Swаrm $22.95 (Sep 3, 82)
Newspaper: Cоsmic Swаrm $19.99 (Sep 5, 82)
Newspaper: Cоsmic Swаrm $26.88 (Oct 1, 82)
Newspaper: Cоsmic Swаrm $20.99 (Oct 24, 82)
May 1982
“Crimson & Clover” by Joan Jett & The Blackhearts (May 1) YT
“Caught Up In You” by .38 Special (May 1) YT
“Body Language” by Queen (May 1) YT
“Any Day Now” by Ronnie Milsap (May 1) YT
“Personally” by Karla Bonoff (May 1) YT
“Forget Me Nots” by Patrice Rushen (May 1) YT
“Love's Been A Little Bit Hard On Me” by Juice Newton (May 8) YT 90%
“Play The Game Tonight” by Kansas (May 8) YT
“I Know What Boys Like” by The Waitresses (May 8) YT
“Love Plus One” by Haircut 100 (May 15) YT 65%
“You Should Hear How She Talks About You” by Melissa Manchester (May 22) YT 60%
“Still They Ride” by Journey (May 22) YT
“Kids In America” by Kim Wilde (May 22) YT
“Be Mine Tonight” by Neil Diamond (May 22) YT
“Nice Girls” by Eye To Eye (May 22) YT 65%
“Dancing In The Street” by Van Halen (May 22) YT
“Abracadabra” by Steve Miller Band (May 29) YT 55%
“Do I Do” by Stevie Wonder (May 29) YT 90%
“I Want Candy” by Bow Wow Wow (May 29) YT 60%
“Do The Donkey Kong” by Buckner & Garcia (May 29) YT [Bubbling Under Top 100]
May 1982
Conan the Barbarian (May 14) YT IMDb WP
Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid (May 21) YT IMDb WP
Diner (May 21 wide) YT IMDb WP
June 1982
Official release date according to the Atari catalog, ‘82 In Review from AA V1n4, A.N.A.L.O.G., and newspaper ads.
Unlike Pac-Man, Defender was early, at least where I lived. Everything says Defender was supposed to come out in June. I even got a card in the mail from Atari Age magazine telling me that Defender was coming in June and that I should order it now, but I was glad I didn't because our local Woolco in Roanoke, Virginia had it in time for my girlfriend's birthday (May 17). She loved Defender, but didn't have an Atari, so I was very happy that I got Defender early so she could play it on her birthday at my house.
Atari Age V1N1 p6 (EPROM Report)
G-CO18996-09 REV. 2 — March 1982 — SPC — There is an 8 on a tiny flap by itself.
Newspaper: Lou Hudson (Jun 12, 82)
Video & Arcade Games (Fall 83 p74)
Book of Atari Software (83 p309)
Electronic Games 1983 Software Encyclopedia (83 p22)
How To Win At Home Video Games (82 p20)
Be A Home Videogame Superstar (82 p66)
Newspaper: Dеfender $39.95 Reserve Yours Now! (May 26, 82)
Newspaper: Dеfender COMING SOON (May 28, 82)
Newspaper: Dеfender IN STOCK (Jun 3, 82)
Newspaper: Dеfender (Jun 5, 82)
Newspaper: Dеfender NOW IN STOCK (Jun 6, 82)
Newspaper: Dеfender $33.97 (Jun 8, 82)
Newspaper: Dеfender $26.97 (Jun 8, 82)
Newspaper: Dеfender $32.95 (Jun 9, 82)
Newspaper: Dеfender $34.95 (Jun 10, 82)
Newspaper: Dеfender $29.88 (Jun 10, 82)
Newspaper: Dеfender $29.99 (Jun 11, 82)
Newspaper: Dеfender $27.99 (Jun 12, 82)
Newspaper: Dеfender $34 (Jun 13, 82)
Newspaper: Dеfender $28.57 (Jun 13, 82)
Newspaper: Dеfender $27.99 (Jun 13, 82)
Newspaper: Dеfender $29.99 (Jun 13, 82)
Newspaper: Dеfender $34.95 (Jun 16, 82)
Newspaper: Dеfender IN STOCK (Jun 17, 82)
Newspaper: Dеfender $27.60 (Jun 21, 82)
Newspaper: Dеfender $29.95 (Jun 23, 82)
Newspaper: Dеfender $24.99 (Jun 23, 82)
Newspaper: Dеfender $29.88 (Jun 25, 82)
Newspaper: Dеfender $29.97 (Jun 30, 82)
June 1982
Chopper Command (Activision) ✔
June release according to Activisions (newsletter), catalog, Radio Electronics, and newspaper ads.
Radio Electronics (Jul 82 p66): “another new game for June”
AX-015-02 — May 1982 — SUS — No numbers are missing from the 10 numbers below the date, but the 6 is mooshy.
Newspaper: Michael Blanchet (Jun 9, 82)
Their two latest creations Starmaster and Chopper Command both slated for release in June, live up to Activision standards.
Newspaper: Lou Hudson (Jul 31, 82)
Electronic Games 1983 Software Encyclopedia (83 p20)
Book of Atari Software (83 p308)
Be A Home Videogame Superstar (82 p160)
The Clone Game Challenge - Electronic Fun (Apr 83 p70)
Newspaper: Chоpper Cоmmand COMING SOON (May 27, 82)
Newspaper: Chоpper Cоmmand $32 (Jun 6, 82)
Newspaper: Chоpper Cоmmand $32 (Jun 13, 82)
Newspaper: Chоpper Cоmmand $22.95 (Jun 6, 82)
Newspaper: Chоpper Cоmmand IN STOCK (Jun 10, 82)
Newspaper: Chоpper Cоmmand $23.99 (Jun 13, 82)
Newspaper: Chоpper Cоmmand $27.99 (Jun 13, 82)
Newspaper: Chоpper Cоmmand $22.99 (Jun 13, 82)
Newspaper: Chоpper Cоmmand $24.99 (Jun 20, 82)
Newspaper: Chоpper Cоmmand $19.95 (Jun 27, 82)
Newspaper: Chоpper Cоmmand $24.95 (Jul 16, 82)
Newspaper: Chоpper Cоmmand $22.99 (Jul 28, 82)
June 1982
Starmaster (Activision) ✔
June release according to Activisions (newsletter), catalog, Radio Electronics, and newspaper ads.
Radio Electronics (Jul 82 p66): “scheduled for introduction in June, 1982”
AX-016-02 — July and August 1982 — SUS — The 3 is missing from the 10 numbers below the date. [Has to be a later printing.]
According to an article in Electronic Fun, Al Miller worked months getting the stars in Starmaster correct.
Newspaper: Michael Blanchet (Jun 9, 82)
Their two latest creations Starmaster and Chopper Command both slated for release in June, live up to Activision standards.
Newspaper: Lou Hudson (Jul 3, 82)
Newspaper: Lou Hudson (Jul 10, 82)
Newspaper: Lou Hudson (Oct 9, 82)
How To Win At Home Video Games (82 p57)
Electronic Games 1983 Software Encyclopedia (83 p31)
Book of Atari Software (83 p318)
Be A Home Videogame Superstar (82 p217)
The Clone Game Challenge - Electronic Fun (Apr 83 p70)
Newspaper: Stаrmaster COMING SOON (May 27, 82)
Newspaper: Stаrmaster $32 (Jun 6, 82)
Newspaper: Stаrmaster $32 (Jun 13, 82)
Newspaper: Stаrmaster $22.95 (Jun 6, 82)
Newspaper: Stаrmaster IN STOCK (Jun 10, 82)
Newspaper: Stаrmaster $23.99 (Jun 13, 82)
Newspaper: Stаrmaster $27.99 (Jun 13, 82)
Newspaper: Stаrmaster $22.99 (Jun 13, 82)
Newspaper: Stаrmaster $24.99 (Jun 20, 82)
Newspaper: Stаrmaster $19.95 (Jun 27, 82)
Newspaper: Stаrmaster $22.99 (Jul 28, 82)
June/July 1982
Lochjaw/Shark Attack (Apollo) ✔
Best Guess. Going by newspaper ads, it seems that Lochjaw was released in June, but after the company was threatened by Universal Pictures, the game was re-released in July as Shark Attack. Atari CES Review (1982) said that the market date for Lochjaw was May 1, 1982, so Lochjaw was shipped in time for a June release.
[Shark Attack was reviewed in the September 1982 issue of The Video Game Update newsletter.]
Newspaper: Coleco, Apollo, and more (Jun 23, 82)
Newspaper: LOOK WHATS COMING FOR ATARI (Jul 8, 82)
Videogaming (Oct 82 p8)
Indeed, the only downbeat news from Apollo is the decision to change the name of Lochjaw to Shark Attack on the heels of legal saber-rattling from powerful Universal Pictures, producers of the motion picture Jaws.
How To Win At Home Video Games (82 p53)
Newspaper: Now for your Atari VCS (Jun 6, 82)
Newspaper: Lochjаw $32 (Jun 13, 82)
Newspaper: Lochjаw $27.99 (Jun 13, 82)
Newspaper: Shаrk Attаck IN STOCK NOW! (Jul 1, 82)
Newspaper: Shаrk Attаck $29.99 (Jul 14, 82)
Newspaper: Shаrk Attаck $25.88 (Jul 18, 82)
Newspaper: Shаrk Attаck $29.97 (Jul 22, 82)
Newspaper: Shаrk Attаck $24.99 (Jul 29, 82)
Newspaper: Shаrk Attаck $19.88 (Sep 10, 82)
Lochjaw: Defy - Electronic Games (Jun 82)
June 1982
Lost Luggage (Apollo) ✔
Best Guess. Lost Luggage was in newspaper ads starting in early to mid June and Atari CES Review (1982) said that the market date for Lost Luggage was May 15, 1982, so Lost Luggage was shipped in time for a June release.
[Lost Luggage was reviewed in the July 1982 issue of The Video Game Update newsletter.]
Newspaper: Lou Hudson (Sep 11, 82)
How To Win At Home Video Games (82 p58)
Newspaper: Lоst Luggаge coming in June (Jun 6, 82)
Newspaper: Lоst Luggаge $32 (Jun 13, 82)
Newspaper: Lоst Luggаge $27.99 (Jun 13, 82)
Newspaper: Lоst Luggаge $25.95 (Jun 17, 82)
Newspaper: Lоst Luggаge $23.95 (Jun 18, 82)
Newspaper: Lоst Luggаge (Jun 18, 82)
Lochjaw: Defy - Electronic Games (Jun 82)
June 1982
Racquetball (Apollo) ✔
Best Guess. Racquetball was in newspaper ads starting in early June and Atari CES Review (1982) said that the market date for Racquetball was May 15, 1982, so Racquetball was shipped in time for a June release.
[Racquetball was reviewed in the August 1982 issue of The Video Game Update newsletter.]
Newspaper: Rаcquetball now available (Jun 6, 82)
Newspaper: Rаcquetball $19.95 (Jun 6, 82)
Newspaper: Rаcquetball $21.95 (Jun 6, 82)
Newspaper: Rаcquetball IN STOCK (Jun 10, 82)
Newspaper: Rаcquetball $27.99 (Jun 13, 82)
Newspaper: Rаcquetball $21.99 (Jun 13, 82)
Newspaper: Rаcquetball $18.95 (Jun 27, 82)
Lochjaw: Defy - Electronic Games (Jun 82)
Newspaper: Rаcquetball $19 (Jul 1, 82)
June 1982
“Eye Of The Tiger” by Survivor [Rocky III Theme Song] (Jun 5) YT 60%
“Hard To Say I'm Sorry” by Chicago (Jun 5) YT 70%
“I Found Somebody” by Glenn Frey (Jun 5) YT
“Hooked On Swing” by Larry Elgart and his Manhattan Swing Orchestra (Jun 5) YT
“Paperlate” by Genesis (Jun 5) YT
“If You Want My Love” by Cheap Trick (Jun 5) YT 60%
“Even the Nights Are Better” by Air Supply (Jun 5) YT
“Keep The Fire Burnin'” by REO Speedwagon (Jun 12) YT
“Out Of Work” by Gary U.S. Bonds (Jun 12) YT
“Going To A Go-Go” by Rolling Stones (Jun 12) YT
“Hold Me” by Fleetwood Mac (Jun 19) YT
“Your Imagination” by Hall & Oates (Jun 19) YT 55%
“Happy Hour” by Deodato [with Kelly Barretto] (Jun 19) YT [Kind of generic, but it's not horrible.]
“Wasted On The Way” by Crosby, Stills & Nash (Jun 26) YT
“Love Is In Control (Finger On The Trigger)” by Donna Summer (Jun 26) YT
“American Music” by Pointer Sisters (Jun 26) YT
“President's Rap” by Rich Little (Jun 26) YT [Bubbling Under Top 100]
June 1982
Hanky Panky (Jun 4) YT IMDb WP
Poltergeist (Jun 4) YT IMDb WP
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (Jun 4) YT IMDb WP
ET: The Extra-Terrestrial (Jun 11) YT IMDb WP
Author! Author! (Jun 18) YT IMDb WP
Annie (Jun 18 wide) YT IMDb WP
June 1982
Text from Billboard (Nov 6, 82, page 58)
[TRIVIA: JOURNEY ESCAPE CARTRIDGE CONCEPT BORN IN JUNE OF 1982]
Rice said that because the Journey cartridge concept was born in June, it precluded an earlier release for the pre-Christmas season. However, Rice added, the cartridge would be timely as a result of Atari hardware sales during Christmas. He said surveys indicate that new Atari buyers purchase at least three cartridges during the first two months of ownership.
Rice noted that Data Age will eventually produce the Journey game for both the Coleco and Intellivision systems and is currently negotiating arcade rights. An arcade deal would mark the first time a home game was adapted for arcades instead of the other way around.
Text from Videogaming Illustrated (Feb 83, page 10)
Parker Brothers certainly has had a phenomenal start with The Empire Strikes Back videogame: released in June, it has achieved over thirty million dollars in retail sales. That makes it one of the top grossing home videogames in history.
July 1982
July release according to Atari Age order form, ‘82 In Review from AA V1n4, page 4 of AA V1n2 and newspaper ads.
Newspaper: Atari Release Schedule (May 28, 82)
How To Win At Home Video Games (82 p60)
Newspaper: Demоns Diamоnds $21.99 (Jul 4, 82)
Newspaper: Demоns Diamоnds $27 (Jul 15, 82)
Newspaper: Demоns Diamоnds NEW RELEASE (Jul 25, 82)
Newspaper: Demоns Diamоnds COMING SOON (Jul 29, 82)
Newspaper: Demоns Diamоnds IN STOCK (Jul 29, 82)
Newspaper: Demоns Diamоnds $19.95 (Jul 29, 82)
Newspaper: Demоns Diamоnds $24.95 (Jul 30, 82)
Newspaper: Demоns Diamоnds NOW IN STOCK (Aug 1, 82)
Newspaper: Demоns Diamоnds $19.99 (Aug 1, 82)
Newspaper: Demоns Diamоnds $22.97 (Aug 8, 82)
July 1982
Math Gran Prix (Atari) ✔
July release according to Atari Age order form, ‘82 In Review from AA V1n4, page 4 of AA V1n2, A.N.A.L.O.G. and newspaper ads.
Newspaper: Atari Release Schedule (May 28, 82)
Newspaper: Mаth Grаn Prіx $19.99 (Jul 4, 82)
Newspaper: Mаth Grаn Prіx $22 (Jul 15, 82)
Newspaper: Mаth Grаn Prіx COMING SOON (Jul 29, 82)
Newspaper: Mаth Grаn Prіx $16.88 (Sep 9, 82)
Newspaper: Mаth Grаn Prіx $19.97 (Sep 12, 82)
July/August 1982
Best Guess. Going by newspaper ads, Donkey Kong was being sold in late July 1982. But according to Arcade Express, Coleco decided to recall all Donkey Kong carts from distribution. The carts were supposed to be back on the market the second week of August, so this entry is marked as July/August.
79976 — July 1982 — Ivy Hill — The 4 is missing from the 12 numbers below the date.
Newspaper: Lou Hudson (Sep 4, 82)
Electronic Games 1983 Software Encyclopedia (83 p23)
The Kitchens, Inc. - Electronic Fun (Apr 83 p40)
Staying Power - Radio Electronics (Nov 83 p12)
Columbia Video Game Club Magazine (N4, N5, N6 83)
Newspaper: Dоnkey Kоng ALSO AVAILABLE (Jul 21, 82)
Newspaper: Dоnkey Kоng $34.99 (Jul 23, 82)
Newspaper: Dоnkey Kоng IS HERE! (Jul 24, 82)
Newspaper: Dоnkey Kоng $32.99. (Jul 28, 82)
Newspaper: Dоnkey Kоng $29.99 (Jul 28, 82)
Newspaper: Dоnkey Kоng JUST IN (Jul 31, 82)
Newspaper: Dоnkey Kоng IN STOCK (Aug 8, 82)
Newspaper: Dоnkey Kоng JUST ARRIVED! (Aug 12, 82)
Newspaper: Dоnkey Kоng $27.95 (Aug 15, 82)
Newspaper: Dоnkey Kоng $29.97 (Aug 15, 82)
Newspaper: Dоnkey Kоng IN STOCK! (Aug 22, 82)
July 1982
Atlantis was supposed to be available starting in August according to the Imagic catalog, but it was a late July release according to The Making of Atlantis documentary and newspaper ads.
Arcade Express (Sep 26, 82 p7)
Book of Atari Software (83 p310)
Conquering Atlantis - Videogaming (Feb 83 p33)
Screen Magic - BLIP (Jul 83 p3)
Newspaper: Atlantіs $29.95 (Jul 18, 82)
Newspaper: Atlantіs $29.99 (Jul 25, 82)
Newspaper: Atlantіs $22.99 (Jul 28, 82)
Newspaper: Atlantіs (Jul 29, 82)
Newspaper: Atlantіs (Jul 31, 82)
Newspaper: Atlantіs $25.97 (Aug 8, 82)
July 1982
Cosmic Ark (Imagic) ✔
Best Guess. Cosmic Ark was supposed to be released in August according to the Imagic catalog, but going by newspaper ads, Cosmic Ark seems to have been released early, just like Atlantis.
Arcade Express (Oct 10, 82 p6)
Electronic Games 1983 Software Encyclopedia (83 p22)
Book of Atari Software (83 p315)
Book of Atari Software (Winter Supplement 83 p75)
An Act of Creation: Rob Fulop Takes You Behind the Scenes - Video Games (Dec 83 p52)
Newspaper: Cosmіc Aгk $29.95 (Jul 18, 82)
Newspaper: Cosmіc Aгk $29.99 (Jul 25, 82)
Newspaper: Cosmіc Aгk $22.99 (Jul 28, 82)
Newspaper: Cosmіc Aгk (Jul 29, 82)
Newspaper: Cosmіc Aгk (Jul 31, 82)
Newspaper: Cosmіc Aгk $25.97 (Aug 8, 82)
July 1982
Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back (Parker Brothers) ✔
Best Guess using info from The Video Game Update, Billboard, Videogaming, Video Games Player, Arcade Express and newspaper ads.
Electronic Fun (Jan 83 p30)
You really have to drag music out of the system. It doesn't have a musical scale built into it. You have to take the tones you want to try to find the best fit of frequencies. Actually, Empire was the first time more than three or four notes were put together in an Atari game. One of the other Parker Brothers designers, Ed English, did us one better when he designed Frogger. It's the first home video game that has two-part harmony.
Newspaper: Michael Blanchet (Jul 14, 82)
The Empire Strikes Back and Frogger should be on store shelves by August.
Newspaper: Lou Hudson (Oct 9, 82)
Newspaper: Lou Hudson (Jan 22, 83)
Video & Arcade Games (Spring 83 p72)
Electronic Games 1983 Software Encyclopedia (83 p33)
How To Win At Home Video Games (82 p56)
Book of Atari Software (Winter Supplement 83 p76)
The Empire Talks Back - Electronic Fun (Jan 83 p28)
Columbia Video Game Club Magazine (N4, N5 83)
Newspaper: Empіre Strіkes Bаck $29.99 (Jul 8, 82)
Newspaper: Empіre Strіkes Bаck $28.97 (Jul 11, 82)
Newspaper: Empіre Strіkes Bаck $29 (Jul 15, 82)
Newspaper: Empіre Strіkes Bаck $25.88 (Jul 18, 82)
Newspaper: Empіre Strіkes Bаck (Jul 22, 82)
Newspaper: Empіre Strіkes Bаck $29.97 (Jul 22, 82)
Newspaper: Empіre Strіkes Bаck $27.99 (Jul 25, 82)
Newspaper: Empіre Strіkes Bаck ON SALE NOW (Jul 29, 82)
Newspaper: Empіre Strіkes Bаck $29.99 (Jul 29, 82)
Parker Brothers presents - TV Guide (Dec 4-10, 82)
July 1982
Gangster Alley (Spectravision)
Best Guess using info from The Video Game Update and newspaper ads. Although there are Gangster Alley ads starting near the end of June, the game probably wasn't in stores until July.
[Gangster Alley was reviewed in the October 1982 issue of The Video Game Update newsletter.]
Arcade Express (Aug 15, 82 p6)
We Rate Every Game in the World - Electronic Fun (Dec 82 p16)
Electronic Games 1983 Software Encyclopedia (83 p24)
Book of Atari Software (83 p312)
Newspaper: Gangstеr Allеy $22.99 (Jul 1, 82)
Newspaper: Gangstеr Allеy $22.99 (Jul 8, 82)
Newspaper: Gangstеr Allеy JUST IN (Jul 10, 82)
Newspaper: Gangstеr Allеy IN STOCK (Jul 16, 82)
Newspaper: Gangstеr Allеy NOW IN STOCK (Jul 22, 82)
Newspaper: Gangstеr Allеy (Jul 24, 82)
Newspaper: Gangstеr Allеy $22.99 (Jul 25, 82)
Meet the Challenge! - Electronic Games (Oct 82)
July 1982
Best Guess using info from The Video Game Update and newspaper ads.
[Planet Patrol was reviewed in the October 1982 issue of The Video Game Update newsletter.]
Electronic Games 1983 Software Encyclopedia (83 p28)
We Rate Every Game in the World - Electronic Fun (Dec 82 p16)
Columbia Video Game Club Magazine (N5, N6 83)
Newspaper: Plаnet Pаtrol $22.99 (Jul 1, 82)
Newspaper: Plаnet Pаtrol $22.99 (Jul 8, 82)
Newspaper: Plаnet Pаtrol JUST IN (Jul 10, 82)
Newspaper: Plаnet Pаtrol IN STOCK (Jul 16, 82)
Newspaper: Plаnet Pаtrol NOW IN STOCK (Jul 22, 82)
Newspaper: Plаnet Pаtrol (Jul 24, 82)
Newspaper: Plаnet Pаtrol $21.99 (Jul 25, 82)
Meet the Challenge! - Electronic Games (Oct 82)
July 1982
“Eye In The Sky” by Alan Parsons Project (July 3) YT 80%
“Vacation” by Go-Go's (July 3) YT 58%
“Love Will Turn You Around” by Kenny Rogers (July 3) YT
“Hot In The City” by Billy Idol (July 3) YT
“Words” by Missing Persons (July 3) YT 65%
“Who Can It Be Now?” by Men At Work (July 10) YT 90%
“Gloria” by Laura Branigan (July 10) YT
“I Ran (So Far Away)” by A Flock Of Seagulls (July 10) YT 90%
“Take It Away” by Paul McCartney (July 10) YT 75%
“Blue Eyes” by Elton John (July 10) YT
“Someday, Someway” by Marshall Crenshaw (July 10) YT 70%
“Outlaw” by War (July 10) YT 55%
“Valley Girl” by Frank Zappa/Moon Unit Zappa (July 17) YT
“Should I Stay Or Should I Go” by The Clash (July 17) YT 60%
“Why” by Carly Simon (July 17) YT
“Theme From E.T. (The Extra-Terrestrial)” by John Williams (July 17) YT [Bubbling Under Top 100]
“Jack & Diane” by John Cougar Mellencamp (July 24) YT
“Only Time Will Tell” by Asia (July 24) YT
“Let Me Tickle Your Fancy” by Jermaine Jackson (July 24) YT
“What's Forever For” by Michael Martin Murphey (July 24) YT
“Somebody's Baby” by Jackson Browne (July 31) YT
“You Can Do Magic” by America (July 31) YT
“Do You Wanna Touch Me (Oh Yeah)” by Joan Jett & The Blackhearts (July 31) YT
“I Will Always Love You” by Dolly Parton (July 31) YT
July 1982
The Secret of Nimh (Jul 16 wide) YT IMDb WP
Young Doctors in Love (Jul 16) YT IMDb WP
Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (Jul 23) YT IMDb WP
Forced Vengeance (Jul 30) YT IMDb WP
Night Shift (Jul 30) YT IMDb WP
July 1982
Text from Billboard (Jul 3, 82, page 10)
In July, the Beverly, Mass. manufacturer will introduce “Frogger,” a home version of an arcade favorite, licensed from Sega Enterprises.
Text from Videogaming Illustrated (Aug 82, page 10)
One month after the release of Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back, Parker Brothers will ship Frogger, a Freeway-like challenge based on the Sega arcade game.
Text from The Video Game Update (Jul 82)
ATARI
Defender (**** / ****) is now available. We have just seen 4 new games for the 2600. “Frog Pond” (*** ½ / *** - November) [unreleased] is a really cute game for kids as the frogs attempt to catch the flies. Scheduled for July is “Demons To Diamonds” (**½ / **) (formerly “Hot Rox”). In October, Atari will be issuing two new cartridges called “Swordquest” and “Earthworld”. (both **½ / *** - we were not able to get hands-on play with them.) These are “Dungeons & Dragons” type cartridges. These two cartridges will come with comic books like “Yars' Revenge” had which will contain clues which might lead you to discovering one of 5 different prizes hidden around the U.S. There will be 4 jewelled vases containing precious stones (each vase valued at $25,000) and one vase (the grand prize) will also have precious stones worth $50,000. It will be up to you to read the clues correctly to lead you to the discovery of any one of the 5 prizes.
. . . .
SOME OF THE OTHER COMPANIES JUMPING INTO GAMES:
Spectravision (Atari-Compatible) initially shipping 2 games---“Planet Patrol” (* / *) & “Gangster Alley” (* / *) within the next few weeks. As you can tell by the ratings, both games are very simple.
. . . .
PARKER BROTHERS (Atari-Compatible)
We were impressed with what we saw. Parker Bros. is committed & obviously has some good designers. First to come, “The Empire Strikes Back” (*** / *** scheduled for 7/1) pits the player's joystick-controlled snow sled against giant imperial walkers. “Frogger” (*** / *** scheduled 8/1) is based on the popular arcade game. You must guide your frogs across a busy highway & a treacherous river. We enjoyed this one.
Plans for the future look promising... “Spiderman” (we did not see cartridge) based on the popular comic strip, planned for October. “Amidar” (did not see) based on the arcade game, scheduled for Nov. In December [delayed until 83] we should see “Reactor” (**** / **** -- cartridge was not in finished form, however), where players are trapped inside a nuclear reactor. And, in the 1st quarter of ‘83, plans include “Super Cobra” (**** / *** -- unfinished cartridge); “Sky Skipper” (did not see); “Tutankham” (**** / ****) a search for lost treasure in a pyramid; & “James Bond Agent 007” (no cartridge shown at show). We feel Parker Bros, will make a positive mark on the games market.
. . . .
Intellivision has renamed their cartridges for Atari. Formerly called “Breakthrough”, they will be released under the name of “M Network”. The first games are scheduled for release in July. They are “Baseball” (**/**); “Football” (*½/**), “Astroblast” (**/**) & “Space Attack” (**/**). You will be disappointed if you are looking for Intellivision-quality graphics & play with these games. In our opinion, these are nothing more exciting than anything on the Atari market already. They will have a “Tron” game a little later in the year, with fairly good graphics.
August 1982
August release according to Atari Age order form, ‘82 In Review from AA V1n4, page 11 of V1n2, A.N.A.L.O.G., Arcade Express, Creative Computing, Video Games Player and newspaper ads.
G-CO18996-50 REV. 2 — June 1982 — Ivy Hill — The 3 is missing from the 10 numbers below the date.
Video Games (Feb 83 p80)
Lately, Atari has begun to redeem itself after the Pac-Man blunder. Its translation of the arcade sensation, Berzerk is probably the surest example of this redemption. As would be expected, there are fewer robots in a given maze than in the original, but that's about the only drawback to this cartridge. The best thing about it is its 12 variations, one of which allows you to go at it with Evil Otto, as in Berzerk's arcade sequel Frenzy. Admittedly, Berzerk lends itself to the VCS; this is more the reason to buy it.
Newspaper: Lou Hudson (Aug 14, 82)
Book of Atari Software (83 p322)
How To Win At Home Video Games (82 p16)
Be A Home Videogame Superstar (82 p45)
Newspaper: Bеrzerk IN STOCK (Aug 8, 82)
Newspaper: Bеrzerk IN STOCK (Aug 8, 82)
Newspaper: Bеrzerk NOW IN STOCK! (Aug 9, 82)
Newspaper: Bеrzerk JUST RELEASED (Aug 11, 82)
Newspaper: Bеrzerk $28 (Aug 12, 82)
Newspaper: Bеrzerk IN STOCK! (Aug 12, 82)
Newspaper: Bеrzerk $25.95 (Aug 15, 82)
Newspaper: Bеrzerk $24.97 (Aug 15, 82)
Newspaper: Bеrzerk $21.99 (Aug 19, 82)
Newspaper: Bеrzerk IN STOCK! (Aug 22, 82)
Newspaper: ATARI OWNERS WIN AGAIN! (Aug 22, 82)
Newspaper: Bеrzerk $22.88 (Aug 24, 82)
Newspaper: Bеrzerk $25.95 (Aug 26, 82)
August 1982
Fire Fighter (Imagic) ✔
August release according to the Imagic catalog. Going by newspaper ads, it looks like Fire Fighter was released in late August.
[Fire Fighter was reviewed in the September 1982 issue of The Video Game Update newsletter.]
Imagine it: Fire Fighter cartridges for as far as the eye can see - Videogaming (Sep 83 p5)
Electronic Games 1983 Software Encyclopedia (83 p24)
Book of Atari Software (83 p328)
Newspaper: Fіre Fіghter (Aug 22, 82)
Newspaper: Fіre Fіghter $19.95 (Aug 25, 82)
Newspaper: Fіre Fіghter (Aug 26, 82)
Newspaper: Fіre Fіghter (Aug 26, 82)
Newspaper: Fіre Fіghter $19.95 (Aug 26, 82)
Newspaper: Fіre Fіghter NOW IN STOCK (Aug 31, 82)
August 1982
Riddle of the Sphinx (Imagic) ✔
August release according to the Imagic catalog and newspaper ads.
[Riddle of the Sphinx was reviewed in the September 1982 issue of The Video Game Update newsletter.]
Compton Solves Riddle of the Sphinx - Arcade Express (May 22, 83 p4)
Mid-East Crisis Solved by Gamer - Electronic Fun (Jul 83 p14)
Compton Solves Riddle of the Spinx - Electronic Games (Oct 83 p12)
Video & Arcade Games (Fall 83 p60)
Electronic Games 1983 Software Encyclopedia (83 p28)
Book of Atari Software (83 p301)
From Altruism to Avarice: Questing Games - Videogaming (Oct 83 p67)
An Act of Creation - Video Games (Dec 83 p52)
Newspaper: Rіddle Sphіnx $24.99 (Aug 8, 82)
Newspaper: Rіddle Sphіnx (Aug 22, 82)
Newspaper: Rіddle Sphіnx $24.97 (Aug 25, 82)
Newspaper: Rіddle Sphіnx (Aug 26, 82)
Newspaper: Rіddle Sphіnx (Aug 26, 82)
Newspaper: Rіddle Sphіnx $24.95 (Aug 26, 82)
Newspaper: Rіddle Sphіnx NOW IN STOCK (Aug 31, 82)
August 1982
Astroblast (M Network) ✔
Best Guess using info from The Video Game Update and The Video Game Update. Most newspaper ads for this game were in August. So far I've only found two ads from late July, so this entry seems to belong in August.
[Astroblast was reviewed in the August 1982 issue of The Video Game Update newsletter.]
Newspaper: M Network (Jul 4, 82)
Electronic Games 1983 Software Encyclopedia (83 p18)
Book of Atari Software (83 p319)
Newspaper: Astrоblast (Jul 24, 82)
Newspaper: Astrоblast $32.88 (Jul 25, 82)
Newspaper: Astrоblast $28.97 (Aug 2, 82)
Newspaper: Astrоblast $34.99 (Aug 6, 82)
Newspaper: Astrоblast $29.97 (Aug 8, 82)
Newspaper: Astrоblast (Aug 12, 82)
Newspaper: Astrоblast $25.95 (Aug 15, 82)
Newspaper: Astrоblast IN STOCK! (Aug 22, 82)
August 1982
Best Guess using info from The Video Game Update and The Video Game Update. Most newspaper ads for this game were in August. So far I've only found one ad from late July, so this entry seems to belong in August.
[Space Attack was reviewed in the September 1982 issue of The Video Game Update newsletter.]
Electronic Games 1983 Software Encyclopedia (83 p30)
Book of Atari Software (83 p324)
Newspaper: Spаce Attаck $32.88 (Jul 25, 82)
Newspaper: Spаce Attаck $28.97 (Aug 2, 82)
Newspaper: Spаce Attаck $34.99 (Aug 6, 82)
Newspaper: Spаce Attаck $29.97 (Aug 8, 82)
Newspaper: Spаce Attаck $25.95 (Aug 15, 82)
Newspaper: Spаce Attаck IN STOCK! (Aug 22, 82)
August 1982
Super Challenge Baseball (M Network) ✔
Best Guess using info from The Video Game Update and The Video Game Update. Most newspaper ads for this game were in August. So far I've only found two ads from late July, so this entry seems to belong in August.
[Super Challenge Baseball was reviewed in the August 1982 issue of The Video Game Update newsletter.]
Certificate of Merit - Electronic Games (Jan 83 p28)
Electronic Games 1983 Software Encyclopedia (83 p32)
Book of Atari Software (83 p304)
Video and Computer Gaming Illustrated (Jan 84 p64)
Newspaper: Supеr Challеnge Basеball (Jul 24, 82)
Newspaper: Supеr Challеnge Basеball $32.88 (Jul 25, 82)
Newspaper: Supеr Challеnge Basеball $28.97 (Aug 2, 82)
Newspaper: Supеr Challеnge Basеball $34.99 (Aug 6, 82)
Newspaper: Supеr Challеnge Basеball $29.97 (Aug 8, 82)
Newspaper: Supеr Challеnge Basеball (Aug 12, 82)
Newspaper: Supеr Challеnge Basеball $25.95 (Aug 15, 82)
Newspaper: Supеr Challеnge Basеball IN STOCK! (Aug 22, 82)
August 1982
Super Challenge Football (M Network) ✔
Best Guess using info from The Video Game Update and The Video Game Update. Most newspaper ads for this game were in August. So far I've only found one ad from late July, so this entry seems to belong in August.
[Super Challenge Football was reviewed in the August 1982 issue of The Video Game Update newsletter.]
Certificate of Merit - Electronic Games (Jan 83 p28)
Electronic Games 1983 Software Encyclopedia (83 p32)
Book of Atari Software (83 p305)
Newspaper: Supеr Challеnge Footbаll (Jul 24, 82)
Newspaper: Supеr Challеnge Footbаll $28.97 (Aug 2, 82)
Newspaper: Supеr Challеnge Footbаll $34.99 (Aug 6, 82)
Newspaper: Supеr Challеnge Footbаll $29.97 (Aug 8, 82)
Newspaper: Supеr Challеnge Footbаll $25.95 (Aug 15, 82)
Newspaper: Supеr Challеnge Footbаll IN STOCK! (Aug 22, 82)
Late July/August 1982
Best Guess using info from The Video Game Update, Billboard, Videogaming, Video Games Player. Going by newspaper ads, it seems Frogger was available in some areas in late July.
Electronic Fun (Jan 83 p30)
You really have to drag music out of the system. It doesn't have a musical scale built into it. You have to take the tones you want to try to find the best fit of frequencies. Actually, Empire was the first time more than three or four notes were put together in an Atari game. One of the other Parker Brothers designers, Ed English, did us one better when he designed Frogger. It's the first home video game that has two-part harmony.
Newspaper: Michael Blanchet (Jul 14, 82)
The Empire Strikes Back and Frogger should be on store shelves by August.
Newspaper: Steve Stecklow (Jan 16, 83)
Radio Electronics (May 83 p21)
Radio Electronics (Jun 83 p76)
How To Win At Home Video Games (82 p60)
Book of Atari Software (Winter Supplement 83 p78)
Staying Power - Radio Electronics (Nov 83 p12)
Why Frogs? - Electronic Fun (Dec 82 p44)
Columbia Video Game Club Magazine (N4, N5, N6 83)
Newspaper: Frоgger $30.95 (Jul 21, 82)
Newspaper: Frоgger Coming Aug 3rd (Jul 29, 82)
Newspaper: Frоgger JUST IN (Jul 31, 82)
Newspaper: Frоgger $28.88 (Aug 5, 82)
Newspaper: Frоgger JUST ARRIVED! NOW IN STOCK! (Aug 12, 82)
Newspaper: Frоgger $25.95 (Aug 15, 82)
Newspaper: Frоgger $28.97 (Aug 15, 82)
Newspaper: Frоgger $27.71 (Aug 25, 82)
Parker Brothers presents - TV Guide (Dec 4-10, 82)
August 1982
King Kong (Tigervision) ✔
Best Guess using info from The Video Game Update, Video Games Player, and newspaper ads.
[King Kong was reviewed in the September 1982 issue of The Video Game Update newsletter.]
Newspaper: Tigervision games (Jul 31, 82)
Arcade Express (Oct 24, 82 p7)
How To Win At Home Video Games (82 p61)
Electronic Games 1983 Software Encyclopedia (83 p26)
Newspaper: Kіng Kоng $25.88 (Jul 25, 82)
Newspaper: Kіng Kоng $22.95 (Aug 6, 82)
Newspaper: Kіng Kоng $22.95 (Aug 8, 82)
Newspaper: Kіng Kоng $28.85 (Aug 11, 82)
Newspaper: Kіng Kоng $19.99 (Aug 11, 82)
Newspaper: Kіng Kоng $19.95 (Aug 12, 82)
Newspaper: Kіng Kоng (Aug 12, 82)
Newspaper: Kіng Kоng (Aug 12, 82)
Newspaper: Kіng Kоng $19.88 (Aug 19, 82)
Newspaper: Kіng Kоng $19.95 (Aug 20, 82)
Newspaper: Kіng Kоng (Aug 26, 82)
Newspaper: Kіng Kоng $19.95 (Aug 29, 82)
Newspaper: Kіng Kоng $24.95 (Sep 10, 82)
August 1982
Best Guess using info from The Video Game Update and newspaper ads.
The Video Game Update (Aug 82)
VIDTEC (formerly U.S. Games) (Atari-compatible) promises a new release within the next couple of weeks, SNEEK & PEEK (retail 29.95). WORD ZAPPER (retail 29.95) has just shipped, (see review).
Newspaper: Michael Blanchet (Jul 29, 82)
Electronic Games 1983 Software Encyclopedia (83 p30)
Newspaper: Snеak Peеk NOW IN STOCK (Aug 1, 82)
Newspaper: Snеak Peеk $19.99 (Aug 1, 82)
Newspaper: Snеak Peеk NEW (Aug 12, 82)
Newspaper: Snеak Peеk $15.88 (Aug 19, 82)
Newspaper: Snеak Peеk (Aug 20, 82)
Newspaper: Snеak Peеk (Aug 21, 82)
Newspaper: Snеak Peеk (Sep 1, 82)
Newspaper: Snеak Peеk (Sep 3, 82)
Newspaper: Snеak Peеk $13 (Sep 10, 82)
Newspaper: Snеak Peеk $24.99 (Oct 3, 82)
Aliens Take Over the Earth! - Electronic Games (Nov 82)
Aliens Take Over the Earth! - Electronic Fun (Nov 82)
Aliens Take Over the Earth! - Video Games (Dec 82)
Zapper A Fast Blast - Electronic Fun (Jan 83)
Zapper A Fast Blast - Video Games (Jan 83)
August 1982
Best Guess using info from The Video Game Update, Video Games Player, and newspaper ads.
[Word Zapper was reviewed in the August 1982 issue of The Video Game Update newsletter.]
The Video Game Update (Aug 82)
VIDTEC (formerly U.S. Games) (Atari-compatible) promises a new release within the next couple of weeks, SNEEK & PEEK (retail 29.95). WORD ZAPPER (retail 29.95) has just shipped, (see review).
Newspaper: Michael Blanchet (Jul 29, 82)
Preview - Electronic Games (Oct 82 p36)
U.S. GAMES OFFERS REBATE - Arcade Express (Nov 21, 82 p3)
ADVERTISING CAMPAIGN - Arcade Express (Jan 2 83 p3)
Newspaper: Lou Hudson (Nov 13, 82)
Certificate of Merit - Electronic Games (Jan 83 p23)
Newspaper: Wоrd Zаpper $19.99 (Aug 1, 82)
Newspaper: Wоrd Zаpper (Aug 12, 82)
Newspaper: Wоrd Zаpper NOW IN STOCK! (Aug 22, 82)
Newspaper: Wоrd Zаpper (Aug 26, 82)
Newspaper: Wоrd Zаpper $22.95 (Aug 26, 82)
Newspaper: Wоrd Zаpper (Sep 1, 82)
Newspaper: Wоrd Zаpper (Sep 3, 82)
Newspaper: Wоrd Zаpper $19.99 (Sep 26, 82)
Aliens Take Over the Earth! - Electronic Games (Nov 82)
Aliens Take Over the Earth! - Electronic Fun (Nov 82)
Aliens Take Over the Earth! - Video Games (Dec 82)
Zapper A Fast Blast - Electronic Fun (Jan 83)
Zapper A Fast Blast - Video Games (Jan 83)
August 1982
“I Keep Forgettin' (Every Time You're Near)” by Michael McDonald (Aug 7) YT
“Make Believe” by Toto (Aug 7) YT
“I Only Want To Be With You” by Nicolette Larson (Aug 7) YT
“Emotions In Motion” by Billy Squier (Aug 7) YT
“Hold On” by Santana (Aug 14) YT
“You Dropped A Bomb On Me” by Gap Band (Aug 14) YT
“Workin' For A Livin” by Huey Lewis & The News (Aug 14) YT
“Night Shift” by Quarterflash (Aug 14) YT
“Up Where We Belong” by Joe Cocker & Jennifer Warnes (Aug 21) YT
“Steppin' Out” by Joe Jackson (Aug 21) YT 95%
“Break It To Me Gently” by Juice Newton (Aug 21) YT
“The One You Love” by Glenn Frey (Aug 21) YT
“Voyeur” by Kim Carnes (Aug 21) YT
“Johnny Can't Read” by Don Henley (Aug 21) YT 75%
“Nobody” by Sylvia (Aug 28) YT 75%
“You Don't Want Me Anymore” by Steel Breeze (Aug 28) YT 60%
“Don't Fight It” by Kenny Loggins/Steve Perry (Aug 28) YT 70%
August 1982
Fast Times at Ridgemont High (Aug 13) YT IMDb WP
Friday the 13th, Part 3 (Aug 13) YT IMDb WP
An Officer and a Gentleman (Aug 13 wide) YT IMDb WP
August 1982
“Taste the Thrill of Atari at McDonald's” promotion started on 8/15/1982.
Newspaper: GROUP AD (Aug 14, 82)
Newspaper: Electronics Boutique (Aug 17, 82)
Newspaper: ELI'S (Aug 19, 82)
Newspaper: McDonald's (Aug 19, 82)
Newspaper: GENERAL RADIO (Aug 19, 82)
Newspaper: McAlpin's (Aug 19, 82)
Newspaper: McDonald's (Aug 26, 82)
Newspaper: Kmart (Aug 31, 82)
Newspaper: JCPenney (Oct 15, 82)
Newspaper: McDonald's (Sep 15, 82)
August 1982
Text from Arcade Express (Aug 15, 82, page 3)
Parker Brothers released “The Empire Strikes Back” for the Atari VCS earlier this summer.
Text from Arcade Express (Aug 15, 82)
“Berserk” [Berzerk] will be published by Atari in August and should be in the stores before the end of the month. This is the home version of the popular coin-op from Stern Electronics that has been wowing the arcaders for the past two years. Just as “Berserk” comes to the VCS, a super deluxe version of this maze shootout called “Frenzy” is going into the arcades.
“Star Raiders” premiere date is September. It will be packaged with a new controller (much in the same way that “Indy 500” was marketed), and is priced at $39.95. The new controller is a keypad type with a disk. Company sources characterize “Star Raiders” as a mindblower, with outstanding visuals and hot play action.
A Supercharger for the Atari VCS is being marketed by Arcadia. This RAM cart plugs into the game slot to increase the graphic resolution capabilities of the VCS, making it possible to move more objects around on the screen simultaneously.
The Supercharger connects to an ordinary tape recorder, and games will be marketed on cassette for about $15 each. Among the releases is a wacky invasion game called “Communist Mutants From Outer Space”, and a space pilot game that's said to out do “Star Raiders”.
The Supercharger retails for around $70, and comes packaged with one game.
TIGER PLANS VCS CARTRIDGES
Tiger Electronic Toys is one of the newest entrants into the video cartridge sweepstakes! Tiger has formed a videogame cartridge division called Tigervision, for development and marketing of cartridges for the Atari VCS.
Long on the fringes of the electronic game business, Tiger plans to emphasize arcade-style action coupled with superior graphics. “Jawbreaker” has chomping sets of teeth eating candy dots in this maze-chase game. “King Kong” requires the gamer to rescue Faye Wray from Kong by climbing to the top of the Empire State Building, while leaping the bombs Kong throws. In “River Patrol” [delayed until 1984], the gamer steers a leaky boat up the Congo, saving refugees and avoiding obstacles. “Threshold” is a vertical scrolling shootout in space, and “Marauder” requires you to maneuver through mazes while killing or avoiding the robot guards.
Randy Rissman, President of Tiger, says, “Tigervision's cartridges will aim to be among the best in graphic quality and play value.”
Mattel Electronics has developed a new line of videogame cartridges for the Atari VCS. Mattel claims the new games, named the M Network, are designed to fully utilize the capabilities of the VCS. The M Network games use the themes of Intellivision cartridges, both currently popular games and carts that are soon to be released.
The first M Network cartridges entered distribution in mid-July. Some of the titles to be released in 1982 include “Astroblast”, “Space Attack”, “Super Challenge Baseball”, “Super Challenge Football”, and “International Soccer”. The company plans 11 M Network games in 1982.
Mattel promises appealing game themes and advanced programming techniques for the new videogame series. Joshua Denham, President of Mattel Electronics, says, “M Network offers owners of Atari VCS units access to markedly improved graphics, gameplay, and extended enjoyment.”
Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation has formed Fox Video Games, Inc., to develop and market a line of cartridges for use with the Atari VCS. Four new games will be marketed in the Fall.
Sirius Software designed four new games for Fox. In “Deadly Duck”, programmed by Ed Hodapp, crabs bomb a duck with bricks, and the duck must shoot back with a gun. “Beany Bopper”, programmed by Grady Ward, has a stun-fire laser for the gamer to shoot at propeller beany-creatures. In “Worm War I”, programmed by David Lubar, gigantic worms terrorize a city. The gamer fights back using a tank. “Fast Eddie”, by Mark Turmell, challenges arcaders to gather treasure by climbing up and down ladders to different levels, while evading Sneakers trying to run him down and stomp on him.
Text from Arcade Express (Aug 30, 82)
The brand name “Vidtec,” seen on the scrolling shoot-out “Space Jockey,” will soon be relegated to no more than a minor role, if that. The company, which operates as part: of the Fisher-Price division of Quaker Oats, will henceforth emphasize the name “U.S. Games.” The next cartridge from the company will be “Towering Inferno,” a firefighting action game in which the player must race through a burning skyscraper to save residents and douse flames.
ENTERTAINMENT GIANT ENTERS VIDEOGAMEDOM
Gabriel Industries, the toy and game division of CBS, Inc., has formed a new unit, called CBS Video Games. CBS, Inc. and Bally Manufacturing Corp. have an agreement which allows CBS Video Games to manufacture, market and develop home video games for the Atari VCS and the Sears Video Arcade.
The first two games, licensed from Bally/Midway, are going to be wowsers: “Gorf”, one of the all-time top coin-op games, challenges the gamer to battle robots, ships, lasers and torpedos in a multi-mission space fandango. “Wizard of Wor”, the popular dungeon game, calls on the arcader to face monsters in constantly changing mazes.
Both games will be available for Christmas. Industry sources are being close-lipped about future releases, but predict spectacular hits coming in the near future.
Coleco began shipping cartridges for the Atari VCS at the end of July. “Donkey Kong”, “Venture” and “Carnival” are the first releases, followed by “Zaxxon” and “Turbo” sometime in September or October. “Mousetrap” and “Smurf” will follow in time to be on the shelves before the Christmas buying season.
COLECO RECAPTURES DONKEY KONG CARTS
Coleco's new cartridge for the Atari VCS, “Donkey Kong”, has proven to be unplayable on Model #2600 of the VCS. The cartridge works fine on new consoles, but it turned out to be unusable on older versions. (You can tell the difference by the location of the difficulty switch. Older models have the switch in the front of the console.) Even though roughly 90% of the cartridges would represent no problem to the consumer (since most VCS consoles are the newer models), Coleco decided to recall all “Donkey Kong” carts from distribution. “It was just an oversight, and requires only a minor modification in the game to make it work,” says Coleco spokesman, Mike Katz. The company felt it was preferable to make the change in all cartridges, rather than waiting for dissatisfied individual customers to return unusable games to the retailers. Mike Katz estimates that the recall will affect tens of thousands of game carts, but promised the corrected cartridges should be back on the market the second week in August. After that, there'll be no problem.
Text from Videogaming Illustrated (Aug 82, pages 7 & 8)
APOLLO, LIKE ITS NAMESAKE, SHOOTS FOR THE VIDEOGAMING STARS!
Despite the downbeat reviews Apollo garnered for Skeet Shoot, its first videogame, no one's going to nap through four cartridges the company recently put on the market. Indeed, like Shakespeare, author of the world's best literature, and who, by the way, was castigated as an “upstart crow” after his own first work was performed—Apollo intends to create classics. Lively, unique, fraught with color and exotica, the newest of the Atari-compatible games suggest that the Texas-based manufacturer is well on its way.
Apollo is a subsidiary of National Career Consultants, a company founded by entrepreneur Patrick Roper. For eleven years NCC has successfully produced and distributed educational and career guidance films to high schools and colleges. Unfortunately, government belt-tightening has limited the funds available to many of NCC's customers and, early last year, NCC had no choice but to cut back on their film operation and branch into other fields. Initially. the firm considered distributing dramatic works on videocassette, but discovered that the major studios and producers of popular entertainment were already committed to other manufacturers. As for creating their own feature-length motion pictures, the high cost of such an undertaking was prohibitive. However, NCC was not unaware of the booming videogame industry; the decision to diversity in that direction was reached in October of 1981, after market research and the obvious growth of the field indicated that there was room for a newcomer.
Roper decided to concentrate solely on software, adding a computer programmer to the existing staff of NCC and rushing the company's first game to the market by December of last year [Dec 7, 81]. “All in all, Skeet Shoot wasn't a spectacular game to start off with,” concedes Emmitt Crawford, Apollo's director of public relations. He acknowledges that the graphics were flat, little more than a box flinging pellets at a small saucer. To make matters worse, a high percentage of the cartridges had to be recalled due to image roll. But Skeet Shoot managed to cash in on the lucrative Christmas buying season and, more important, made dealers and consumers alike aware of the new company.
One month after the inauspicious debut of Skeet Shoot, the company released the better-conceived, more topical Spacechase. This time, both the graphics and subject were worth writing home about. As commander of three Mark 16 starcruisers, the player is required to beat back alien raiders who, materializing from hyperspace, mercilessly fire neutron missiles and heat-seeking proton missiles as they attack from all sides. With its scrolling planet surface and fast-paced action, Spacechase was an immediate hit. Crawford says it's presently back-ordered to the tune of nearly 200,000 cartridges “and,” he marvels, “even Skeet Shoot is still hanging in there,” with several thousand orders waiting to be filled as Apollo's production schedule allows.
Today, Apollo has a staff of five programmers plus thirty production people to handle cartridge assembly. To ensure continued prosperity, Apollo has endowed the four new games with an individualistic blend of mystery, fantasy, and even humor, traits which are helping them to secure a following in the marketplace. They plan to release a new game every four to six weeks.
Space Cavern is the trendiest of the games, the saga of an astronaut on a mission to a mysterious planet in a remote quadrant of the galaxy. The pioneer's assignment is to chart a maze-like cave inhabited by a monstrous hydra whose tentacles generate twenty million electron volts. Iridescent eyes appear throughout the game, but the player can never tell until seconds before contact which pair of eyes will materialize into the deadly monster. The space explorer is armed with a pistol which can shoot horizontally and vertically. affording full protection from two aerial nasties and one ground-based creature. A particularly impressive touch is the way the astronaut's skeleton lights up whenever the monster strikes, after which the explorer demolecularizes, ending the game as a pile of dust.
Lochjaw is a slightly more out-of-the-ordinary game, as players send their divers to a Spanish galleon which lies at the bottom of a seabed. As the waters ripple around them, colors trickling through, the divers must enter a yawning hole in the ship and recover a fortune in diamonds, one gem at a time. This is accomplished by navigating through a maze—the one tired motif in this excellent game—where in due course the diver is assaulted by a pair of sharks as well as a saurian relative of the beast from Loch Ness. The sharks travel at random, one considerably faster than the other, while the sea serpent has the capacity to home in on and pursue the diver. To thwart the animals, the diver can have at them with a shark gun or crawl into a shark cage. There is also a cave which acts like a dimensional warp, enabling divers to escape any predator. However, like the hyperspace mode in Asteroids or Astrosmash, there is no way of knowing exactly where the cave will hurl you. Chances are good that it will bear you from one danger quite literally into the jaws of another.
Unquestionably the most charming of Apollo's new games is Lost Luggage. It would not be inaccurate to dub this the first “comedy cartridge”: the player is at an airport as the suitcases arrive via conveyor belt. Suddenly, the luggage flies from the carousel and the player must catch it. Miss the suitcase and it opens, spilling all manner of personal effects over the ground.
Last of the current Apollo releases is Racquetball, a faithful recreation of the indoor sport seen from the players' point of view rather than the sidelines.
Apollo maintains that these games barely hint at the novel cartridges and accoutrements soon to appear. Roper informed this magazine that six additional cartridges will be released by December. “No licenses,” he reports, “all our own ideas,” and Apollo has already made available the first personalized cartridge. For $99.95, you can have Space Chase programmed [ad] so that your initials will flash on the screen when the mother ship is destroyed. It's ideal for businesses, which Crawford indicates have been their biggest client. using the electronically embossed games as premiums. Apollo also expects to release software for Intellivision consoles by mid-1983, and may yet enter the videocassette field using the medium for educational purposes. “We've even briefly considered using videocassettes to offer strategies for our games,” Crawford notes. Preparing games for computers is another of Apollos short-range objectives, though they have no plans to enter the arcade field.
The people at Apollo realize they've got to burn the midnight oil if they're going to compete with the giants like Atari and Coleco. Crawford admits the battle will be a rough one, but feels up to the challenge. “We're in good shape because we got in ahead of a number of companies. Even though they're conglomerates and pretty stiff competition creatively, we think there's ample room for everybody. Besides,” he observes, “what you need in this business is more than a big budget. You have to have games that people want, and we think we've got just that.”
Text from The Video Game Update (Aug 82)
The Atari version of DONKEY KONG has just released while the Intellivision version will not ship until the end of August.
. . . .
M NETWORK from Mattel (Atari-compatible) has just shipped ASTRO-BLAST, FOOTBALL, BASEBALL (see reviews this issue), and SPACE ATTACK, a space action game which pits you against computer-controlled alien invaders.
. . . .
TIGERVISION (Atari-compatible) Two games scheduled for release around August 1 (we have no experience with this company so cannot attest as to whether they tend to meet their release schedules). The first is KING KONG (retail 31.95), in a scenario reminiscent of Donkey Kong, but, from what we saw at the Summer Show, it does not begin to measure up to either the arcade version or the Coleco version of Donkey Kong. Their other new release is THRESHOLD, also scheduled for August 1 (retail 22.95) which has you flying a space attack ship through the galaxy encountering different enemy forces. Watch for reviews of these games in the next newsletter.
September 1982
Star Raiders (Atari) ✔
September release according to Atari Age order form, page 9 of Atari Age V1nN3, A.N.A.L.O.G., The Video Game Update, and newspaper ads.
[Star Raiders was reviewed in the October 1982 issue of The Video Game Update newsletter.]
G-CO17039-60 REV. 1 — July 1982 — SPC — There is a 1 on a tiny flap by itself.
Newspaper: Lou Hudson (Oct 9, 82)
How To Win At Home Video Games (82 p63)
Star Raiders Training Manual - JoyStik (Apr 83 p26)
The Clone Game Challenge - Electronic Fun (Apr 83 p70)
Newspaper: Stаr Rаiders (Aug 22, 82)
Newspaper: Stаr Rаiders NEWEST RELEASE (Sep 2, 82)
Newspaper: Stаr Rаiders $24.99 (Sep 5, 82)
Newspaper: Stаr Rаiders $34 (Sep 5, 82)
Newspaper: Stаr Rаiders $29.99 (Sep 9, 82)
Newspaper: Stаr Rаiders $29.95 (Sep 11, 82)
Newspaper: Stаr Rаiders $35.97 (Sep 12, 82)
Newspaper: Stаr Rаiders IN STOCK (Sep 12, 82)
Newspaper: Stаr Rаiders (Sep 16, 82)
Newspaper: Stаr Rаiders (Sep 16, 82)
Newspaper: Stаr Rаiders $34.99 (Sep 16, 82)
Newspaper: Stаr Rаiders $29.99 (Sep 17, 82)
Newspaper: Stаr Rаiders $29.88 (Sep 19, 82)
Newspaper: Stаr Rаiders $25.99 (Sep 19, 82)
Newspaper: Stаr Rаiders $39.95 (Sep 20, 82)
Newspaper: Stаr Rаiders $32.95 (Sep 22, 82)
Newspaper: Stаr Rаiders $36.97 (Sep 23, 82)
Late September/October 1982
October release according to Activisions newsletter. September release according to the Activision catalog and The Video Game Update. Going by newspaper ads, it looks like Megamania was a late September release in some areas and an October release in other places.
[Megamania was reviewed in the September 1982 issue of The Video Game Update newsletter.]
Newspaper: Megamania and Pitfall (Jul 31, 82)
Newspaper: Fall Home Video Games (Oct 22, 82)
Newspaper: Lou Hudson (Nov 6, 82)
How To Win At Home Video Games (82 p52)
Be A Home Videogame Superstar (82 p186)
Newspaper: Megаmania $21.95 (Sep 26, 82)
Newspaper: Megаmania (Sep 29, 82)
Newspaper: Megаmania $24.99 (Sep 30, 82)
Newspaper: Megаmania $24.95 (Sep 30, 82)
Newspaper: Megаmania (Sep 30, 82)
Newspaper: Megаmania JUST IN (Oct 2, 82)
Newspaper: Megаmania $18.97 (Oct 3, 82)
Newspaper: Megаmania $24.99 (Oct 3, 82)
Newspaper: Megаmania $20.99 (Oct 3, 82)
Newspaper: Megаmania $24.99 (Oct 6, 82)
Newspaper: Megаmania $27.97 (Oct 6, 82)
Newspaper: Megаmania $25.88 (Oct 6, 82)
Newspaper: Megаmania $22.95 (Oct 6, 82)
Newspaper: Megаmania $30 (Oct 7, 82)
Newspaper: Megаmania $30 (Oct 7, 82)
Newspaper: Megаmania $26.88 (Oct 7, 82)
Newspaper: Megаmania (Oct 7, 82)
Newspaper: Megаmania (Oct 14, 82)
September 1982
Pitfall! (Activision) ✔
September release according to Activisions (newsletter), Activision catalog, and newspaper ads.
The ‘laser’ from Laser Blast was used to create the vine in Pitfall.
Newspaper: Megamania and Pitfall (Jul 31, 82)
Newspaper: Fall Home Video Games (Oct 22, 82)
Arcade Express (Aug 30, 82 p6)
Newspaper: Lou Hudson (Oct 9, 82)
Radio Electronics (Jun 83 p76)
How To Win At Home Video Games (82 p40)
Be A Home Videogame Superstar (82 p197)
Staying Power - Radio Electronics (Nov 83 p12)
Newspaper: Pitfall Celebrity [Part 1] (Apr 24, 1983)
Newspaper: Pitfall Celebrity [Part 2] (Apr 24, 1983)
Meet David Crane: Video Games Guru - Hi-Res (Jan 84 p46)
Newspaper: Pіtfall $19.97 (Sep 2, 82)
Newspaper: Pіtfall $27.97 (Sep 5, 82)
Newspaper: Pіtfall $30 (Sep 9, 82)
Newspaper: Pіtfall $28 (Sep 9, 82)
Newspaper: Pіtfall $26.88 (Sep 9, 82)
Newspaper: Pіtfall NEW (Sep 12, 82)
Newspaper: Pіtfall NEW (Sep 16, 82)
Newspaper: Pіtfall (Sep 16, 82)
Newspaper: Pіtfall $21.95 (Sep 26, 82)
Newspaper: Pіtfall $24.99 (Sep 30, 82)
Newspaper: Pіtfall $24.95 (Sep 30, 82)
DON'T BE ANOTHER STATISTIC! - Electronic Games (Oct 82)
September 1982
Infiltrate (Apollo) ✔
Best Guess using info from The Video Game Update and newspaper ads.
[Infiltrate was reviewed in the September 1982 issue of The Video Game Update newsletter.]
The Video Game Update (Sep 82)
Apollo has just announced several new Atari-compatible cartridges which they will be shipping shortly. The first, INFILTRATE, is reviewed in this issue. It's scheduled for release at any moment.
Arcade Express (Sep 26, 82 p7)
Newspaper: Lou Hudson (Oct 9, 82)
Electronic Games 1983 Software Encyclopedia (83 p25)
Trouble in a Video Game Company - Electronic Fun (Jan 83 p60)
Newspaper: Infіltrate $21.88 (Aug 29, 82)
Newspaper: Infіltrate $21.99 (Sep 1, 82)
Newspaper: Infіltrate NEW (Sep 2, 82)
Newspaper: Infіltrate (Sep 10, 82)
Newspaper: Infіltrate $20.98 (Sep 10, 82)
Newspaper: Infіltrate $21.99 (Sep 26, 82)
Newspaper: Infіltrate $21.99 (Oct 3, 82)
September 1982
Best Guess using info from The Video Game Update and newspaper ads.
[Venture was reviewed in the October 1982 issue of The Video Game Update newsletter.]
Columbia Video Game Club Magazine (N4, N5, N6 83)
Newspaper: Vеnture $28.95 (Aug 29, 82)
Newspaper: Vеnture $29.97 (Sep 5, 82)
Newspaper: Vеnture $29.99 (Sep 9, 82)
Newspaper: Vеnture $29.97 (Sep 12, 82)
Newspaper: Vеnture NEW! IN STOCK! (Sep 12, 82)
Newspaper: Vеnture (Sep 16, 82)
Newspaper: Vеnture $29.95 (Sep 30, 82)
Newspaper: Vеnture (Oct 23, 82)
Newspaper: Vеnture $25.99 (Oct 24, 82)
September 1982
Room of Doom (CommaVid) ≈ ✔
Best guess. Room of Doom was in newspaper ads starting near the end of August, so this entry probably belongs in September.
[Room of Doom was reviewed in the October 1982 issue of The Video Game Update newsletter.]
Arcade Express (Oct 24, 82 p6)
Video & Arcade Games (Spring 83 p67)
How To Win At Home Video Games (82 p61)
Electronic Games 1983 Software Encyclopedia (83 p30)
Columbia Video Game Club Magazine (N4 83)
Newspaper: Roоm Doоm (Aug 20, 82)
Newspaper: Roоm Doоm JUST ARRIVED! (Aug 21, 82)
Newspaper: Roоm Doоm $22.95 (Sep 3, 82)
Newspaper: Roоm Doоm $20.99 (Sep 26, 82)
Newspaper: Roоm Doоm $26.88 (Oct 1, 82)
Newspaper: Roоm Doоm $20.99 (Oct 3, 82)
Newspaper: Roоm Doоm $20.99 (Oct 24, 82)
Newspaper: Roоm Doоm $19.98 (Oct 29, 82)
September 1982
Best Guess using info from The Video Game Update and newspaper ads.
[Armor Ambush was reviewed in the January 1983 issue of The Video Game Update newsletter.]
First Use in Commerce Date: Jun 4, 82
Electronic Games 1983 Software Encyclopedia (83 p16)
The Strategic Scenario - Video and Computer Gaming Illustrated (Jan 84 p62)
Newspaper: Armоr Ambuѕh $27.95 (Sep 15, 82)
Newspaper: Armоr Ambuѕh (Sep 16, 82)
Newspaper: Armоr Ambuѕh $27.97 (Sep 24, 82)
Newspaper: Armоr Ambuѕh $24.95 (Sep 26, 82)
Newspaper: Armоr Ambuѕh (Sep 29, 82)
September 1982
Lock 'N' Chase (M Network) ≈ ✔
Best Guess based on newspaper ads. TARGET was selling Lock 'N' Chase In August, so it looks like some people could buy the game in August.
[Lock 'N' Chase was reviewed in the October issue of The Video Game Update newsletter.]
Intellivision Meets Atari - Arcade Express (Aug 15, 82 p2)
M Network Overcomes Launching Problems - Arcade Express (Sep 26, 82 p1)
Newspaper: Lou Hudson (Oct 9, 82)
Arcade Express (Jan 16, 83 p7)
Video & Arcade Games (Fall 83 p44)
Electronic Games 1983 Software Encyclopedia (83 p26)
Book of Atari Software (83 p323)
Newspaper: Lоck Chаse $33.99 (Aug 19, 82)
Newspaper: Lоck Chаse (Sep 2, 82)
Newspaper: Lоck Chаse $29.56 (Sep 15, 82)
Newspaper: Lоck Chаse $29.50 (Sep 29, 82)
Newspaper: Lоck Chаse (Sep 29, 82)
September 1982
Best Guess. Submarine Commander was a Sears exclusive. The earliest mention of Submarine Commander in a newspaper ad that I've found so far is from September 5, 1982. That's why this entry is in September for now.
Newspaper: Submаrine Commаnder $19.99 (Sep 5, 82)
Newspaper: Submаrine Commаnder (Oct 29, 82)
Newspaper: Submаrine Commаnder $18.88 (Nov 16, 82)
Newspaper: Submаrine Commаnder $24.99 (Dec 12, 82)
Newspaper: Submаrine Commаnder $15.99 (May 29, 83)
Newspaper: Submаrine Commаnder $14.99 (Aug 7, 83)
Newspaper: Submаrine Commаnder $9.99 (Dec 7, 83)
Newspaper: Submаrine Commаnder $9.99 (Dec 18, 83)
September 1982
Communist Mutants From Space (Starpath) ✔
Best Guess. Communist Mutants From Space was in newspaper ads starting in early September.
[Communist Mutants From Space was reviewed in the October 1982 issue of The Video Game Update newsletter.]
First Use in Commerce Date: Jun 3, 82
Newspaper: Fall Home Video Games (Oct 22, 82)
Electronic Games 1983 Software Encyclopedia (83 p22)
My Life Among the Communist Mutants - Electronic Fun (Feb 83 p21)
Put Muscle Into the Atari VCS - Electronic Games (Nov 82 p96)
Supercharged Communist Mutants - JoyStik (Nov 82 p62)
Beefing Up the Old Workhorse - JoyStik (Jan 83 p48)
The Supercharger Is Not a Communist Plot - Video Games (Feb 83 p92)
Starpath, Santa Clara - JoyStik (Apr 83 p23)
New Life for Your Atari 2600 - Radio Electronics (Apr 83 p14)
Player's Choice - BLIP (May 83 p26)
Starpath's Supercharger - Radio Electronics (Jun 83 p65)
Starpath Supercharger - Videogaming (Jun 83 p69)
Supercharge Now! - Vidiot (Aug/Sep 83)
Newspaper: Cоmmunist Mutаnts $15.99 (Sep 3, 82)
Newspaper: Cоmmunist Mutаnts $14.95 (Sep 18, 82)
Newspaper: Cоmmunist Mutаnts $14.95 (Sep 19, 82)
Newspaper: Cоmmunist Mutаnts $14.95 (Oct 6, 82)
September 1982
Best Guess. Fireball was in newspaper ads starting in early September.
[Fireball was reviewed in the October 1982 issue of The Video Game Update newsletter.]
Atari Compendium has a General Radio newspaper ad that includes Fireball from November 4, 1982.
Newspaper: Fall Home Video Games (Oct 22, 82)
Newspaper: Rick Vogt (Jul 23, 83)
Electronic Games 1983 Software Encyclopedia (83 p24)
Newspaper: Fіreball $15.99 (Sep 3, 82)
Newspaper: Fіreball $14.95 (Sep 18, 82)
Newspaper: Fіreball $14.95 (Sep 19, 82)
Newspaper: Fіreball $14.95 (Oct 6, 82)
September 1982
Best Guess. Phaser Patrol was in newspaper ads starting in early September. (Phaser Patrol came with the Supercharger.)
[Phaser Patrol was reviewed in the October 1982 issue of The Video Game Update newsletter.]
Newspaper: Fall Home Video Games (Oct 22, 82)
Newspaper: Lou Hudson (Nov 20, 82)
Video & Arcade Games (Spring 83 p71)
Electronic Games 1983 Software Encyclopedia (83 p28)
Newspaper: Phаser Pаtrol (Sep 3, 82)
Newspaper: Phаser Pаtrol (Sep 19, 82)
Newspaper: Phаser Pаtrol (Oct 6, 82)
Enter the Next Dimension - Electronic Games (Oct 82)
Enter the Next Dimension - Electronic Games (Nov 82)
September 1982
Suicide Mission (Starpath/formerly Arcadia) ✔
Best Guess. Suicide Mission was in newspaper ads starting in early September.
[Suicide Mission was reviewed in the December 1982 issue of The Video Game Update newsletter.]
Newspaper: Fall Home Video Games (Oct 22, 82)
Electronic Games 1983 Software Encyclopedia (83 p32)
Newspaper: Suicіde Mіssion $15.99 (Sep 3, 82)
Newspaper: Suicіde Mіssion $14.95 (Sep 18, 82)
Newspaper: Suicіde Mіssion $14.95 (Sep 19, 82)
Newspaper: Suicіde Mіssion $14.95 (Oct 6, 82)
September 1982
Threshold (Tigervision) ✔
Best Guess using info from The Video Game Update, Video Games Player and newspaper ads.
[Threshold was reviewed in the September 1982 issue of The Video Game Update newsletter.]
Arcade Express (Oct 24, 82 p7)
Certificate of Merit - Electronic Games (Jan 83 p23)
Electronic Games (Feb 83 p107)
Electronic Games 1983 Software Encyclopedia (83 p33)
Newspaper: Threshоld (Aug 26, 82)
Newspaper: Threshоld (Sep 2, 82)
Newspaper: Threshоld $16.95 (Sep 5, 82)
Newspaper: Threshоld $19.95 (Sep 10, 82)
Newspaper: Threshоld NEW (Sep 12, 82)
Newspaper: Threshоld $17.97 (Sep 24, 82)
Newspaper: Threshоld $17.99 (Sep 26, 82)
We Couldn't Have Said It Better - Electronic Games (Jan 83)
September 1982
“Mickey” by Toni Basil (Sep 4) YT 65%
“Heart Attack” by Olivia Newton-John (Sep 4) YT 55%
“Gypsy” by Fleetwood Mac (Sep 4) YT
“The Look Of Love” by ABC (Sep 11) YT
“Heartlight” by Neil Diamond (Sep 11) YT
“I Get Excited” by Rick Springfield (Sep 11) YT
“What About Me” by Moving Pictures (Sep 18) YT
“Rock This Town” by Stray Cats (Sep 18) YT 85%
“I'm So Excited” by Pointer Sisters (Sep 18) YT
“Pressure” by Billy Joel (Sep 25) YT 90%
“Love Me Tomorrow” by Chicago (Sep 25) YT 65%
“On The Wings Of Love” by Jeffrey Osborne (Sep 25) YT
September 1982
The Powers Of Matthew Star NBC (Sep 17) YT IMDb WP
The Gary Coleman Show NBC (Sep 18) YT IMDb WP
Gilligan's Planet CBS (Sep 18) YT IMDb WP
Meatballs & Spaghetti CBS (Sep 18) YT IMDb WP
Pandamonium CBS (Sep 18) YT IMDb WP
Seven Brides for Seven Brothers CBS (Sep 19) YT IMDb WP
Child's Play CBS (Sep 20) YT IMDb WP [Game Show]
Family Ties NBC (Sep 22) YT IMDb WP
Tales Of The Gold Monkey ABC (Sep 22) YT IMDb WP
Bring ‘Em Back Alive CBS (Sep 24) YT IMDb WP
The Little Rascals ABC (Sep 25) YT IMDb WP
Mork & Mindy/Laverne & Shirley/Fonz Hour ABC (Sep 25) YT IMDb WP
Pac-Man ABC (Sep 25) YT IMDb WP
The Scooby & Scrappy-Doo/Puppy Hour ABC (Sep 25) YT IMDb WP
Silver Spoons NBC (Sep 25) YT IMDb WP
At the Movies with Siskel and Ebert Syndication (Sep 26) YT IMDb WP
Gloria CBS (Sep 26) YT IMDb WP
Knight Rider NBC (Sep 26) YT IMDb WP
Matt Houston ABC (Sep 26) YT IMDb WP
September 1982
Text from Billboard (Sep 11, 82, page 3)
Billboard Debuts Vid Game Chart
Starting this issue is Billboard's Video Games chart, designed to help record and tape dealers as well as video retailers track the fastest-growing items at retail, as indicated by the Electronic Industries Assn., which reports sales to dealers nearly doubling each year.
Text from Arcade Express (Sep 12, 82)
PAC-MAN GOBBLES UP SATURDAY T.V.
“Pac-Man”, an animated television series, will air on September 25, on ABC's Saturday morning children's schedule. “Pac-Man” will also star in a prime time kiddy holiday special later this year.
The series, long on cute but probably as sensible as most Saturday cartoons, features Pac-Man, Ms. Pac, and Pac-Baby. They live in Pac-land along with the family dog, Chomp Chomp, and Sour Puss, a sly cat. This utopia is threatened by Mezmaron, a meanie who wants all the power pellet trees in the forest. Mezmaron's assistants are the ghost monsters Inky, Blinky, Pinky and Clyde, along with a girl-ghost named Sue.
PARKER BROTHERS ROLLS NEW GAMES
The “Monopoly Playmaster” enhances electronically America's favorite boardgame with lights, sounds and visual effects. The Playmaster is said to speed up the game by managing dice rolls, sales and repurchases of property, and bank loans.
A two-week ad blitz started August 23 introduced the “Monopoly Playmaster” in New York and Chicago, with a series of 10-second spots highlighting the features of the unit.
Meanwhile, “Frogger”, Parker Bros.' latest cartridge for use with the Atari VCS, has hopped into the stores, and “Spiderman” will be swinging along sometime in November.
“EMPIRE” BIG HIT
Parker Brothers projects $30-million in retail sales of “The Empire Strikes Back” videogame cartridge in its first year. The cartridge, usable on the Atari VCS, will be followed next year by another Star Wars Saga game. The next George Lucas movie in the epic adventure, “Revenge of the Jedi”, will be released in May of 1983. The next Parker Bros. game will coincide with the debut of the 20th Century Fox movie.
VIDEOGAMES GO TO THE MOVIES
Three videogame manufacturers benefited from record movie attendances during the 1982 summer season. Activision, Mattel and Atari all bought cinema commercial packages from Screenvision, which has 1600 theater affiliates nationwide.
Activision started it, with ads for “Chopper Command” and “Star Master”. Mattel ordered four weeks of two-minute “Tron” ads, run at theaters playing the Disney feature. Atari followed with ads for “Dig Dug”, and will begin movie promotions of “Yars' Revenge” in October.
Text from Arcade Express (Sep 26, 82)
M-NETWORK OVERCOMES LAUNCHING PROBLEMS
Retailers found a high number of defective cartridges among the initial shipment of M-Network, Mattel's new series of games for the Atari VCS. Seems the games couldn't be properly inserted into the VCS because of poor construction of the casing. To get them to play, some people cracked open the plastic housing and plugged the program board directly into the entry slot by hand.
Arcade Express talked with Mike Doepke, Mattel's Director of Marketing of M-Network. Mike explained there had been a problem in production of the housing and some batches were shipped before the flaw was corrected. Most of the faulty cartridges went to West Coast dealers who have since been advised by Mattel to return them, so hopefully most are now out of circulation. But anyone who buys a defective game should return it to the retailer or direct to Mattel.
In addition to the problem with the casing, a small portion of the initial ROMS were incompatible with older models of the Atari VCS. Once Mattel engineers realized this, they made the small modification necessary to make the games playable. But a few of the non-compatible games are in circulation. These won't play on the VCS with the difficulty switch in the front of the console, and should be exchanged for playable versions.
The problems were confined to the first four M-Network games, “Astroblast”, “Space Attack”, “Super Challenge Baseball” and “Super Challenge Football”.
Arcadia is the company marketing the Supercharger for the Atari VCS, a RAM cart that increases the graphic resolution capabilities of the VCS, making possible games that move more objects on the screen simultaneously. And the Arcadia 2001 is a new videogame system from Emerson Radio Corp. Names too close for comfort, you think? Well, so did they, and Arcadia is going to have to come up with a new moniker. Seems that the Emerson Arcadia 2001 beat the Supercharger onto the retail shelves, and they have first dibs. No word yet on the new name, but watch this space.
SPECTRAVISION ANNOUNCES NEW CARTRIDGES FOR VCS
Spectravision doubled its line of game cartridges for the Atari VCS with the shipment in September of two more titles. “The Challenge of Nexar” is an arcade-style action game that Spectravision's President Josh Kalter says requires constant movement by the arcader. “You can't sit still in this game,” says Kalter. “It's really different.” The other addition to the line is “Tape Worm”. The slithery creature crawls around the screen eating vegetarian prizes while avoiding spiders and birds.
In a unique marketing move, Data Age will provide distributors and retailers with free records to pass out to customers on Sept. 17, 1982. On that date, 3½ minute stereo discs will be given away by dealers to promote the Data Age product line. Data Age has 5 videogames: “Sssnake”, “Warplock”, “Airlock”, “Bugs”, and “Encounter at L-5”. Elements of each game are contained in the record produced by Craig Hundley, creator of special electronic music for films such as “Star Trek: The Movie”, “The Black Hole”, “Firefox”, and others. The disc, called “Mindscape”, is said to “blend the imagery and action of Data Age's first five videogames”
TIRES, PICKLES STAR IN TELESYS PROMOTIONS
Telesys has found a new way to attract attention. This fall, the company is sending boxes of used tires to hundreds of game distributors. Each tire is attached to a note saying, “Enclosed is a 3000-pound gorilla's favorite toy which he has just noticed is missing.” The tires, ranging from Toyota to truck-size, introduce “CocoNuts”, a game for the Atari VCS which calls on the gamer to avoid thrown nuts with a little help from the gorilla.
Telesys heralded its own entry into the game industry by mailing large satin purple pickles to distributors. The pickles went with “Fast Food”, its first VCS-compatible cartridge. Arcaders feed a gobbling mouth acres of burgers, popsickles, shakes, and, of course, pickles.
The third game in the Telesys line, which a company spokesman describes as “non-violent, with broad appeal” is “Cosmic Creeps”. Earth is threatened by meanies, and the gamer must get to the space station and hold back the baddies while civilization escapes the doomed planet. All three games should be in the stores by the end of this month.
Text from The Video Game Update (Sep 82)
Availability Update
(Based on projected release dates by manufacturers. May change without notice.)
Beany Bopper (Fox)
China Syndrome (Spectravision)
Cosmic Avenger (Coleco) [unreleased]
Cross Fire (Spectravision) [renamed Cross Force]
Deadly Duck (Fox)
Fast Eddie (Fox)
Final Approach (Apollo)
Firefighter (Imagic) [Aug 82]
Guardian (Apollo)
Megamania (Activision) [late Sep/Oct 82]
Pitfall (Activision)
Riddle Of The Sphinx (Imagic) [August or September 1982]
Star Raiders (Atari)
Tank Battle (M Network) [probably a working title for Armor Ambush]
Tapeworm (Spectravision)
Venture (Coleco)
Wabbit (Apollo)
Worm War I (Fox)
Note: Any program noted with an “x” indicates it has shipped prior to our going to print. May not be in national distribution yet, however.
. . . .
Arcadia Corp. [Starpath]
Arcadia Corp. is introducing the SUPERCHARGER, a hardware unit for use with Atari's 2600 VCS. It's described as a unit which increases memory capability from 128 bytes to 6272 bytes, which expands its ability for graphic resolution, playfield complexity and game options. The SUPERCHARGER is inserted into the Atari system like a cartridge and has a cable which plugs into a standard audio cassette recorder. Included with the SUPERCHARGER is one game cassette, PHASER PATROL (retail $69.95). Other game cassettes planned for initial release are FIREBALL, SUICIDE MISSION, and COMMUNIST MUTANTS FROM SPACE (all sugg. retail of $14.95). Planned for October are 2 other cassettes, LABYRINTH [Escape From the Mindmaster] and EXCALIBUR [Dragonstomper]. The SUPERCHARGER will be found at a major department stores and other chains such as Zodys through 1982 and will start distribution to specialty video stores in 1983. Plans call for release of 3 cassettes per quarter.
October 1982
October release according to Atari Age order form, ‘82 In Review from AA V1n4, The Video Game Update and newspaper ads.
[RealSports Baseball was reviewed in the December 1982 issue of The Video Game Update newsletter.]
Newspaper: Michael Blanchet (Oct 10, 82)
Book of Atari Software (Winter Supplement 83 p82)
Newspaper: RеalSports Basеball $20.80 (Oct 3, 82)
Newspaper: RеalSports Basеball $20.99 (Oct 17, 82)
Newspaper: RеalSports Basеball $22.50 (Oct 28, 82)
Newspaper: RеalSports Basеball $18.95 (Oct 29, 82)
Newspaper: RеalSports Basеball $18.15 (Oct 29, 82)
Newspaper: RеalSports Basеball $21.95 (Nov 4, 82)
Newspaper: RеalSports Basеball $20.95 (Nov 5, 82)
Newspaper: RеalSports Basеball $27.88 (Nov 10, 82)
Newspaper: RеalSports Basеball $18.88 (Nov 11, 82)
Newspaper: RеalSports Basеball $20.50 (Nov 12, 82)
Newspaper: RеalSports Basеball $18.88 (Nov 15, 82)
Newspaper: RеalSports Basеball $19.95 (Nov 25, 82)
October 1982
RealSports Volleyball (Atari) ✔
October release according to Atari Age order form, ‘82 In Review from AA V1n4, and newspaper ads.
Newspaper: Michael Blanchet (Oct 10, 82)
Book of Atari Software (Winter Supplement 83 p83)
How To Win At Home Video Games (82 p55)
Newspaper: RеalSports Vollеyball $20.77 (Oct 6, 82)
Newspaper: RеalSports Vollеyball $19.95 (Oct 17, 82)
Newspaper: RеalSports Vollеyball $22.50 (Oct 28, 82)
Newspaper: RеalSports Vollеyball $18.15 (Oct 29, 82)
Newspaper: RеalSports Vollеyball $18.88 (Nov 15, 82)
Newspaper: RеalSports Vollеyball (Nov 21, 82)
October 1982
SwordQuest EarthWorld (Atari) ✔
October release according to Atari Age order form, ‘82 In Review from AA V1n4, The Video Game Update, Video Games Player, and newspaper ads.
[SwordQuest EarthWorld was reviewed in the October 1982 issue of The Video Game Update newsletter.]
Newspaper: Michael Blanchet (Oct 10, 82)
Arcade Express (Oct 10, 82 p6)
Newspaper: EarthWоrld $34.95 (Oct 14, 82)
Newspaper: EarthWоrld $28.99 (Oct 17, 82)
Newspaper: EarthWоrld NEW (Oct 28, 82)
Newspaper: EarthWоrld $29.95 (Oct 28, 82)
Newspaper: EarthWоrld $29.95 (Oct 29, 82)
Newspaper: EarthWоrld $27.88 (Oct 31, 82)
Newspaper: EarthWоrld $27.88 (Nov 10, 82)
Newspaper: EarthWоrld $25.99 (Nov 11, 82)
Newspaper: EarthWоrld $27.95 (Nov 25, 82)
October 1982
Final Approach (Apollo) ✔
Best Guess using info from The Video Game Update and newspaper ads. Final Approach was in newspaper ads starting in late October 1982, so it appears that this entry belongs in October.
[Final Approach was reviewed in the November 1982 issue of The Video Game Update newsletter.]
Newspaper: Rawson Stovall (Oct 10, 82)
According to information I received from Patrick Roper, president of Games by Apollo, six new games will be released by October. Those games are Final Approach, Guardian, Kyphus, Lavarinth, Wabbit, and Vat's Incredible.
Newspaper: Finаl Approаch $27.95 (Oct 7, 82)
Newspaper: Finаl Approаch JUST IN! (Oct 23, 82)
Newspaper: Finаl Approаch $21.99 (Oct 24, 82)
Newspaper: Finаl Approаch $24.95 (Oct 31, 82)
Newspaper: Finаl Approаch $24.95 (Nov 4, 82)
October 1982
Best Guess using info from The Video Game Update and newspaper ads. Wabbit was in newspaper ads starting in late October 1982.
[Wabbit was reviewed in the November 1982 issue of The Video Game Update newsletter.]
Newspaper: Rawson Stovall (Oct 10, 82)
According to information I received from Patrick Roper, president of Games by Apollo, six new games will be released by October. Those games are Final Approach, Guardian, Kyphus, Lavarinth, Wabbit, and Vat's Incredible.
Arcade Express (Sep 26, 82 p1)
Games by Apollo Tumbles Back to Earth - Video Games (Mar 83 p12)
Newspaper: Wаbbit $21.99 (Oct 20, 82)
Newspaper: Wаbbit (Oct 22, 82)
Newspaper: Wаbbit (Oct 23, 82)
Newspaper: Wаbbit $21.99 (Oct 24, 82)
Newspaper: Wаbbit $24.95 (Oct 31, 82)
Newspaper: Wаbbit $24.95 (Nov 4, 82)
October 1982
Mouse Trap (Coleco) ✔
Best Guess using info from The Video Game Update and newspaper ads.
[Mouse Trap was reviewed in the November 1982 issue of The Video Game Update newsletter.]
Electronic Games 1983 Software Encyclopedia (83 p27)
Columbia Video Game Club Magazine (N4, N5, N6, N7 83)
Newspaper: Mоuse Trаp $27 (Oct 3, 82)
Newspaper: Mоuse Trаp $29.56 (Oct 6, 82)
Newspaper: Mоuse Trаp (Oct 17, 82)
Newspaper: Mоuse Trаp $27.95 (Oct 17, 82)
Newspaper: Mоuse Trаp (Oct 23, 82)
Newspaper: Mоuse Trаp $26.99 (Oct 24, 82)
October 1982
Best Guess using info from The Video Game Update, Billboard, Billboard, Videogaming, and newspaper ads. Going by newspaper ads, it looks like Airlock was released in late October. Atari CES Review (1982) said that Airlock would be one of the 5 games available in October.
[Airlock was reviewed in the October 1982 issue of The Video Game Update newsletter.]
First Use in Commerce Date: Jul 27, 82
Data Age Gives Free Record - Arcade Express (Sep 26, 82)
Newspaper: Video Game Give Aways (Oct 17, 82)
Newspaper: Fall Home Video Games (Oct 22, 82)
Faded Glory - Video Games (Sep 83 p18)
Newspaper: Aіrlock $28.99 (Oct 21, 82)
Newspaper: Aіrlock (Oct 22, 82)
Newspaper: Aіrlock $25.95 (Oct 29, 82)
Newspaper: Aіrlock $22.95 (Oct 23, 82)
Newspaper: Aіrlock $21.99 (Oct 24, 82)
Newspaper: Aіrlock (Nov 3, 82)
Newspaper: Aіrlock $17.88 (Nov 7, 82)
Newspaper: Aіrlock (Nov 11, 82)
October 1982
Best Guess using info from The Video Game Update, Billboard, Billboard, Videogaming, and newspaper ads. Going by newspaper ads, it looks like Bugs was released in late October. Atari CES Review (1982) said that Survival Run would be one of the 5 games available in October, but it looks like they released Bugs instead.
[Bugs was reviewed in the October 1982 issue of The Video Game Update newsletter.]
First Use in Commerce Date: Jul 27, 82
Data Age Gives Free Record - Arcade Express (Sep 26, 82)
Newspaper: Video Game Give Aways (Oct 17, 82)
Newspaper: Fall Home Video Games (Oct 22, 82)
Arcade Express (Nov 21, 82 p6)
Electronic Games 1983 Software Encyclopedia (83 p20)
Faded Glory - Video Games (Sep 83 p18)
Newspaper: Bugѕ $28.99 (Oct 21, 82)
Newspaper: Bugѕ $25.95 (Oct 29, 82)
Newspaper: Bugѕ (Nov 3, 82)
Newspaper: Bugѕ $17.88 (Nov 7, 82)
Newspaper: Bugѕ (Nov 11, 82)
October 1982
Best Guess using info from The Video Game Update, Billboard, Billboard, Videogaming, and newspaper ads. Going by newspaper ads, it looks like Encounter at L-5 was released in late October. Atari CES Review (1982) said that Encounter at L-5 would be one of the 5 games available in October.
[Encounter at L-5 was reviewed in the October 1982 issue of The Video Game Update newsletter.]
First Use in Commerce Date: Jul 27, 82
According to Videogaming (Feb 83 p8), Encounter at L-5 was originally going to be called Magalon Invasion.
Data Age Gives Free Record - Arcade Express (Sep 26, 82)
Newspaper: Video Game Give Aways (Oct 17, 82)
Newspaper: Fall Home Video Games (Oct 22, 82)
Electronic Games 1983 Software Encyclopedia (83 p23)
Faded Glory - Video Games (Sep 83 p18)
Newspaper: L-5 $28.99 (Oct 21, 82)
Newspaper: L-5 $25.95 each (Oct 29, 82)
Newspaper: L-5 $22.95 (Oct 23, 82)
Newspaper: L-5 $21.99 (Oct 24, 82)
Newspaper: L-5 (Nov 3, 82)
Newspaper: L-5 $17.88 (Nov 7, 82)
Newspaper: L-5 (Nov 11, 82)
October 1982
Best Guess using info from The Video Game Update, Billboard, Billboard, Videogaming, and newspaper ads. Going by newspaper ads, it looks like Sssnake was released in late October. Atari CES Review (1982) said that Sssnake would be one of the 5 games available in October.
[Sssnake was reviewed in the October 1982 issue of The Video Game Update newsletter.]
First Use in Commerce Date: Jul 27, 82
Data Age Gives Free Record - Arcade Express (Sep 26, 82)
Newspaper: Video Game Give Aways (Oct 17, 82)
Newspaper: Fall Home Video Games (Oct 22, 82)
Newspaper: Rick Vogt (Jun 18, 83)
Faded Glory - Video Games (Sep 83 p18)
Newspaper: Sssnаke $28.99 (Oct 21, 82)
Newspaper: Sssnаke (Oct 22, 82)
Newspaper: Sssnаke $25.95 (Oct 29, 82)
Newspaper: Sssnаke $22.95 (Oct 23, 82)
Newspaper: Sssnаke $21.99 (Oct 24, 82)
Newspaper: Sssnаke (Nov 3, 82)
Newspaper: Sssnаke $17.88 (Nov 7, 82)
Newspaper: Sssnаke (Nov 11, 82)
October 1982
Best Guess using info from The Video Game Update, Billboard, Billboard, Videogaming, and newspaper ads. Going by newspaper ads, it looks like Warplock was released in late October. Atari CES Review (1982) said that Warplock would be one of the 5 games available in October.
[Warplock was reviewed in the October 1982 issue of The Video Game Update newsletter.]
First Use in Commerce Date: Jul 27, 82
Data Age Gives Free Record - Arcade Express (Sep 26, 82)
Newspaper: Video Game Give Aways (Oct 17, 82)
Newspaper: Fall Home Video Games (Oct 22, 82)
Faded Glory - Video Games (Sep 83 p18)
Newspaper: Wаrplock $28.99 (Oct 21, 82)
Newspaper: Wаrplock $25.95 (Oct 29, 82)
Newspaper: Wаrplock $22.95 (Oct 23, 82)
Newspaper: Wаrplock $21.99 (Oct 24, 82)
Newspaper: Wаrplock (Nov 3, 82)
Newspaper: Wаrplock $17.88 (Nov 7, 82)
Newspaper: Wаrplock (Nov 11, 82)
October 1982
Beany Bopper (Fox, 20th Century) ✔
Best Guess. So far I've only found one newspaper ad claiming that Beany Bopper was available in September. The rest were in October, so this entry has been moved to October.
[Beany Bopper was reviewed in the November 1982 issue of The Video Game Update newsletter.]
First Use in Commerce Date: Jun 6, 82
Moving Toward the 21st Century with Fox Video Games - Video Games (Aug 83 p24)
Newspaper: Bеany Boppеr $27.99 (Sep 16, 82)
Newspaper: Bеany Boppеr (Oct 7, 82)
Newspaper: Bеany Boppеr $22.95 (Oct 17, 82)
Newspaper: Bеany Boppеr (Oct 23, 82)
Newspaper: Bеany Boppеr $27.95 (Oct 24, 82)
Newspaper: Bеany Boppеr $23.99 (Oct 28, 82)
October 1982
Deadly Duck (Fox, 20th Century) ✔
Best Guess. Going by newspaper ads, Deadly Duck didn't show up until October.
[Deadly Duck was reviewed in the November 1982 issue of The Video Game Update newsletter.]
First Use in Commerce Date: Jun 6, 82
Video & Arcade Games (Spring 83 p69)
Moving Toward the 21st Century with Fox Video Games - Video Games (Aug 83 p24)
Newspaper: Dеadly Duсk (Oct 7, 82)
Newspaper: Dеadly Duсk $19.95 (Oct 17, 82)
Newspaper: Dеadly Duсk (Oct 23, 82)
Newspaper: Dеadly Duсk $23.95 (Oct 24, 82)
Newspaper: Dеadly Duсk $23.99 (Oct 28, 82)
October 1982
Fast Eddie (Fox, 20th Century) ✔
Best Guess. Going by newspaper ads, Fast Eddie didn't show up until October.
[Fast Eddie was reviewed in the November 1982 issue of The Video Game Update newsletter.]
First Use in Commerce Date: Jun 6, 82
Video & Arcade Games (Spring 83 p35)
Video & Arcade Games (Fall 83 p68)
Moving Toward the 21st Century with Fox Video Games - Video Games (Aug 83 p24)
Newspaper: Fаst Eddіe (Oct 7, 82)
Newspaper: Fаst Eddіe $19.95 (Oct 17, 82)
Newspaper: Fаst Eddіe (Oct 23, 82)
Newspaper: Fаst Eddіe $23.95 (Oct 24, 82)
Newspaper: Fаst Eddіe $23.99 (Oct 28, 82)
October 1982
Worm War I (Fox, 20th Century) ✔
Best Guess. Going by newspaper ads, Worm War I didn't show up until October.
[Worm War I was reviewed in the November 1982 issue of The Video Game Update newsletter.]
First Use in Commerce Date: Jun 6, 82
Video & Arcade Games (Spring 83 p35)
Video & Arcade Games (Spring 83 p68)
Video Games (Dec 82 p30)
“As it turned out, I wanted to devote full-time to programming and write more as a hobby,” explains Lubar, whose first game Worm War 1, distributed by Fox Video Games, should hit the stores early in the fall.
Moving Toward the 21st Century with Fox Video Games - Video Games (Aug 83 p24)
Newspaper: Wоrm Wаr I (Oct 7, 82)
Newspaper: Wоrm Wаr I $22.95 (Oct 17, 82)
Newspaper: Wоrm Wаr I (Oct 23, 82)
Newspaper: Wоrm Wаr I $27.95 (Oct 24, 82)
Newspaper: Wоrm Wаr I $23.99 (Oct 28, 82)
October 1982
Best Guess using info from The Video Game Update, Video Games Player, and newspaper ads. I've only seen one September newspaper ad with Frogs and Flies in it. The rest of the ads were in October and beyond, so this entry seems to belong in October.
[Frogs and Flies was reviewed in the November 1982 issue of The Video Game Update newsletter.]
First Use in Commerce Date: Jun 4, 82
Electronic Games 1983 Software Encyclopedia (83 p24)
Why Frogs? - Electronic Fun (Dec 82 p44)
Newspaper: Frоgs Flіes COMING SOON (Aug 22, 82)
Newspaper: Frоgs Flіes $24.97 (Sep 16, 82)
Newspaper: Frоgs Flіes $19.97 (Oct 3, 82)
Newspaper: Frоgs Flіes (Oct 16, 82)
Newspaper: Frоgs Flіes (Oct 31, 82)
Newspaper: Frоgs Flіes $22 (Nov 5, 82)
October 1982
The Challenge of Nexar (Spectravision) ✔
Best Guess. The Video Game Update said that Nexar was supposed to be a released in late September. Nexar doesn't seem to show up in newspaper ads until October.
Electronic Fun (Jan 83 p98)
Six months ago I got a press release from Fox announcing NEXAR. Two days ago I got a copy of NEXAR . . . by Spectrovision! It looks like David Lubar, NEXAR designer, took the game to Spectra when Fox didn't want it.
Arcade Express (Oct 24, 82 p7)
Columbia Video Game Club Magazine (N4, N5 83)
Newspaper: Nеxar (Oct 23, 82)
Newspaper: Nеxar $20.99 (Oct 24, 82)
Newspaper: Nеxar $23.95 (Nov 5, 82)
Newspaper: Nеxar $22.88 (Nov 12, 82)
Newspaper: Nеxar $21.88 (Dec 11, 82)
October 1982
Best Guess. Going by newspaper ads, it looks like Cross Force was released in late October. This entry might need to be moved to November to be safe.
Original title was Cross Fire.
Meet the Challenge! - Electronic Games (Oct 82)
Newspaper: Crоss Fоrce $21.95 (Oct 24, 82)
Newspaper: Crоss Fоrce $21.88 (Nov 21, 82)
October 1982
Best Guess. Tapeworm doesn't seem to show up in newspaper ads until late October.
Some newspaper ads used two words instead of one (Tape Worm).
Electronic Games 1983 Software Encyclopedia (83 p32)
Newspaper: Tаpeworm (Oct 23, 82)
Newspaper: Tаpeworm $19.99 (Oct 24, 82)
Newspaper: Tаpeworm $19.95 (Oct 24, 82)
Newspaper: Tаpeworm $17.88 (Oct 29, 82)
Meet the Challenge! - Electronic Games (Oct 82)
Spectravision Busts Loose - Electronic Games (Nov 82)
October 1982
Best Guess. Newspaper ads that include Jawbreaker start in October of 1982.
[Jawbreaker was reviewed in the December 1982 issue of The Video Game Update newsletter.]
How To Win At Home Video Games (82 p61)
Electronic Games 1983 Software Encyclopedia (83 p25)
Columbia Video Game Club Magazine (N4, N5, N6, N7 83)
Newspaper: Jаwbreaker (Oct 7, 82)
Newspaper: Jаwbreaker (Oct 9, 82)
Newspaper: Jаwbreaker (Oct 14, 82)
Newspaper: Jаwbreaker IN STOCK NOW! (Oct 15, 82)
Newspaper: Jаwbreaker (Oct 23, 82)
Newspaper: Jаwbreaker $21.99 (Oct 24, 82)
Newspaper: Jаwbreaker $19.48 (Oct 29, 82)
Newspaper: Jаwbreaker $22.88 (Oct 29, 1982)
Newspaper: Jаwbreaker $21.99 (Nov 21, 82)
October 1982
Best Guess using info from The Video Game Update and newspaper ads.
[Commando Raid was reviewed in the November 1982 issue of The Video Game Update newsletter.]
Also known as Robot Commando Raid.
Newspaper: Atari 2600 Release Dates and More Part 2 (Apr 9, 82)
Newspaper: Michael Blanchet (Jul 29, 82)
Arcade Express (Sep 12, 82 p6)
Electronic Games 1983 Software Encyclopedia (83 p28)
Newspaper: Commаndo Rаid (Oct 9, 82)
Newspaper: Commаndo Rаid $16.95 (Oct 17, 82)
Newspaper: Commаndo Rаid $24.95 - $3 = $21.95 (Oct 22, 82)
Newspaper: Commаndo Rаid (Oct 22, 82)
Newspaper: Commаndo Rаid (Oct 23, 82)
Newspaper: Commаndo Rаid $21.99 (Oct 24, 82)
Newspaper: Commаndo Rаid $19.95 (Nov 4, 82)
Aliens Take Over the Earth! - Electronic Fun (Nov 82)
October 1982
Towering Inferno (U.S. Games) ✔
Best Guess using info from The Video Game Update, Arcade Express, Video Games Player and newspaper ads.
[Towering Inferno was reviewed in the November 1982 issue of The Video Game Update newsletter.]
First Use In Commerce Date: Jun 6, 82 - Filing Date: Sep 17, 82
Original instructions completed by Paul Allen Newell on May 28, 1982.
How To Win At Home Video Games (82 p56)
Newspaper: Towеring Infеrno $23.95 (Oct 13, 82)
Newspaper: Towеring Infеrno (Oct 22, 82)
Newspaper: Towеring Infеrno $21.99 (Oct 24, 82)
Newspaper: Towеring Infеrno $19.95 (Nov 4, 82)
Aliens Take Over the Earth! - Electronic Fun (Nov 82)
Aliens Take Over the Earth! - Electronic Games (Nov 82)
Newspaper: Towеring Infеrno $21 (Dec 3, 82)
October 1982
“Rock The Casbah” (Bob Clearmountain Mix) by The Clash (Oct 2) YT 80%
“Muscles” by Diana Ross (Oct 2) YT
“Get Closer” by Linda Ronstadt (Oct 2) YT
“Everybody Wants You” by Billy Squier (Oct 2) YT
“State Of Independence” by Donna Summer (Oct 2) YT
“Destination Unknown” by Missing Persons (Oct 2) YT 80%
“So Much In Love” by Timothy B. Schmit (Oct 2) YT 85%
“Nasty Girl” by Vanity 6 (Oct 2) YT [Bubbling Under Top 100]
“You And I” by Eddie Rabbitt & Crystal Gayle (Oct 9) YT
“Heartbreaker” by Dionne Warwick (Oct 9) YT WP
“Truly” by Lionel Richie (Oct 9) YT
“Missing You” by Dan Fogelberg (Oct 9) YT 75%
“I.G.Y. (What A Beautiful World)” by Donald Fagen (Oct 9) YT 80%
“Shakin'” by Eddie Money (Oct 9) YT
“Maneater” by Hall & Oates (Oct 16) YT 75%
“Shadows Of The Night” by Pat Benatar (Oct 16) YT
“Shock The Monkey” by Peter Gabriel (Oct 23) YT 90%
“Whatcha Gonna Do (When I'm Gone)” by Chilliwack (Oct 23) YT 80%
“White Wedding” by Billy Idol (Oct 27) YT [Bubbling Under Top 100]
“Africa” by Toto (Oct 30) YT 75%
“Sexual Healing” by Marvin Gaye (Oct 30) YT
“Dirty Laundry” by Don Henley (Oct 30) YT 75%
“1999” by Prince (Oct 30) YT
“Let's Go Dancin'” (Ooh La, La, La)” by Kool & The Gang (Oct 30) YT
“It's Raining Again” by Supertramp (Oct 30) YT 60%
October 1982
My Favorite Year (Oct 8) YT IMDb WP
First Blood (Oct 22) YT IMDb WP
October 1982
Remington Steele NBC (Oct 1) YT IMDb WP
The Devlin Connection NBC (Oct 2) YT IMDb WP
Voyagers NBC (Oct 3) YT IMDb WP
Tucker's Witch CBS (Oct 6) YT IMDb WP
Nature PBS (Oct 10) YT IMDb WP
It Takes Two ABC (Oct 14) YT IMDb WP
The Quest ABC (Oct 22) YT IMDb WP
Newhart CBS (Oct 25) YT IMDb WP
Gavilan NBC (Oct 26) YT IMDb WP
October 1982
Text from Video Games (Oct 82, page 16)
ARCADIA VIDEO GAMES
Announced in April, the company plans to have four games and its Supercharger unit ready by August. What's unusual about all of this is that the games are recorded on cassette tapes ($14.95 each) and must be played back by first plugging the Supercharger ($69.95) into the VCS, then connecting it to a portable tape player. Not only are the cassettes cheaper, but the graphic resolution is of extremely high quality. Fireball, Suicide Mission, Communist Mutants from Space, Excalibur (not the film) [Dragonstomper], and Phaser Patrol are Arcadia's initial game titles. The last game comes complete with the Supercharger.
Text from Arcade Express (Oct 10, 82)
ULTRAVISION INTRODUCES 32K GAMES FOR ATARI VCS
Ultravision enters the videogame software biz this month with two 32K VCS-compatible cartridges. “Karate” was designed by Joseph Amelio, a man who ought to know. Amelio has 25 years experience in martial arts, and holds a black belt. The expertise he has in that field is carried over into this unusual hand-to-hand combat. The referee starts the match, and two fighters courteously bow to each other. Players score points when their on-screen counterparts land kicks or punches to the opponent's head or stomach. Each match has five two-minute rounds. The on-screen fighters wear white robes and belts that go through color changes to indicate their achievements, from white to red, brown, purple, and finally to the coveted black belt. An unusual dimensional approach allows fighters to move around each other rather than being superimposed as they pass next to one another. “Karate” can be played solitaire or by two gamers.
The second release this month is “Condor Attack”, a very fast invasion game described as being for the champs. October brings a strategy action game, “Quest For the Idol”, and “Spider Kong”, a climbing game. Ultravision expects to market eight games by Christmas, all with superior 32K graphics and arcade-quality sound effects.
HERE COME THE ADULT VIDEOGAMES
“When you score, you score” is the slogan for the Mystique/Swedish Erotica games reaching the market in October. Some of the titles retailing for $49.95 are “Bachelor Party”, “Beat'Em & Eat'Em” and “Custer's Revenge” (with a naked general running a desert obstacle course to ravage an Indian maiden). The relatively poor reproduction of body parts on TV screens is said to soften the sexual impact of the games, and the packaging has been subdued in order to make them more suitable for mass retailing. Backers of the venture expect X-rated games to be a huge category, just as live-action movies are a big part of the videocassette industry.
The Supercharger for the Atari VCS went on sale in 40 Broadway Department Stores in Southern California at the end of August, and the company describes early consumer reaction as “exceptional”. The $70 Supercharger, which increases graphic resolution capabilities of the VCS, comes with one game, “Phaser Patrol”. Three additional games, “Communist Mutants From Space”, “Fireball”, and “Suicide Mission” will be marketed this fall for $15 each.
“Consumers came in, took a look, then came back and bought,” reports Ken Hall, a spokesman for Arcadia. The Supercharger next goes on sale in Northern California, then Chicago, New York City, and Detroit. It should be in 10 major markets before Christmas.
Meanwhile the company is still seeking a new name, since Arcadia was previously tagged by Emerson for the Arcadia 2001 videogame system. The new moniker should be chosen soon.
Text from Video Games Magazine (Oct 82, page 16)
U.S. Games/Vid Tech.
The company was recently bought by Quaker Oats and, appropriately enough, its first cart challenges you to eat a bowl of cereal before it becomes soggy. (Just kidding.) Space Jockey has been out since January and six more games are expected by the year's end. So far we know that Word Zapper involves spelling in space; Sneak'n Peek is video hide‘n'seek for the pre-school crowd; and Towering Inferno features a burning building (bet you never would have guessed). Commander Raid and Missile Intercept are two of its other titles.
Text from The Video Game Update (Oct 82)
Availability Update
(Based on projected release dates by manufacturers. May change without notice.)
October [compiled from Oct 82 and Sep 82 availability updates]
Airlock (Data Age)
Bugs (Data Age)
Coco Nuts (Telesys)
Commando Raid (U.S. Games)
Earthworld (Atari)
Encounter at L-5 (Data Age)
Enhanced Baseball (Atari) [RealSports Baseball]
Failsafe (Atari) [unreleased]
Fast Food (Telesys)
Frogs And Flies (M Network)
Minds Of Minos (Commavid) [Mines of Minos]
Mousetrap (Coleco) [Mouse Trap]
Sssnake (Data Age)
Towering Inferno (U.S. Games)
Warplock (Data Age)
Note: Any program noted with an “x” indicates it has shipped prior to our going to print. May not be in national distribution yet, however.
We inadvertently miscredited two cartridges in the September issue. TAPEWORM and CROSSFIRE (renamed CROSS FORCE) shipped in September are by SPECTRAVISION, NOT TIGERVISION. SPECTRAVISION also announces the late Sept. release of a new title, NEXAR (All cartridges are Atari-compatible). [They also miscredited China Syndrome.]
Raiders of the Lost Ark has been moved up to a November release to make way for the December release of E.T., another release coming out of the Steven Spielberg deal. The SUPERGAME (5200) is still scheduled for release about mid-October. Quantities will be extremely limited throughout the balance of 1982. The unit will retail for $249.00.
Text from Billboard (Jun 26, 82, page 15)
Data Age will bow five $31.95 list games Oct. 1. They are: “Encounter at L-5,” “Warplock,” “Sssnake,” “Airlock” and “Survival Run.” [Survival Run wasn't released]
. . . .
Approximately Sept. 1, Woodman [Telesys] expects to deliver three home video games. Listing for $31.95, they will include: “Fast Food,” “Coco Nuts” and “Space Maze.”
Text from Billboard (Nov 6, 82, page 3)
The Campbell, Calif.-based company [Data Age] introduced its first five game cartridges Oct. 1.
Text from Videogaming Illustrated (Feb 83, page 7)
DATA AGE
This new company began distributing its Atari-compatible videogames in October. The first five releases were:
Sssnake, in which you must overcome pterodaetyls, trachodons, and other dinosaurs in order to reach an ancient fortress. There, deadly snakes try to invade your hiding place, snakes which you must cut down to size.
Encounter at L-5, not the game we suggested in last issue's You Read It Here First, but a battle between space colonists and invaders from the Megalon Solar System. (Never mind that Data Age places the human colony beyond the orbit of the moon, when L-5 is a point between the earth and the moon. It's easy to become disoriented in space.)
Bugs, a struggle between astronauts exploring subterranean hives on an alien world and the creeping monsters which dwell therein—including the defense-penetrating Super-Drones.
Warplock, more star wars, this time between your space Cruiser and intergalactic pirates.
Airlock, a clever variation of the multi-level game popularized by Donkey Kong, as the captain of a disabled submarine must retrieve keys to free the crew before the craft takes on too much water; all the while, the officer must dodge torpedoes which have come loose from their bays.
Text from Video Games Player (Fall 82, page 65)
CALENDAR
[Anything not for Atari VCS has been removed from their list. Also remember that their list is incorrect in places.]
Parker Brothers—The Empire Strikes Back and Frogger.
U.S. Games—Word Zapper and Towering Inferno.
Tigervision—Threshold and King Kong.
Atari—Berzerk.
20th Century Fox—First four games will be Beany Bopper, Deadly Duck, Worm War I and Fast Eddie.
U.S. Games—Commando Raid.
Activision—Pitfall and Megamania.
Apollo—6 new games.
Tigervision—Jawbreaker and River Patrol [delayed until 1984].
Parker Brothers—Spider-Man [Dec], Amidar [Nov], Super Cobra [Oct 83] and Reactor [Feb 83].
Mattel's M System debut—Frogs and Flies, Lock 'N' Chase, Dark Cavern, Sea Battle, Armor Ambush, and Tron: Deadly Discs. [The M Network game Sea Battle didn't get released.]
Atari—Earthworld, Fail Safe [unreleased], and Baseball (new version) [RealSports Baseball]
U.S. Games—Maze Chase [Entombed 83], Squeeze Box [83], and an untitled game.
U.S. Games—Space Jockey [already released in Jan and Mar] and Guardians of Treasure [Name This Game].
Atari—Demons to Dragons [Demons to Diamonds Jul], Volleyball [Oct], and Frog Pond [unreleased].
Parker Brothers—Sky Skipper [Apr 83].
Apollo—six new games.
Atari—Raiders of the Lost Ark and Football (new version). [Raiders was released in November.]
CBS—Wizard of WOR and GORF.
JANUARY
U.S. Games—Weird Bird [Eggomania] and Gopher Attack [Gopher].
November 1982
Raiders of the Lost Ark (Atari) ✔
November release according to my own experience, page 11 of AA V1N4, ‘82 In Review from AA V1n4, The Video Game Update, The Video Game Update, Videogaming and newspaper ads.
[Raiders of the Lost Ark was reviewed in the December 1982 issue of The Video Game Update newsletter.]
G-CO19743-59 REV. 1 — October 1982 — SPC Shorewood Packaging — There is a 2 on a tiny flap by itself.
Raiders of the Lost Ark Finds the Atari VCS - Arcade Express (Aug 15, 82 p3)
“People are not asking for Raiders of the Lost Ark” - Vidiot (May 83 p14)
Irate at Ratings - Electronic Fun (Mar 83 p8)
How To Win At Home Video Games (82 p56)
Newspaper: Raidеrs $36.97 (Nov 3, 82)
Newspaper: Raidеrs $26 (Nov 17, 82)
Newspaper: Raidеrs $27.99 (Nov 17, 82)
Newspaper: Raidеrs $29.95 (Nov 18, 82)
Newspaper: Raidеrs $39 (Nov 18, 82)
Newspaper: Raidеrs JUST ARRIVED (Nov 18, 82)
Newspaper: Raidеrs (Nov 18, 82)
Newspaper: Raidеrs $27.99 (Nov 21, 82)
Newspaper: Raidеrs $29.99 (Nov 21, 82)
Newspaper: Raidеrs $27.60 (Nov 24, 82)
Newspaper: Raidеrs (Nov 25, 82)
Newspaper: Raidеrs $25.99 (Nov 25, 82)
Newspaper: Raidеrs $25.95 (Nov 28, 82)
November 1982
Sky Jinks (Activision) ✔
November release according to Activisions newsletter, The Video Game Update, and newspaper ads.
[Sky Jinks was reviewed in the November 1982 issue of The Video Game Update newsletter.]
AG-019-02 — October 1982 — SUS — The 3 is missing from the 10 numbers below the date.
Activision Takes to the Skies Again - Arcade Express (Oct 24, 82 p3)
Newspaper: Rawson Stovall (Nov 19, 82)
Now for a Video Beat exclusive! Activision around Thanksgiving will release Sky Jinks designed by Bob Whitehead, for use on the Atari VCS or Sears Tele-Games…
Newspaper: Michael Blanchet (Nov 21, 82)
Newspaper: Skу Jіnks $14.95 (Nov 18, 82)
Newspaper: Skу Jіnks $17.88 (Nov 21, 82)
Newspaper: Skу Jіnks $18.95 (Nov 21, 82)
Newspaper: Skу Jіnks $17.88 (Nov 22, 82)
Newspaper: Skу Jіnks $19.99 (Nov 24, 82)
Newspaper: Skу Jіnks $23.99 (Nov 25, 82)
Newspaper: Skу Jіnks $16.95 (Nov 28, 82)
November 1982
Extreme Best Guess using info from The Video Game Update and this post at AtariAge that talks about the Apollo bankruptcy. The newspaper ads for Guardian begin in October, but unreleased games were also listed, so those ads can't be trusted. If Apollo went bankrupt in November, maybe the game wasn't sold until January 1983? [No VGU review.]
Newspaper: Apollo Bankruptcy (Nov 14, 82)
Vid Game Firm Apollo Files Chapter XI - Billboard (Dec 4, 82 p66)
Larry Martin Interview by Russ Perry Jr. - 2600 Connection (issue #100)
Newspaper: Apollo Rebate Missouri (Nov 14, 82)
Newspaper: Apollo Rebate Georgia (Nov 14, 82)
Newspaper: In stock? Looks like B.S. (Dec 1, 82)
Newspaper: Guаrdian $6.50 (Jan 23, 83)
Newspaper: Guаrdian $17.95 (Feb 04, 83)
November 1982
Best Guess using info from The Video Game Update and newspaper ads.
Newspaper: Atari 2600 Release Dates and More Part 2 (Apr 9, 82)
Columbia Video Game Club Magazine (N4, N5, N6, N7 83)
Newspaper: Cаrnival $29.95 (Nov 4, 82)
Newspaper: Cаrnival $29.75 (Nov 5, 82)
Newspaper: Cаrnival $28 (Nov 5, 82)
Newspaper: Cаrnival $27.88 (Nov 7, 82)
Newspaper: Cаrnival $26.95 (Nov 14, 82)
Newspaper: Cаrnival $26 (Nov 17, 82)
November 1982
Best Guess. Barco newspaper ads claimed that Mines of Minos was supposed to arrive in November.
[Mines of Minos was reviewed in the January 1983 issue of The Video Game Update newsletter.]
Newspaper: Michael Blanchet (Jul 29, 82)
Newspaper: Lou Hudson (Feb 19, 83)
Columbia Video Game Club Magazine (N4 83)
Newspaper: Mіnes Mіnos $27.99 (Sep 26, 82)
Newspaper: Mіnes Mіnos expected in Nov (Nov 12, 82)
November 1982
Best Guess. The Video Game Update and Video Games Magazine claimed that Alien was supposed to be released in December, but it was in a bunch of November newspaper ads.
[Alien was reviewed in the December 1982 issue of The Video Game Update newsletter.]
New Products - Electronic Fun (Dec 82 p11)
Arcade Express (Mar 27, 83 p7)
Tip from Douglas ‘Dallas North' Neubauer - Electronic Fun (Jan 83 p20)
Newspaper: Alіen $29.99 (Nov 5, 82)
Newspaper: Alіen $22.99 (Nov 11, 82)
Newspaper: Alіen $25.87 (Nov 11, 82)
Newspaper: Alіen $26.49 (Nov 12, 82)
Newspaper: Alіen $25 (Nov 17, 82)
Newspaper: Alіen $29.95 (Nov 18, 82)
Newspaper: Alіen $24.95 (Dec 5, 82)
Newspaper: Alіen $23.10 (Dec 26, 82)
November 1982
Mega Force (Fox, 20th Century) ✔
Best Guess. The Video Game Update and Video Games Magazine claimed that Mega Force was supposed to be released in December, but it was in a bunch of November newspaper ads.
[Mega Force was reviewed in the December 1982 issue of The Video Game Update newsletter.]
Arcade Express (Mar 27, 83 p7)
Newspaper: Mеga Fоrce $29.99 (Nov 5, 82)
Newspaper: Mеga Fоrce $22.99 (Nov 11, 82)
Newspaper: Mеga Fоrce $25.87 (Nov 11, 82)
Newspaper: Mеga Fоrce $26.49 (Nov 12, 82)
Newspaper: Mеga Fоrce $25 (Nov 17, 82)
Newspaper: Mеga Fоrce $23.88 (Nov 29, 82)
Newspaper: Mеga Fоrce $29.99 (Dec 2, 82)
Newspaper: Mеga Fоrce $24.95 (Dec 5, 82)
November 1982
Best Guess using info from The Video Game Update, Electronic Fun, and newspaper ads.
[Turmoil was reviewed in the November 1982 issue of The Video Game Update newsletter.]
Boy Wonder (Mark Turmell Interview) - Electronic Fun (Nov 82 p30)
Newspaper: Turmоil $29.99 (Nov 5, 82)
Newspaper: Turmоil $22.99 (Nov 11, 82)
Newspaper: Turmоil $25 (Nov 17, 82)
Newspaper: Turmоil $23.88 (Nov 29, 82)
Newspaper: Turmоil $29.99 (Dec 2, 82)
Newspaper: Turmоil $24.95 (Dec 5, 82)
November 1982
Dark Cavern (M Network) ✔
Best Guess using info from The Video Game Update and newspaper ads.
[Dark Cavern was reviewed in the November 1982 issue of The Video Game Update newsletter.]
Newspaper: Dаrk Cаvern COMING SOON (Oct 31, 82)
Newspaper: Dаrk Cаvern $28.97 (Nov 21, 82)
Newspaper: Dаrk Cаvern $19.95 (Nov 23, 82)
Newspaper: Dаrk Cаvern $19.95 (Nov 24, 82)
Newspaper: Dаrk Cаvern (Nov 25, 82)
Newspaper: Dаrk Cаvern (Nov 25, 82)
Newspaper: Dаrk Cаvern $24.99 (Nov 28, 82)
November 1982
Bachelor Party (Mystique/PlayAround) ✔
[This is an ‘adult’ game.]
Best Guess. According to Arcade Express and various newspaper articles, the first three Mystique games were supposed to be released in October, but a newspaper article printed on November 18, 1982 said that Mystique games would hit the market that month. There were also no Newspaper ads until November, so it looks like this entry belongs in November.
Newspaper: Video Games Go X-Rated (Sep 8, 82)
Newspaper: Sex Marks the Spot PART 1 (Oct 2, 82)
Newspaper: Sex Marks the Spot PART 2 (Oct 2, 82)
Newspaper: X-Rated Video Games (Oct 3, 82)
Newspaper: Video Games Are Revealing (Oct 5, 82)
Newspaper: Women, Indians Protest (Oct 15, 82)
Newspaper: AIM upset by adult video games (Oct 15, 82)
Newspaper: Atari Files Suit (Oct 16, 82)
Newspaper: Somewhere Pac-Man Must Be Blushing (Oct 20, 82)
Newspaper: Due to hit the market this month (Nov 18, 82)
Adult Videogames Draw Fire - Arcade Express (Dec 5, 82 p2)
Newspaper: Playaround/Mystique - Watts Up (Jan 26, 83)
They Say It Ain't Porno - Video Games (Jan 83 p13)
Now We've Seen Everything - JoyStik (Jan 83 p6)
Custer Loses Again - Vidiot (Apr/May 83 p8)
Vid-Custer's Last Stand - Video Games (Apr 83 p12)
Uncensored Videogames - Videogaming (Oct 83 p19)
Newspaper: Adult Video Games IN STOCK! (Nov 20, 82)
Newspaper: Adult Video Games (Nov 26, 82)
Newspaper: Mystique Order Form $49.95 (Nov 28, 82)
Newspaper: Adult Video Games (Dec 3, 82)
Newspaper: New Adult Games $39.95 (Dec 3, 82)
Newspaper: Mystique Adult Games (Dec 3, 82)
Newspaper: Adult Video Games $46.88 (Dec 3, 82)
Newspaper: New Adult Video Games (Dec 10, 82)
Newspaper: Adult Video Games (Dec 13, 82)
Newspaper: Adult ATARI Games (Dec 16, 82)
Newspaper: Bаchelor Pаrty $49.95 (Dec 26, 82)
November 1982
Beat'Em & Eat'Em (Mystique/PlayAround) ✔
[This is an ‘adult’ game.]
Best Guess. According to Arcade Express and various newspaper articles, the first three Mystique games were supposed to be released in October, but a newspaper article printed on November 18, 1982 said that Mystique games would hit the market that month. There were also no Newspaper ads until November, so it looks like this entry belongs in November.
Newspaper: Video Games Go X-Rated (Sep 8, 82)
Newspaper: Sex Marks the Spot PART 1 (Oct 2, 82)
Newspaper: Sex Marks the Spot PART 2 (Oct 2, 82)
Newspaper: X-Rated Video Games (Oct 3, 82)
Newspaper: Video Games Are Revealing (Oct 5, 82)
Newspaper: Women, Indians Protest (Oct 15, 82)
Newspaper: AIM upset by adult video games (Oct 15, 82)
Newspaper: Atari Files Suit (Oct 16, 82)
Newspaper: Somewhere Pac-Man Must Be Blushing (Oct 20, 82)
Newspaper: Due to hit the market this month (Nov 18, 82)
Adult Videogames Draw Fire - Arcade Express (Dec 5, 82 p2)
Newspaper: Playaround/Mystique - Watts Up (Jan 26, 83)
They Say It Ain't Porno - Video Games (Jan 83 p13)
Now We've Seen Everything - JoyStik (Jan 83 p6)
Custer Loses Again - Vidiot (Apr/May 83 p8)
Vid-Custer's Last Stand - Video Games (Apr 83 p12)
Uncensored Videogames - Videogaming (Oct 83 p19)
Newspaper: Adult Video Games IN STOCK! (Nov 20, 82)
Newspaper: Adult Video Games (Nov 26, 82)
Newspaper: Mystique Order Form $49.95 (Nov 28, 82)
Newspaper: Adult Video Games (Dec 3, 82)
Newspaper: New Adult Games $39.95 (Dec 3, 82)
Newspaper: Mystique Adult Games (Dec 3, 82)
Newspaper: Adult Video Games $46.88 (Dec 3, 82)
Newspaper: New Adult Video Games (Dec 10, 82)
Newspaper: Adult Video Games (Dec 13, 82)
Newspaper: Adult ATARI Games (Dec 16, 82)
November 1982
[This is an ‘adult’ game.]
Best Guess. According to Arcade Express and various newspaper articles, the first three Mystique games were supposed to be released in October, but a newspaper article printed on November 18, 1982 said that Mystique games would hit the market that month. There were also no Newspaper ads until November, so it looks like this entry belongs in November.
Newspaper: Video Games Go X-Rated (Sep 8, 82)
Newspaper: Custer's Revenge (Sep 19, 82)
Newspaper: Sex Marks the Spot PART 1 (Oct 2, 82)
Newspaper: Sex Marks the Spot PART 2 (Oct 2, 82)
Newspaper: X-Rated Video Games (Oct 3, 82)
Newspaper: Video Games Are Revealing (Oct 5, 82)
Newspaper: Women, Indians Protest (Oct 15, 82)
Newspaper: AIM upset by adult video games (Oct 15, 82)
Newspaper: Atari Files Suit (Oct 16, 82)
Newspaper: Somewhere Pac-Man Must Be Blushing (Oct 20, 82)
Newspaper: Due to hit the market this month (Nov 18, 82)
Adult Videogames Draw Fire - Arcade Express (Dec 5, 82 p2)
Newspaper: Playaround/Mystique - Watts Up (Jan 26, 83)
They Say It Ain't Porno - Video Games (Jan 83 p13)
Now We've Seen Everything - JoyStik (Jan 83 p6)
Custer Loses Again - Vidiot (Apr/May 83 p8)
Vid-Custer's Last Stand - Video Games (Apr 83 p12)
Uncensored Videogames - Videogaming (Oct 83 p19)
Newspaper: Adult Video Games IN STOCK! (Nov 20, 82)
Newspaper: Adult Video Games (Nov 26, 82)
Newspaper: Mystique Order Form $49.95 (Nov 28, 82)
Newspaper: Adult Video Games (Dec 3, 82)
Newspaper: New Adult Games $39.95 (Dec 3, 82)
Newspaper: Mystique Adult Games (Dec 3, 82)
Newspaper: Adult Video Games $46.88 (Dec 3, 82)
Newspaper: New Adult Video Games (Dec 10, 82)
Newspaper: Adult Video Games (Dec 13, 82)
Newspaper: Adult ATARI Games (Dec 16, 82)
Newspaper: Custеrs Rеvenge $49.95 (Dec 26, 82)
November 1982
Best Guess using info from The Video Game Update, Billboard, Electronics For Kids, and newspaper ads that start in November.
[Amidar was reviewed in the December 1982 issue of The Video Game Update newsletter.]
Newspaper: Robert A. McLean (Dec 1, 82)
The November roll-out already is promoting a Spider-man game and another about some wild-'n-wooly gorillas.
Radio Electronics (Jun 83 p21)
Electronic Games (Jun 83 p112)
Columbia Video Game Club Magazine (N4, N5, N6 83)
Newspaper: Amіdar $29.95 (Nov 4, 82)
Newspaper: Amіdar $28.95 (Nov 12, 82)
Newspaper: Amіdar $26.49 (Nov 13, 82)
Newspaper: Amіdar $24.88 (Nov 14, 82)
Newspaper: Amіdar $26.99 (Nov 18, 82)
Newspaper: Amіdar (Nov 21, 82)
Newspaper: Amіdar $27.99 (Dec 5, 82)
Newspaper: Amіdar $24.95 (Dec 12, 82)
November 1982
Best Guess. I haven't found any CocoNuts newspaper ads before November, so this entry has been moved from October to November.
[CocoNuts was reviewed in the October 1982 issue of The Video Game Update newsletter.]
Newspaper: Fall Home Video Games (Oct 22, 82)
Newspaper: CocоNuts $21.95 (Nov 12, 82)
Newspaper: CocоNuts $24.95 (Nov 18, 82)
Newspaper: CocоNuts $24.95 (Dec 2, 82)
Newspaper: CocоNuts $24 (Dec 3, 82)
Newspaper: CocоNuts $24.99 (Dec 5, 82)
Newspaper: CocоNuts $24.88 (Dec 20, 82)
November 1982
Best Guess. I haven't found any Fast Food newspaper ads before November, so this entry has been moved from October to November.
[Fast Food was reviewed in the October 1982 issue of The Video Game Update newsletter.]
Video Games (Jul 83)
Even Jack Woodman, Telesys' marketing vice president, has gotten in on the act. According to Jansen, the Telesys executive had an idea for a game while he was eating a hamburger. He sketched the idea on a napkin, and that sketch led to the development of Fast Food, one of the company's best selling games.
Newspaper: Fall Home Video Games (Oct 22, 82)
This Man Is Not Normal - Electronic Fun (Dec 82 p28)
Food and Games Part III - Electronic Fun (May 83 p25)
Newspaper: John Teets (Sep 30, 82)
Newspaper: Lou Hudson (Oct 9, 82)
Arcade Express (Oct 24, 82 p7)
Video & Arcade Games (Fall 83 p47)
Newspaper: Fаst Foоd $21.95 (Nov 12, 82)
Newspaper: Fаst Foоd $24.95 (Nov 18, 82)
Eat It! - Electronic Games (Nov 82)
Newspaper: Fаst Foоd $24.95 (Dec 2, 82)
Newspaper: Fаst Foоd ($24.99 (Dec 5, 82)
Newspaper: Fаst Foоd $24 (Dec 3, 82)
Newspaper: Fаst Foоd $24.88 (Dec 20, 82)
Stick It! - Electronic Fun (Dec 82)
Eat It! - Electronic Games (Jan 83)
Eat It! - Electronic Fun (Jan 83)
Eat It! - Electronic Games (Feb 83)
Stick It! - Video Games (Feb 83)
Stick It! - Electronic Fun (Feb 83)
Stick It! - Electronic Fun (Mar 83)
November 1982
Best Guess using info from The Video Game Update and newspaper ads.
[Condor Attack was reviewed in the November 1982 issue of The Video Game Update newsletter.]
Newspaper: Cоndor Attаck $29.95 (Nov 19, 82)
Newspaper: Cоndor Attаck $24.99 (Nov 26, 82)
November 1982
Karate (Ultravision) ???
Best Guess. The Video Game Update reported that Karate was already shipped. It's possible that the game didn't get into stores until December.
November 1982
“Down Under” by Men At Work (Nov 6) YT 80%
“The Girl Is Mine” by Michael Jackson and Paul McCartney (Nov 6) YT 70%
“You Can't Hurry Love” by Phil Collins (Nov 6) YT 75%
“I Know There's Something Going On” by Frida (Nov 6) YT 70%
“Hand To Hold On To” by John Cougar (Nov 6) YT
“Goody Two Shoes” by Adam Ant (Nov 13) YT 90%
“You Got Lucky” by Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers (Nov 13) YT
“Space Age Love Song” by Flock Of Seagulls (Nov 13) YT
“Two Less Lonely People In The World” by Air Supply (Nov 13) YT
“I Gotta Try” by Michael McDonald (Nov 13) YT 65%
“Goodbye To You” by Scandal (Nov 13) YT 55%
“Valerie” by Steve Winwood (Nov 13) YT
“The Other Guy” by Little River Band (Nov 20) YT 55%
“I Do (Live Version)” by The J. Geils Band (Nov 20) YT
“Twilight Zone” by Golden Earring (Nov 27) YT
“Heart To Heart” by Kenny Loggins (Nov 27) YT 70%
“Allentown” by Bily Joel (Nov 27) YT 65%
“Love In Store” by Fleetwood Mac (Nov 27) YT
“Heart Of The Night” by Juice Newton (Nov 27) YT
November 1982
Piranha II: The Spawning (Nov 5) YT IMDb WP
Bugs Bunny's 3rd Movie: 1001 Rabbit Tales (Nov 19) YT IMDb WP
November 1982
Text from Arcade Express (Nov 7, 82)
ARCADIA HAS NEW NAME
Arcadia Corp., the company producing the Supercharger, has chosen its new name. The firm henceforth will be called Starpath Corp. The Supercharger is a cartridge expanding game-play capabilities of the Atari VCS by adding Random Access Memory. Starpath is also marketing a line of games utilizing the expanded qualities of the Supercharged VCS.
Additional venture capital and bank financing totaling $8 million will enable the firm to double its personnel over the next few months, and to gear up to be “a major competitor in the home video game business,” says Alan Bayley, President of Starpath. The change of name resulted from confusion with Emerson's Arcadia 2001 videogame, and “because some people thought the name Arcadia suggested that we make games for arcades,” according to Bayley. “We needed a name that will allow us to eventually go beyond our present business of making arcade-quality games for the home.”
Text from Electronic Fun (Nov 82, page 31)
Turmell: My best game is Turmoil, which is coming out this month for the Atari VCS.
Text from The Video Game Update (Nov 82)
The first two Atari-compatible cartridges [from CBS] have been announced for release before Christmas. GORF and WIZARD OF WOR, both licensed from Bally/Midway, are two of the more popular arcade games to come to the home unit (retail expected in the$25-$30 range). GORF challenges you to confront the Gorfian Empire in a multi-mission space competition. Repel robot attacks, laser ships, and torpedo-firing fighters! WIZARD OF WOR dares you to descend into the labyrinthine dungeons of Wor to outshoot and vaporize monsters, beat the Wizard and emerge victorious. Worriors outwit the monster Worlings in constantly changing dungeon mazes. Special Radar Screen reveals invisible monsters.
Text from The Video Game Update (Dec 82)
Availability Update
(Based on projected release dates by manufacturers. May change without notice.)
November [compiled from Dec 82 and Sep 82 availability updates]
x - Alien (Fox)
x - Amidar (Parker Bros)
x - Carnival (Coleco)
x - Condor Attack (Ultravision)
Cosmic Creep (Telesys) [Cosmic Creeps]
Dark Cavern (M Network)
x - Enhanced Volleyball (Atari) [RealSports Volleyball was released in October.]
Frog Pond (Atari) [unreleased]
Intl Soccer (M Network)
x - Karate (Ultravision)
x - MegaForce (Fox)
Raiders of the Lost Ark (Atari)
x - Sky Jinks (Activision)
Spider-Man (Parker Bros)
x - Turmoil (Fox)
Note: Any program noted with an “x” indicates it has shipped prior to our going to print. May not be in national distribution yet, however.
Text from Electronics For Kids (Jan/Feb 83, page S19)
A fifth arcade-based game, Amidar, was shipped in November.
Text from Videogaming Illustrated (Aug 82, page 60)
This November, Atari will be releasing a new home videogame based on the hit motion picture Raiders of the Lost Ark. . . .
November/December 1982
E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial (Atari) ✔
December release according to my own experience, page 3 of AA V1N4, ‘82 In Review from AA V1N4, The Video Game Update, and STARLOG. According to certain newspaper ads, E.T. was available by the middle of November in some areas.
[E.T. was reviewed in the December 1982 issue of The Video Game Update newsletter.]
To What Degree Do You Love E.T.?
Atari to Bring E.T. to Home and Coin-Op - Arcade Express (Sep 26, 82 p4)
Newspaper: E.T. and rock 'n' roll (Nov 02, 82)
Spielberg Helps Design New E.T. Game - Electronic Fun (Jan 83 p35)
“people are not asking for E.T.” - Vidiot (May 83 p14)
“crude and awkward result of a mere five weeks work” - JoyStik (Jul 83 p29)
Arcade Express (Dec 19, 82 p7)
Newspaper: E.T. Makes Himself At Home (Nov 17, 82)
Games Go Hollywood - Electronic Fun (Nov 82 p22)
Tragic Imagic [E.T. mentioned a few times] - Videogaming (Dec 83 p25)
Staying Power - Radio Electronics (Nov 83 p12)
How To Win At ET Version 1 (82)
How To Win At ET Version 2 (83)
Newspaper: Е.T. $32.99 (Nov 14, 82)
Newspaper: Е.T. (Nov 18, 82)
Newspaper: Е.T. $39 (Nov 18, 82)
Newspaper: Е.T. $32.88 (Nov 18, 82)
Newspaper: Е.T. $31.99 JUST RELEASED (Nov 21, 82)
Newspaper: Е.T. $29.99 (Nov 21, 82)
Newspaper: Е.T. IN STOCK (Nov 23, 82)
Newspaper: Е.T. $27.60 (Nov 24, 82)
Newspaper: Е.T. $29.95 (Nov 25, 82)
Newspaper: Е.T. $26.95 (Nov 28, 82)
Newspaper: Е.T. $34.99 (Nov 28, 82)
Newspaper: Е.T. $32.97 (Dec 2, 82)
Newspaper: Е.T. $27.88 (Dec 4, 82)
Newspaper: Е.T. $32.88 (Dec 5, 82)
Newspaper: Е.T. (Dec 6, 82)
Newspaper: Е.T. $34.97 (Dec 8, 82)
Newspaper: Е.T. $28.99 (Dec 10, 82)
Newspaper: Е.T. $31.95 (Dec 12, 82)
Newspaper: Е.T. $26.95 (Dec 12, 82)
Newspaper: Е.T. $29.95 (Dec 15, 82)
Newspaper: Е.T. NOW IN STOCK (Dec 16, 82)
Newspaper: Е.T. NEW (Dec 17, 82)
Newspaper: Е.T. $32.88 (Dec 17, 82)
Newspaper: Е.T. $33.99 (Dec 17, 82)
Newspaper: Е.T. $34.87 NEW (Dec 19, 82)
Newspaper: Е.T. $25.40 (Dec 19, 82)
Newspaper: Е.T. (Dec 25, 82)
December 1982
December release according to Atari Age order form, ‘82 In Review from AA V1n4 and The Video Game Update. There were newspaper ads going back to October, so it's possible that some people could buy the game in October and November if the ads can be believed.
[RealSports Football was reviewed in the December 1982 issue of The Video Game Update newsletter.]
G-CO19743-68 REV. 2 — November 1982 — SPC Shorewood Packaging — There is a 1 on a tiny flap by itself.
Newspaper: Michael Blanchet (Oct 10, 82)
Book of Atari Software (Winter Supplement 83 p82)
Newspaper: What Football Strike? (Sep 26, 82)
Newspaper: RealSpоrts Foоtball $22.50 (Oct 28, 82)
Newspaper: RealSpоrts Foоtball $18.15 (Oct 29, 82)
Newspaper: RealSpоrts Foоtball (Nov 21, 82)
Newspaper: RealSpоrts Foоtball $24.99 (Nov 28, 82)
Newspaper: RealSpоrts Foоtball $20.99 (Dec 5, 82)
Newspaper: RealSpоrts Foоtball (Dec 6, 82)
Newspaper: RealSpоrts Foоtball $21.88 (Dec 7, 82)
Newspaper: Nobody Brightens (Dec 10, 82)
Newspaper: RealSpоrts Foоtball IN STOCK (Dec 14, 82)
Newspaper: RealSpоrts Foоtball $19.99 (Dec 17, 82)
Newspaper: RealSpоrts Foоtball NOW AVAILABLE (Dec 26, 82)
Newspaper: RealSpоrts Foоtball (Dec 26, 82)
Newspaper: RealSpоrts Foоtball (Dec 29, 82)
December 1982
A kid at school let me borrow this game to play during the 1982 Christmas break. I was surprised because the game was new and he barely had time to play it before he let me take it home. By the way, this game kind of snuck in. It wasn't in the November/December issue of Atari Age magazine, then it popped up in the next issue like “Oh yeah, this game was also released. Hope you didn't miss it.” Well, the November/December issue of Atari Age does slightly mention Vanguard in the Captain's Log: “Please don't call the telephone number listed in Atari Age—that's just for orders. There's nobody there to tell you about games or service . . . or when Vanguard is coming out.”
In the September/October 1983 issue of Atari Age magazine they said that Vanguard was released in January of 1983, so maybe some stores got it early and put it on the shelves before they were supposed to. I played it near the end of December 1982, so that's why it's listed under December instead of January of 1983.
An Atari newspaper ad (December 10, 82) said “Vanguard blasts in right after Christmas. Phoenix lands in January. And in February you can spend hours keeping Ms. PAC-MAN well fed.” There are also more newspaper ads below that show the game was sold in December. The ads confirm what I've been saying for years. I played Vanguard in late December.
[Vanguard was reviewed in the January 1983 issue of The Video Game Update newsletter.]
Atari Age V2N1 Deep Secret p19
G-CO19743-69 REV. 1 — November 1982 — Ivy Hill — The 6 is missing from the 10 numbers under the date.
Master Strategy Guide - Atari Age (Sep/Oct 83 p19)
Newspaper: Nobody Brightens (Dec 10, 82)
Newspaper: Vаnguard $19.95 NEW (Dec 12, 82)
Newspaper: Vаnguard $25.50 JUST ARRIVED! (Dec 21, 82)
Newspaper: Vаnguard ALL NEW (Dec 25, 82)
Newspaper: Vаnguard NOW IN STOCK (Dec 26, 82)
Newspaper: Vаnguard $22.99 (Dec 26, 82)
Newspaper: Vаnguard $23.88 (Dec 27, 82)
Here Comes Vаnguard - Electronic Fun (Mar 83)
Here Comes Vаnguard - Electronic Games (Apr 83)
Here Comes Vаnguard - Video Games (Apr 83)
December 1982
River Raid (Activision) ✔
December release according to Activisions newsletter, catalog, The Video Game Update, Arcade Express and newspaper ads.
[River Raid was reviewed in the January 1983 issue of The Video Game Update newsletter.]
Arcade Express (Jan 16, 83 p7)
Newspaper: Lou Hudson (Mar 5, 83)
Radio Electronics (Jun 83 p74)
Video & Arcade Games (Fall 83 p62)
Electronic Games 1983 Software Encyclopedia (83 p28)
Deigning Woman - Electronic Fun (Sep 83 p77)
Staying Power - Radio Electronics (Nov 83 p12)
Designer's Corner - Activisions Newsletter (Volume 6, Spring 83 p7)
Newspaper: Rіver Raіd $22.50 (Dec 18, 82)
Newspaper: Rіver Raіd $24.95 (Dec 19, 82)
Newspaper: Rіver Raіd $21.99 (Dec 19, 82)
Newspaper: Rіver Raіd $25.99 (Dec 22, 82)
Newspaper: Rіver Raіd NEW RELEASE (Dec 24, 82)
Newspaper: Rіver Raіd $21.88 (Dec 25, 82)
Newspaper: Rіver Raіd $24.99 (Dec 26, 82)
Newspaper: Rіver Raіd $29.99 (Dec 26, 82)
Newspaper: Rіver Raіd $23.99 (Dec 26, 82)
Newspaper: Rіver Raіd $24.95 (Dec 29, 82)
A Fight to the Finish - Electronic Games (Feb 83)
December 1982
Gorf (CBS Electronics) ✔
Best Guess using info from The Video Game Update, The Video Game Update, Arcade Express, Video Games Player, and newspaper ads.
[Gorf was reviewed in the December 1982 issue of The Video Game Update newsletter.]
Casting an Eye on CBS Video Games - Video Games (Jul 83 p24)
Columbia Video Game Club Magazine (N4, N5, N6 83)
Newspaper: Gоrf $29.97 (Dec 5, 82)
Newspaper: Gоrf $29.95 (Dec 9, 82)
Newspaper: Gоrf $28.95 (Dec 10, 82)
Newspaper: Gоrf $29.95 (Dec 12, 82)
Newspaper: Gоrf $28.50 (Dec 12, 82)
Newspaper: Gоrf $34 (Dec 15, 82)
Newspaper: Gоrf NEW RELEASE! (Dec 15, 82)
Newspaper: Gоrf NOW IN STOCK (Dec 16, 82)
Newspaper: Gоrf $29.88 (Dec 18, 82)
Newspaper: Gоrf NOW IN STOCK (Dec 19, 82)
Newspaper: Gоrf $26.95 (Dec 19, 82)
Newspaper: Gоrf $29.99 (Dec 21, 82)
Newspaper: Gоrf $24.95 (Dec 22, 82)
Newspaper: Gоrf $27.95 (Dec 26, 82)
Newspaper: Gоrf $25.88 (Dec 27, 82)
Are You Up to the Challenge - Video Games (Feb 83)
Are You Up to the Challenge - Video Games (Mar 83)
Winning - Electronic Fun (Mar 83)
Winning - Electronic Games (Apr 83)
Winning - Video Games (Apr 83)
Winning - Videogaming (Apr 83)
December 1982
Wizard of Wor (CBS Electronics) ✔
Best Guess using info from The Video Game Update, The Video Game Update, Arcade Express, Video Games Player, and newspaper ads.
[Wizard of Wor was reviewed in the December 1982 issue of The Video Game Update newsletter.]
Radio Electronics (Jul 83 p14)
Casting an Eye on CBS Video Games - Video Games (Jul 83 p24)
Columbia Video Game Club Magazine (N4, N5, N6 83)
Newspaper: Wіzard Wоr $28.95 (Dec 10, 82)
Newspaper: Wіzard Wоr $29.95 (Dec 12, 82)
Newspaper: Wіzard Wоr $28.50 (Dec 12, 82)
Newspaper: Wіzard Wоr $34 (Dec 15, 82)
Newspaper: Wіzard Wоr (Dec 15, 82)
Newspaper: Wіzard Wоr NOW IN STOCK (Dec 16, 82)
Newspaper: Wіzard Wоr $29.88 (Dec 18, 82)
Newspaper: Wіzard Wоr NOW IN STOCK (Dec 19, 82)
Newspaper: Wіzard Wоr $29.99 (Dec 21, 82)
Newspaper: Wіzard Wоr $24.95 (Dec 22, 82)
Newspaper: Wіzard Wоr $27.95 (Dec 26, 82)
Newspaper: Wіzard Wоr $25.88 (Dec 27, 82)
Are You Up to the Challenge - Video Games (Feb 83)
Are You Up to the Challenge - Video Games (Mar 83)
Winning - Electronic Fun (Mar 83)
Winning - Electronic Games (Apr 83)
Winning - Video Games (Apr 83)
Winning - Videogaming (Apr 83)
December 1982
Fantastic Voyage (Fox, 20th Century) ✔
Best Guess using info from The Video Game Update, Video Games Magazine, and newspaper ads.
[Fantastic Voyage was reviewed in the December 1982 issue of The Video Game Update newsletter.]
Newspaper: Fаntastic Voyаge $23.95 (Dec 10, 82)
Newspaper: Fаntastic Voyаge $21.99 (Dec 17, 82)
Newspaper: Fаntastic Voyаge $21.38 (Dec 19, 82)
Newspaper: Fаntastic Voyаge $26.95 (Dec 26, 82)
Newspaper: Fаntastic Voyаge $22.31 (Dec 26, 82)
Newspaper: Fаntastic Voyаge $24.99 (Dec 27, 82)
December 1982
Dragonfire (Imagic) ✔
Best Guess using info from The Video Game Update Arcade Express, and newspaper ads. Going by newspaper ads, Dragonfire was released right at the very end of December.
[Dragonfire was reviewed in the January 1983 issue of The Video Game Update newsletter.]
Electronic Games World pick-hit for January
Dragonfire was originally called Cheese and it was about a mouse chasing cheese while a cat pursued the mouse.
Newspaper: Michael Blanchet (Jan 15, 83)
Book of Atari Software (Winter Supplement 83 p76)
Bob Smith: Dragon Master - Numb Thumb News (Volume 2, 1983 p9)
Columbia Video Game Club Magazine (N4, N5, N6, N7 83)
Newspaper: Drаgonfire $25.99 (Dec 22, 82)
Newspaper: Drаgonfire NEW RELEASE (Dec 24, 82)
Newspaper: Drаgonfire $24.99 (Dec 25, 82)
Newspaper: Drаgonfire NEW (Dec 26, 82)
Newspaper: Drаgonfire $29.99 (Dec 26, 82)
Newspaper: Drаgonfire $29.95 (Dec 26, 82)
Dan Sonnet Thought - Electronic Games (Mar 83)
December 1982
International Soccer (M Network) ✔
Best Guess. International Soccer was supposed to be released in November according to The Video Game Update, but the game doesn't show up in most newspaper ads until December.
[International Soccer was reviewed in the November 1982 issue of The Video Game Update newsletter.]
Intellivision Meets Atari - Arcade Express (Aug 15, 82 p2)
M Network Overcomes Launching Problems - Arcade Express (Sep 26, 82 p1)
Newspaper: Intеrnational Soccеr COMING SOON (Oct 31, 82)
Newspaper: Intеrnational Soccеr $19.95 (Nov 24, 82)
Newspaper: Intеrnational Soccеr NEW RELEASE (Dec 3, 82)
Newspaper: Intеrnational Soccеr $15.99 (Dec 3, 82)
Newspaper: Intеrnational Soccеr $19.99 (Dec 4, 82)
Newspaper: Intеrnational Soccеr $17.50 (Dec 12, 82)
Newspaper: Intеrnational Soccеr $19.95 (Dec 16, 82)
Newspaper: Intеrnational Soccеr $19.84 (Dec 16, 82)
Newspaper: Intеrnational Soccеr $15.95 (Dec 19, 82)
December 1982
Spider-Man (Parker Brothers) ≈ ✔
Best Guess. The Video Game Update, Billboard, Arcade Express, and STARLOG all claimed that Spider-Man was supposed to be released in November, but I've only found one late November newspaper ad so far. The rest of the ads are in December, so it looks like this entry belongs in December.
[Spider-Man was reviewed in the November 1982 issue of The Video Game Update newsletter.]
Newspaper: Robert A. McLean (Dec 1, 82)
The November roll-out already is promoting a Spider-man game and another about some wild-'n-wooly gorillas.
Climbing the Walls With Spider-Man - Arcade Express (Aug 15, 82 p4)
Newspaper: Steve Stecklow (Jan 16, 83)
Video & Arcade Games (Fall 83 p48)
Electronic Games 1983 Software Encyclopedia (83 p31)
Spider-Man Plays SPIDER-MAN! - Blip (Mar 83 p2)
Columbia Video Game Club Magazine (N4, N5 83)
Newspaper: Group Ad (Nov 21, 82)
Newspaper: Spіder-Mаn $29.95 (Dec 2, 82)
Newspaper: Spіder-Mаn $29.99 (Dec 2, 82)
Newspaper: Spіder-Mаn (Dec 2, 82)
Newspaper: Spіder-Mаn $26.95 (Dec 3, 82)
Newspaper: Spіder-Mаn (Dec 5, 82)
Newspaper: Spіder-Mаn $29.95 (Dec 9, 82)
Newspaper: Spіder-Mаn $24.99 (Dec 12, 82)
Newspaper: Spіder-Mаn $24.95 (Dec 12, 82)
Newspaper: Spіder-Mаn $27.99 (Dec 15, 82)
Newspaper: Spіder-Mаn IN STOCK (Dec 16, 82)
Newspaper: Spіder-Mаn $29.88 (Dec 18, 82)
Newspaper: Spіder-Mаn IN STOCK (Dec 19, 82)
Newspaper: Spіder-Mаn $23.95 (Dec 19, 82)
Newspaper: Spіder-Mаn $26.95 (Dec 19, 82)
Newspaper: Spіder-Mаn $23 (Dec 21, 82)
Newspaper: Spіder-Mаn (Dec 26, 82)
Newspaper: Spіder-Mаn $25.88 (Dec 27, 82)
Newspaper: Spіder-Mаn $27.99 (Dec 27, 82)
Parker Brothers presents - TV Guide (Dec 4-10, 82)
December 1982
China Syndrome (Spectravision) ≈ ✔
Best Guess. Going by newspaper ads, China Syndrome might have been available in some areas in late November, but it's probably safer to put this entry in December.
Meet the Challenge! - Electronic Games (Oct 82)
Newspaper: Chіna Syndrоme not available yet (Nov 12, 82)
Newspaper: Chіna Syndrоme $21.88 (Nov 21, 82)
Spectravision Busts Loose - Electronic Games (Nov 82)
Newspaper: Chіna Syndrоme (Dec 25, 82)
Newspaper: Chіna Syndrоme (Dec 26, 82)
Meet the Challenge! - Video Games (Dec 82)
Newspaper: Chіna Syndrоme $19.95 (Jan 10, 83)
Experience a Real Melt-Down - Electronic Games (Mar 83)
Experience a Real Melt-Down - Video Games (Apr 83)
December 1982
Dragonstomper (Starpath/formerly Arcadia) ✔
Best Guess. So far I've found one newspaper ad from November (if you can trust it) and the rest are in December and beyond, so this entry seems to belong in December.
[Dragonstomper was reviewed in the January 1983 issue of The Video Game Update newsletter.]
Newspaper: First two Supercharger multi-load games (Nov 26, 82)
Newspaper: Michael Blanchet (Dec 31, 82)
Radio Electronics (Jun 83 p14)
Electronic Games 1983 Software Encyclopedia (83 p23)
Newspaper: Lou Hudson (Jan 14, 84)
From Altruism to Avarice: Questing Games - Videogaming (Oct 83 p67)
Newspaper: Drаgonstomper $14.95 (Nov 18, 82)
Newspaper: Drаgonstomper $15.99 (Dec 8, 82)
Newspaper: Drаgonstomper $18.95 (Dec 12, 82)
Newspaper: Drаgonstomper $14 (Dec 25, 82)
Newspaper: Drаgonstomper $12.99 (Jan 27, 83)
December 1982
Escape From the Mindmaster (Starpath/formerly Arcadia) ✔
Best Guess. So far I've found one newspaper ad from November (if you can trust it) and the rest are in December and beyond, so this entry seems to belong in December.
[Escape From the Mindmaster was reviewed in the December 1982 issue of The Video Game Update newsletter.]
Newspaper: First two Supercharger multi-load games (Nov 26, 82)
Radio Electronics (Jun 83 p73)
Electronic Games 1983 Software Encyclopedia (83 p23)
Newspaper: Mіndmaster $14.95 (Nov 18, 82)
Newspaper: Mіndmaster $15.99 (Dec 8, 82)
Newspaper: Mіndmaster $18.95 (Dec 12, 82)
Newspaper: Mіndmaster $14 (Dec 25, 82)
Match Wits - Electronic Games (Jan 83)
Match Wits - Electronic Games (Feb 83)
Match Wits - Electronic Fun (Feb 83)
December 1982
Cosmic Creeps (Telesys) ✔
Best Guess. I haven't been able to find one newspaper ad before December, so it looks like this entry belongs in December.
[Cosmic Creeps was reviewed in the December 1982 issue of The Video Game Update newsletter.]
Newspaper: Fall Home Video Games (Oct 22, 82)
Video & Arcade Games (Fall 83 p50)
Conquering Cosmic Creeps - Videogaming (Feb 83 p24)
Newspaper: Cоsmic Creеps $24.95 (Dec 2, 82)
Newspaper: Cоsmic Creеps $24.88 (Dec 3, 82)
Newspaper: Cоsmic Creеps $29.95 (Dec 9, 82)
Newspaper: Cоsmic Creеps $24.88 (Dec 20, 82)
Newspaper: Cоsmic Creеps $24.99 (Dec 25, 82)
Orb It! - Electronic Fun (Dec 82)
Stick It! - Electronic Fun (Dec 82)
Orb It! - Video Games (Feb 83)
Stick It! - Video Games (Feb 83)
Orb It! - Video & Arcade Games (Spring 83)
December 1982
Marauder (Tigervision) ≈ ✔
Best Guess based on newspaper ads. Although most ads in November were untrustworthy (a lot of wishful thinking instead of actual release dates), it's possible that some people were able to buy the game in Novemeber.
[Marauder was reviewed in the December 1982 issue of The Video Game Update newsletter.]
Arcade Express (Dec 19, 82 p6)
Electronic Games 1983 Software Encyclopedia (83 p27)
Newspaper: Mаrauder NEW (Nov 4, 82)
Newspaper: Mаrauder $23.95 (Dec 2, 82)
Newspaper: Mаrauder $14.95 (Dec 3, 82)
Newspaper: Mаrauder $14.88 (Dec 10, 82)
Newspaper: Mаrauder $18.95 (Dec 12, 82)
Newspaper: Mаrauder $16.95 (Dec 14, 82)
Come Alive - Videogaming (Feb 83)
Newspaper: Mаrauder $19.95 (Nov 8, 83)
December 1982
Rescue Terra I (VentureVision) ✔
December release according to Videogaming, Arcade Express and newspaper articles/reviews.
First Use In Commerce Date: Aug 1, 82 - Filing Date: Nov 24, 82
Newspaper: Lou Hudson (Dec 18, 82)
Suggested retail price: $19.95. On sale in some areas now.
Videogaming (Apr 83, p8)
Yet, in November, Robert Hesler of Grand Prairie, TX, started up a new videogame company called VentureVision. . . . Using some of Apollo's ex-employees—a programmer and sales personnel—he put together his first release, Rescue Terra I and released it in December.
Newspaper: Lou Hudson (Dec 18, 82)
Newspaper: Rescue Terra I by VentureVision (Jul 3, 83)
Newspaper: Recommended games (Dec 4, 82)
Newspaper: Firm Rockets [Venture Vision] (Dec 19, 82)
Newspaper: 1982 Year of the Shakeout? (Jan 1, 83)
Newspaper: Rеscue Tеrra I $19 (Feb 13, 83)
Newspaper: Rеscue Tеrra I $5.95 (May 14, 83)
December 1982
“Do You Really Want To Hurt Me” by Culture Club (Dec 4) YT 80%
“On The Loose” by Saga (Dec 4) YT 55%
“Back On The Chain Gang” by The Pretenders (Dec 11) YT
“Pass The Dutchie” by Musical Youth (Dec 11) YT 75%
“Your Love Is Driving Me Crazy” by Sammy Hagar (Dec 11) YT
“The Clapping Song” by Pia Zadora (Dec 11) YT
“All Those Lies” by Glenn Frey (Dec 11) YT
“Shame On The Moon” by Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band (Dec 18) YT
“Young Love” by Janet Jackson (Dec 18) YT
“Hungry Like The Wolf” by Duran Duran (Dec 25) YT 60%
“Stray Cat Strut” by Stray Cats (Dec 25) YT 75%
December 1982
Gandhi (Dec 8 limited) YT IMDb WP
Sophie's Choice (Dec 8 limited) YT IMDb WP
December 1982
Text from Billboard (Dec 4, 82, page 66)
VID GAME FIRM APOLLO FILES CHAPTER XI
The Nov 12 Chapter XI bankruptcy filing by Richardson, Tex.-based Games By Apollo is being attributed to pressure for payment from the Company's advertising agency, Benton & Bowles.
The video game software manufacturer owes its agency $2.5 million, a figure representing only half of the year-old firm's total debts. The bankruptcy filing occurred one week after Benton & Bowles obtained a temporary restraining order prohibiting Apollo from disposing of its inventory in any way.
The agency wanted to sell the inventory itself, to pay the $2.5 million debt for ad services. But rather than appear in court to respond to the temporary restraining order, Apollo filed Chapter XI.
Apollo president Patrick Roper has said he expects the company to reorganize and return in smaller form.
Text from Arcade Express (Dec 5, 82)
THREE TITLES FROM ACTIVISION STRESS ADVENTURE & WHIMSY
Activision will ship three titles in the next quarter that should follow their established route of whimsy combined with action-adventure, a formula that has proved successful for that company in the past. “River Raid”, the first game designed by Carol Shaw, requires the gamer to pilot an assault jet over a constantly changing river course, destroying gunships, helicopters, jets, bridges and oil depots. The course features 48 different river sections, sometimes clear and wide, and then so choked with islands that flight corridors shrink to a single wing span. “Spider Fighter” is another first game, this time from designer Larry Miller. A single player uses a bug blaster to dodge hostile arachnids before they steal his crop of fruit. Described as frenetic, a whorl of on-screen activity uses arcade-like features such as bonus points for surviving an insect wave with no loses, and a demonstration mode when the game ends. The third Activision release, “Sea Quest”, was designed by veteran programmer Steve Cartwright, who also gave us “Barnstorming” and “MegaMania”. The player controls a submarine to locate his team of scuba divers with their treasures. Then the arcader must rescue the divers from man-eating sharks and pirate subs, getting them to surface before the air supply runs out.
“River Raid” will be shipped in December, “Spider Fighter” in January, and “Sea Quest” will follow in February.
LATE BREAKING NEWS FLASH
Games By Apollo, the Texas-based firm making VCS-compatible cartridges, has filed for Chapter 11 (bankruptcy). This is the first major software company to hit the rocks.
Text from Billboard (Dec 11, 82, page 8)
PARKER BROTHERS RELEASING 16 NEW GAME CARTRIDGES
Parker Brothers, the General Mills toy and game manufacturer which successfully launched a video game line in June, plans the release of 16 new cartridges in 1983.
Keyed to movie, comic and arcade licenses, they will be supported with a major advertising program that will reportedly cost the company about $30 million.
In another 1983 direction, Parker will enter the computer software market, hoping to capture a market that is expected to double in size to about $500 million next year, with an anticipated 4.5 million personal computer homes. Parker will offer game cartridges compatible with such computer systems as Atari, Commodore, Texas Instruments and, possibly, IBM and Apple.
Following the introduction of four games since June—expected to generate about $75 million in sales by Christmas—Parker plans a January release of a second “Star Wars” cartridge, “Jedi Arena,” followed by “Revenge Of The Jedi”—the next “Star Wars” film—in May and a fourth cartridge based on a similar theme in late summer.
Also due in January is “Super Cobra” and, during the year, such other arcade games as “Reactor,” “Sky Skipper” and “Tutankham.”
In March, the company will attempt to reach boys and girls ages four and eight with two entries, “Strawberry Shortcake” and “G.I. Joe.”
Currently, all Parker cartridges are compatible with the similar Atari and Sears systems, but other systems, including Intellivision, are expected to also be able to play the firm's software.
Parker's introductory cartridges were “Frogger” and “The Empire Strikes Back,” which the company says have had a combined sales in excess of three million units. A November release consisted of “Amidar” and “Spider-Man.”
Text from Videogaming Illustrated (Dec 82, pages 10 & 59)
NEW KID ON THE BLOCK
Just when you thought it was safe to go into your local video store, briefed on what's coming from Atari and budgeted accordingly, your money is being tempted away by the first games of Spectravision. The cartridges will fit your Atari unit and, one hopes, your budget.
Currently on sale are:
*Gangster Alley, in which the player must gun-down criminals who appear randomly at windows in an abandoned warehouse—and at the same time be wary of Nitro Ed, who skulks about the roof of the building dropping grenades. As the game progresses, the player is forced to continue battling from daylight into night.
*Cross Fire, a space game in which the player must destroy the evil Morpuls which have been menacing the planet Tzoris (a Yiddish word meaning “troubles”). Not only must the player liberate the galaxy, but she or he must continually monitor energy and temperature gauges.
*Planet Patrol, a game which sends the player flying across alien terrain destroying enemy bases and dodging missiles. On occasion. the pilot must descend to refuel or rescue fallen allies. As in Gangster Alley, play carries from daylight to darkness.
*Tape Worm, a food hunt wherein Slinky the worm, Spanky the spider. and Beeky the bird all try to eat the player, who is moving about the screen trying to gobble down fruit.
*China Syndrome is the name of a disaster game set in Spectraville, where an earthquake has cracked the core of a nuclear power plant. Players must recover loose particles of radiation, doing so before there is a meltdown.
The New York based company expects to release new games early in 1983, although no plans have been formalized as yet.
Text from STARLOG #65 (Dec 82, page 13)
Due this month [November] from Atari is the Raiders of the Lost Ark cartridge ($27.95), where the player takes on the persona of Indiana Jones. In order to get to the coveted Ark, Indy must, as in the movie, survive several rounds (13) of tough environments and situations.
Atari's E.T. ($39.95) is still slated for a December release. Again, following the film, E.T.'s spaceship lands on Earth where he is instantly pursued by the FBI and scientists. In order to radio back to his ship, E.T. must gather the pieces of his phoning device.
Comic/game fans will be happy to know that come November, Parker Brothers will be releasing a Spider-Man cartridge for owners of Atari's VCS and Sear's Video Arcade.
The object of the game is to move Spidey up a high-rise bulding where he must diffuse sizzling super bombs. By pushing the joystick forward, Spidey's web becomes activated and permits him to swing past the criminals appearing in the windows. Players must monitor the web fluid, which can only be replenished if he reaches containers on the building and towers or catches the criminals with web fluid. The ultimate nasty, the Green Goblin, is also out to do Spidey in. The cartridge will retail for between $25-$30.
In addition to Frogger, Empire Strikes Back and Amadar [Amidar], Parker will be releasing Reactor (this fall) [wrong], Super Cobra (January), Star Wars (January), Tutankam (April) and Sky Skipper (April).
Text from The Video Game Update (Jan 82)
Availability Update
(Based on projected release dates by manufacturers. May change without notice.)
December [compiled from Jan 83, Dec 82, and Sep 82 availability updates]
x - Alien (Fox)
Chips (Ultravision) [unreleased]
x - Dragonfire (Imagic)
Enhanced Football (Atari) [RealSports Football]
E.T. (Atari)
x - Fantastic Voyage (Fox)
x - Gorf (CBS)
MegaForce (Fox)
Quest For The Idol (Ultravision) [unreleased]
x - River Raid (Activision)
Six Pack (Fox) [unreleased]
Spider Kong (Ultravision) [unreleased]
Wierd Bird (U.S. Games) [Weird Bird was renamed Eggomania]
x - Wizard of Wor (CBS)
Note: Any program noted with an “x” indicates it has shipped prior to our going to print. May not be in national distribution yet, however.
Text from Creative Computing (Dec 82, page 81)
In the arcades, Stern's Berzerk game has a large following. When Atari released their home VCS version of Berzerk back in August. The demand for the game almost cleared the shelves.
Text from Arcade Express (Dec 19, 82, page 3)
VENTURE VISION GOES TO SPACE
Venture Vision, a new outfit in Texas, is looking at the stars for inspiration for a new line of VCS-compatible games. The first release, “Rescue Terra I”, designed by Dan Oliver (who programmed “Space Caverns” when he was with Games by Apollo) is in shipment for holiday shoppers. This multi-level-screen game features space pirates, asteroids, robot interceptors, and force fields.
VentureVision will introduce two new titles at CES, both described as space games. A new programmer, Robert Weatherby, is working on the CES releases with Dan Oliver. The company promises a line of high-quality action games.
Text from Arcade Express (Jan 30, 83)
IMAGIC'S VCS GAMES TAKE TO THE AIR
In one way or another, flight is featured in the four games for the Atari VCS to be released during the first half of ‘83. “Dragonfire”, which is already on the market, pits a prince against a winged fire-breathing monster. “Escape From Argos” puts Jason on the back of the flying horse Pegasus as he battles the Furies. “Sky Patrol” puts the player in an observation balloon gliding over World War I enemy lines. And, there are bullets flying all over the place in “Shootin' Gallery”, a kideo program designed for ages 5 to 9.
Text from Video Games (Feb 83, page 34)
In December, Fox shipped its first movie games—Alien, Megaforce, and Fantastic Voyage. The latter is a direct translation of the 1966 science-fiction classic. In the game, you try to save a dying scientist by guiding a miniaturized submarine through his bloodstream. Combating white corpuscles and other natural catastrophes, you must safely and speedily maneuver yourself to a blood clot lodged near the brain and destroy it.
Text from Videogaming Illustrated (Apr 83, page 8)
QUITE A VENTURE
Small videogame companies are taking it on the chin. Astrocade is virtually extinct and Apollo's rise from the ashes of bankruptcy does not seem to be holding.
Yet, in November, Robert Hesler of Grand Prairie, TX, started up a new videogame company called VentureVision. Hester owned an Atari 2600, and founded his company with a starry-eyed, “If they can do it, I can do it.”
Using some of Apollo's ex-employees—a programmer and sales personnel—he put together his first release, Rescue Terra I and released it in December. The purpose of the game was to navigate meteor storms, destroy space pirates, battle robots and force fields, and reach the planet Terra I. The game sold well at a modest $19.95 . . .
Need a Month
??? 1982
Air Raid (Men-A-Vision) ???
Let me know if you have information about the first month the public could buy this game at Mena's Toys.
1982
Information Compiled From the Following Sources
The Giant List of Classic Game Programmers
Atari History Museum (Atari Historical Society)
Rock on the Net: The Ark Weekly Top 40 Archives
WP: List of Years in Television
My family's calendars from 1982 and 1983. We wrote down almost everything back then.
The Billboard Book of Top 40 hits (5th Edition) by Joel Whitburn
The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network TV Shows (5th Edition) by Tim Brooks and Earle Marsh
Book & Video Update newsletter
Buy an E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial Cartridge at Amazon (#ad)
E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial T-Shirt (#ad)
I Paused My Game to Be Here T-Shirt (#ad)
Retro Pop Culture A to Z: From Atari 2600 to Zombie Films (#ad)
Adventure: The Atari 2600 at the Dawn of Console Gaming (#ad)
Atari Flashback: The Essential Companion (#ad)
ATARI 2600 Unofficial / Unauthorized Reference Manual Vol. I (A-M) (#ad)
Atari 2600 Unofficial / Unauthorized Reference Manual Vol. II (N-Z) (#ad)
A Compendium of Atari 2600 Games - Volume One (#ad)
Racing the Beam: The Atari Video Computer System (#ad)
Release dates listed in Atari Age magazine.
Atari Owners Club Bulletin / VCS Owners Club Bulletin
Find release dates for Atari 2600 games that were sold in the UK.
A chronological history of computers, video games, and related technologies (at archive.org).
Interesting Articles
Video Games - Radio Electronics (Jan 82 p71)
Enjoy the action and excitement of an arcade in the comfort of your home with one of these video-game systems.
Activision - Radio Electronics (Jul 82)
Easy to learn, difficult to master, this independent company's game cartridges are very popular with Atari VCS owners.
Activision's Alan Miller: Games in Perspective - Electronic Games (Jul 82 p13)
Share the secrets of Activision's ace designer, Al Miller.
Atari Files Suit Against Adult Theme Video Games (Oct 16, 82)
America's fascination with video games continues strongly this fall, with several new trends on the horizon indicating that electronic fun will be with us for some time.
Fall Home Video Games (Oct 22, 82)
America's fascination with video games continues strongly this fall, with several new trends on the horizon indicating that electronic fun will be with us for some time.
Video Game Explosion! - Electronic Fun (Dec 82 p12)
We rate every game in the world.
Ubersaurus at AtariAge contacted Keith Robinson about M Network games and although he didn't know the months the game were released, he did know the order of their release.
1982:
Super Challenge Football
Space Attack
Armor Ambush
Tron Deadly Discs
Lock 'N' Chase
Frogs and Flies
Super Challenge Baseball
Astro Blast
Dark Cavern
International Soccer
Billboard Top 15
Did you know that Trump's rushed experimental rona jab has less than one percent overall benefit? It also has many possible horrible side effects. Some brainwashed rona jab cultists claim that there are no victims of the jab, but person after person will post what the jab did to them, a friend, or a family member on web sites such as Facebook and Twitter and they'll be lucky if they don't get banned soon after. Posting the truth is “misinformation” don't you know. Awakened sheep might turn into lions, so powerful people will do just about anything to keep the sheep from waking up.
Check out these videos:
What is causing the mysterious self-assembling non-organic clots?
If You Got the COVID Shot and Aren't Injured, This May Be Why
Take a look at my page called The H Word and Beyond. You might also want to look at my page called Zinc and Quercetin. My sister and I have been taking those two supplements since summer of 2020 in the hopes that they would scare away the flu and other viruses (or at least make them less severe).
Some people appear to have a mental illness because they have a vitamin B deficiency. For example, the wife of a guy I used to chat with online had severe mood swings which seemed to be caused by food allergies or intolerances. She would became irrational, obnoxious, throw tantrums, and generally act like she had a mental illness. The horrid behavior stopped after she started taking a vitamin B complex. I've been taking Jarrow B-Right (#ad) for many years. It makes me much easier to live with.
Unfermented soy is bad! “When she stopped eating soy, the mental problems went away.” Fermented soy doesn't bother me, but the various versions of unfermented soy (soy flour, soybean oil, and so on) that are used in all kinds of products these days causes a negative mental health reaction in me that a vitamin B complex can't tame. The sinister encroachment of soy has made the careful reading of ingredients a necessity.
If you are overweight, have type II diabetes, or are worried about the condition of your heart, check out the videos by Ken D Berry, William Davis, and Ivor Cummins. It seems that most people should avoid wheat, not just those who have a wheat allergy or celiac disease. Check out these books: Undoctored (#ad), Wheat Belly (#ad), and Eat Rich, Live Long (#ad).
Negative ions are good for us. You might want to avoid positive ion generators and ozone generators. A plain old air cleaner is better than nothing, but one that produces negative ions makes the air in a room fresher and easier for me to breathe. It also helps to brighten my mood.
Never litter. Toss it in the trash or take it home. Do not throw it on the ground. Also remember that good people clean up after themselves at home, out in public, at a campsite and so on. Leave it better than you found it.
Climate Change Cash Grab = Bad
Seems like more people than ever finally care about water, land, and air pollution, but the climate change cash grab scam is designed to put more of your money into the bank accounts of greedy politicians. Those power-hungry schemers try to trick us with bad data and lies about overpopulation while pretending to be caring do-gooders. Trying to eliminate pollution is a good thing, but the carbon footprint of the average law-abiding human right now is actually making the planet greener instead of killing it.
Eliminating farms and ranches, eating bugs, getting locked down in 15-minute cities, owning nothing, using digital currency (with expiration dates) that is tied to your social credit score, and paying higher taxes will not make things better and “save the Earth.” All that stuff is part of an agenda that has nothing to do with making the world a better place for the average person. It's all about control, depopulation, and making things better for the ultra-rich. They just want enough peasants left alive to keep things running smoothly.
Watch these two YouTube videos for more information:
Charlie Robinson had some good advice about waking up normies (see the link to the video below). He said instead of verbally unloading or being nasty or acting like a bully, ask the person a question. Being nice and asking a question will help the person actually think about the subject.
Interesting videos:
Charlie Robinson Talks About the Best Way to Wake Up Normies
Disclaimer
View this page and any external web sites at your own risk. I am not responsible for any possible spiritual, emotional, physical, financial or any other damage to you, your friends, family, ancestors, or descendants in the past, present, or future, living or dead, in this dimension or any other.
If reading this page opens a time vortex back to 1982, the good news is that I've heard there are infinite timelines and you can't do any damage to the timeline you came from. The bad news is that you can't return to your original timeline in the future, so enter the time vortex at your own risk.