Back in 1982, I was a major fan of this classic film upon its release,
even to the point (sad git alert!) of preparing to enter a competition that would win something for my school (probably
not one of the fantastic computers that helped create the movie, although I did ask for that on my Xmas list that year...
and was disappointed not to receive it) by condensing its plot into 100 sentences.
Now, I got as far as completing the task, but for some reason that totally escapes me, I never submitted my entry. Still
to this day I can't figure out why not. Anyway...
I also really loved this arcade game when I was younger as well.
There are four sections of the game proper, the first seeing you attacking the mainframe by, as it sounds simply, entering
the flashing circle before the timer expires. Basically, aim with the right thumbstick to shoot all the creepy crawlies around
the screen that are stopping you from getting in and then walk straight in. Not particularly difficult on the first level.
Next up is the Light Cycle - the classic scene from the movie, here in top-down form. Move with the left thumbstick and
accelerate with the left or right trigger... and try to stay alive!
Tron on Xbox Live Arcade:
Classic gameplay action
Next up, destroy all enemy tanks. Move round a small maze as a tank approaches, turn your turret round and let off a few shots.
About three should get rid of each tank... but when there's several of them it's not so easy.
Finally, try to enter the MCP cone, the MCP standing for Master Control Program. You're facing a wall that rotates to the right
of the screen and shooting it removes sections of it but it'll take a fair bit of blasting to give you the chance to get
through, but it is easily do-able with perserverance.
Of course, working your way up the levels results in more enemies coming your way and it becomes more difficult.
Overall, it's worth the 400 points for the nostalgia experience alone.
The graphics have had slight enhancement, as has the sound to bring it into the age of Dolby Digital 5.1... well, that was
around for the film, given that it had a 70mm 6-track mix, but it wasn't available for hearing in the home with the comparatively
primitive, but still wonderful, Atari VCS.
Multiplayer options are available with Vs and Co-op modes, but these require a Gold membership and I've only got a silver one.
In short, if you enjoyed playing in the arcade, you owe it to yourself to get this version.
DVDs reviewed by the editor are watched on a Panasonic TXW32R4 32" widescreen TV
connected to either a Creative Dxr2 DVD-ROM player or Microsoft Xbox and
played through a Sony STR-DB930 amplifier.
PC games reviewed by the editor are on:
Since Nov 2005: Intel Pentium D 830 3.0Ghz, 1Gb RAM, 128Mb nVidia GeForce 6700XL, Windows XP
Since Aug 2003: Intel Pentium 4 2.66Ghz, 512Mb RAM, 128Mb GeForce4 MX440 graphics, Windows XP
Since May 2003: Intel Pentium 4 2.6Ghz, 512Mb RAM, 128Mb ATI Radeon 9600TX graphics, Windows XP
Since Jun 2002: Intel Pentium III 600Mhz, 384Mb RAM, Windows 98 SE, 64Mb ATI Radeon 8500LE
Since May 2000: Intel Pentium III 600Mhz, 384Mb RAM, Windows 98 SE, Voodoo 3 3000 AGP
