Tron (1982 Video Game) User Reviews

A well-refined and challenging game

[J-bot6 · 9/10 · 27 May 2016]

The 1982 TRON arcade game was developed in 1981 and released in 1982 in association with the motion picture of the same name. It uses multiple Z80 CPUs has the graphics separated into two system boards, along with a sound board. The full-size upright cabinet was one of the more complex designs of the day and features four fluorescent lights (some of them black lights to help create the glow effect).

The game is essentially a combination game. Four different game play types are included. For each wave/level (or rack as the manual refers to it) there is the randomized choice of Grid Bugs, Master Control Program, Tanks, and Light Cycles. Each of these echo a plot point from the motion picture (although the grid bugs only appeared briefly in the film and were not the subject of any formal battle or escape scenes). Tanks are subbed-out for Recognizers on some racks.

The control system consists of a flight stick and spinner combination. This makes this machine quite difficult to emulate effectively.

Subject to mixed reviews and criticized for effectively re-packaging what were essentially existing games, the arcade-goers of the 1980s proved this machine's worth. Indeed, similar games like Breakout, Surround, and Tank pre-dated TRON. However, the level of refinement and the use of added elements like variable speed for the Light Cycles as well as reflective shots, teleporter, and rotating turret for the tank combined with the sheer 'gloss' of the packaging resulted in a high-energy gaming experience.

Part of the secret to this was the quick game play and high skill level. The game begins at a fairly low skill level for the first and second racks and then abruptly jumps in skill level from the third, on. Despite this steep skill ramping, the machine kept the interest of arcade game players and maintained a great deal of replay value. Ultimately this arcade machine earned more money than the film's initial box-office gross.

One of the stand-out features of this machine is the sound. Tones are strong and interesting. The bass frequencies are intense and the sound-design is very memorable. This was fairly typical of arcade machines of the 80s. Many featured bold sound-design elements, and TRON is no exception.

This tradition was to continue with the sequel "Discs of TRON". As an interesting note, Discs of TRON was originally intended to be included as part of the 1982 TRON arcade machine.

TRON is a fast and furious game that is known for almost alienating new players. I use the word almost, since most come back to play it "one more time" in the hopes of being able to master it.

Bright Multi Gaming

[hellraiser7 · 9/10 · 9 December 2020]

This is another one of my favorite video games of all time as well as licensed and birth year video games; let alone another one of the very first video games I played when I was about seven years old. Just like the movie this game really blew me away and believe it or not this game was how I discovered the movie which I honestly didn't know it was based on at the time. It's really fitting as both the film and this game came out on my birth year.

This is a game I played at lot from the video arcade called the "Jolly Joker" at the "Yakima Mall" in Yakima, Washington. But also, at the Chuck E Cheese's in Tacoma, Washington.

I really love the design of the arcade cabinet which was just beautiful. From the outer design which had the side art poster of the film, but I really like how surrounding the cabinet, it looked like one bit digital neon lighted circuit board. Whenever you gone to that cabinet it really made you feel like you are going into the same computer world like in the movie. It's kind of too bad they never made a cabinet where more of those colors glowed in the dark. There were a couple of things that lit up like the arcade board with the neon blue along with the pilot joystick which was cool.

This video game was truly unique for it's time as it was one of the very first licensed arcade games ever. A video game based on a movie was never even conceived until films like "Tron" and "Star Wars" came along which also had an arcade game but that's a different story. This game you can say is one of the pioneers in licensed video games, without it we wouldn't have a licensed game genre nor would we wouldn't have many other licensed video game classics like "Chronicles of Riddick", "Goldeneye" and many more out there and still coming to this day.

But also, what made the game unique at the time was that it was a video game anthology as it was many mini games in one. This was unheard of at the time as most video games just simply focused on being just one thing. This game decided to just be more than one, which makes sense as in the film Flinn and Tron had to compete in all different kinds of games to survive.

The gameplay is very solid, I really like the control scheme which is unique as you use a pilot joystick and a rotator knob. Both things are different from the usual norm of arcade cabinet control but that to me was part of the joy in arcade/video games is in breaking from the norm, trying different things out. Both these control work well and fell right for this kind of game.

Graphical design is solid, from how everything is designed from the sprite of Tron to the dark and neon-colored lit environments. It really has the look and feel of the film and gives you that feeling that you in the computer world, playing for your life. Even like the music which fit as there are little tunes of the theme song and certain other score pieces from the movie.

There are four game in one and each of them are fun in their own way. And once you beat all of them you go though them again but they are more and more difficult which was common thing with most retro video games at the time as they were able getting the high score.

One is sort of a "Robotron" like run in gun where you are shooting grid bugs to get yourself to the center before time runs out. This is a decent one, it's to me the weak link in this game but like with most of these game anthologies you're always going to have hits and misses. But as I said this one, I thought was decent, I just really like being able to use the rotation knob to shoot in all different directions. And there is a bit of frantic challenge as the grid bugs come toward you and outnumber you quickly.

The second is a "Arkanoid" like game, it's a run and gun where you are constantly advancing forward but you have to blow away the MCP's rainbow colored rotating force field to get though and ascend though the MCP cone. But you must make sure the opening you make is big enough to go though and you have to do it quickly before you run out of time. Really like the use of the rotator control which make you able to make precision shots.

Tank Maze: This is my second favorite in the game as it's pretty much you can say "Pac Man" but with tanks. You must simply blow the opposing tanks away before they blow you away. Really like the use of the both the joystick but also the rotator control as you control your tank's movement you also control the movement of the turret.

Also, your shots can bank off of walls which is useful in hitting oncoming opponents while you taking cover in one corner or section. It really gives you that element of surprise which you need in this game.

Last is light cycles which is my absolute favorite, you get to control a light cycle and of course like in the movie the objective is to blow away your opponent by having them run into a wall, basically it's sort of a game of racing to entrap the other. You can control you speed where you can go fast or slow down to make the wall as big or small as you want it. It gets tricky if you get further in the game you have more than just one light cycler to deal with.

The video game classic just like the classic movie shines bright.

Rating: 3 and a half stars

Cool look, fun gameplay, achieveable goals

[Aegelis · 23 June 2021]

Solid entry into the arcade world that excites the eyes and imagination. Players can choose one of 4 routes, but all 4 must be cleared before moving on. It's not easy, but not frustratingly difficult either. Game play aged well, though a lot more exciting in a dimly lit arcade with joystick and trigger than emulated. Tron does turn into a grind as typical for the day, no story or ending, but a great start and inspiration for things to come.