Bullet Heaven review of Tempest 4000

Gets a bit of a panning over the controls but I know i'll get it anyway...

Tempest 4000 gets retailed!

The reason why Tempest 4000 never actually appeared on the online stores of Sony and Microsoft may have been what Amazon surprisingly just listed: a retail version for both consoles.

Xbox One and PlayStation 4 versions have both appeared.

At this point it's not clear why, what or how Atari managed to bungle such a slam-dunk release but let's hope we get those retail versions. Seeing is believing I guess.

Cancelled Atari Jaguar shooter surfaces in early demo version

The failed Atari Jaguar had a lot of announced games drop off the radar when Atari folded and was liquidated. The easily spelled shmup Zzyorxx II was one of them.

Now, thanks to preservationists, a ROM of an early demo has been dug up from the digital graveyard and made available.

The Atari Jaguar, much like SEGAs Dreamcast, is a great "what-if"-machine. When seeing Rayman or Tempest 2000 (a game series very much still alive) running on the Jaguar it's easy to see that the machine had potential that was just never fulfilled.

Tempest 4000 out today!

I just learned that Tempest 4000 for PlayStation 4 will launch today!

This latest Tempest will surely satisfy your psychedelic cravings!

EDIT: It was pulled immediately from the store.

New Tempest 4000 footage

New Jeff Minter interview

The legend behind convulsion-inducing shooters like Tempest, Jeff Minter of Llamasoft, in a new interview for Arcade Attack.


You might remember that he's working on a sequel to Tempest.

Xenoslaive Overdrive out on Steam now, also Tempest 4000 coming

Xeonslaive Overdrive is a bullet hell/danmaku shooter out on Steam now.

And in other, possibly more exciting, news: Atari has confirmed that a sequel to Tempest, Tempest 4000, is being developed by Jeff Minter. Yes, that Jeff Minter. Expect sensory overload to the max!

Or, as Atari puts it:

About

Developed by legendary game designer Jeff Minter, Tempest 4000 remains faithful to the original fast-paced gameplay while adding exciting new features and gorgeous graphics for audiences on the most popular contemporary platforms.

The original Tempest, one of the first video games to use 3D vector graphics, represents one of Atari’s hallmark titles and is considered one of the most popular arcade games of all time. It has been featured prominently across pop culture – including in Ernest Cline’s dystopian Ready Player One novel.

Just as in the original game, players are once again in control of the Claw, a powerful spacecraft equipped to destroy deadly creatures and other obstructions with rapid-fire shots on vibrant geometric prisms. With three game modes to choose from and 100 levels to conquer, players must eliminate all enemies as quickly as possible to survive, aiming for the coveted spot at the top of the leaderboards.

Key Features

• Arcade Style Shooter: Blast down hordes of enemies in this fast-paced arcade style shoot ‘em up.
• Unparalleled Graphics: Experience Tempest 4000’s mind-blowing graphics in beautiful 4K resolution.
• Multiple Game Modes: Pick from three different game modes including Standard, Pure and Endurance that will push your skills to the limit.
• Level Up: Progress and clear through 100 unique geometric levels by destroying enemies with various weapons and power-ups, and earn upgrades through bonus rounds.
• Climb to the Top of the Leaderboards: Post your high score in your quest to be recognized as number one on the leaderboards.
• Retro Techno Soundtrack: Enjoy the beats of a thumping soundtrack inspired by early 1990’s techno.
• Old School Gameplay: Feeling nostalgic? Relive the traditional gameplay of the original Tempest with enhanced graphics on current generation consoles.