

1987 · Shooter
Desert Falcon
Timed Atari exclusive
Desert Falcon is a 3D (isometric) flying shooter game that was developed and published in 1987 by Atari. The game was released for the Atari 2600, 7800, and XE Game Systems of the Atari 8-bit family.
- Released
- 1 December 1987
- Platforms
- Atari 2600Atari 7800Atari 8-bitAtari XEGSWindowsXbox 360
- Genres
- Shooter
- Developers
- —
- Publishers
- —
- Perspective
- Bird view / Isometric
- Themes
- ActionScience fiction
- Country
- United States
- Age ratings
- ESRB E
About
Desert Falcon is a scrolling shooter video game developed by General Computer Corporation and published in 1988 by Atari Corporation for the Atari 2600 and Atari 7800. It was initially announced in 1984, prior to being named Desert Falcon, as one of the planned launch titles for the 7800. A version for Atari 8-bit computers, with XEGS-styled packaging, followed in 1989.
Designed by Bob Polaro, who also programmed the Atari 2600 version, Desert Falcon is loosely based on ancient Egyptian mythology. The diagonally-scrolling isometric graphics had reviewers comparing it to Zaxxon from 1982.
Keywords
- retro
- flight
- classic
- bonus stage
- vertical scrolling
Media
The articlegameplay, story, development, reception
Gameplay
The game uses a scrolling, isometric perspective. Vultures, warriors, flying fish, and other creatures guard treasures and try to stop the player. At the end of each level, the player faces a large, howling sphinx before moving forward. The falcon can shoot arrows to eliminate foes and defeat the sphinx.
Throughout the game are hieroglyphs in the sand. Landing and hopping over three hieroglyphs unlock what are labeled "super powers" in the manual. The specific combination of collected hieroglyphs determines the acquired ability, including invincibility, teleportation to a level's end, bonus points, a decoy to mislead enemies, and an air bomb that annihilates all airborne opponents.
Story
Players take on the role of a falcon, striving to collect the Pharaoh's scattered treasures in the desert to earn points.
Development
The game was revealed in 1984 as part of the Atari 7800 announcement. It was referred to as both Sphinx and Nile Flyer.
Reception
W. Ratcliff wrote, "Desert Falcon has good graphics, cute sound effects, and a tired, boring theme." He cited Zaxxon several times, calling Desert Falcon a visually different spin on the same gameplay. New Atari User wrote, "The scrolling in Desert Falcon isn't quite as smooth as it could be," but complimented the animation of the falcon and the use of shadows.
In Antic, David Plotkin wrote, "The manual describes a wide variety of enemies. Unfortunately, except for some flying triangles, they all looked pretty much alike". He still concluded with "It has excellent graphics and is very playable."
Releases by platformdates and regions as published
Editions and related releases
- Included in
- Atari VaultAtari Collection 1Atari Collection 2Atari Flashback Classics Vol. 1Atari Flashback ClassicsAtari Retro Handheld Console: Pac-Man EditionAtari Greatest Hits: Volume 2Atari Flashback XAtari Retro Handheld ConsoleAtari Flashback 4Atari Flashback X DeluxeAtari Flashback 3Atari Flashback Blast! Vol. 1Atari Flashback 4: 40th Anniversary - Deluxe EditionAtari AnthologyAtari Flashback 8 Gold: Activision Edition
- Ported as
- Desert Falcon
- Built on it
- Desert Falcon
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Collections4 collections
Platform libraries
- Atari XEGS gamesGames
- Atari 2600 gamesRetail game releases
- Atari 7800 gamesCommercially released games (1986-1991)
Licensing
- Commercial games with available source codeGames with available source code
Description adapted from its source, CC BY-SA 4.0.
