Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Ad of the Day #18

Although a number of ground breaking and classic games debuted on the Apple ][ and then were ported, one of my all time favorites debuted on the Atari in 1981 and was then ported to Apple and Commodore 64.

Ali-Baba and the 40 Thieves by Stuart Smith is just so spectacular for a number of reasons.

This role playing game had decent graphics and excellent sound (complete with middle eastern themes). Wonderful multi-player ability. Hilarious descriptions of combat and death.


You could venture out just as Ali-Baba or have a whole crew of people (up to 17!) to whoop ass on monsters and find treasure and the Princess.

I also love the random encounters with people and monsters - with names like Roy G. Biv (in case you've forgotten the acronym for rainbow colors) and an owl, aptly named as Dr. Who.

Wrapping Tolkien characters and monsters and modern pop culture into a role playing game in the milieu of the Arabian Nights? I'm sooo there.



Don't just take my word for it - take a look here:

http://www.atarimania.com/detail_soft.php?MENU=8&VERSION_ID=173

My sons, and their best friend, grew up together playing this game as a team. I always wanted Haroud el Large. I don't know why it's so much fun because the graphics suck, it takes forevvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvverf to make each move, and did I say, "The graphics suck!" Yet, the guys always wanted to get together for a round of Ali. - Jim Kuchera

This was probably my favorite computer game of all time because it was best enjoyed in a large group. You didn't need to know anything about computers. You just needed to know how to have fun with other people. We always played with 6 or more people and the fact that you could attack other players made it all the more enjoyable. - Dragos

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