180 (A8)
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- This page is about the Atari 8-bit version. For other games in this series, see 180.
180 simulates the standard game of darts called 501. The game includes three methods of play, one-player against a computer opponent, two player against a human opponent, or a one-player tune-up game where you try to hit each number on the board in a short time span. The AI opponents have silly cartoon names and faces which add a little character to the game. Aiming is performed by controlling a hand that only moves along diagonal lines and can't be kept still. You must time your throws just as the hand reaches your target. The title of the game comes from the highest score you can achieve in a single round of 501, 180 points.
The release year is rather questionable. The back covers of the Atari 8-bit and MSX versions say 1986, but the MSX title screen says 1987, both games were reviewed in October 1987, and Brooke said in interviews that he got to write music when Whittaker left Binary Design, indeed around spring 1987.
Contents
Screenshots
Music
180's title music is nice and catchy, certainly showing off what the Atari POKEY chip was capable of. There is also a short fanfare, but unlike in all other 8-bit versions, it plays at the start of each set, whereas at the end, a sound effect plays.
If you throw 180 on an Atari 1200XL, 800XL or XE, a northern announcer shouts "One hundred eighty!" The screen is blanked so the 9851 Hz won't fluctuate. The tinny 1-bit sample is identical to the one in 180 (ZXS), although the game easily could have played the 4-bit take from 180 (C64).
Recording
| # | Title | Composer | Arranger | Length | Listen | Download |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Title | David Whittaker | Jason Brooke | 1:42 | Download | |
| 02 | Set Start | David Whittaker | Jason Brooke | 0:07 | Download | |
| 03 | Waiting | David Whittaker | Jason Brooke | 0:10 | Download |
Credits
- Ripper: ASMA (tracks 1–2), Professor Chaos (track 3)
- Recorder: TheAlmightyGuru (tracks 1–2), M1911 (track 3)
- Game Credits:
- Music By: Jason Brooke credited as Jas.C.Brooke
- Not Credited Composer: David Whittaker
- Not Credited Foley Artist: Jason Brooke
- Not Credited Programmer: Jason Brooke
- Not Credited Voice Actor: Pete Gartside
(Source for music: main menu. Source for composer: Brooke on Twitter. Source for foley artist and programmer: code comparison. Source for voice actor: recognizable from 180 (C64).)
Game Rip
Audio Devices
This game uses the computer's built-in POKEY chip. The speech is skipped if less than 64 KB RAM are available.
Releases
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Links
- www.mobygames.com/game/20417/pub-darts/ - MobyGames.
- gamefaqs.gamespot.com/atari8bit/201069-180 - GameFAQs.
- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/180_%28video_game%29 - Wikipedia.
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| Notable Songs | Title • Set Start • Waiting |
| Notable Personnel | David Whittaker • Jason Brooke |
| Notable Companies | Binary Design • Mastertronic |
