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Quick Step (video game)

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Quick Step
Developer(s)Imagic
Publisher(s)Imagic
Designer(s)David Johnson
Platform(s)Atari 2600
ReleaseSeptember 1983
Genre(s)Action
Mode(s)Single player, two-player simultaneous

Quick Step is an Atari 2600 video game developed and published by Imagic in 1983. The player controls a kangaroo competing against a squirrel, where both animals must jump between moving platforms, changing them to their character's color to earn points. A two-player mode, in which the second player can control the squirrel, is also available.

Gameplay

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The gameplay of Quick Step consists of controlling a green kangaroo that must jump across different colored vertically scrolling platforms, competing against a purple squirrel.[1] Jumping onto a platform changes it to the character's color and the player gets a point for every platform of their color that scrolls off the screen.[2] Certain platforms (called "magic mats") will freeze the other character in place when jumped on, which can cause the other player to lose a life if they are near the bottom of the screen and the platform they are on scrolls off.[3] The player can also press the fire button to release a "tricky trap" which causes the platform under the other character to disappear, causing them to fall.[4] The platforms speed up as gameplay progresses, and eventually collapse into a single column towards the end of the level.[5][better source needed]

The game may be played in single-player mode, or in a two-player mode where the second player can control the squirrel.[2]

Development and release

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Quick Step was designed by David Johnson, with graphics assistance provided by Wilfredo Aguilar, Michael Becker, and Wendy Szeto.[5][better source needed] As an action arcade game, it was noted as a departure from the story-focused games usually produced by Imagic.[6]

Imagic released Quick Step in September 1983, which was one of the last games they made for the Atari 2600.[1]

Reception

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A review in the December 1983 issue of Video and Computer Gaming Illustrated was mixed, being critical of the graphics and having a mixed reaction to the gameplay.[2] Video Games Magazine was also critical of the graphics, but praised the game as "a truly different game, if only because of the potpourri of elements".[1] Computer Entertainer praised the two-player mode, calling it a "gem".[4] The Fort Worth Star-Telegram called Quick Step "closer to a miss than a hit".[7]

In a retrospective review of Imagic games, IGN said Quick Step "is a brilliant, furious multiplayer game for a system not exactly known for aggressive two-player action games", putting it in their top five list of Imagic games for the Atari 2600.[6]

Quick Step was considered a clone of Q*bert by many reviewers.[3][7][8] videogamecritic.com said that while Quick Step was inspired by Q*bert, it lacked the "charm" that made Q*bert a video game classic.[9]

References

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  1. ^ a b c Sittnick, Mike (February 1984). "Quick Step". Video Games Magazine. Vol. 2, no. 5. pp. 71–72. Retrieved 20 May 2024.
  2. ^ a b c Meade, E.C.; Clark, Jim (December 1983). "Quick Step". Video and Computer Gaming Illustrated. No. 12. pp. 17–18. Retrieved 20 May 2024.
  3. ^ a b Puglia, Vincent (November 1984). "Quick Step". Electronic Games. Vol. 2, no. 16. pp. 71–72. Retrieved 20 May 2024.
  4. ^ a b "Quick Step". Computer Entertainer. Vol. 2, no. 8. November 1983. p. 114. Retrieved 20 May 2024.
  5. ^ a b "Quick Step". MobyGames. Retrieved 21 May 2024.
  6. ^ a b Buchanan, Levi (21 January 2009). "Top 5 Imagic Games for Atari 2600". IGN. Retrieved 20 May 2024.
  7. ^ a b Hudson, Lou (30 June 1984). "Gyruss will be enjoyed, in some circles". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Retrieved 22 May 2024.
  8. ^ Wiswell, Phil; DeKoven, Bernie (March 1984). "Quick Step". Enter. Vol. 1, no. 5. p. 59. Retrieved 22 May 2024.
  9. ^ "Atari 2600 Reviews P-Q". videogamecritic.com. 17 April 2008. Archived from the original on 10 February 2018. Retrieved 23 May 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
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