Download | port of «Barnstorming» for Atari 8-bit computers

November 22, 2021 • Updated: Mar 17, 2025 - 01:54 AM

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Atari XL/XE series computer users can now enjoy «Barnstorming», a port of the unique game published by Activision (1982) originally for the Atari 2600 console.

As we recently reported, after seven months since the project began, towards the end of last April, user "Glurk" from the AtariAge forum decided to finish the port for Atari 8-bit computers of the game where a biplane must fly through a series of barns in the shortest time.

In just one week, he added several details such as sounds, weather vanes and flocks of geese that the player must avoid, as well as the option to choose between four difficulty levels.

"My goal here was to recreate (what I consider) Activision would have released back in the day, if they had made an 8-bit version. So, it's basically a direct port with some graphical improvements," explained "Glurk. "in the AtariAge forum.

"Honestly, it didn't take as long as I expected (...) Many other (Atari) 2600 games would have been much harder (to port). It's 90% (at least) of Steve Cartwright's original code, so even the (flight record) time should match up," he added.

Since it only requires 8K of RAM, this version can even be run on an Atari 800 with NTSC video system. "I don't know about PAL machines, but I think a lot of changes would be needed to get it to work 100%."

Barnstorming for Atari 8-bit computers

Download | 9 kB

Controls
•Press the SELECT key to choose levels 1 to 4. Use the OPTION key to change the distance between the stables and the frequency with which the birds appear (see the indicator in the lower right corner). The game is started with the START key.
•Press the fire button to accelerate; release it to slow down.