Cyberball

In 1989, Atari Games released a sequel to the original Cyberball in both the same large dual-monitor cabinet, titled Tournament Cyberball 2072, and a standalone two-player cabinet titled Cyberball 2072. The sequel featured improved gameplay, including refined player movement and more offensive plays and defensive formations, and changed its setting to 2072.

Released: 1988
Platforms: Amstrad CPC Arcade Atari Lynx Atari ST Commodore 64 MS-DOS NES Sega Genesis Xbox 360 ZX Spectrum
Genres: American football Arcade Sports
Developers: Atari Games
Publishers: Atari Games Atari
Modes: Multiplayer Single-player
Perspective: Bird view / Isometric
Themes: Action Science fiction
Country: United States
Age ratings: ESRB E

About

Cyberball (サイバーボール, Saibābōru) is a 1988 sports video game developed and published by Atari Games for arcades. Set in the year 2022, the game is a 7-man variation of American football using robotic avatars of different speeds, sizes, and skill sets. Cyberball was ported to several home consoles and computers, including the Sega Genesis, Atari Lynx, and Nintendo Entertainment System.

The original Cyberball arcade game was released as a large cabinet with two monitors, each with two sets of controls for one or two players. Players on each side could play against computer opponents or head-to-head on opposing monitors for a maximum of four players. In 1989, Atari Games released a sequel to the original Cyberball in both the same large dual-monitor cabinet, titled Tournament Cyberball 2072, as well as a standalone two-player cabinet titled Cyberball 2072. The sequel included improved gameplay, which included refined player movements and more offensive plays and defensive formations, and changed its setting to 2072. Also shipped in 1989 were several conversion kits to modify existing cabinets to Tournament Cyberball 2072 or the two-player-only Cyberball 2072.

Keywords

football
american football

Media

The articlegameplay, story, development, reception

Gameplay

The game replaces the standard downs system with an explosive ball that progresses from "cool" to "warm", "hot", and "critical" status as it is used. Players can only defuse the ball, resetting it from its current state back to "cool" by crossing the 50 yard line or by change of possession, whether through touchdown, interception, or fumble. A robot holding a critical ball while being tackled is destroyed along with the ball. The robots also possess finite durability.

As offensive units are tackled, they wear down, finally issuing smoke and then flames after a number of hits. A flaming robot will explode when hit, thereby fumbling the ball. Players can use the money bonuses they earn while playing to upgrade their robots with faster and more durable units. Players select from run, pass, or option plays on offense, after which the computer presents four individual plays from which to choose.

Reception

The NES version received less favorable reviews compared to the arcade version. GamePro noted poor controls, removed features such as player upgrades, and "archaic" graphics while lamenting the missed potential of the port overall. Chris Bieniek of VideoGames & Computer Entertainment highlighted the port as a definitive example of the limitations of the NES.

In a retrospective review, Brett Alan of Allgame praising the arcade version calling it "A highly influential futuristic sports game". He also praised the fast paced hard hitting gridiron action although gave criticized the gameplay being erratic concluding: "however, the game is undeniable fun for arcade-style sports enthusiasts." on the same website, Skyler Miller gave a negative review for the NES version writing: "The NES isn't able to handle the detailed graphics found in the arcade version of Cyberball, so this adaptation ironically ends up feeling more like a primitive version of football than a futuristic one." Megatech praised the Genesis version being a decent conversion from the arcade version and praised the graphics.