📰 New article from Retro Handhelds
Radical Retrospective: 720º & The Dawn of Skateboarding Games
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Radical Retrospective: 720º – The Dawn of Skateboarding Games
Before Tony Hawk was shredding on consoles, Atari laid the groundwork for skateboarding games with 720º in 1986. This arcade classic wasn’t just a game; it was an experience! Here’s what you need to know:
Early Days of Skateboarding Games: 720º arrived during a resurgence of skate culture, fueled by movies like Back To The Future*. It helped bridge the gap between the video game crash and the golden age.
- Open-World Gameplay: Players explored “Skate City,” an open area with multiple skateparks, collecting money, power-ups, and avoiding pesky bees!
- Authentic Feel: Atari went the extra mile to capture the essence of skateboarding, building a halfpipe at their headquarters and bringing in real skaters for research and demos.
Presentation is Key: 720º* wasn’t just about gameplay; it was a visual and auditory feast with glowing marquees, unique controllers, and a killer soundtrack (even included on cassette with some home ports!).
Lasting Legacy: The game saw numerous ports to various systems (ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64, Game Boy Color, etc.) and continues to be enjoyed today through emulators and collections. It even inspired the catchphrase for EA’s Skate or Die*.
So, fire up MAME and get ready to shred! This retro gem still holds up after almost four decades.