Avalanche (arcade game)

Infobox VG
title=Avalanche


caption=Screenshot of Avalanche
developer = Dennis Koble
publisher = Atari Inc.
distributor= Atari Inc.
designer=Dennis Koble
version=
released = 1978 (Arcade)
platforms= Arcade Game
genre = Action
modes = Single player
input= Rotary controller; 1 button
cpu=M6502
sound=Amplified Mono (one channel)
cabinet=Horizontal
display=Black and White Raster with 2 color overlay, 256 x 240 pixels.

"Avalanche" is an arcade game released by Atari Inc. in 1978. The object is to catch avalanching rocks with a controllable set of paddles that diminish in number and size as the rocks fall faster and faster. cite press release
title = Avalanche dealer flyer
publisher = Atari Inc.
date = 1978
url = http://www.arcadeflyers.com/?page=flyer&db=videodb&id=87&

accessdate = 2008-01-25 ]

Technology

"Avalanche" is housed in a custom cabinet that includes 2 large lit start buttons and a rotary controller. The side art and bezel feature groupings of rocks with extending lines meant to convey the motion of falling rocks. The screen is black and white with 2 colored strips to provide colored rows of graphics as in Breakout.

The PCB is based 6502 CPU, with game code stored in roms.cite web
title = System 16 - 6502 Black & White Raster Hardware (Atari)
url=http://www.system16.com/hardware.php?id=757
accessdate = 2008-01-25 ] All game text is selectable to 4 different languages: English, French, German, or Spanish. Avalanche also includes a built-in self-test diagnostic program that displays all microprocessor and memory functions, including all operator switches and functions.

Gameplay

"Avalanche" is for 1 or 2 players, with no simultaneous gameplay. There are six rows of rocks to deal with. The game starts with a six-storied platform and the player loses one platform per row of rocks cleared. The player scores points for those rocks they prevent from reaching the ground. The farther the row of rocks, the smaller and faster they become. The ultimate goal is to get enough points so that the player can continue the game should they lose their first one.

Clones

*Kaboom!for the Atari 2600, by Activision. Activision programmer and ex-Atari programmer, Larry Kaplan, originally wanted to port Avalanche to the Atari 2600. But the problem was that in Avalanche all the boulders are lined up at the top which is difficult to accomplish on the 2600, hence the shift to the Mad Bomber. David Crane actually coded the overlaid sprites for the Mad Bomber himself. cite web
last = Yarusso
first = Albert
title = Kaboom!
publisher = Atari Age
url = http://www.atariage.com/software_page.html?SoftwareLabelID=257
accessdate = 2006-01-25]

*The Sky is Falling for the Commodore VIC-20.

*Popcorn for the Tandy Color Computer 2.

References

External links

*KLOV game|id=6976|name=Avalanche