#LX101 (L402), Published by Telegames, Inc.

In this episode, I cover the first of nine third-party games in this podcast, The Fidelity Ultimate Chess Challenge, released by publisher Telegames, Inc. in 1991. Included is a complete rundown of the gameplay, music (what little there is), and sound effects for The Fidelity Ultimate Chess Challenge. I also highlight a few reviews of the game, some information about the prices that collectors can expect to pay for a The Fidelity Ultimate Chess Challenge cartridge on eBay and other retailers, some trivia and fun facts about the game, and some very welcome feedback about the game from some of my loyal listeners.

THE FIDELITY ULTIMATE CHESS CHALLENGE VITAL STATISTICS

Release Date: By March of 1991.

Initial Retail Price: $39.99.

Cartridge Information: The Fidelity Ultimate Chess Challenge is a stereo curved lip-style cartridge. I think the ROM size is 128k, but I cannot confirm it.

Game Genre: Isometric or top-down strategy/tactics game for one or two players; the ComLynx cable is not used in this game.

Based On: The classic board game of Chess, utilizing the experience of Fidelity Electronics, makers of various stand-alone chess computers of the day.

Screen Playfield Orientation: Landscape (horizontal).

Ports to Other Systems: The Fidelity Ultimate Chess Challenge is an Atari Lynx exclusive that was not ported to any other system.

Game Levels: There are 17 levels of play: Levels 1 through 8 are time-based in which the response time can be set from 5 seconds at Level 1 to 4 minutes at Level 8; Levels 9 through 16 restrict the use of lookahead abilities; and Level 17 is an infinite level.

Number of Players: 1-2 (no ComLynx support).

Packaging:  Full-color standard-tab regular-size carton (5 3/8″ by 4 3/8″ by 7/8″).

Instruction Manual: A 40-page (including front and back covers) stapled regular-sized booklet manual in monochrome in English, measuring the usual 4 7/8” high by 3 ¾” wide.

THE FIDELITY ULTIMATE CHESS CHALLENGE  CREDITS

Developer/Licensee: Telegames, Inc.

No other individuals credited or known

LYNXED IN

The Atari Lynx HandyCast is Now Part of The Throwback Network

Thanks to the hosts of The Throwback Review Podcast, (Sean Johnson, also of The Average Runner Podcast, and Rob “Flack” O’Hara, also of the You Don’t Know Flack Podcast), The Atari Lynx HandyCast has been added to The Throwback Network. Many retro-themed podcasts are included on the network (both gaming- and non-gaming-related). I myself subscribe and listen to most of them, and I would highly recommend that you check out all of the great podcasts listed there. You can find the network here.

New Podcast: Into the Vertical Blank

There is a new Atari podcast in town; it’s called Into the Vertical Blank, and it is hosted by twin brothers, Steve Fulton and Jeff “8BitRocket” Fulton, who grew up “Atari,” or as they call it, in The Vertical Blank. The Vertical Blank is space between the lines; it’s the where work occurs that you never see on screen. In their podcast they discuss Atari computers and systems, new and old, review new games that they collect, talk about all the systems, and the significance they had in their lives and in the lives of others, and they even talk about them in a historical context, and how they are being used now. They do all this in an effort to finally understand the answer to this existential question: what does it mean to have grown up Atari in the generation of the Vertical Blank? I’ve been listening to this podcast lately, and it’s a lot of fun to hear two brothers relate their own experiences “growing up Atari.” Check it out here.

LYNX LYNKS

Information About The Fidelity Ultimate Chess Challenge:

Atari Age title info/rarity guide for The Fidelity  Ultimate Chess Challenge

Atari Gamer title info/rarity guide for The Fidelity Ultimate Chess Challenge

Wikipedia article about The Fidelity Ultimate Chess Challenge

Moby Games article about The Fidelity Ultimate Chess Challenge

Giant Bomb article about The Fidelity Ultimate Chess Challenge

GameFAQs article for The Fidelity Ultimate Chess Challenge

Reviews and Ratings for The Fidelity Ultimate Chess Challenge:

Review by Keita Iida at AtariHQ

Review by Robert A. Jung at IGN (1999)

Review by Jon Mc at Atari Gamer (2018)

YouTube Videos About The Fidelity Ultimate Chess Challenge:

Playthrough (janatri73)

Playthrough (VGBDbr)

Playthrough (last true boss) (ZoneLynx Atari)

1979 TV commercial for Fidelity Electronics Chess Game (Bionic Disco)

Retailers Selling The Fidelity Ultimate Chess Challenge:

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