«Goldoraktari» takes flight on Atari 8-bit computers | Video
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In an exciting development for retro gaming enthusiasts, the beloved "Goldorak" project is underway for Atari 8-bit computers.
Led by French enthusiast Eric "Titan" Cubizolle, this game is inspired by the iconic Japanese anime and manga series "UFO Robot Grendizer", a gem from the late 70s that, despite its popularity in Japan and the West, remained relatively unknown in other regions.
In the universe of “UFO Robot Grendizer,” the villain is King Vega, whose desire to expand his empire leads him to destroy several planets, including Fleed. From this devastated planet, the prince escapes aboard a super robot belonging to the king’s army, fleeing to our solar system. He specifically arrives in Japan, landing near Mount Fuji, where he hides the robot until Earth faces a threat and needs its power. Intrigues, love stories, and more are intertwined throughout the narrative.
"Goldorak" is a captivating shoot'em up game with a vertically scrolling background. Initially intended for the Amstrad GX4000 console and Amstrad CPC computers, the game mirrors the story of the anime. Players guide the protagonist, who escapes from the devastated planet Fleed on a mission to Earth. The goal? Defeat the tyrannical Vega by collecting parts of a device scattered in various locations.
The project gained momentum after "Titan" shared its elements - graphics, music and story - expanding its release plans to platforms such as the ZX Spectrum and Sega Mega Drive. Jean-Marc Lebourg, a devoted Atari 8-bit enthusiast, decided to revive his programming skills for this project. With the help of David Lzd and Testuro for the transfer of graphics and music, the Atari version, provisionally called "Goldoraktari", is quickly taking shape.
In “Goldoraktari,” the plot centers on the destruction of Alcor by Vega’s forces. Goldorak’s mission is to travel to the four corners of the planet to find every piece of the destroyed device and rebuild it. During the journey, Goldorak faces numerous enemies. At the end of each level, one part of Alcor is obtained. Once all the pieces are collected, the game can be restarted aboard Alcorak.
To defend itself, Goldorak uses the default Gamma Missiles, projected by the ship's planitrons. These missiles can be used freely, and upon impact with an enemy ship, they destroy it. After three waves of enemy ships, a Golgoth positions itself among the fleet (usually in the center, at the top of the screen). The Golgoth's movement and attack patterns can become more complex or combined, increasing the difficulty of finding the exact weapon to weaken and ultimately destroy them. As the game progresses, the Golgoth become more resilient and challenging to defeat. The game ends with Goldorak's defeat when its energy meter reaches zero, or with its victory when all of Alcorak's remains are found (allowing the game to be restarted on board the ship).
A recent video shared by Jean-Marc offers a glimpse into “Goldoraktari,” showcasing elements such as the bottom panel, scrolling background, and character avatar. The music, with conversions by StaxX, is based on Shunsuke Kikuchi’s original scores from the anime.
IN SUMMARY
“Goldoraktari” represents an exciting fusion of anime narrative and classic gameplay, offering Atari 8-bit gamers a rich and challenging experience. With its combination of action, strategy, and an engaging story, this game is a notable addition to Atari’s catalog, promising to capture gamers’ imaginations.
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