From TheBestLinks.com
| 720°
|
|
| Developer:
| Atari Games
|
| Publisher:
| Atari Games
|
| Game designer:
| John Salwitz, Dave Ralston
|
| Release date:
| 1986
|
| Genre:
| Sports
|
| Game modes:
| Up to 2 players, alternating turns
|
| Cabinet:
| Standard
|
| Controls:
| Circular rotating joystick;
2 buttons
|
| Monitor
|
| Orientation:
| Horizontal
|
| Type:
| Raster, medium resolution (Used: 512 × 384)
|
| Notes
|
| Used a unique cabinet with a rotating joystick that could not be centered; isometric graphics
|
720 Degrees, or 720°, is a 1986 arcade game by Atari Games. 720°, a skateboarding game, is notable in that it is the first extreme sports video game. The game's name comes from the "ultimate" trick, turning a full 720° (two complete circles) in the air after jumping off a ramp. 720° has the player controlling a skateboarder ripping around a middle-class neighborhood. By doing jumps and tricks, the player can eventually acquire enough points to compete at a skate park.
Story
It's just you, your trusty skateboard, and a hundred bucks as you skate, jump, slide, spin and more through four levels of difficulty, picking up loose cash, earning money through events, and finally, earn a ticket to one of the big skate parks! If you're lucky, you'll get to buy some rad equipment to make you the coolest skateboarder alive.
Overview
720° is a skateboarding video game originally developed as a coin-operated arcade game and subsequently ported to several other platforms. The game begins with the player controlling a skate-rat skating around a middle-class neighborhood using common objects as ramps for jumps. By jumping and doing tricks, the player can acquite enough points to compete at a skate park. Another message announces, "Hurry to a Park!"
The game consists of four levels each consisting of four events:
- Ramp
- Downhill
- Slalom
- Jump
The player earns points and money for high scores in each event. The player must have enough points to enter each event. Money can be used to buy better shoes, skateboards, helments and pads.
Scattered through the levels are several 'map' icons placed on the ground. Rolling over one of these gives you a map with the roads, parks and your location marked on it. Also scattered about the level are hazards and obstacles such as fast-moving cars and motorcycles, pedestrians, water, sand, killer hornets, flying hammers, and others. Dodging these, or better yet, jumping and/or spinning over them will earn you points.
At the top of the screen is a bar marking the time you have remaining. When it runs down, the message "Skate or Die" appears onscreen and a dangerous object starts heading for you unless you can get to a skate park. These objects are unavoidable in the long run, so getting to a park as quickly as possible is advisable.
Doing well at the events earns you the cash needed to buy equipment at shops, and a chance at a bronze, silver, or gold medal. Completing all four events in all four classes completes the game.
Arcade version
The cabinet for this game is unique. The speakers for the game are mounted atop the cabinet in a structure resembling a boom box, in line with the game's skate-rat theme. The display is larger than that for a typical arcade game and very high resolution (similar to that used for Paperboy). The main control is also unique. This joystick moves in a circular fashion, instead of in compass directions like standard joysticks. The game also contains two buttons, one for "pushing" (pushing the skate board with a foot for speed) and the other for jumping. The game supported up to two players, alternating play.
Legacy
The game's catchphrase inspired another popular skating video game, Electronic Arts' "Skate or Die", in 1987.
Ports
The game was ported to the Commodore 64 in 1987, the Amstrad CPC and Sinclair Spectrum in 1988, the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) in 1989 and the Nintendo Game Boy Color in 1999.
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