Stunt Cycle (arcade game)

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Stunt Cycle
Developer(s) Atari Inc.
Distributor(s) Atari Inc.
Platform(s) Arcade
Release date North America 1975
Genre(s) simulation
Input methods Motorcycle steering column including throttle and brake
Cabinet unique
CPU discrete
Sound Amplified Mono (one channel)
Display Horizontal orientation, raster (black and white), Standard Resolution

Stunt Cycle is an 1 player (2 players alternating) arcade game by Atari Inc., originally released in 1975[1]. It attempted to cash in on the Evel Knievel craze of the mid 1970's by allowing the player to perform their own simulated jumping stunts.

Contents

[edit] Technology

The game is housed in a custom cabinet that includes a simulated motorcycle steering column mounted on the control panel. One handle provides acceleration, and the steering column can be pulled back to produce "wheelies". The monitor is a 19" black and white CRT monitor with a black and white overlay that adds giant tubes to the play field used to traverse from one split level to another. Sounds include a motorcycle roar, crash sounds, and crowd cheers.


[edit] Gameplay

The player attempts to gather enough speed to jump an increasing number of buses with his motorcycle.

[edit] Legacy

The Atari console version of Stunt Cycle
The Atari console version of Stunt Cycle
  • Two dedicated console versions were released by Atari in 1977. Atari's own branded Stunt Cycle version that played several Stunt Cycle variants, and the Sears Tele-Games version called Motocross that included the same Stunt Cycle variants and 16 Pong games played with detachable Pong controllers.[2].
  • A port for the Atari 2600 was in the works in 1980 by Atari programmer Bob Polaro. Using full color graphics, it was decided upon completion to turn it in to a Dukes of Hazard game instead. Neither game was released and both only exist in prototype form. [3]

[edit] References

  1. ^ Stunt Cycle Killer List of Video Games Entry. Retrieved on 2007-07-14.
  2. ^ Stulir, Mike. Atari Stunt Cycle. Retrieved on 2007-07-14.
  3. ^ Reichert, Matt. Stunt Cycle AtariProtos.Com entry. Retrieved on 2007-07-14.