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720°

2025-09-20T23:05:20Z

2600:1700:E5D0:A9A0:449F:A655:BF61:BCC8:

{{Short description|1986 video game}}
{{more citations needed|date=June 2008}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = 720°
| image = 720-arcadegame.jpg
| caption = Arcade flyer
| developer = [[Atari Games]]{{efn|Home computer versions developed by [[Tiertex Design Studios]]; NES version developed by [[Beam Software]]; Game Boy Color version developed by Game Brains.}}
| publisher = {{Collapsible list|title={{nobold|Atari Games}}|'''CPC, ZX Spectrum''' [[U.S. Gold]] '''C64'''{{vgrelease|EU|U.S. Gold|NA|[[Mindscape (company)|Mindscape]]}} '''NES''' Mindscape '''Game Boy Color''' [[Midway Games|Midway]]}}
| designer = John Salwitz Dave Ralston
| programmer = John Salwitz
| artist = Dave Ralston
| composer = Hal Canon Earl Vickers [[Brad Fuller (composer)|Brad Fuller]]
| platforms = [[Arcade video game|Arcade]], [[Amstrad CPC]], [[ZX Spectrum]], [[Commodore 64]], [[Nintendo Entertainment System|NES]], [[Game Boy Color]]
| released = {{collapsible list|title={{nobold|December 1986}}|'''Arcade'''{{vgrelease|NA|December 1986<ref>{{cite web|title=Production Numbers|url=http://www.atarigames.com/atarinumbers90s.pdf|publisher=[[Atari]]|year=1999|archive-date=10 May 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130510143012/http://www.atarigames.com/atarinumbers90s.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>}} '''CPC, ZX Spectrum'''{{vgrelease|EU|November 1987<ref name="tgm">{{cite magazine |author= |date=October 1987 |title=720° |url=https://archive.org/details/TheGamesMachine14Jan89/TheGamesMachine/TheGamesMachine01-Oct87/page/n11/mode/2up |magazine=[[The Games Machine]] |publisher=[[Newsfield Publications]] |issue=1 |page=13}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |author= |date=October 1987 |title=Better Skate Than Never |url=https://archive.org/stream/sinclair-user-magazine-067/SinclairUser_067_Oct_1987#page/n103/mode/1up |magazine=[[Sinclair User]] |publisher=[[Ascential|EMAP]] |issue=67 |page=104}}</ref>}} '''C64'''{{vgrelease|EU|November 1987<ref name="tgm"/>|NA|January 1989<ref>{{cite news |title=Availability Update |url=https://archive.gamehistory.org/item/4894dc4d-52b2-447b-83c4-91f3ba837f9a |work=[[Computer Entertainer]] |volume=7 |issue=11 |date=February 1989 |page=14}}</ref>}} '''NES'''{{vgrelease|NA|December 1989<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nintendo.com/consumer/downloads/nes_games.pdf |publisher=Nintendo of America |title=NES Games |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140611225644/http://www.nintendo.com/consumer/downloads/nes_games.pdf |archive-date=June 11, 2014 }}</ref>}} '''Game Boy Color'''{{vgrelease|NA|March 4, 1999<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=1999-10-12 |title=Game Informer News |magazine=[[Game Informer]] |url=http://www.gameinformer.com/news/mar99/030499b.html |access-date=2023-04-06 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19991012131900/http://www.gameinformer.com/news/mar99/030499b.html |archive-date=1999-10-12}}</ref>|EU|March 1999}}
}}
| genre = [[Sports video game|Sports]] ([[skateboarding]])
| modes = [[Single-player]], [[multiplayer]]
| arcade system = [[Atari System 2]]
}}

'''''720°''''' is a 1986 [[sports video game]] developed and published by [[Atari Games]] for [[Arcade video game|arcades]].<ref>{{cite web|url =http://www.arcade-museum.com/game_detail.php?game_id=6791|title =720°|publisher =The International Arcade Museum|access-date =5 Oct 2013}}</ref> Based on the sport of [[skateboarding]], the player controls a skateboarder as they compete in various skating competitions, such as ramp jumping and downhill races, to earn cash.

The game has been ported and re-released to various home console and computer platforms.

==Gameplay==
The game begins with the player controlling a skateboarder skating around a middle-class neighborhood using common objects as ramps for jumps.

The player begins with a number of "tickets", each of which grants admission to one of four skate parks, or "events" in Skate City, the "hub" between the parks. When a park is entered, one ticket is expended. The player gains additional tickets by earning points. Whenever the player isn't in an event, a bar counts down the time remaining until the arrival of a swarm of killer bees accompanied by the caption of "SKATE OR DIE!". Once the bees arrive, the player still has a small amount of time to make it to a park. The longer the player delays this, the faster the bees become until they are unavoidable. Getting caught by the bees ends the game, but on default settings, the player may elect to continue by inserting more money. Reaching a park with a ticket gives the player the chance to earn points, medals and money. The money is used to upgrade equipment and the timer will reset upon completion of an event.

The player constantly races to perform stunts, both in the events and in the park itself, to earn the points needed to acquire tickets. Thus, the player's score is directly tied to the amount of time available to play the game. In order to win, the player must complete a total of sixteen events through four hubs.[[Image:720 Degrees 02.png|thumb|right|The "Skate or Die" message appearing, as the player is running out of time.]]
The game has four levels, each consisting of four events:
* Ramp: the player skates around a half-pipe structure, trying to gain more and more height and performing tricks in the air to earn the most possible points. This ends when the timer runs out.
* Downhill: a long course consisting of slopes and banks must be navigated to reach the finish line. The quicker the player reaches the finish, the more points are earned.
* Slalom: an obstacle course in which the player is required to pass between pairs of yellow flags scattered across the course. Each gate passed grants a little extra time, and scoring depends on time remaining upon crossing the finish line.
* Jump: the player jumps from a series of ramps, attempting to hit a bull's-eye target off the screen. There are cryptic marks on the ramp before the jump that provide clues as to the location of the target. This ends when the timer runs out or the player crosses the finish line, whichever comes first.

Scattered in the levels are several "map" icons placed on the ground which when activated show a map with the roads, parks, shops, and the player's location marked on it. Also scattered about the level are hazards and obstacles; jumping over hazards earns points.

The player earns points and money for high scores in each event, and doing well at the events earns the cash needed to buy equipment that improves player performance, and a chance at a bronze, silver, or gold medal. Completing all four events in all four classes finishes the game.

==Development==
{{Expand section|date=September 2025}}
The game program for the arcade version was written in [[BLISS (programming language)|BLISS]], and utilized the [[Atari System 2]] hardware.<ref>Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/MREsJsRZqu0 Ghostarchive] {{cbignore}} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20190505154516/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MREsJsRZqu0 Wayback Machine] {{cbignore}}: {{Citation|last=GDC|title=Classic Game Postmortem: Paperboy|date=2019-05-01|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MREsJsRZqu0|access-date=2019-05-10}} {{cbignore}}</ref><ref name=retrogamer141>{{cite magazine|title=The Making of 720|magazine=[[Retro Gamer]]|issue=141|pages=62–65|author=Kieren Hawken}}</ref>

==Ports==
The game was released to the [[Commodore 64]] (twice) in 1987, the [[Amstrad CPC]] and [[ZX Spectrum]] in 1988, the [[Nintendo Entertainment System]] (NES) in 1989, and the [[Game Boy Color]] in 1999. There is also an unreleased port for the [[Atari Lynx]].<ref name="AUKLL92">{{cite web|url=http://www.atarimania.com/catalog-atari-atari-uk-lynx-log_369_L.html|title=Atari (UK) – Lynx Log - 1992|website= atarimania.com|access-date=2019-04-21}}</ref><ref name="AUKLL292">{{cite web|url=http://www.atarimania.com/catalog-atari-atari-uk-lynx-log-2_370_L.html|title=Atari (UK) – Lynx Log 2 - 1992|website= atarimania.com|access-date=2019-04-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180409171446/http://www.atarimania.com/catalog-atari-atari-uk-lynx-log-2_370_L.html|archive-date=2018-04-09|url-status=live}}</ref>

The Amstrad CPC, ZX Spectrum, and the first Commodore 64 versions were developed by [[Tiertex Design Studios]] and published by [[U.S. Gold]]. ''[[Sinclair User]]'' described it as "US Gold's finest hour".{{Citation needed|date=September 2025}}

The Game Boy Color version was developed by Game Brains and published by [[Midway Games]]. It was originally released in March 1999 in North America and Europe.<ref>{{Cite web|title=720 Degrees for Game Boy Color - GameFAQs|url=https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/gbc/581519-720-degrees|access-date=2020-10-21|website=GameFaqs}}</ref>

==Reception==
{{Video game reviews
| CVG = 28/40<ref>{{cite web|url=https://archive.org/stream/cvg-magazine-075/CVG_075_Jan_1988#page/n26/mode/2up |title=CVG Magazine Issue 075 |date=January 1988 |publisher=EMAP |access-date=2018-05-08}}</ref>
| CRASH = 81%<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/stream/crash-magazine-47/Crash_47_Dec_1987#page/n25/mode/2up |title=Crash Magazine Issue 47 |magazine=Newsfield |access-date=2018-05-08}}</ref>
| GI = 9.75/10<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Classic Reviews: ''720°''|magazine=Game Informer|volume=10|issue=91|date=November 2000|page=162}}</ref>
| SUser = {{Rating|10|10}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://archive.org/stream/sinclair-user-magazine-068/SinclairUser_068_Nov_1987#page/n23/mode/2up |title=Sinclair User Magazine Issue 068 |date=November 1987 |publisher=EMAP |access-date=2018-05-08}}</ref>
| YSinclair = 9/10<ref>{{cite web|url=https://archive.org/stream/your-sinclair-25/YourSinclair_25_Jan_1988#page/n91/mode/2up |title=Your Sinclair Magazine Issue 25 |date=January 1988 |publisher=Dennis Publishing |access-date=2018-05-08}}</ref>
| rev1 = ''[[The Games Machine]]''
| rev1Score = 83%<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/stream/the-games-machine-02/TheGamesMachine02#page/n43/mode/2up |title=The Games Machine Issue 02 |magazine=Newsfield |access-date=2018-05-08}}</ref>
| rev2 = ''MicroHobby'' (ES)
| rev2Score = {{Rating|5|5}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://archive.org/stream/microhobby-magazine-164.pdf/MicroHobby_164#page/n37/mode/2up |title=MicroHobby Magazine Issue 164 |publisher=Hobby Press |access-date=2018-05-08}}</ref>
| rev3 = ''[[ACE (games magazine)|ACE]]''
| rev3Score = 721<ref>{{cite web|url=https://archive.org/stream/ace-magazine-04/ACE_Issue_04_1988_Jan#page/n61/mode/2up |title=ACE Magazine Issue 04 |date=January 1988 |publisher=Future Publishing |access-date=2012-02-11}}</ref>
| award1Pub = ''Sinclair User''
| award1 = SU Classic
| award2Pub = ''Your Sinclair''
| award2 = Megagame
}}

The game received an overall positive reception among both users and critics. In 1995, [[Flux (magazine)|''Flux'']] magazine ranked the game 79th on their "Top 100 Video Games", writing that it was "addicting" and completely unique for its time.<ref>{{Cite journal |date=April 1995 |title=Top 100 Video Games |url=https://archive.org/details/flux-issue-4/page/n31/mode/2up |journal=Flux |issue=4 |pages=32}}</ref>

==Legacy==
Emulated versions of the game are included in ''[[Midway Arcade Treasures]]'', released in 2003 and 2004, and ''[[Midway Arcade Origins]]'', released in 2012.<ref>[http://www.ign.com/articles/2012/11/14/midway-arcade-origins-review Midway Arcade Origins Review – IGN]</ref><ref name=retrogamer141 />

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* {{KLOV game|id=6791}}
* [http://www.arcade-history.com/?page=detail&id=23 ''720°''] at the Arcade History database
* [http://www.solvalou.com/subpage/arcade_reviews/5/4/720_review.html Contemporary reviews] at Solvalou.com
* {{WoS_game|id=0000041}}

{{Atari Games}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:720}}
[[Category:1986 video games]]
[[Category:Amstrad CPC games]]
[[Category:Arcade video games]]
[[Category:Atari arcade games]]
[[Category:Cancelled Atari Lynx games]]
[[Category:Commodore 64 games]]
[[Category:Game Boy Color games]]
[[Category:Midway video games]]
[[Category:Nintendo Entertainment System games]]
[[Category:Extreme sports video games]]
[[Category:Skateboarding video games]]
[[Category:Tiertex Design Studios games]]
[[Category:U.S. Gold games]]
[[Category:Video games scored by Ben Daglish]]
[[Category:Video games scored by Brad Fuller]]
[[Category:Video games developed in the United States]]
[[Category:ZX Spectrum games]]
[[Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games]]

Phoenix (1980 video game)

2025-09-20T22:18:55Z

2600:1700:E5D0:A9A0:449F:A655:BF61:BCC8:

{{good article}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2019}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = Phoenix
| image = Phoenix arcade flyer.jpg
| alt =
| caption = North American arcade flyer
| developer =
| publisher = {{vgrelease|JP|[[Taito]]|NA|[[Centuri]]}}
| director =
| producer =
| designer =
| programmer =
| artist =
| writer =
| composer =
| series =
| engine =
| platforms = [[Arcade video game|Arcade]], [[Atari 2600]]
| released = '''Arcade'''{{vgrelease|JP|December 1980|NA|January 1981}} '''2600'''{{vgrelease||February 1983}}
| genre = [[Fixed shooter]]
| modes = [[Single-player]], [[multiplayer]]
| arcade system =
}}

'''''Phoenix''''' is a 1980 [[fixed shooter]] video game released by [[Taito]] for Japanese [[arcade video game|arcades]]. The player controls a space ship shooting at incoming enemies that fly from the top of the screen down towards the player's ship. There are five stages which repeat endlessly. The fifth is a fight against a large enemy spaceship, making ''Phoenix'' one of the first shooters with a [[Boss (video games)|boss battle]], an element that would become common for the genre.

The game was created in Japan by an unknown developer. Following the game's release in Europe and Japanese arcades in 1980, ''Phoenix'' was distributed in the United States by [[Centuri]], where it helped the company turn a profit after a loss the previous year. [[Atari, Inc.]] contracted the rights to develop a home port for the [[Atari 2600]] and sued [[Imagic]] for their game ''[[Demon Attack]]'', which they felt was too similar to ''Phoenix''. The 2600 version was released in 1983.

The Atari port of ''Phoenix'' received positive reviews from contemporary video game publications such as ''[[Electronic Games]]'', ''[[Electronic Fun with Computers and Games]]'', and ''[[Computer Entertainer|The Video Game Update]]'' with some reviews in ''Blip'', ''JoyStik'' and ''Video Games'' felt it was not as strong as the similar game ''Demon Attack'' on the Intellivision. Retrospective reviews of the arcade game from ''[[Eurogamer]]'' and [[RhythmOne#AllGame|AllGame]] praised the game as expanding on formulas established in earlier shooter games.

==Gameplay==
[[File:ARC Phoenix.png|thumb|left|Arcade gameplay of ''Phoenix'' featuring the [[Boss (video games)|boss]] mothership. ''Phoenix'' is one of the first shooter games to feature a boss battle.{{sfn|Horowitz|2020|p=43}}]]
''Phoenix'' is a [[Shoot 'em up|fixed-screen shooter]], set in space.{{sfn|Montfort|Bogost|2009|p=96}}{{sfn|Weiss|ref=WeissArcade}} The player maneuvers left and right to avoid objects such as missiles and charging enemies. A force field can be used by the player to protect them from these attacks. The force field only lasts a few seconds and then cannot be used for approximately five seconds after.{{sfn|Centuri|1982|p=3|ref=PhoenixSM}}

The game consists of five stages. In each of the first two, the player must destroy a formation of small phoenixes, some of which will dive toward the player's ship in an attempt to destroy it. For the third and fourth stages, the player faces a group of eggs that veer back and forth across the screen before hatching into large phoenixes. Eggs can be destroyed with one shot, while the phoenixes must be hit in the body; if a wing is hit, it will regenerate after a few seconds. In the fifth stage, the player confronts a large fortress and must shoot through both its hull and a rotating shield band in order to destroy its pilot, all the while fending off attacks by small phoenixes. Once the fortress is destroyed, the cycle begins again with increased difficulty One life is lost every time the player's ship is hit by an enemy or missile without having the force field up; once all lives are lost, the game ends.{{sfn|Centuri|1982|p=3|ref=PhoenixSM}}

Switches are available on the arcade machine to the operator of the machine that can adjust gameplay. These switches allow the number of initial lives in the game to range between three and six, while other switches control what score is required to earn an extra life.{{sfn|Centuri|1982|p=8|ref=PhoenixSM}}
{{-}}

==Development==
[[File:Phoenix-1980-italy.jpg|thumb|right|An Italian arcade cabinet of ''Phoenix''. The game was distributed in Japan and Europe before its release to American arcades.]]
In the late 1970s and early 1980s, several game companies made outer-space themed shooter games, which involved players destroying alien space fleets. These games generally shared the traits of enemies slowing approaching towards the player from the top of the screen and attacking the player. ''Phoenix'' was one of the games following this trend.{{sfn|Horowitz|2018|p=31}}

''Phoenix'' was initially developed in Japan.{{sfn|Davis|1982}} Japanese creators of video games were often denied credit for work by their companies out of fear they would go and work for rivals.{{sfn|Szczepaniak|2022}} The original developer of ''Phoenix'' is unknown.{{sfn|Retro Gamer|2017|p=34|ref=RG172}} The rights to the game for distribution were owned by several companies, including Amstar Electronics who were based in [[Phoenix, Arizona]].{{sfn|Horowitz|2020|p=43}}{{sfn|Cashbox|1981|p=42|ref=CashBox3}} [[Centuri]] entered into a licensing agreement with Amstar Electronics to release ''Phoenix'' in the United States, Canada, and Central and South America.{{sfn|Cashbox|1981|p=42|ref=CashBox3}} Centuri had previously been Allied Leisure Industries, with Ed Miller becoming the company's president in 1980. Prior to working at Centuri, Miller had worked for [[Taito]], where he had arranged a deal with to license ''[[Space Invaders]]'' (1978) to [[Bally Manufacturing]].{{sfn|The Jackson Sun|ref=The Jackson Sun}}

In 1982, Atari received a four-year contract to distribute all current and future Centuri arcade games outside of the arcade systems, and the first three games announced were ports of the games ''[[Vanguard (video game)|Vanguard]]'' (1981), ''Challenger'' (1981) and ''Phoenix''.{{sfn|Corderi|1982}} The Atari port of the game was made by John Mraceck and Michael Feinstein. Mraceck was a junior at [[Massachusetts Institute of Technology|MIT]] at the time and made the game as part of his internship.{{sfn|Hickey, Jr.|2021|p=52}} It was developed in mid-1982.{{sfn|Hickey, Jr.|2021|p=54}} Mraceck said that they had to cut over one-third of their original code to fit the game on the cart.{{sfn|Hickey, Jr.|2021|p=55}} The two developers were limited to 8 KB rom cartridge for the game.{{sfn|Hickey, Jr.|2021|p=54}} The Atari 2600 version is missing elements from the arcade original, such as the ability to save high scores, the music, the star field background, numerals representing points when a bird is hit, the smaller birds appearing around the mothership, and has fewer enemies appear on the screen.{{sfn|Weiss|2014|p=164}}{{sfn|Weiss|2011|p=89}} The music used in the arcade version includes "[[Romance (guitar piece)|Romance de Amor]]", which is played when the game starts and "[[Für Elise]]" which is played when a player completes a level.{{sfn|Weiss|2014|p=164}}{{sfn|Lerner|2014|p=333}}

==Release==
''Phoenix'' was released in Japan in December 1980 where it was licensed to [[Taito]].{{sfn|Akagi|2006|p=42}} The arcade version of the game was distributed in the United States by Centuri in January 1981.{{sfn|Horowitz|2020|p=43}}{{sfn|Cashbox|1981|p=37|ref=CashBox1}}

''Phoenix'' was released for the Atari 2600 in February 1983.{{sfn|Anonymous|1983|ref=VGU-Avail}} Atari had the exclusive rights to produce ''Phoenix'' for home consoles and filed suit against the company [[Imagic]], believing that their game ''[[Demon Attack]]'' (1982) was too derivative of ''Phoenix''. A settlement was reached in January 1983, with Imagic still being allowed to release ''Demon Attack'' for the Atari 2600.{{sfn|Crookes|2016|p=54}} ''Phoenix'' was released for home computers and game systems in the compilation game ''[[Taito Legends]]'' (2005) for [[Xbox]], [[PlayStation 2]], [[PlayStation Portable]], and Windows PCs.{{sfn|Fox|2013|p=214}}{{sfn|Dahlen|2010|p=40}}

==Reception and legacy==
{{Video game reviews

| ARC = true
| A2600 = true
| Allgame_ARC = 5/5{{sfn|Weiss|ref=WeissArcade}}
| Allgame_A2600 = 4.5/5{{sfn|Weiss|n.d.}}
| rev1 = ''[[Electronic Fun with Computers and Games]]''
| rev1_A2600 = 4/4{{sfn|Steere|1983|p=59}}
| rev2 = ''[[Eurogamer]]''
| rev2_ARC = 9/10{{sfn|Wilkins|2007}}
| rev3 = ''JoyStik''
| rev3_A2600 = 2/5{{sfn|Gorzelany|1983|p=60}}
| rev4 = ''The Video Games Guide''
| rev4_ARC = 4/5{{sfn|Fox|2013|p=214}}
|}}

The arcade game was popular in Europe and Japan.{{sfn|Cashbox|1981|p=46|ref=CashBox3}} At the end of 1981, Centuri reported revenues of [[United States dollar|USD$]]61.4 million with a profit of 7.5 million. In comparison, the company's previous year gross was $5.9 million with a loss of $4.5 million.{{sfn|Corderi|1982}} ''Phoenix'' was the best selling of Centuri's titles by 1982.{{sfn|The Jackson Sun|ref=The Jackson Sun}} The Atari 2600 version sold over 600,000 units.{{sfn|Hickey, Jr.|2021|p=52}}

''[[Computer Entertainer|The Video Game Update]]'' referred to the Atari 2600 adaptation as a good translation of the arcade classic.{{sfn|The Video Game Update|1983|ref=A2600-rev-VGU}} In ''[[Electronic Games]]'', [[Bill Kunkel (journalist)|Bill Kunkel]] and Arnie Katz wrote that the game was favorably compared to other Atari 2600 releases such as ''Vanguard'', ''[[Yars' Revenge]]'' (1982), and ''[[Demons to Diamonds]]'' (1982), noting the quality in graphics and control, and stating it "is perhaps the finest invasion title ever produced for the 2600!"{{sfn|Katz|Kunkel|1983|p=42}}
Noel Steere of ''[[Electronic Fun with Computers and Games]]'' praised the game, stating it was a "perfect arcade adaptation" with beautiful sound, which made up "for the sin of ''[[Pac-Man (Atari 2600 video game)|Pac-Man]]''".{{sfn|Steere|1983|p=59}} The game received a Certificate of Merit in the category of "1984 Best Science Fiction / Fantasy Videogame" at the 5th annual [[Arkie Awards]].{{sfn|Kunkel|Katz|1984|p=42}} Some critics compared the game to Imagic's ''Demon Attack''. Jim Gorzelany of ''JoyStik'' found that the gameplay and challenge was too watered down compared to the original arcade game and Imagic's game.{{sfn|Gorzelany|1983|p=60}} Phil Wiswell of ''Video Games'' found that Atari's versions of both ''Phoenix'' showcased that Atari could still make both fun and graphically-appealing games, while finding the game still suffered in comparison to the Intellivision release of ''Demon Attack''.{{sfn|Wiswell|1983|p=63}} An anonymous reviewer in ''Blip'' magazine concurred that the Intellivision version of ''Demon Attack'' was superior, but found that final battle with the mothership in ''Phoenix'' allowed Atari's game to stand on its own.{{sfn|Claro|1983|p=17}}

In a retrospective review from [[RhythmOne#AllGame|AllGame]], critic Brett Alan Weiss described the arcade version as a "one of the most impressive games the "slide-and-shoot" genre has to offer, bested only by ''[[Galaga]]'' (1981) in terms of sheer enjoyment and replayability" and said that "finely balanced" shooting action combined with "colorfully" animated graphics made ''Phoenix'' a classic in shooter genre.{{sfn|Weiss|ref=WeissArcade}} In his book ''The Video Game Guide'' (2013), Matt Fox compared the arcade game to ''[[Galaxian]]'' (1979), stating that ''Phoenix'' took its gameplay "a few screens further".{{sfn|Fox|2013|p=214}} Chris Wilkins of ''[[Eurogamer]]'' complimented the arcade game for expanding the gameplay of the shooter genre, specifically with the boss character and that the game was addictive as it "never fails to invoke the "one more go" desire in the player."{{sfn|Wilkins|2007}} In 1995, ''[[Flux (magazine)|Flux]]'' magazine ranked the arcade version of ''Phoenix'' at #69 on their list of "Top 100 Video Games", saying that it was one of the better ''Space Invaders'' variations.{{sfn|Amrich|Barbagallo|East|Hudak|1995|p=31}} Discussing the game in ''[[Retro Gamer]]'', Nick Thorpe compared the game to ''Space Invaders'', finding ''Phoenix'' "considerably advanced" due to its difficulty to predict behaviors of enemies and final boss fight while also noting that it lacked some elements from modern shooters, such as power-ups and a larger enemy variety.{{sfn|Thorpe|2022|p=18}}

Weiss included the Atari 2600 port of ''Phoenix'' in his book ''The 100 Greatest Console Video Games 1977-1987'' (2014).{{sfn|Weiss|2014|p=164}} He wrote that the Atari port had rich graphics, crisp sound and excellent gameplay, preserving the feel of original arcade game.{{sfn|Weiss|2014|pp=164-165}} ''Retro Gamer'' included the Atari 2600 port of the game in their list of the top 25 games for the system in 2008.{{sfn|Jones|Hunt|2008|pp=24-25}}

''Phoenix'' was one of the first shooter games to have a boss battle.{{sfn|Horowitz|2020|p=43}} Bosses would come to typify the shooter genre following the release of the game.{{sfn|Montfort|Bogost|2009|p=130}} Games that borrowed elements from ''Phoenix'' include ''Space Vultures'', ''[[Gorf]]'' (1981), ''[[Pleiades (arcade game)|Pleiades]]'' (1981), and ''Condor Attack'' (1983).{{sfn|Weiss|2011|p=16}}{{sfn|Weiss|2011|p=47}}{{sfn|Burton|2013|p=14}} Bootleg versions of ''Phoenix'' were released in arcades as ''Condor'', ''Griffon'', ''Vautour'', and ''Batman Part 2''.{{sfn|Retro Game|2006|p=77|ref=RetroGame}}

==See also==
{{Portal|Video games}}
* [[Golden age of arcade video games]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

===Sources===
* {{cite magazine|magazine=[[Retro Gamer]]|title=Classic Moments: Phoenix|issue=172|ref=RG172|year=2017|publisher=[[Future plc|Future Publishing Limited]]|ISSN=1742-3155}}
* {{cite news|title=Video Games Market Booms, and the Japanese Want a Share|newspaper=[[The San Francisco Examiner]]|date=December 25, 1981|page=C2|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-francisco-examiner/103369418/|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}
* {{cite news|newspaper=[[The Jackson Sun]]|title=Phoenix: Adam Miller's Challenger Enters Video Wars|date=January 17, 1982|page=6B|ref=The Jackson Sun}}
* {{cite book | title=Phoenix Service Manual | publisher=Centuri | year=1982 |id=364-62-0100 A|location=Hialeah, Florida, United States|ref=PhoenixSM}}
* {{cite magazine|magazine=[[Computer Entertainer|The Video Game Update]]|volume=1|issue=10|date=January 1983|title=Critically Speaking... Atari 2600-Compatible|ref=A2600-rev-VGU|url=https://archive.gamehistory.org/item/43d492b2-6526-4dfc-88fa-f11e24824455|via=[[Video Game History Foundation]]|accessdate=September 4, 2025}}
* {{cite magazine|magazine=The Video Game Update|volume=1|issue=12|date=March 1983|title=Availability Update|ref=VGU-Avail|author=Anonymous|url=https://archive.gamehistory.org/item/d198fa23-3a38-428a-9b02-f402c7fc4baf|via=Video Game History Foundation}}
* {{cite book|trans-chapter=Overseas Edition|chapter=海外編|title=アーケードTVゲームリス国内 • 海外編 ( 1971 - 2005 )ト|trans-title=Arcade TV Game List Domestic/Overseas Edition (1971-2005)|last=Akagi|first=Masumi|publisher=Amusement News Agency |language=Japanese |location=Japan |isbn=978-4-9902512-1-5|year=2006}}
* {{cite magazine|magazine=[[Cashbox (magazine)|Cashbox]]|title=Coin Machine|publisher=Cash Box Pub|date=September 19, 1981|volume=43|issue=18|ref=CashBox1|ISSN=0008-7289}}
* {{cite magazine|magazine=Cashbox|title=Centuri, Amstar Announce Licensing Pact for 'Phoenix'|publisher=Cash Box Pub|date=January 24, 1981|volume=42|issue=35|ref=CashBox3|ISSN=0008-7289}}
* {{Cite magazine |date=April 1995 |url=https://archive.org/details/flux-issue-4/page/n29/mode/2up |magazine=[[Flux (magazine)|Flux]]|title=The Top 100 Video Games|publisher=Harris Publications |issue=4 |pages=31|issn=1074-5602|last1=Amrich|first1=Dan|last2=Barbagallo|first2=Ralph|last3=East|first3=Mark|last4=Hudak|first4=Chris|last5=Kitts|first5=Jeff|last6=Meston|first6=Zach|last7=Yang|first7=Jeff|authorlink1=Dan Amrich}}
* {{cite magazine|magazine=Retro Gamer|last=Burton|first=Richard|p=14|title=Back to the Eighties: The Latest New from April 1981|issue=118|publisher=[[Imagine Publishing]]|ISSN=1742-3155|year=2013}}
* {{cite magazine|magazine=Blip|date=July 1983|volume=1|issue=6|publisher=[[Marvel Comics|Marvel Comics Group]]|title=Player's Choice|editor-last=Claro|editor-first=Joe}}
* {{cite news|newspaper=[[The Miami News]]|date=February 19, 1982|page=10A|title=Home Video Addicts to Get Centuri's Games|last=Corderi|first=Victoria}}
* {{cite magazine|magazine=Retro Gamer|title=Imagic|last=Crookes|first=David|issue=161|year=2016|ISSN=1742-3155|publisher=Imagine Publishing}}
* {{cite book|title=1001 Video Games You Must Play Before You Die|editor-last1=Mott|editor-first1=Tony|publisher=Universe Publishing|isbn=978-0-7893-2090-2|year=2010|last=Dahlen|first=Chris}}
* {{cite news|newspaper=[[The Orlando Sentinel]]|date=March 3, 1982|last=Davis|first=Dick|page=3-E|title=Another Video Game Candidate:}}
* {{cite book|title=The Video Games Guide|last=Fox|first=Matt|year=2013|publisher=[[McFarland & Company, Inc.]]|isbn=978-0-7864-7257-4}}
* {{cite magazine|magazine=JoyStik|date=July 1983|volume=1|issue=6|last=Gorzelany|first=Jim|title=The Home Front|publisher=Publications International}}
* {{cite book|title=The Minds Behind Shooter Games: Interviews with Cult and Classic Video Game Developers|last=Hickey, Jr.|first=Patrick|isbn=978-1-4766-8273-0|year=2021|publisher=McFarland & Company, Inc.}}
* {{cite book|title=The Sega Arcade Revolution: A History in 62 Games|last=Horowitz|first=Ken|publisher=McFarland & Company, Inc.|isbn=978-1-4766-7225-0|year=2018}}
* {{cite book|title=Beyond Donkey Kong|last=Horowitz|first=Ken|isbn=978-1-4766-8420-8|year=2020|publisher=McFarland & Company, Inc.}}
* {{cite magazine|title=Top 25 Atari 2600 Games|first1=Darran|last1=Jones|first2=Stuart|last2=Hunt|page=32|issue=46|magazine=Retro Gamer|ISSN=1742-3155|year=2008}}
* {{cite magazine | magazine=[[Electronic Games]]| title=Programmable Arcade | volume=1| issue=16| date=June 1983 |last1=Katz|first1=Arnie |last2=Kunkel |first2=Bill|authorlink2=Bill Kunkel (journalist)|ISSN=0730-6687}}
* {{cite journal |last1= Kunkel |first1= Bill |last2= Katz |first2= Arnie |date= January 1984 |title= Arcade Alley: The Arcade Awards, Part 1 |journal= [[Video (magazine)|Video]]|publisher= Reese Communications|volume= 7|issue= 10|issn= 0147-8907}}
* {{cite book|title=The Oxford Handbook of Film Music Studies|last=Lerner|first=Neil|year=2014|isbn=978-0-19-532849-3|publisher=[[Oxford University Press]]|chapter=The Origins of Musical Style in Video Games, 1977-1983|editor-last=Neumeyer |editor-first=David}}
* {{cite book|last1=Montfort|first1=Nick|last2=Bogost|first2=Ian|title=Racing the Beam|publisher=[[MIT Press]]|year=2009|isbn=978-0-262-01257-7|title-link=Racing the Beam|author-link2=Ian Bogost|authorlink1=Nick Montfort}}
* {{cite magazine|title=Phoenix (Taito, 1980)|magazine=Retro Game|publisher=Japan Culture Press|location=Paris, France|issue=3|year=2006|language=French|ref=RetroGame|ISSN=2728-0810}}
* {{cite web|title=Here's Why Japanese Video Game Companies Often Didn't Credit Their Developers|last=Szczepaniak|first=John|date=December 26, 2022|accessdate=August 15, 2024|work=[[Gamer Network#Partnered|Time Extension]]|url=https://www.timeextension.com/features/flashback-heres-why-japanese-video-game-companies-often-didnt-credit-their-developers|archivedate=November 24, 2022|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20221124222659/https://www.timeextension.com/features/flashback-heres-why-japanese-video-game-companies-often-didnt-credit-their-developers}}
* {{cite magazine|magazine=[[Electronic Fun with Computers and Games]]|last=Steere|first=Noel|volume=1|issue=6|date=April 1983|title=Hits & Missiles|ISSN=0746-0546}}
* {{cite magazine|magazine=Retro Gamer|title=Phoenix|issue=238|last=Thorpe|first=Nick|year=2022|publisher=Future Publishing Limited|issn=1742-3155}}
* {{cite book|title=Classic Home Video Games, 1972-1984|last=Weiss|first=Brett|year=2011|publisher=McFarland & Company, Inc.|isbn=978-0-7864-6938-3}}
* {{cite web|url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=430&tab=review|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141114203222/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=430&tab=review|publisher=[[AllGame]]|last=Weiss|first=Brett Alan|accessdate=November 17, 2023|archivedate=November 14, 2014|title=Phoenix|ref=WeissArcade}}
* {{cite web|url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=8522|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141114110935/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=8522|publisher=AllGame|last=Weiss|first=Brett Alan|accessdate=August 14, 2024|archivedate=November 14, 2014|title=Phoenix|ref={{sfnref|Weiss|n.d.}}}}
* {{cite book|title=The 100 Greatest Console Video Games 1977-1987|last=Weiss|first=Brett|year=2014|isbn=978-0-7643-4618-7|publisher=[[Schiffer Publishing]]}}
* {{cite web|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/phoenix-review|title=Phoenix|last=Wilkins|first=Chris|date=November 2, 2007|work=[[Eurogamer]]|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20220704215708/https://www.eurogamer.net/phoenix-review|archivedate=July 4, 2022|accessdate=August 14, 2024}}
* {{cite magazine|magazine=Video Games|volume=1|issue=7|title=Soft Spot|last=Wiswell|first=Phil|date=April 1983|publisher=Pumpkin Press Inc.}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category|Phoenix (video game)}}
* {{KLOV game|id=9004|name=Phoenix}}
* [http://www.arcade-history.com/index.php?page=detail&id=1961 ''Phoenix''] at Arcade History
* [http://www.centuri.net/phoenix.htm''Phoenix''] entry at the [[Centuri]].net Arcade Database

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Phoenix (Video Game)}}
[[Category:1980 video games]]
[[Category:Arcade video games]]
[[Category:Atari 2600 games]]
[[Category:Atari games]]
[[Category:Centuri games]]
[[Category:Fixed shooters]]
[[Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games]]
[[Category:Multiplayer hotseat games]]
[[Category:Phoenixes in popular culture]]
[[Category:Taito arcade games]]
[[Category:Video games about birds]]
[[Category:Video games developed in Japan]]
[[Category:Video games set in outer space]]