Dodge 'Em

Dodge 'Em is a driving-themed maze game programmed by Carla Meninsky and published in 1980 by Atari, Inc. for the Atari VCS (later renamed to the Atari 2600). It is based on a single screen of four concentric roadways, much like Sega's 1979 Head On arcade game. Sears released the game for the "Sears Video Arcade" under the name Dodger Cars.[2]

Dodge 'Em
Developer(s)Atari, Inc.
Publisher(s)Atari, Inc.
Programmer(s)Carla Meninsky[1]
Platform(s)Atari 2600
Release1980
Genre(s)Maze
Mode(s)Single-player, two-player

The Dodge 'Em cartridge includes three versions of the game, accessible through the Game Select switch on the Atari 2600.[3] The first game is for one player, and the remaining two are for two players. The second game has the two players, one player playing the role of the player's car, alternating turns. In the third game, one player plays one car the other player controls the other car at the same time, alternating turns.

Gameplay
Gameplay screenshot

The player controls one car and has to drive counter-clockwise, avoiding computer-controlled cars whose sole aim is to produce a head-on collision. Each roadway of the maze has four gaps in it, at the top, bottom, left, and right of the screen. The player can use the gaps to change lanes in order to pick up other dots or to avoid the computer-controlled cars.[4]

The player's car can travel at two speeds, a normal speed which is the same speed as computer-controlled cars, or a fast (doubled) speed activated by pressing the controller button. The computer-controlled cars have only one speed. Players change lanes by pushing the controller in the appropriate direction when their car is near one of the gaps in the roadway.

The difficulty switches adjust the speed and the starting position of the computer-controlled car. Screens 1 and 2 have a single opposing car; 3 through 5 feature two. Screen 6 is as if going back screen 1, losing one life. The point counter resets at 1,000, although it reads as " 00" (with the hundreds digit blank) due to an error. A kill screen occurs at " 80" (1080 points) even if a player plays perfectly.

Reception

Dodge 'Em was reviewed by Video magazine in its "Arcade Alley" column where it was described as "one of those rare videogames that is exciting in either one- or two-player versions". Although the reviewers suggested that "the early stages of each Dodge 'Em game can become predictable" for some players, the game was recommended to arcade game fans who were familiar with frequently replaying early levels in order to master them.[5]:108 It would go on to be given Honorable Mention in the category of "Best Solitaire Game" at the 3rd annual Arkie Awards.[6]:76

References
  1. Yarusso, Albert. "Programmers: Carla Meninsky". AtariAge. Archived from the original on January 27, 2013. Retrieved December 3, 2010.
  2. "Dodger Cars (Sears)". AtariAge.com. Retrieved 2010-08-26.
  3. Dodge 'Em - Atari 2600 - Atari - Color Box Style. AtariAge.com. Accessed 8 March 2009.
  4. "Dodge 'Em Manual". AtariAge.
  5. Kunkel, Bill; Laney, Jr., Frank (May 1981). "Arcade Alley: 'I Want To Be Alone' - Solo Video Games". Video. Reese Communications. 5 (2): 24, 107–108. ISSN 0147-8907.
  6. Kunkel, Bill; Laney, Jr., Frank (January 1982). "Arcade Alley: The Third Annual Arcade Awards". Video. Reese Communications. 5 (10): 28, 76–77. ISSN 0147-8907.
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