Vault Entry
[📷 suggested: screenshot of Tempest 2000’s psychedelic webs]
Overview
Commissioned by Atari, Tempest 2000 updates the 1981 arcade game with polygonal webs, particle storms, and a techno soundtrack. Jeff Minter layered in bonus modes and power-ups while preserving the original’s frantic, tube-based shooting.
Fast facts
- Original platform: Atari Jaguar, later ported to PC, Saturn, PlayStation, and modern collections.
- Soundtrack: composed with Yak’s signature trance influences; often cited as one of the Jaguar’s best.
- Legacy: set the tone for later Llamasoft revivals like TxK and Polybius.
Lesson connections
- Assembly Act IV’s polish segment references Tempest 2000 for pacing and audiovisual synchronization.
- Transition course comparisons highlight how the remake jumps from 6502 assembly roots to RISC-based hardware.
- Vault links encourage learners to trace design evolution from 8-bit to 32-bit systems.