Atari User


Up Up And Away

Author: Bob Chappell
Publisher: Bug Byte
Machine: Atari 400/800/600XL/800XL/130XE

 
Published in Atari User #22

Up Up And Away

This game first saw the light of day more than two years ago. It was quite popular then, and although it looks dated compared with current products, it is still worth playing.

If you don't recognise the title as being from an old Frank Ifield song you may not have realised that it's all about hot air ballooning.

No, this isn't a flight simulation, but more of an arcade game.

Up, Up And Away

The idea is to pilot a pink balloon over and past a number of hazards. You may have thought that ballooning was a safe and peaceful pastime - not so in this game.

The wind is always westerly, so you get blown from left to right across the screen, the background scrolling smoothly away behind the balloon. As well as being able to move the balloon from left to right, you can also go up by igniting the gas or hurling out sandbags or down (by releasing hot air). There are refuelling points along the way where you can take on more gas and sand.

The first hazard you'll encounter is a boy throwing stones. If one hits the balloon it will pop and you'll plummet to earth. More perils lie ahead. White clouds turn black and lightning fills the sky, tearing your balloon to ribbons if a flash strikes it. Kites need to be dodged and a passing seagull tries to drop something unpleasant on your balloon. A whirling windmill will suck your craft down if you're not careful and a lunatic aerobatic display flier may cause some discomfort.

There are four skill levels and a practice mode. The graphics are fairly simple by today's standards and, although there's no music, there are a few sound effects.

Not bad at all, but I would have thought that it could have been priced at a fraction lower given its age.

Bob Chappell

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