Stunt Cycle (arcade game)

Stunt Cycle is a 1 player (or 2 players alternating) arcade game by Atari Inc., originally released in 1976^[1]. It attempted to cash in on the Evel Knievel craze of the mid 1970s by allowing the player to perform their own simulated jumping stunts.

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-inch 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.

Gameplay

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

Legacy

• 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 Hazzard game instead. Dukes of Hazzard was not released and only exists in prototype form. Bob Polaro released 50 copies of Stunt Cycle at the 2003 PhillyClassic show.^[3]

References

1. ^ "Stunt Cycle Killer List of Video Games Entry". http://www.arcade-museum.com/game_detail.php?letter=S&game_id=9854. Retrieved 2007-07-14. 
2. ^ Stulir, Mike. "Atari Stunt Cycle". Archived from the original on 2007-10-08. http://web.archive.org/web/20071008085729/http://www.backntime.net/Atari+Games/Other/Stunt+Cycle/FrameSS.html. Retrieved 2007-07-14. 
3. ^ Reichert, Matt. "Stunt Cycle AtariProtos.Com entry". http://www.atariprotos.com/2600/software/stuntcycle/stuntcycle.htm. Retrieved 2007-07-14.