Fatal Run

Last updated

Fatal Run
Fatal Run cartridge.jpg
Developer(s) Sculptured Software
Publisher(s) Atari Corporation
Platform(s) Atari 2600, Atari 7800
Release
Genre(s) Vehicular combat
Mode(s) Single-player

Fatal Run is a 1990 post-apocalyptic-themed vehicular combat game developed by Sculptured Software for the Atari 2600 and Atari 7800 and published by Atari Corporation. [1] [2] Along with Klax , this was the last game Atari officially released for the Atari 2600. [3] At 32kB of data, the game was also the biggest ever released for the Atari 2600. [4] The game was only released in Europe. [5]

Contents

Gameplay

The player is tasked with driving an anti-radiation vaccine through a post-apocalyptic wasteland. The game centres around destroying other cars that attempt to stop the player and avoiding obstacles. The game has 32 levels, each of which has a password meaning that progress could be saved. Depending on how quickly each level is finished, a number of onlookers at the end of each level will explode due to the late arrival of the vaccine. Various power-ups may be collected in each level, including additional weapons, deployable oil-slicks, nitro speed-boosts, and 'death crystals' which make the player's car immune to crash-damage when colliding with other cars. Money earned in each level can be spent on repairs and upgrades. [2] [1]

Reception

A review in the March 1991 edition of GamePro was positive about the gameplay but neutral about the graphics, stating that "the scenery is incredibly boring". [6] Reviewing the game for November/December 2000 issue of Atari 2600 Connection, Al Backiel criticised the lack of an end cut-scene for the Atari 2600 version, but praised the cut-scene of the 7800 version. [7] Andy Slaven writing in the book Video Game Bible, 1985–2002 said of the game that "the first few minutes are great, but after that it just gets old". [8]

Writing for the Daily Dot , Jean-Michael Bond included it a list of the 30 best Atari 2600 games ever. [4] Brett Weiss in Classic Home Video Games, 1985–1988 A Complete Reference Guide praised the password-saving system and the cut-scenes. [1] Writing in 2016, Retro Gamer magazine stated that the game was similar to RoadBlasters , and said "by far the most impressive part of this game ... are the cut-scenes...". [9] Matthew Lippart reviewing the Atari 7800 version for the Atari HQ website criticised the controls, found the sound "bad" and the gameplay "repetitive", but praised the password and upgrade systems. [10]

Reboot

On August 26, 2024, Atari announced a "re-imagining" of Fatal Run, titled Fatal Run 2089, developed by MNSTR Studio using Unreal Engine 5. It is set to launch for Windows, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, Playstation 5, Playstation 4 and Nintendo Switch sometime in 2025. [11]

References

  1. 1 2 3 Weiss, Brett (2012). Classic Home Video Games, 1985–1988 A Complete Reference Guide. McFarland. ISBN   9781476601410 . Retrieved 19 February 2021.
  2. 1 2 Hawken, Kieren (3 September 2018). The A-Z of Atari 2600 Games: Volume 3. Andrews UK. ISBN   9781785389092 . Retrieved 19 February 2021.
  3. ↑ Lapetino, Tim (November 2017). Art Of Atari. DK Games. pp. 290–291. ISBN   9780744018868 . Retrieved 19 February 2021.
  4. 1 2 Bond, John-Michael (26 January 2021). "The 30 best games for the Atari 2600". The Daily Dot. Retrieved 19 February 2021.
  5. ↑ "Fatal Run – Red label – Atari 2600". Atari Age. Retrieved 21 February 2021.
  6. ↑ "Fatal Run". GamePro. March 1991. p. 76. Retrieved 29 November 2023.
  7. ↑ Backiel, Al (November–December 2000). "Fatal Run". Atari 2600 Connection. No. 63. Archived from the original on 27 October 2009. Retrieved 19 February 2021.
  8. ↑ Slaven, Andy (2002). Video Game Bible, 1985–2002. Trafford. p. 44. ISBN   9781553697312 . Retrieved 20 February 2021.
  9. ↑ "Fatal Run". Retro Gamer. No. 121. September 2016. pp. 86–87. Retrieved 19 February 2021.
  10. ↑ Lippart, Matthew. "AGH Atari 7800 Review: FATAL RUN". Atari HQ. Retrieved 21 February 2021.
  11. ↑ "Vehicular combat game Fatal Run 2089 announced for PS5, Xbox Series, PS4, Xbox One, Switch, and PC". Gematsu. 26 August 2024. Retrieved 23 April 2025.
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