Atari Mania

61%
Game Brain Score Based on 57 reviews
  • story
  • graphics
  • gameplay
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
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
  • Linux
  • Play​Station
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

61%
Audience ScoreBased on 57 reviews
story6 positive mentions
replayability3 negative mentions
  • The game offers a fun mix of microgames and an interesting storyline, appealing to fans of retro Atari games.
  • Many players enjoyed the nostalgic elements and humor, finding the mash-up of classic Atari games to be a charming experience.
  • The game is addictive and provides a lighthearted take on classic gaming, reminiscent of the WarioWare series.
  • The controls are often described as clunky and frustrating, making the gameplay experience less enjoyable.
  • Many mini-games are criticized for being too short, lacking replay value, and having unclear objectives.
  • The execution of the game's concept is seen as poor, with some players feeling it doesn't live up to the potential of its nostalgic premise.
  • story12 mentions

    The story is described as lighthearted and fun, reminiscent of a quirky adventure akin to "Night at the Museum," but it suffers from a frustratingly endless mash-up format. While the initial premise is intriguing, many players find the narrative overshadowed by the gameplay, which consists of mini-games that unlock story segments. Overall, the story is seen as cheesy yet enjoyable, making it worth experiencing despite its shortcomings.

    • “A fun microgame collection with an interesting storyline attached.”
    • “There is a rather lighthearted story akin to 'Night at the Museum,' but if it were set in an Atari game museum instead.”
    • “Much of the challenge is in the mini-games you play to unlock secrets and advance the story.”
    • “There is a rather lighthearted story akin to Night at the Museum, but if it were set in an Atari game museum instead.”
    • “It is trying to be a WarioWare style game with a little bit of adventure and story thrown in.”
    • “So I popped this in and it very quickly became apparent that the makers are fans of the WarioWare series, as this is very much a series of mini-games interrupted by short story segments.”
  • graphics10 mentions

    The graphics in the game are a mix of blocky, pixelated styles reminiscent of early 80s Atari games and overly detailed elements that feel out of place, leading to a disjointed visual experience. Many players express fatigue with the "neo-retro" aesthetic, finding it generic and overused, and they would have preferred graphics that more closely resemble the originals. Overall, while some environments and characters show more definition, the inconsistency in style detracts from the overall appeal.

    • “Highly recommend because it's like WarioWare in pixel graphics!”
    • “Some games, environments, and characters have more definition but are still very much blocky, pixelated early to mid-80s Atari graphics, while others are somewhat too detailed, as if they are from a different era entirely.”
    • “So for example, you could have a Crystal Castles arcade where you could just play levels of Crystal Castles as an actual game, but based on the way it's presented in this game, with the newer graphics and possibly levels in which they add elements from other games.”
    • “Some games, environments, and characters have some more definition but are still very much blocky, pixelated 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.”
  • gameplay7 mentions

    The gameplay of the new Atari title is a nostalgic blend of original mechanics and elements from various games, drawing comparisons to titles like Mario Ware. While it features innovative mashups and an addictive gameplay loop, some mechanics need refinement, and the overall execution has been criticized for lacking the tightness and charm of classic Atari experiences. Despite its shortcomings, it remains a worthwhile playthrough for fans of the franchise.

    • “It is a mix of original gameplay and elements from multiple games.”
    • “It is worth a playthrough even if the story is a bit cheesy.”
    • “[Innovative mashups, addictive gameplay loop, collectibles].”
    • “I like all the nods to characters in old Atari games, but the actual gameplay falls flat.”
    • “Atari Mania is a mess that fails to recall the tight gameplay or pixelated wonder of Atari's past despite its inspired premise.”
    • “It is a mix of original gameplay and mixing of game elements from multiple games.”
  • replayability6 mentions

    The game features around 150 microgames, but players find that their short duration significantly limits individual replay value. Critics note a lack of randomness, which detracts from overall replayability, making the experience feel less engaging over time.

    • “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.”
    • “But it just has nowhere near the replay value of those.”
  • grinding2 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game tedious, particularly the repetitive process of collecting cheese to challenge mice for unlocking game manuals, which can disrupt the flow of gameplay.

    • “Some aspects of the game are just very tedious; for example, when you face the mice to unlock game manuals, if you lose, you have to go back to get the cheese and then give it to the mouse again just to play him once more.”
    • “The grinding in this game feels excessive and repetitive, making it hard to stay engaged.”
    • “I find the grinding mechanics frustrating; it often feels like I'm just going in circles without any real progress.”
  • stability2 mentions

    Users report that while the game generally runs smoothly, minor glitches and control issues can disrupt gameplay, particularly in fast-paced microgames where precision is crucial. These stability concerns become more apparent after repeated playthroughs, as players rely on consistent performance to succeed.

    • “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.”
  • humor2 mentions

    The humor in the game 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.”
  • emotional2 mentions

    Players express that the game evokes a strong sense of nostalgia, successfully transporting them back to their childhood experiences in the 70s, which enhances their emotional connection to the game.

    • “I was a kid in the 70s, and they made me feel like a kid again.”
  • music2 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. Overall, it contributes significantly to the game's appeal.

    • “It's basically WarioWare: Atari edition, and the music is great!”
  • optimization1 mentions

    The game's optimization has been criticized for its stiff controls, which can lead to frustration, although users report infrequent performance issues overall.

    • “The controls feel stiff, and while performance issues are infrequent, they can get frustrating.”
    • “Optimization is lacking, leading to occasional stuttering and lag during gameplay.”
    • “The game suffers from poor optimization, resulting in long loading times and inconsistent frame rates.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

68% average critic score

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