ATARI 2600            ODYSSEY 2            INTELLIVISION            COLECOVISION            COMPUTERS

PUBLISHER: Imagic RELEASED: 1982 PROGRAM: Bob Smith FORMAT: Cartridge

Dragonfire for the Atari 2600 has become one of Imagic's most popular game titles over the years, and it won't take more than one play to see why that is. The game combines a simple, yet frenetic style of game play, with a unique medieval castle setting to form one of Imagic's most creative video game titles. Dragonfire would end up being released on eight different gaming platforms, but this Atari 2600 version is where it all started and still proves to be the best playing version of the game. In Dragonfire, you take on the role of the prince and your task is to iinfiltrate the castle that's been overrun by a group of evil dragons and take back the king's treasures that are being guarded by these dragons. The first level has you running across the castle's drawbridge while ducking and dodging the many fireballs that are being tossed your way by these dragons. Once inside the castle's treasure room, you'll have to quickly run around gathering up the treasures that are strung across the floor, once again avoiding the barrage of fireballs sent your way by the dragon. Although there are much better Dragonfire releases visually, no other release can compete with the sound effects and responsive play control of this Atari 2600 release. FUN FACT: Dragonfire actually started out being called "Cheese" and involved a tiny mouse who had to run around gathering up hunks of cheese while being pursued by a ferocious cat. Of course Bob would later decide to give the game the more "medieval" look and feel that we've all grown to love. Bob says that he got the idea for Dragonfire from the game of Jacks, where you toss the ball into the air and quickly gather up as many jacks as you can before you have to catch the ball. It's easy to see how this idea influenced the game, since the frenetic pace of Jacks is quite evident throughout Dragonfire, especially during the later treasure room levels.

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