Robot Tank

 

Robot Tank was Activision's answer to Atari's Battlezone. It wasn't a very popular title. However many games released at this point in time (1984) were "passed by" because many consumers were purchasing 8-bit computers at the time.

In the game, the player is not inside the tank - you control a robotic tank from an external remote station. Enemy tanks have attacked the area, are nearby, and you must destroy them before they take over. They have no mercy and will try to destroy your Robot Tank as well. Each level is based on destroying a squadron (12) enemy tanks.

There are four main systems you can monitor: Cannons (C:) This is your main defense. Press the fire button to shoot them. You can even shoot and intercept the missiles that are coming at you. This is something that can't be done in Battlezone. Video (V:) the main portion of the screen which shows the batttefield. I like the effect when the video display on the tank "shorts out.". The screen has some static, then some diagonal lines, and then it goes black. A neat effect I have not seen done on any 2600 game before. Radar (R:) Similar to the radar in Defender in usage, but circular in display. This is crucial in locating enemy tanks. Enemy tanks appear in radar well before video. Treads (T:) This is the system that controls the mobility of your tank.

Just as in Enduro, you play in a simulated "around the clock / 24-hour" time period where you experience different times of day (sunrise, dusk, and nighttime) and varied weather conditions (sunshine, fog, rain, and snow).

Back in the 1980s, Activision used to give out embroidered game club patches if you got a high score, took a picture of your TV screen, and mailed it to them. Here are the high scores to shoot for and club names:

Medal of Merit: destroy 48 tanks
Cross of Excellence: destroy 60 tanks
Star of Honor: destroy 72 tanks

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