Definitely geared toward old school gamers who remember and appreciate platform games that required a focus on strategy to get through i.e. Spelunker, Jumpman. It's one of those games you'll keep coming back to just to see how far you can get, so it has far more replay value than games like Donkey Kong or Jungle Hunt. I didn't mind the blocky 5200 graphics, but the whole reason for the 7800 was to offer graphical improvements over the 5200 which most 7800 games typically exhibit. The quirky sometimes laughable Atari sounds never bothered me. Unfortunately the game is not Proline friendly but seems to play just fine with a 2600 joystick. As you mentioned a good control pad is a great alternative. Overall it's a good game for those who prefer depth and strategy with their platforming instead of simple arcade style jumping. 3/5 prolines in my book. And yes half ratings would be reasonable. Hopefully we'll see more of these efforts from Bob and others in the future. I wouldn't mind seeing Alleycat or Conan: Hall Of Volta ported to the 7800.
Amazing port as always, Bob! I've bought many of your works and they never disappoint. My only critique is that I wish you used the same steerable jumping mechanism that the C64/Atari 8-bit computers used (jumping straight up and steering...not the other way around.) But that wouldn't stop me from picking this one up.
Great honest review! Steerable jumping seems like a game changer to me. I experienced and learned to appreciate on Atari 50. Once I came to terms with the fixed jump and fall damage, I almost made it to level 3! My favorite thing about the game was the high score entry with the flying birds. I think it may be the best high score entry of all time! That is probably my biggest want for this port. Steerable jump is an awesome addition though.
One of my favourite platformers that I played on my ZX Spectrum which was a U.K. computer. It’s a faster pace with its tubes and slides which weren’t a feature in other single screen platform games of the time.
Really good review. I often have the same experience with these older games. Just need to slow down, and learn what the game is about, and you get the hang of it.
Good video and review of this game! I picked this one up with buying the Atari 7800+ plus bundle. I have not tried it out yet! I know, I always had problems playing the first Bounty Bob game for the Atari 2600.
I rate this review as 2 stars! ;) Seriously though, I haven't played this version, but I am very familiar with Miner 2049er and BBSB on A8/5200, and I watched a few streams of people playing this new port. It looks very faithful. Thank the author for the steereable jump option as those unfamiliar may prefer that. Me, I like the OG jumps. Once you understand the jump arc, and learn to jump up first, then press left or right, the control on the OG version is very tight, and it appears the same on 7800 too. Bob can purposely walk off the edges of many platforms to land safely on a lower platform. If the height is greater than approximately Bob's height, then he dies. Most of the challenge is figuring out a smart path for each level. Thanks for the review! You gave it a surprisingly low score, IMO. But I'm from the 80s when both Miner games were awesomely fun and highly rated.
@@Cafeman_2D I think it's solid in the programming but I have a feeling it's just too old school for people looking to casually jump into the 7800 plus. I'd like to steer those people towards Crystal quest while still expressing that this game is faithful and solid to the original, if that's what you want. Thanks for the input and hey, I think it's a 2 out of 5 review too lol
Good vid. Your right 2.5 might suit this one. I pre ordered it with the 7800+, you really do have to get used to its rules, it’s pretty fun then. Great to see a new post!
This is a game i originally hated and found utterly confusing and yet i have put in maybe 15 hours of play since buying it. Its a rare case of a game that can be addicting to return to, like pushing a boulder up a hill many times and you get further each time. It requires paitence to learn and accept, it grows on you but only if you give it time to do so, and yes it's hard, with steerable off getting to level 20 is one of the hardest experiences i have ever had to endure and might be the hardest game i ever played in my life.
I think Atari got wind that Bounty Bob Strikes Back is one of the "secret" games Collectorvision put out on Colecovision this year for their club. I got my copy recently and it's too much of a coincidence that two programers just so happen to have made homebrew conversions at the same time of the same game for competing platforms. Only, it made sense on Colecovision as it already has a version of Miner 2049er. 7800 does not.
Yes I found out quickly that the new CX78+ allows for the Up+Down impossible combo to be triggered easily. Atari has made some design choices to minimize this but on my controller it still triggers up or down to easily when pressing on the d-pad while playing. I'm sure this is what was happening to you as well and why you would end up going through teleporters when you didn't want to.
@@TheAtariNetwork It was this game that was really showing the issue with the d-pad allowing the impossible controller combos because I have a remote pause circuit installed into my 7800 to allow me to pause/unpause by using a 3rd button I wire onto the controller that uses an impossible controller combination to trigger the pause. Playing this game, it would constantly pause and unpause just trying to control bounty bob playing the game. So with this game the CX78+ isn't usable to me.
Great observation. I find pole position II unplayable too because of it triggering up and down on the gear shift. Luckily, I have the OG proline controller for that game.
Dude........... you have openly mocked me using point five ratings for over a year now. And now you are gonna steal my point 5's??? You'll be hearing from my drunk lawyer, a hole.
So regarding Bounty Bob Strikes Back, Bob DeCresenzo literally did model it after the Atari 8-bit and C64 versions, hence the 5200 look for it. This isn't pushing the 7800 at all. More to the point, Bounty Bob Strikes Back is less of a sequel to Miner 2049er as it is what today would be DLC - here's the same game again, but this time its much harder with stages meant to challenge veteran players of Miner 2049er. It doesn't work as a standalone game for newcomers. I want the 7800+ to succeed and there to be additional games for years to come. That's why the launch lineup for the 7800+ is so baffling. Asteroids Deluxe and Space Duel are among Bob's earlier works and are mere graphical hacks of the already existing and superior GCC Asteroids for 7800. Why wasn't the GCC Asteroids put out there for launch instead of these niche titles? Atari needs to get in talks with Namco to re-release Namco licenses on the 7800+ pronto. Doing so would net them Dig Dug, Galaga, Ms Pac-Man and also bob's amazing Baby Pac-Man, Jr Pac-Man, and Pac-Man 40th. THOSE would be far more appealing to the average person who is eying the 7800+ than Space Duel, Asteroids Deluxe and Bounty Bob Strikes Back. I'm not saying don't have these games available too, but launch titles?
I'm sure he had time amd memory contraints too. I like the game, but there should be continues or a save feature for a game this difficult. It's a great game in my opinion.
Great review! I was also disappointed that the graphics weren't overhauled for the 7800. It's a bit of a missed opportunity. Otherwise, solid port of an old school platformer.
I've played this game a few times. It's challenging for sure, would rather not see and purchase it for the 7800 though. 2.5 is what I'd rate it, mainly due to it not being a game I'd replay often.
It's in that Manic Miner vein, and I'm not thrilled with those kinds of platformers. It looks faithful to the 5200 version, but as you pointed out, that's a generation behind. So, could you pick up the atomic piles (tee hee) while you're invincible in the 5200 version? That's the one I've got, courtesy of the Atari 50 collection.
Does this game use a Pokey/Hokey? If the sound is identical to the 400/800 version, I guess the answer is yes, if not then no. I have never played either version so I still can't determine.
Never been a big fan of BBSB, always found it way too frustrating. That said, this seems to be a pretty faithful port that's been done quite well, as is the usual for Bob D's ports.
Thanks for the breakdown! Just a quick off-topic question: My OKX wallet holds some USDT, and I have the seed phrase. (alarm fetch churn bridge exercise tape speak race clerk couch crater letter). What's the best way to send them to Binance?
Not a bounty bob fan i play it occaisionaly on the atari 50th buuut nah not a system seller however why dont the 7800 have lode runner? Anyway great video!🎉🎉🎉🎉
Just watch videos of people playing the 5200 if you get stuck. The T.I.A. sound is excellent though, and the game's well presented. I think it' an excellent game. I've enjoyed it, but I think a save option, and at least the option to add continues would have made it a liitle more accessible. ATARI should have released games like Milly And Molly, E.X.O., A.R.T.I., and games that use enhanced sound as launch titles.
I've got the A800 family version of this so no need for what seems nearly an exact port. I want and need better versions of classic games not the same thing.
@@Cafeman_2D The game is generally great so is its predecessor! And the port is absolutely valid in a sense that the original game stems from the Atari 8 bit homecomputers and the port is a 1:1 port of the original including the pokey sound effects!
Definitely geared toward old school gamers who remember and appreciate platform games that required a focus on strategy to get through i.e. Spelunker, Jumpman. It's one of those games you'll keep coming back to just to see how far you can get, so it has far more replay value than games like Donkey Kong or Jungle Hunt.
I didn't mind the blocky 5200 graphics, but the whole reason for the 7800 was to offer graphical improvements over the 5200 which most 7800 games typically exhibit. The quirky sometimes laughable Atari sounds never bothered me.
Unfortunately the game is not Proline friendly but seems to play just fine with a 2600 joystick. As you mentioned a good control pad is a great alternative.
Overall it's a good game for those who prefer depth and strategy with their platforming instead of simple arcade style jumping. 3/5 prolines in my book. And yes half ratings would be reasonable. Hopefully we'll see more of these efforts from Bob and others in the future. I wouldn't mind seeing Alleycat or Conan: Hall Of Volta ported to the 7800.
@@TeeroyHammermill great alternative review, thank you! I'll pin it for a second opinion that might reflect the feelings of others!
Amazing port as always, Bob! I've bought many of your works and they never disappoint. My only critique is that I wish you used the same steerable jumping mechanism that the C64/Atari 8-bit computers used (jumping straight up and steering...not the other way around.) But that wouldn't stop me from picking this one up.
Great honest review! Steerable jumping seems like a game changer to me. I experienced and learned to appreciate on Atari 50. Once I came to terms with the fixed jump and fall damage, I almost made it to level 3! My favorite thing about the game was the high score entry with the flying birds. I think it may be the best high score entry of all time! That is probably my biggest want for this port. Steerable jump is an awesome addition though.
Wild to see a game released on a console after 30+ years!
@@TheArcadeAthlete agreed!
One of my favourite platformers that I played on my ZX Spectrum which was a U.K. computer. It’s a faster pace with its tubes and slides which weren’t a feature in other single screen platform games of the time.
Really good review. I often have the same experience with these older games. Just need to slow down, and learn what the game is about, and you get the hang of it.
Great review as always !
@@OGHUGO well thank you sir!
Good video and review of this game! I picked this one up with buying the Atari 7800+ plus bundle. I have not tried it out yet! I know, I always had problems playing the first Bounty Bob game for the Atari 2600.
I rate this review as 2 stars! ;) Seriously though, I haven't played this version, but I am very familiar with Miner 2049er and BBSB on A8/5200, and I watched a few streams of people playing this new port. It looks very faithful. Thank the author for the steereable jump option as those unfamiliar may prefer that. Me, I like the OG jumps. Once you understand the jump arc, and learn to jump up first, then press left or right, the control on the OG version is very tight, and it appears the same on 7800 too. Bob can purposely walk off the edges of many platforms to land safely on a lower platform. If the height is greater than approximately Bob's height, then he dies. Most of the challenge is figuring out a smart path for each level. Thanks for the review! You gave it a surprisingly low score, IMO. But I'm from the 80s when both Miner games were awesomely fun and highly rated.
@@Cafeman_2D I think it's solid in the programming but I have a feeling it's just too old school for people looking to casually jump into the 7800 plus. I'd like to steer those people towards Crystal quest while still expressing that this game is faithful and solid to the original, if that's what you want. Thanks for the input and hey, I think it's a 2 out of 5 review too lol
Good vid. Your right 2.5 might suit this one. I pre ordered it with the 7800+, you really do have to get used to its rules, it’s pretty fun then. Great to see a new post!
This is a game i originally hated and found utterly confusing and yet i have put in maybe 15 hours of play since buying it. Its a rare case of a game that can be addicting to return to, like pushing a boulder up a hill many times and you get further each time. It requires paitence to learn and accept, it grows on you but only if you give it time to do so, and yes it's hard, with steerable off getting to level 20 is one of the hardest experiences i have ever had to endure and might be the hardest game i ever played in my life.
@@RikoRik33 great input, thank you!
Nice video. You had lots of info about an obscure game, and it sounded like a real human narrated the vid.
@@Shorty_Lickens I've been called human before. People are always like, bro, you so human. It's great!
I think Atari got wind that Bounty Bob Strikes Back is one of the "secret" games Collectorvision put out on Colecovision this year for their club. I got my copy recently and it's too much of a coincidence that two programers just so happen to have made homebrew conversions at the same time of the same game for competing platforms.
Only, it made sense on Colecovision as it already has a version of Miner 2049er. 7800 does not.
Yes I found out quickly that the new CX78+ allows for the Up+Down impossible combo to be triggered easily. Atari has made some design choices to minimize this but on my controller it still triggers up or down to easily when pressing on the d-pad while playing. I'm sure this is what was happening to you as well and why you would end up going through teleporters when you didn't want to.
@@IvoryTowerCollections thanks you for clarifying and explaining my issue better than I ever could! And thanks for watching!
@@TheAtariNetwork It was this game that was really showing the issue with the d-pad allowing the impossible controller combos because I have a remote pause circuit installed into my 7800 to allow me to pause/unpause by using a 3rd button I wire onto the controller that uses an impossible controller combination to trigger the pause. Playing this game, it would constantly pause and unpause just trying to control bounty bob playing the game. So with this game the CX78+ isn't usable to me.
Great observation. I find pole position II unplayable too because of it triggering up and down on the gear shift. Luckily, I have the OG proline controller for that game.
Great video!!! I always enjoy your content!
@@tomevil6 well thank you I appreciate it
Thank you.
Dude........... you have openly mocked me using point five ratings for over a year now. And now you are gonna steal my point 5's??? You'll be hearing from my drunk lawyer, a hole.
@@FunkmasterV lol well you know, if you can't beat them, then blatantly steal from them!
The pain is still so raw. Be brave Vinnie, be brave.
So regarding Bounty Bob Strikes Back, Bob DeCresenzo literally did model it after the Atari 8-bit and C64 versions, hence the 5200 look for it. This isn't pushing the 7800 at all. More to the point, Bounty Bob Strikes Back is less of a sequel to Miner 2049er as it is what today would be DLC - here's the same game again, but this time its much harder with stages meant to challenge veteran players of Miner 2049er. It doesn't work as a standalone game for newcomers.
I want the 7800+ to succeed and there to be additional games for years to come. That's why the launch lineup for the 7800+ is so baffling. Asteroids Deluxe and Space Duel are among Bob's earlier works and are mere graphical hacks of the already existing and superior GCC Asteroids for 7800. Why wasn't the GCC Asteroids put out there for launch instead of these niche titles?
Atari needs to get in talks with Namco to re-release Namco licenses on the 7800+ pronto. Doing so would net them Dig Dug, Galaga, Ms Pac-Man and also bob's amazing Baby Pac-Man, Jr Pac-Man, and Pac-Man 40th.
THOSE would be far more appealing to the average person who is eying the 7800+ than Space Duel, Asteroids Deluxe and Bounty Bob Strikes Back. I'm not saying don't have these games available too, but launch titles?
I'm sure he had time amd memory contraints too.
I like the game, but there should be continues or a save feature for a game this difficult.
It's a great game in my opinion.
I agree with your assessment. The graphics are chunky for the 7800. I super appreciate his work, but I really think it could have been done better.
@@paulwestphal7336 I agree! Thanks for checking out the video!
Great review! I was also disappointed that the graphics weren't overhauled for the 7800. It's a bit of a missed opportunity. Otherwise, solid port of an old school platformer.
Was steerable jumping an option in the original game? In either case, I am very much going to use it. 😊
No, best thing about the port imo. Hope it makes it easier in practice.
The Atari 8 bit version had some really good copy protection.
@@paulwestphal7336 oh really?
I've played this game a few times. It's challenging for sure, would rather not see and purchase it for the 7800 though. 2.5 is what I'd rate it, mainly due to it not being a game I'd replay often.
@@cryptocoffee13 I feel the same way. I was firmly against .5 scores but this game is the best argument for a 2.5 I've come across.
It's in that Manic Miner vein, and I'm not thrilled with those kinds of platformers. It looks faithful to the 5200 version, but as you pointed out, that's a generation behind.
So, could you pick up the atomic piles (tee hee) while you're invincible in the 5200 version? That's the one I've got, courtesy of the Atari 50 collection.
Good luck getting a 7800+. Ordered one over 2 weeks ago and a copy of ninja golf. I’ve given up
Does this game use a Pokey/Hokey? If the sound is identical to the 400/800 version, I guess the answer is yes, if not then no. I have never played either version so I still can't determine.
@@johnketo2150 no it doesn't
Never been a big fan of BBSB, always found it way too frustrating. That said, this seems to be a pretty faithful port that's been done quite well, as is the usual for Bob D's ports.
@@saurondp agreed 100%
Thanks for the breakdown! Just a quick off-topic question: My OKX wallet holds some USDT, and I have the seed phrase. (alarm fetch churn bridge exercise tape speak race clerk couch crater letter). What's the best way to send them to Binance?
Not a bounty bob fan i play it occaisionaly on the atari 50th buuut nah not a system seller however why dont the 7800 have lode runner?
Anyway great video!🎉🎉🎉🎉
@@rameybutler-hm7nx lode runner would be a good one!
Anyone know if Power Rangers Rita’s Rewind will release on Atari VCS?
Just watch videos of people playing the 5200 if you get stuck.
The T.I.A. sound is excellent though, and the game's well presented.
I think it' an excellent game.
I've enjoyed it, but I think a save option, and at least the option to add continues would have made it a liitle more accessible.
ATARI should have released games like Milly And Molly, E.X.O., A.R.T.I., and games that use enhanced sound as launch titles.
Is this coming to the VCS?
@@IrezumiSage I have not heard anything but a lot of Robert D's games do...
@ thanks for the fast reply!
I've got the A800 family version of this so no need for what seems nearly an exact port. I want and need better versions of classic games not the same thing.
I don’t see why he couldn’t have made a port of this game for the 5200. There is nothing over the top here that wouldn’t work on the 5200 as well.
As far as I know it was on 5200.
@@TeeroyHammermill I was gonna say I'm pretty sure it is on the 5200
@@TheAtariNetwork It definitely was on Atari 8 bit!
It was released as a 40K cart on 5200, and it's rare. But the ROM is out there and plays great on Altirra emulator.
@@Cafeman_2D The game is generally great so is its predecessor! And the port is absolutely valid in a sense that the original game stems from the Atari 8 bit homecomputers and the port is a 1:1 port of the original including the pokey sound effects!
You who’re! Why you ruin sheeet
@@FunkmasterV shadup
@FunkmasterV you can learn a thing or two from @TheAtariNetwork about plugging in my retro controllers in your videos..