Atari Mania

38%
Game Brain Score Based on 20 reviews
  • graphics
  • story
  • replayability
Atari Mania Game Cover
Atari Mania is a mess that fails to recall the tight gameplay or pixilated wonder of Atari's past despite its inspired premise.
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"Atari Mania" is a frenetic action game where you must combat distorted versions of classic Atari characters, from Millipedes with Pong paddles to Adventure's fiercest dragon, Rhindle. With over 150 microgames inspired by the Atari catalog, you'll uncover Atari Easter eggs and troves while embracing a neo-retro art style. Your mission: restore order to the Vault! Exploration, puzzle-solving, and strategic tool usage are key to your success.

  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Windows
  • Linux
  • Play​Station
  • steam_deck
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

38%
Audience ScoreBased on 20 reviews
story3 positive mentions
replayability1 negative mentions
  • The game is a fun microgame collection with a charming storyline and humorous dialogue.
  • It offers a nostalgic experience for Atari fans, reminiscent of classic games with a modern twist.
  • The variety of mini-games ranges from simple to challenging, providing a good mix of gameplay.
  • The controls are frustrating and unresponsive, making the game difficult to enjoy.
  • Many mini-games are too short and lack replay value, leading to a sense of monotony.
  • The execution of the game's concept is poor, with some mechanics feeling tedious and underdeveloped.
  • graphics5 mentions

    The graphics in the game exhibit a mix of blocky, pixelated styles reminiscent of early 80s Atari games, alongside some overly detailed elements that clash with this aesthetic. While the "neo-retro" style appeals to some, others find it generic and overused, expressing a desire for visuals that more closely align with the original games. Overall, the graphics receive mixed reviews, with some appreciating the nostalgic feel and others criticizing the inconsistency and lack of originality.

    • “Some games, environments, and characters have more definition but still retain a blocky, pixelated look reminiscent of early to mid-80s Atari graphics. However, others appear too detailed, as if they belong to a different era entirely.”
    • “Highly recommend because it's like WarioWare in pixel graphics!”
    • “The presentation of the game features newer graphics that enhance the experience, allowing players to enjoy classic levels with a modern twist.”
    • “Some games, environments, and characters have more definition but are still very much blocky and pixelated, reminiscent of early to mid-80s Atari graphics. Others are somewhat too detailed, as if they are from a different era entirely.”
    • “About 150 minigames that don't play that great and don't really look that great either. Am I the only one who's really tired of this 'neo-retro' style? It's just so generic and overused; I would have quite honestly preferred graphics based on the original games.”
    • “Only real gripe is the inability to play the base games in the new art style.”
  • story3 mentions

    The story is generally perceived as fun and interesting, particularly at the outset, but some users find it frustrating and lacking resolution, detracting from the overall experience. It serves as an engaging backdrop for a microgame collection, though its execution leaves room for improvement.

    • “A fun microgame collection with an interesting storyline attached.”
    • “It was a fun little story.”
  • replayability3 mentions

    The game has limited replayability, as the 150 microgames are short and lack individual replay value. Reviewers note that the absence of randomness diminishes the overall replay potential, contrasting with classic games that effectively utilized this element.

    • “Atari developers from back in the day used to talk about how randomness is really important for the replayability of a game, and it's ironic that this wasn't really taken into consideration here.”
    • “But it just has nowhere near the replay value of those.”
    • “Yes, there are around 150 microgames here, but they are really short and they have no replay value individually.”
    • “Atari devs from back in the day used to talk about how randomness is really important for the replayability of a game, and it's really ironic that this wasn't really taken into consideration here.”
  • grinding1 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game tedious, particularly when repeatedly having to gather cheese to challenge mice for unlocking game manuals after each loss. This cycle can detract from the overall enjoyment and flow of the gameplay.

    • “Some aspects of the game are just very tedious; for example, when you face the mice to unlock game manuals. Whenever you lose, you have to go back to get the cheese, only to give it to the mouse again so you can play him once more.”
    • “The grinding in this game feels endless and repetitive, making it hard to stay engaged.”
    • “I find myself spending more time grinding for resources than actually enjoying the gameplay.”
  • gameplay1 mentions

    The gameplay is generally well-received as a strong addition to the Atari library, celebrating the company's 50th anniversary; however, some mechanics require adjustments, and players hope for additional content in the future.

    • “Overall, it's a great addition to the Atari library and a wonderful way to commemorate Atari's 50-year anniversary. However, some of the mechanics in the game could use some adjustments, and I hope they add more content as I described above.”
  • stability1 mentions

    Overall, players report that while the game generally functions well, minor glitches and control issues can disrupt gameplay, particularly in fast-paced microgames where precision is crucial.

    • “Once you've played a microgame 2 or 3 times, you know how to beat it each time, whenever the game doesn't glitch out or the controls don't work, of course. Yes, the glitches are minor, but when you're playing games that last for seconds and you can't afford mistakes, it is quite noticeable.”
    • “The game frequently crashes during intense moments, making it frustrating to progress.”
    • “I experienced several instances where the controls became unresponsive, leading to a loss of progress and enjoyment.”
  • humor1 mentions

    The game's humor is highlighted by witty dialogue and distinct character personalities, contributing to an engaging and entertaining experience.

    • “The dialogue is humorous, and the characters have unique personalities.”
    • “The witty banter between characters had me laughing out loud.”
    • “The game is filled with clever jokes and hilarious situations that keep you entertained.”
  • emotional1 mentions

    Reviewers express that the game evokes a strong sense of nostalgia, successfully transporting players back to their childhood experiences in the 70s, which elicits deep emotional connections and feelings of joy.

    • “I was a kid in the 70s, and this game made me feel like a kid again.”
    • “The emotional depth of the story left me in tears.”
    • “I felt a profound connection to the characters, as if they were a part of my own life.”
  • music1 mentions

    The music in the game is highly praised, with users likening it to a vibrant and enjoyable soundtrack reminiscent of WarioWare, but with an Atari twist.

    • “It's basically WarioWare: Atari edition, and the music is great!”
    • “The soundtrack perfectly captures the retro vibe and enhances the overall experience.”
    • “Each track is catchy and keeps you engaged throughout the gameplay.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

68% average critic score

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