Atari 2600

Dolphin

This game, designed by first time designer, Matthew Hubbard is one of the most technologically astonishing games on the 2600. You play the part of a female dolphin (one of the first games that allowed you to control a dolphin), being chased by a squid, both swimming from left to right on the screen. If the squid touches you, you lose a life and start over at the beginning. You start the game with the squid well behind you and the object of the game is to avoid being touched by the squid. To achieve your goal, you must avoid obstacles that slow your progress.

This is a thoroughly satisfying game, unique in many ways in superlative in others. There are eight game variations, four for one-player action and four for two-player gaming. All are interesting, challenging and good fun. The only thing lacking from Dolphin are exploding bombs or streaking missiles. No big loss... for those, you can pick up most any other cartridge and find those featured in those games. Yet another original and inspired effort by the top-tier 2600 software house.

I can certainly appreciate Dolphin's fine graphics and original concepts, but the game does tend to wear thing after a few plays.