Journey to the Planets

Infobox VG
title = Journey to the Planets


developer = Jack Verson
publisher = JV Software, Inc., Roklan Software
released = 1982
1983 (Cartridge)
genre = Space, Adventure, Action, Puzzle
modes = Single player
platforms = Atari 400, Atari 800, Atari 1200XL
media = Cassette, Floppy Disk, Cartridge
input = Joystick

"Journey to the Planets" is an 8-bit video game for various Atari 8-bit computers. In the game, the player takes on the role of an interplanetary adventurer who has to solve various puzzles on the planets on which he lands.

Game overview

When starting the game, you find yourself on a strange planet where you can equip yourself with a weapon, refuel your energy, and blast off into space in a spaceship. From here you must pilot through space whilst avoiding comets and conserving energy until you come across a planet to explore. After skillfully landing on a planet you've discovered, you must fend off hostile aliens, solve puzzles, and recover various artifacts. Energy is consumed by your spaceship, your weapon, and upon dying. Your ultimate goal is to return to your home planet by exploring the universe and solving the various puzzles you're presented with.

Differences between versions

* Publisher: The cassette/disk version displays "JV SOFTWARE" in the main status bar that is displayed at the top of the screen throughout the game. In the cartridge version, "JV/ROKLAN" is displayed instead. These two differences are also shown in the opening screens of each version, and the screens themselves are also slightly different.

* Difficulty Setting: The cassette/disk version of the game allows you to change the landing difficulty from normal to hard. In the cartridge version, this is not available.

* Death Sequence: The cassette/disk version of the game displays concentric rectangles over the screen upon player death. In the cartridge version, the game displays horizontal lines over the screen instead.

* Take off/Landing: The cassette/disk version of the game displays miniaturized versions of the landscape and objects on a planet's surface as you approach the planet or are attempting to leave it. In the cartridge version, only a flat plane is displayed.

* Ending Music: The cassette/disk version of the game plays the song "When Johnny Comes Marching Home" during the end portion of the game. In the cartridge version, "Anchors Aweigh" continues to play, which is the song used throughout the game.

* Ending Difficulty: The cassette/disk version of the game makes completing the game much more difficult by forcing the player to solve a final, space-bound puzzle in order to enter the final planet's atmosphere. In the cartridge version, the player can enter the atmosphere of the final planet as normal.

* Ending Animation: The cassette/disk version of the game shows an end-game animation where a small, brown man carries a flag with the message "THE END" written upon it. In the cartridge version, the game ends with the text "Game Over" being displayed in the status bar.

External links

* [http://www.atarimania.com/detail_soft.php?SYSTEM=8&menu=XL&ADV=0&VERSION_ID=2688&SOFT_ID=2689 "Journey to the Planets"] - Game info provided by Atarimania (Page 1)
* [http://www.atarimania.com/detail_soft.php?VERSION_ID=14136&MENU=8 "Journey to the Planets"] - Game info provided by Atarimania (Page 2)
* [http://www.gamefaqs.com/computer/atari8/file/921881/34208 "Journey to the Planets Walkthrough"] - Game walkthrough that also documents the differences between the various releases