Dolphin (video game)

Dolphin
Developer(s) Activision
Publisher(s) Activision
Programmer(s) Matthew Hubbard [1]
Platform(s) Atari 2600
Release 1983
Genre(s) Action
Mode(s) Single player

Dolphin is a side-scrolling video game created by Matthew Hubbard for the Atari 2600 and released by Activision in 1983.[1] Hubbard later designed Zenji for Activision.[1]

Gameplay

Gameplay screenshot of Dolphin

The player assumes the persona of a dolphin attempting to flee from a giant squid. It must not only navigate packs of seahorses which, if a collision occurs, slows the dolphin's speed, the player must navigate both forward-moving currents (indicated by an arrow pointed in the direction of the player's movement) and, conversely, backward-moving currents. The former permits the player to accelerate while the latter slows the player's rate of progression. Occasionally a seagull will appear above the water's surface which, if touched, permits the player a short period wherein he or she is invincible and, during this time, is able to touch the squid and drive it away.

Dolphin forces the player to use the soundtrack of the game in order to survive. When packs of seahorses are upcoming, the dolphin's sonar sounds off: A high pitch indicates an opening in the pack near the water's surface; a lower resonance indicates a seafloor doorway.

Also, the game permits a player to move in the traditional left-to-right linear direction typical of video games during the period as well as reverse course if he or she so chooses.

Reception

Dolphin won the "Best Videogame Audio/Visual Effects (Less than 16K ROM)" category in the Electronic Games 1984 Arcade Awards.[2]

References

  1. 1 2 3 Hague, James. "The Giant List of Classic Game Programmers".
  2. ↑ "The 1984 Arcade Awards" (PDF). Electronic Games: 70. January 1984.
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