Ricochet

Ricochet is a video game in the puzzle genre and published by SoftSide Magazine originally released in 1980. It is currently playable on Atari 8-bit.

In 1980, Atari released a revolutionary new video game titled Ricochet, ushering in a wave of adrenaline-pumping fun that kept players glued to the monitor for hours at a time. To conquer the game, the player must guide a constantly moving paddle around the playfield while trying to snag as many power drops as possible.

At the beginning of each round, the player is provided with one basic paddle to utilize when navigating the playfield. The paddle itself can move to the left or right, and can also temporarily increase or decrease in size depending on the bonus points one can achieve by collecting specific power drops. This feature increases the challenge and complexity of the game, as the player must think and act quickly to both dodge their enemies and grab the necessary drops.

Perhaps one of the most exciting aspects of Ricochet comes from the fact that the game increases in difficulty as the player advances through level after level. This is done through the introduction of various enemies such as ghost flipballs, which the player must avoid, and dragonfly buzzers, which the player must eliminate to succeed. The player must develop new strategies for dealing with these enemies each level as speed and reflexes become critical for them to advance.

In addition to its unique enemy designs, Ricochet’s one-of-a-kind graphics and sound effects provide an intense experience that was far ahead of its time. The crisp visuals and backgrounds are wonderfully complemented by the various sound effects, helping increase the overall intensity.

Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of the game is its part in the ever-developing history of video game entertainment. Four decades after its release, Ricochet still stands out as a unique and truly remarkable game, and stands as a testament to the talent and innovation of the early pioneers of Atari.

It is possible that we have multiple downloads available when different versions exist.