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Explore the desert skies in Desert Falcon, a unique Atari classic blending arcade action and ancient Egyptian flair.
A Desert Flight Into Atari’s Tumultuous 80s Era
If you were around the Atari scene in the mid-80s, you know it was a tough time for the company. The Video Game Crash of 1983 had sent shockwaves across the industry, and Atari’s flagship consoles—the 2600 and 5200—were seemingly on their last legs. Yet, despite the rocky terrain, Atari boldly announced the 7800 console in 1984, promising a fresh, powerful gaming experience. Developed by GCC, the 7800 was poised to reinvigorate Atari’s lineup with arcade ports and backward compatibility for the 2600’s sprawling library.
However, fate had other plans. Jack Tramiel, famous for his Commodore legacy, swooped in and bought Atari mid-1984, putting the 7800’s production on ice. Meanwhile, Nintendo’s NES burst onto the scene in 1985, breathing new life into the US gaming market.
By 1986, Tramiel finally gave the go-ahead to the 7800, priced as a budget-friendly rival to Nintendo’s juggernaut. Atari banked on arcade hits like Dig Dug, Joust, and Ms. Pac-Man to lure gamers, while also boasting 2600 compatibility. And nestled among these titles was an intriguing original game initially dubbed Sphinx or Nile Flyer during its 1984 reveal—released in 1987 as Desert Falcon.
Desert Falcon: Zaxxon’s Mystical Cousin Takes Flight
If you’ve ever played Zaxxon, you might get a sense of déjà vu with Desert Falcon. Both games use isometric perspectives and flying mechanics, but Desert Falcon spices things up with a distinctive Egyptian desert theme that makes it feel fresh.
You take control of the Desert Falcon, a majestic bird on a treasure-hunting quest to reclaim the Pharaoh’s lost riches scattered across sun-baked sands. You’ll collect Golden Eggs, Silver Ingots, and dazzling Gems, while navigating around hieroglyphics that unlock special powers. The enemies are a mixed bag of flying and crawling desert creatures, plus the looming menace of the Howling Sphinx.
Your arsenal? A bow and arrows. Sounds simple, but the real charm lies in the hieroglyphics you gather. Pick up sets of three to activate “Super Powers” by hitting the 7800’s second button. These powers range from invincibility to bonus points boosts, or sometimes, the dreaded shackles or broken wings that hobble your falcon. Luckily, powers don’t auto-activate, so if you’re stuck with a bad combo, you can keep collecting until you find one you like.
Desert’s Deadly Denizens and Obstacles
As you soar over the desert, beware the Desert Guardians! Early foes like burrowing Uwes and Phantom Gliders keep you on your toes. Progress far enough, and you’ll face vultures, flying fish, scarabs, and warrior phleas. Scarabs are especially pesky, swarming in groups that make you feel like you’re in an actual desert nightmare.
The terrain’s no picnic either. Watch out for half-built pyramids, fiery pots, and mini-sphinxes that sap your lives if you collide with them. Oases provide a brief respite where your falcon can swim, keeping you safe from ground enemies—though flying adversaries still pose a threat.
Face Off Against the Howling Sphinx
Every stage culminates in a showdown with the colossal Howling Sphinx, an iconic boss who spits darts from its eyes and summons endless enemies. The battle’s won by hitting the sphinx squarely between its eyes—or by harnessing the elusive Kill Sphinx Super Power beforehand.
Defeating this desert behemoth triggers a bonus round where you frantically snatch treasures before the clock runs out. The game never truly ends, ramping up difficulty endlessly—a true test of reflexes and endurance.
Ports, Performance, and Graphics Showdown
Desert Falcon also found life on the Atari 2600 and XEGS, extending its reach across Atari’s platforms. The 2600 version, while playable, doesn’t quite match the 7800’s detail. Impressively, the Howling Sphinx still makes an appearance—a feat on such limited hardware. However, the 2600’s single-button joystick complicates power activation, requiring a tricky double-tap. The XEGS shares this limitation and feels like a middle ground between 2600 and 7800, with less color vibrancy and choppier gameplay.
The 7800 shines brightest, delivering crisp graphics and smooth controls as you’d expect from Atari’s more powerful system. Oddly, it shares the 2600’s sound chip, the TIA, so its audio is surprisingly similar across both consoles.
Screenshot Comparisons:
Atari 2600 Version:
Atari 7800 Version:
Atari XE Version:
Have you ever flown over pixelated ancient deserts, dodging sphinx darts and swarming scarabs? Desert Falcon offers a nostalgic flight filled with challenge, charm, and that unmistakable Atari spirit. Whether you’re a 7800 aficionado or a retro gamer curious about Atari’s hidden gems, this game is a desert storm worth diving into.
FAQ
- What makes Desert Falcon different from similar arcade shooters?
Desert Falcon combines isometric flying with a unique Egyptian desert theme and a clever Super Power system activated by collecting hieroglyphics. - Which Atari console version of Desert Falcon is best?
The Atari 7800 version boasts the best graphics and gameplay, while the 2600 and XEGS versions are more limited but still fun to play. - Can you explain the Super Powers in Desert Falcon?
Collect three hieroglyphics to form combinations that grant temporary abilities like invincibility, extra points, or sometimes handicaps, adding strategic depth. - Is there an ending to Desert Falcon?
No, the game loops infinitely, increasing in difficulty with each stage to test your endurance and skills. - How does Desert Falcon handle controls on older Atari consoles?
The 2600 and XEGS controllers have only one button, requiring a double-tap to activate powers, making gameplay trickier compared to the 7800’s two-button setup.
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