Played as part of Atari 50.
Very much get the feeling that this just isn't the same single player as it would be co-op. The computer-controlled second player lags behind your inputs in a predictable but annoying way which forces you to oversteer a lot of the time. Add to that the tiny viewport making reaction to obstacles really tough and it's not much more than a novelty, with the full-screen nature of Sprint 8 still keeping it safely as my favorite racing game so far. But this could probably be fun if you had two people really locked in on it!
Very much get the feeling that this just isn't the same single player as it would be co-op. The computer-controlled second player lags behind your inputs in a predictable but annoying way which forces you to oversteer a lot of the time. Add to that the tiny viewport making reaction to obstacles really tough and it's not much more than a novelty, with the full-screen nature of Sprint 8 still keeping it safely as my favorite racing game so far. But this could probably be fun if you had two people really locked in on it!
Playing on Atari 50, my goal with this one was to be decent enough to hit extended play. That turned out to be a tough task! I would have pumped plenty of quarters into this one in the attempt and probably would never make it with the intended 2-player co-op.
Once again, I can see this as a potential inspiration for many games to come. The graphical detail is also a leap forward from the likes of, say, Sprint 8. But it seems to me to be missing one obvious component: there's no firefighting elements, at all. Might as well call it "runaway tractor-trailer." I guess it might have been beyond the capabilities of the time to have a water hose effect, let alone fires to put out.
Once again, I can see this as a potential inspiration for many games to come. The graphical detail is also a leap forward from the likes of, say, Sprint 8. But it seems to me to be missing one obvious component: there's no firefighting elements, at all. Might as well call it "runaway tractor-trailer." I guess it might have been beyond the capabilities of the time to have a water hose effect, let alone fires to put out.
You drive around in a fire truck, and that's literally about it. That's the entire game. Nothing more to say, except that the game genuinely scared me whenever you crash into something. That gets some bonus points from me for being as scary as a real life fire truck crash.
Game #155
Game #155
This game actually makes me feel sick.
An arcade title really reliant on two players controlling parts of a fire truck and despite only being able to play this myself, the game did have a CPU option controlling the other half that did a manageable job nonetheless. Not much to say here other than the premise of the game is making sure you speed along narrow streets and avoid crashing whatever means necessary for a good score. Cool novelty but it'd probably wear off after a single play.
(played as part of ATARI 50)
A goofy "cooperative" driving game where one player controls the front end of the truck and someone else controls the back while you race through a neighborhood, presumably towards a fire (although I sure as hell never got there if it exists). If you play it alone, the back end kind of swings around wildly as you corner, which is funny in its own way and more manageable than you might think. The bigger problem is that your truck is huge, the roads are small, and hitting an edge stops you dead. The truck is always dead center in the middle of the screen which is obviously not a great idea, and the view is so zoomed in its basically impossible to react to corners well at top speed. Not particularly fun - more of a physical curiosity than anything.
Extra half-star for having a horn button that doesn't serve any gameplay function.
A goofy "cooperative" driving game where one player controls the front end of the truck and someone else controls the back while you race through a neighborhood, presumably towards a fire (although I sure as hell never got there if it exists). If you play it alone, the back end kind of swings around wildly as you corner, which is funny in its own way and more manageable than you might think. The bigger problem is that your truck is huge, the roads are small, and hitting an edge stops you dead. The truck is always dead center in the middle of the screen which is obviously not a great idea, and the view is so zoomed in its basically impossible to react to corners well at top speed. Not particularly fun - more of a physical curiosity than anything.
Extra half-star for having a horn button that doesn't serve any gameplay function.
The concept of maximizing your speed and overall score by cooperating with another player is actually quite neat. Those crash scenes are pretty startling though.
People reviewing this recently are most likely reviewing the emulated version on Atari 50. And yeah, I respect that compilation as a museum collection but its nearly impossible to replicate this game outside of that original setup. One player sits in the cockpit and drives the front wheels of the truck while the 2nd player stands behind them looking at the screen over their head and controls the rear axle. Nothing else like it and a CPU can't replicate a person because your constantly blaming one another for the crashes. Great fun. Played at Funspot in NH.
The entire tone of this game feels depressing as hell. You drive a fire truck making these very drastic turns and trying not to hit any curves or hitting objects that can end up reducing the amount of gas you have. I don't know if you're driving to stop a fire or not since the game isn't clear on that, since you're just driving and maybe I suck at the game so thats why.
But honestly this game is just a driving game that is very boring and basic with tight turns, and the game essentially ends when you run out of gas.
So Fire Truck (1978) isn't that fire, if anything it's pretty burnt.
Played on Atari 50.
But honestly this game is just a driving game that is very boring and basic with tight turns, and the game essentially ends when you run out of gas.
So Fire Truck (1978) isn't that fire, if anything it's pretty burnt.
Played on Atari 50.
The visuals aren't bad for a 70s arcade game but you'd go insane after your first play due to the endless sirens. Arcade owners must've hated this one.
you really FEEL like fire truck
Grand enough for what it is, and I'm sure it's far more playable with the original steering wheel, but the fucking flashing when your truck crashes is unbearable on the eyes. And I crashed a lot.