Desert Falcon
Desert Falcon is a 3D (isometric) flying shooter game that was developed and published in 1987 by Atari. The game was released for the Atari 2600, 7800, and XE Game Systems of the Atari 8-bit family.
SCREENSHOTS
PHYSICAL
HISTORY
Desert Falcon is a 1988 scrolling shooter video game developed by General Computer Corporation and published by Atari Corporation for the Atari 2600 and Atari 7800. It was initially announced in 1984, prior to being named Desert Falcon, as one of the planned launch titles for the 7800. A version for Atari 8-bit computers, with XEGS-styled packaging, followed in 1989.
Designed by Bob Polaro, who also programmed the Atari 2600 version, Desert Falcon is loosely based on ancient Egyptian mythology. The diagonally-scrolling isometric graphics had reviewers comparing it to Zaxxon from 1982.
Plot
Players take on the role of a falcon, striving to collect the Pharaoh's scattered treasures in the desert to earn points.
Gameplay
The game uses a scrolling, isometric perspective. Vultures, warriors, flying fish, and other creatures guard treasures and try to stop the player. At the end of each level, the player faces a large, howling sphinx before moving forward. The falcon can shoot arrows to eliminate foes and defeat the sphinx.
Throughout the game are hieroglyphs in the sand. Landing and hopping over three hieroglyphs unlock what are labeled "super powers" in the manual. The specific combination of collected hieroglyphs determines the acquired ability, including invincibility, teleportation to a level's end, bonus points, a decoy to mislead enemies, and an air bomb that annihilates all airborne opponents.
Development
The game was revealed in 1984 as part of the Atari 7800 announcement. It was referred to as both Sphinx and Nile Flyer.
Reception
Reviewing the Atari 8-bit version for ANALOG Computing in 1989, Matthew J.W. Ratcliff wrote, "Desert Falcon has good graphics, cute sound effects, and a tired, boring theme." He cited Zaxxon several times, calling Desert Falcon a visually different spin on the same gameplay. New Atari User wrote, "The scrolling in Desert Falcon isn't quite as smooth as it could be," but complimented the animation of the falcon and the use of shadows. In Antic, David Plotkin wrote, "The manual describes a wide variety of enemies. Unfortunately, except for some flying triangles, they all looked pretty much alike". He still concluded with "It has excellent graphics and is very playable."
After playing the 7800 cartridge, Len Poggiali of Current Notes described it as "an average arcade game with a below average plot and above average visual appeal."
GAMEPLAY VIDEO
SCORES
ACHIEVEMENTS 1 set
Tracked by RetroAchievements and earned in an emulator that reports to it. A game tracked on more than one machine gets a set for each, because they are different lists earned on different hardware.