- Arcade coin-operated video game created in 1990 by the Leland Corporation
(USA), then distributed by Atari, then Capcom.
- As said in our page Origines,
this game is a transposition of the game Infection on a coin-up machine. And it
won a good fame.
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The first to be called Ataxx !
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- 7x7 board, with moving patterns, reddish and bluish pieces, reddish human
begins. Several levels, blocks. Others descriptions and photos (with the
complete cabinet) in the page Origins, and
also Strategies and Principles.
- The computer may play 5 or 6 computer opponents whose likeness is
rendered on the side of the screen. The first enemy is called "Colony" and it's
looks like a cluster of ghosts or spectors intertwined. Colony is very stupid,
obviously, and is easy to beat to any experienced player.
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A sinister and stupid coin operated game
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- On the player's side of the screen is an hourglass with sands falling
through it. Because you play against time (don't forget, it is a coin-operated
game, almost a slot machine !).
- Each coin yields 100 time units. Regardless of whether you win or
lose a match, your game gets interrupted when timer reaches 0. You cannot win
bonus time, you must insert more coins. It keeps the machine profitable !...
Also, the individual machine would keep your statistics, as long as you
enter your initials and birthday when first starting. Therefore, if you rank
high, it will match you up with a higher-level opponent.
- This Ataxx is a jamma game, meaning it's capable of being installed
in any jamma-compatible cabinet (JAMMA = Japanese AMusement Manufacturers
Association, or something close to that). So Arcade collectors will play it
still during a long time !
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- here the ennemies to fight:
- at top Mush Man and Cephalo Man (the best)
- at center Gorgon and Droolman
- at bottom Colony (the worst).
© Leland 1990.
Informations and some photos by Gary Heller
