Page 39 - OSG Presents Classic Gamer Magazine #6

Robot Tank Tank Brigade/Tanks But No Tanks Countermeasure
Robot Tank
Tank Brigade/Tanks But No Tanks
Countermeasure

2600 2600
5200
My own personal favorite of this genre Essentially the same game. TB by
and one of Activision's best games. Not Panda or Sancho was probably the first Probably the toughest challenge on
only do you face tank opponents, but you incarnation of this game. TBNT by Zimag this theme. The turret is tricky to posi-
get an easier to read radar screen. You has almost the same maze, but more tion and you face each screen practi-
can't get shot in the back; you have to be colorful graphics. The walls are multi- cally in a crossfire. The 5200 joystick
at least facing your opponent. The steering colored and the tanks look a little better. does not make it any easier. There is a
is faster and smoother, and you can suffer Both games suffer from excessive flicker- learning curve that must be met in or-
damage gradually. An enemy hit can take ing reminiscent of Pac-Man. These der to play effectively. This game has
out its toll on your treads, armor, or fire- games are easily remembered due to the the improved graphics of that era, but a
power. Another cool feature is that the huge level numbers found on the bottom lot of it looks like paint splotches. Also,
time-of-day changes from dawn to dusk to of each new level. A level consists of there are some types of terrain that can
nighttime. There is a nifty sunrise and sun- eliminating 20 tanks. The outpost on the slow you down even more. There are
set and a military timeclock. There is more bottom of the screen must be protected no extra versions or 2-player mode.
realism because the tank is also affected or else it's all over. Both have a bonus There is a failsafe combination that
by the changing weather conditions. You screen that has a few scattered barriers must be collected in bits and pieces
slide on ice and snow and get bogged instead of a maze, so this attack is a little and tried out to prevent a nuclear holo-
down in the mud from the rain. For every more out in the open. caust and win the game. When a code
12 tanks you knock off, a tank symbol is is attempted, the scene shifts to a
added. 12 would have earned you a merit Both rated C-, because they do require NORAD-style map of the world showing
badge from Activision. The most kills I strategy, but the sluggish (like a wet all incoming missiles converging on the
have posted was 81. I always wondered sponge) control, especially on the United States.
what the max would be, but it was becom- second screen, knocks them down a
ing physically impossible to continue due notch. I find that ambushing is the Rating: B-, mainly due to the better
to the increased speed and AI. best tactic on the first screen. There graphics. Note the graphic artist’s
is another version of TBNT that was initials are on the skull and cross
Rating: A- released in Europe called Phantom bones Doomsday screen.

There were three different merit badges Panzer/Phantom Tank.
available for tanks destroyed (48, 60, -A -Al
72).

-Al
Armor Battle/Armor Ambush Tank Command Armor Attack
Armor Battle/Armor Ambush

Intellivision/Atari 2600 Vectrex
7800
Both are 2-player-only Mattel re- A lot of collectors I know rank this
leases. A step up from Combat as far as One of the rarer 7800 carts from third one among their favorite Vectrex
graphics. Each side starts with two party developer, Froggo. This one has full games. It is actually a jeep vs. tanks
tanks that could be switched on or off as screen detail and looks like early Nintendo and helicopters battle. The helicopters
needed, which makes things a little graphics. It is a tough game because your score the most points and have nice
more interesting. Three hits must be tank fires shots in a trajectory. So if you sound effects. The hard core fans of this
fired to knock out a tank. Ricochet fire is are face-to-face with an enemy tank, you game know of various "safe zones."
optional. The Intellivision release, since have to back off or dodge it because it is
it was the original version, is larger and easy to fire over the top and miss it com- Rating: an easy A. This is one of the
has prettier graphics. pletely. This is very unrealistic because, if ones where it is worth having the
anything, it should be the opposite; the overlay, because it adds a lot of
Both rated a C+ further away you are, the larger the trajec- scenery.
-Al tory should be. This takes some getting
used to. There is also a fuel level that -Al
2nd Opinion: I think Armor Ambush is must be maintained.
a great two player party game! Rating: C due to the challenge
-Al
I rate it a solid A
-Cav
Classic Gamer Magazine Spring 2001 39