Game Info
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Developer: Data East
Publisher: Data East
Year of Release: 1988
Game Review & Impressions
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I first discovered Atomic Runner through the later Sega Genesis conversion (£7 from the bargain bin in Wilko...RIP), learning later it was actually a coin-op arcade game first. It's an interesting take on the sideways scrolling shooter, putting you in the plutonium-powered boots of Chelnov, the Atomic Runner, who must blast through screen upon screen of aliens, mutants and typical menagerie of bad guys whilst trying to save the planet.
The main difference between this and other shooters is the fact you can't fly, forced to run forward, back peddle and somersault over or around obstacles. It's also impossible to stand still - Chelnov is locked in a permanent sprint, which adds considerably to the game's overall difficulty.
Everything else about the game is fairly typical: collect weapons, shoot enemies, and avoid dying. I much preferred the Sega home version, thanks to some snazzier graphics, but the arcade game is an interesting curio in a crowded genre. It's not going to win any awards, but still worth checking out.
Chapters
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TBC
