Kid Grid: Difference between revisions
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{{short description|1982 |
{{short description|1982 video game}} |
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{{Infobox video game |
{{Infobox video game |
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| title = Kid Grid |
| title = Kid Grid |
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| publisher = Tronix |
| publisher = Tronix |
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| developer = Tronix |
| developer = Tronix |
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| platforms = [[ |
| platforms = [[Atari 8-bit]], [[Commodore 64]] |
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| genre = [[ |
| genre = [[Maze video game|Maze]] |
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| modes = [[Single-player video game|Single-player]] |
| modes = [[Single-player video game|Single-player]] |
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}} |
}} |
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'''''Kid Grid''''' is a [[List of maze video games#Grid capture games|grid capture game]] which borrows heavily from the 1981 arcade game ''[[Amidar]]''.<ref name=eg/><ref name=efun/> Written by Arti Haroutunian for |
'''''Kid Grid''''' is a [[List of maze video games#Grid capture games|grid capture game]] which borrows heavily from the 1981 [[arcade video game]] ''[[Amidar]]''.<ref name=eg/><ref name=efun/> Written by Arti Haroutunian for [[Atari 8-bit computers]], it was published by Tronix in 1982.<ref name=giantlist/> A [[Commodore 64]] port from the same programmer was released in 1983.<ref>{{lemon64 game|name=Kid Grid|id=1432}}</ref> In ''Kid Grid'', the player moves along the horizontal and vertical lines of the playfield, turning the lines from dotted gray to solid blue. If all the lines around a square are completed, it is filled-in. Deadly creatures chase the player. |
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==Gameplay== |
==Gameplay== |
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[[Image:Kid_Grid_Atari_8-bit_screenshot.png|thumb|left|The Kid, just below screen center, trailing a blue line (Atari 8-bit)]] |
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The objective is to color all of the lines on the grid by moving over them, capturing the 35 squares. Four pursuers kill the player on contact: Moose, Squashface, Muggy, and Thuggy.<ref name=man/> They are visually unique, but have the same behavior. Question marks randomly appear in some squares which give bonus points when captured.<ref name=cc/> Pressing the joystick button briefly stuns the enemies so they don't move and can be passed through by the player (analogous to "jumps" in ''Amidar'').<ref name=man/> A fixed number of stuns are available. |
The objective is to color all of the lines on the grid by moving over them, capturing the 35 squares. Four pursuers kill the player on contact: Moose, Squashface, Muggy, and Thuggy.<ref name=man/> They are visually unique, but have the same behavior. Question marks randomly appear in some squares which give bonus points when captured.<ref name=cc/> Pressing the joystick button briefly stuns the enemies so they don't move and can be passed through by the player (analogous to "jumps" in ''Amidar'').<ref name=man/> A fixed number of stuns are available. |
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==Development== |
==Development== |
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Arti Haroutunian wrote ''Kid Grid'' in two months using the [[Atari Assembler Editor]] cartridge.<ref name=ellison/> He |
Arti Haroutunian wrote ''Kid Grid'' in two months using the [[Atari Assembler Editor]] cartridge.<ref name=ellison/> He programmed the Commodore 64 port himself. Tronix ran magazine adverts promoting both ''Kid Grid'' and another game by Haroutunian, ''Juice!'', mentioning him by name.<ref>{{cite web |title=Tronix magazine ad |url=http://www.atarimania.com/pubs/hi_res/pub_tronix.jpg |website=Atari Mania}}</ref> |
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==Reception== |
==Reception== |
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''[[Electronic Fun with Computers & Games]]'' also compared ''Kid Grid'' to ''Amidar'', calling out three differences: "The grid is square, not irregular...there is no bonus round (or bonus points for finishing a grid) and the monsters are more intent on killing you and less intent on having a good time."<ref name=efun/> |
''[[Electronic Fun with Computers & Games]]'' also compared ''Kid Grid'' to ''Amidar'', calling out three differences: "The grid is square, not irregular...there is no bonus round (or bonus points for finishing a grid) and the monsters are more intent on killing you and less intent on having a good time."<ref name=efun/> |
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In a " |
In a "C−" review, ''Addison Wesley Book of Atari Software 1984'' wrote, "the game's utter simplicity works against it after repeated play. There is only one maze and a simple strategy to keep one step ahead of the pursuing creatures."<ref>{{cite book |title=Addison Wesley Book of Atari Software 1984 |date=1984 |publisher=Addison Wesley |page=135 |url=https://archive.org/details/addison-wesley-book-of-atari-software-1984/page/n135/mode/2up |via=archive.org}}</ref> |
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==See also== |
==See also== |
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==External links== |
==External links== |
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*{{atarimania|id=2781}} |
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*[http://www.atarimania.com/game-atari-400-800-xl-xe-kid-grid_2781.html ''Kid Grid''] at Atari Mania |
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*[https://archive.org/details/commodore-power-play-10/page/n15/mode/2up Review] in [[Commodore Power/Play]] |
*[https://archive.org/details/commodore-power-play-10/page/n15/mode/2up Review] in ''[[Commodore Power/Play]]'' |
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*[https://archive.org/details/CreativeComputingbetterScan198309/page/n115/mode/2up Review] in [[Creative Computing]] |
*[https://archive.org/details/CreativeComputingbetterScan198309/page/n115/mode/2up Review] in ''[[Creative Computing]]'' |
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*[https://archive.org/details/Creative_Computing_1984-05/page/n121/mode/2up Review] in ''[[Creative Computing]]'' |
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[[Category:1982 video games]] |
[[Category:1982 video games]] |
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| ⚫ | |||
[[Category:Maze games]] |
[[Category:Maze games]] |
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[[Category:Atari 8-bit |
[[Category:Atari 8-bit computer games]] |
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[[Category:Commodore 64 games]] |
[[Category:Commodore 64 games]] |
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| ⚫ | |||
[[Category:Video games developed in the United States]] |
[[Category:Video games developed in the United States]] |
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[[Category:Single-player video games]] |
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Latest revision as of 06:11, 19 May 2024
| Kid Grid | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Developer(s) | Tronix |
| Publisher(s) | Tronix |
| Programmer(s) | Arti Haroutunian[1] |
| Platform(s) | Atari 8-bit, Commodore 64 |
| Release | 1982: Atari 1983: C64 |
| Genre(s) | Maze |
| Mode(s) | Single-player |
Kid Grid is a grid capture game which borrows heavily from the 1981 arcade video game Amidar.[2][3] Written by Arti Haroutunian for Atari 8-bit computers, it was published by Tronix in 1982.[1] A Commodore 64 port from the same programmer was released in 1983.[4] In Kid Grid, the player moves along the horizontal and vertical lines of the playfield, turning the lines from dotted gray to solid blue. If all the lines around a square are completed, it is filled-in. Deadly creatures chase the player.
Gameplay
[edit]
The objective is to color all of the lines on the grid by moving over them, capturing the 35 squares. Four pursuers kill the player on contact: Moose, Squashface, Muggy, and Thuggy.[5] They are visually unique, but have the same behavior. Question marks randomly appear in some squares which give bonus points when captured.[6] Pressing the joystick button briefly stuns the enemies so they don't move and can be passed through by the player (analogous to "jumps" in Amidar).[5] A fixed number of stuns are available.
There are five selectable difficulty levels, and the game can be played with 3, 5, or 7 stuns.[3]
Development
[edit]Arti Haroutunian wrote Kid Grid in two months using the Atari Assembler Editor cartridge.[7] He programmed the Commodore 64 port himself. Tronix ran magazine adverts promoting both Kid Grid and another game by Haroutunian, Juice!, mentioning him by name.[8]
Reception
[edit]The reviewer for Antic called it, "the most exciting mutation of Pac-Man I have ever played."[9] David H. Ahl criticized the simplistic sound effects, but concluded, "All in all, we found Kid Grid to be one of the most playable and addictive games around. It is cute, fast, and fun."[6] Electronic Games wrote, "The play mechanic alone makes this one of the most compulsive, utterly addictive contests in the world of computer gaming" and "Kid Grid has play value coming out of its ears and enough speed to give even its inspiration, Amidar, a run for its money."[2]
Electronic Fun with Computers & Games also compared Kid Grid to Amidar, calling out three differences: "The grid is square, not irregular...there is no bonus round (or bonus points for finishing a grid) and the monsters are more intent on killing you and less intent on having a good time."[3]
In a "C−" review, Addison Wesley Book of Atari Software 1984 wrote, "the game's utter simplicity works against it after repeated play. There is only one maze and a simple strategy to keep one step ahead of the pursuing creatures."[10]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b Hague, James. "The Giant List of Classic Game Programmers".
- ^ a b Richardson, Will (May 1983). "Computer Gaming: Kid Grid". Electronic Games. 1 (15): 66–67.
- ^ a b c van Horn, Shisha (February 1983). "Kid Grid" (PDF). Electronic Fun with Computers & Games: 65.
- ^ Kid Grid at Lemon 64
- ^ a b "Kid Grid Atari Manual". archive.org. Tronix. 1982.
- ^ a b Ahl, David H. (May 1984). "Thirteen Great New Games". Creative Computing: 121.
- ^ Ellison, Peter (April 1984). "Interview: Arti Haroutunian". ROM (5): 8.
- ^ "Tronix magazine ad". Atari Mania.
- ^ Welch, Bryan (August 1983). "Product Reviews: Kid Grid". Antic. 2 (8): 92.
- ^ Addison Wesley Book of Atari Software 1984. Addison Wesley. 1984. p. 135 – via archive.org.
External links
[edit]- Kid Grid at Atari Mania
- Review in Commodore Power/Play
- Review in Creative Computing
- Review in Creative Computing