The first 64-bit system ever...... just not a very good one
Written: Jan 24 '02 (Updated Oct 02 '05)
|
Product Rating:
|
|
|
Pros: Most games feature build in save features for high scores. Some good games.
Cons: "This is a 64-bit system? Can't be? It sucks!"
The Bottom Line: This system BITES, and that's not because it's a real Jaguar or something.
|
|
|
| StarSoldier1's Full Review: Atari Jaguar |
ATARI'S JAGUAR
(October 1993-1995)
Yup! It's true! This is the first 64-bit system ever, the Atari Jaguar. Too bad it had just over 50 games released for it and this thing is basically just a poor man's Super Nintendo and Sega Genesis (both 16-bit systems by the way!) anyways. The awesome Tempest 2000 game is really the only thing that kept dark gray oval system alive in it's first year.
The Jaguar was first introduced in 1993 for decent $249.99 Canadian (compared that to the rival 3DO's $999.99 Canadian price) and it came packaged with the 3D game CyberMorph (a Star Fox clone). The future looked bright at first with games like Doom, Alien vs. Predator, and more on the way, but Atari would quickly revert back to it's old ways of screwing up.
Owners would go for months without a new game released especially during the start of 1994 and it didn't help matters when the hyped Rayman was delayed several times before it was finally released in June 1995 (Just when the Sega Saturn and Sony Playstation were making news). When Donkey Kong Country was released on November of 1994 for the Super Nintendo, most people forgot about the Jaguar and just how powerful Atari hyped it up to be.
There's even a poorly supported 790 meg JaguarCD, this Jaguar add on only had around 10 games for it including a poor remake of the Atari Lynx classic, Blue Lightning. If you look hard enough too you'll find newer releases for the Jaguar like Sky Hammer and Battle Sphere (expect to pay big bucks for em though). Here are some of the accessories and games of the Jaguar:
Cool Jaguar Toys
Jaguar CD
......... maybe this isn't so cool? The Atari Jaguar CD fits right on top of the Jaguar and it lets you play music CD's and Jaguar CD's. Comes complete with a Tempest 2000 Music CD, Vid Grid graphic imager, Blue Lightning CD, and a demo disc if you buy it new.
Jaguar Controller
The giant Jag Controller is loaded with buttons and lots of em are absolutely unnecessary. You get three action buttons and 12 key pad ones for different options plus a standard digital cross pad.
The Common Jaguar Games:
Cybermorph (pack in game)
Dino Dudes
Raiden
Doom
Tempest 2000
The Rarest Jaguar Games:
Defender 2000
Iron Soldier 2 (1998)
Sky Hammer (1999)
Battleshpere (1998)
WORMS (1999)
Zero 5 (1998)
StarSoldier's Top Ten Jaguar games:
(Tempest still beats out Rayman but only by a bit)
#1 TEMPEST 2000
The awesome update to a classic 1981 arcade hit, proves that not all Jaguar games suck! With its stunning 3D vector graphics and its very cool techno music it's still impressive. Shoot invading aliens entering a enclosed vector web, destroy them all to exit to the next level. Over 100 levels and loads of modes too that will keep anbody busy for awhile.
2. RAYMAN
Here is a amazing looking 2D game that's fun and challenging too. The game is a little linear at times but it should keep Jaguar fans happy for a few weeks. This is a must play on any game system plus there are no loading scenes either unlike the Saturn and Playstation games but the graphics and music are not quite as good though.
3. CANNON FOLDER
Loads of violent, but small, action has you try to keep your platoon alive. Cannon Folder is a excellent shooter.
4. RAIDEN
It's a fun translation of the arcade hit because it's saves the high scores at least and new music has been added to the mix. Where is Raiden II, I want that instead!
5. IRON SOLDIER
A cool 3D mech shooter with very basic polygon graphics but rock solid gameplay. Use your enemies phototype 40ton Iron Soldier to destroy their invading armies before it's too late.
6. ALIEN VS. PREDATOR
7. CYBERMORPH
8. DOOM
9. WOLFENSTIEN 3D
10. KASUMI NINJA
Most Disappointing:
DINO DUDES
The Worst:
DRAGON
Most Underrated:
???????
Bottomline:
The Jaguar is a good system for game collectors thanks to some rare games and some retro freaks who want to play the upgrades of Defender, Break Out, Tempest, and more, but it's not for anybody else. Rule number 1: "Don't ever play with a Jaguar" whether it's a cat or this system, you may get hurt!
-StarSoldier1 (Ryan Genno)
http://www.videogames101.com
Recommended:
No
|
|
|
|
Epinions.com ID:
StarSoldier1
|
 - Top 500 |
|
Member: Ryan Genno
Reviews written: 284
Trusted by: 165 members
|
|
|
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.