#PA2026, Published by Atari Corp.

In this episode , I cover one of the most popular games for the Atari Lynx, Xenophobe, released by Atari in August of 1990. Included is a complete rundown of the gameplay, music, and sound effects for Xenophobe. I also highlight a few reviews of the game, some information about the prices that collectors can expect to pay for a Xenophobe 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. So charge up your fists and phazers and lets kick some Xeno butt!

<figure class="wp-caption alignright" id="attachment_4559" style="width: 225px;"><figcaption class="wp-caption-text" id="caption-attachment-4559">The Xenophobe upright arcade cabinet was released by Bally Midway in 1987.</figcaption></figure>

XENOPHOBE VITAL STATISTICS

Release Date: August of 1990.

Initial Retail Price: $34.95.

Cartridge Information: Stereo curved lip-style cartridge. I think it is 128k, but I cannot find confirmation of that.

Game Genre: Side-scrolling/platform multi-level action shooter for 1 to 4 players using the ComLynx cable.

Screen Playfield Orientation: Landscape (horizontal).

Based On: Xenophobe arcade cabinet (1987) by Bally Midway.

Ports to Other Systems: The Commodore Amiga, the Amstrad CPC, the Atari VCS (2600), the Atari 7800, the Atari ST, the Commodore 64, the Nintendo Entertainment System, and the ZX Spectrum.

Game Levels: 23 single or multi-floor space stations.

Number of Players: 1-4 (with ComLynx support).

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

Instruction Manual: A 24-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.

XENOPHOBE  CREDITS

Developer: Epyx, Inc.

Licensee: Midway Manufacturing Co.

Programming: Gil Colgate.

Art: Phillip Vaughan.

Sound: Christopher Grigg.

Testing: Thomas MacDevitt, Tom Schumacher.

LYNXED IN

Collection Tracker Now Available!

Igor at Atari Gamer has done a fantastic job at creating and implementing a new tool for us collectors: The Collection Tracker will record, track and complete your Atari Lynx collection. All of the game database entries are available for tracking your carts, boxes, manuals, and posters, or whether you have a given game new in the box (NIB). You can also track the health/condition of the boxes, manuals, and posters. It’s a really cool tool for knowing what you have (or still need to get) in your collection. And it provides a handy (see what I did there?) stats-at-a-glance box. Best of all, it doesn’t require any logins or passwords to use it. Please be sure to check it out here.

LYNX LYNKS

Information About Xenophobe:

Atari Age title info/rarity guide for Xenophobe

Atari Gamer title info/rarity guide for Xenophobe

Digital Press title info/rarity guide for Xenophobe

Wikipedia article about Xenophobe

Moby Games article and hint guide about Xenophobe

Giant Bomb article about Xenophobe

GameFAQs article for Xenophobe

Preview by Electronic Gaming Monthly Issue #10/Atari Adventure insert (March 1990)

Preview by Electronic Gaming Monthly Issue #12/Atari Adventure insert (May 1990)

Preview by Electronic Gaming Monthly Issue #14/Atari Adventure insert (July 1990)

“Atari Lynx Hint Book”, published by Atari in 1993 for Lynx game developers (game strategies for Xenophobe can be found on page 67)

Reviews and Ratings for Xenophobe:

Review by Electronic Gaming Monthly (Issue #14, July 1990)

Review by Comput