Orion's Jaguar Collection

Limited edition cartridge.

As it's the twentieth anniversary of the Atari Jaguar beast, I thought I'd do my bit for greater understanding and enjoyment of this console in this issue of Mag!

It happens that I rehomed a big Atari cat earlier this year, with a selection of game cartridges, some more memorable than others (Iron Soldier, yay!) I checked out the thriving Jaguar scene, especially around the Atari Age forums. Most of the new and interesting things being discussed there required the addition of a Jaguar CD-ROM unit. There are not too many of these lying around waiting to be casually picked up though.

At the same time, there are some projects which are looking towards a cartridge format. This review is about one of these.

You should recall Orion from the previous issue. We reviewed the Falcon CD-ROM version of his Myst-alike graphical adventure, 'Elansar'. We pronounced it as more than adequate. He went on to produce other versions of this hit game, including showing a fifty percent completed preview of a Jaguar cartridge version at the 2012 edition of Sillyventure. Now, this has been completed and is available on the Jag in cartridge format.

But this article is not about that game. Orion had a handful of spare blank cartridges after Elansar, upon which he burned a previously issued CD-based compilation of small demos and game previews, written in the 2006-2009 period. Having ordered, this, I received number eight of the limited edition of twenty.

There's a piece of paper with the cart, what's on that? And whilst we're here, maybe its time to boot the thing up?

Right after the familiar 'Jagwar' bios boot-up sequence, an attractive menu in the style of a DVD selection appears. This contains a batch of miniature screen grabs from each of the sub programs on offer. Selection is controlled by the jag pad number buttons, corresponding to the place on screen relating to that button. Main button 'C' brings up the next menu. Main button 'B' loads your selection.

The Menu front end.

There is a little scroller at the top of the main which gives you brief instructions on how to use this. There is also a brief explanation as to 'why cartridge?' too. Orion's Jaguar CD unit had died. With the development of easy to use flash ROM cartridges, both Elansar and this compilation have been released. It sort of looks like any future activity from Orion on the Jag will be cart-based. Hmmm?

Time to dive in deeper, start at the beginning.

Osmozys 3D:

It's a diamond catching brain twister game, in a maze, in the sky! Collect the diamonds, avoid the bad guys, don't fly off the edge of the screen. Did I mention it's 3D? Yes, you have to twiddle camera angles before you move around, otherwise what you think is a 'left' turns into an 'up', and you're flying off out of that level before you quite know what's happening.

Most human brains are poorly adapted for this game!

It is definitely suited for Mr Spock from the original Star Trek series, when he felt like playing something more action orientated than 3D space chess!

Diamjag:

This is an easier to manage 2D prequel to the above game. It's a lot easier to shove your character around. There isn't the danger of plummeting off into infinity, at least not on the earlier levels. A more finished version of this could use a timer option to add a little extra tension, due to the speedier gameplay.

Junglejag:

Classic platforming action here. Collect more diamonds. Is there no end to this lad's Elizabeth Taylor style faded movie idol jewellery acquiring antics? Dodge the bad guys and snakes. And there is a handy little climbing action attached to button 'C', which comes in very useful for those Tarzan efforts needed to reach high platforms.

With a little bit more work, we could have a winner here.

AC2008 Interactive CD Intro:

A little bit of intro action next. This bold little piece was supposed to be an intro for a tragically unfinished interactive CD, aimed for the 2008 AC Retrogaming competition. The intro features some brisk effects, a nice chippy tune from Tao, and it fades back to the main menu when it is done.

Seaplane intro / early game beta:

This looks like a two player game? A 1942 overhead shooter styled game, with an arcade-worthy intro sequence, some nice in-game graphics, as you plod your lonely way around the screen. I guess full collision detection was on the things still to do list, as when you bump into jagged rocks, there's not too much exploding and twisted metal going on, more of a friendly body block to stop the drunk falling to the pavement action.

As above with better graphics:

Can't say a lot more, we've lost the intro, but we've gained a nice soundtrack in the background!

RGC 2006 intro:

A little intro made for the Retro Gaming Convention 2006. Features a fake ray traced text scroller. This is faintly familiar as something like it was made on the STE a while back.

Final Fantasy VII Tifa and prelude:

This is probably the most overtly 'techie' out of all the little demos. A flat shaded 3D model (the Tifa from Final Fantasy 7 in question) made from 554 triangles and looking rather smooth spinning around thrashes Orion's custom 3D engine on the Jag. There is a brief but beautiful procedurally generated fanfare of a tune made off the DSP by Zerosquare. I could personally leave this one going all day, but the music dies after about a minute in.

Atari ST Sprite record:

If you're still having nightmares about the sprite record thing from years ago, as kicked off provocatively by Leonard, then this screen will not help matters! Exactly as described and what you would expect.

Christmas 3D Tree:

More testing times for Orion's 3D Jag code. This one is a flat shaded Xmas tree, with ornaments, where you can control the camera angle. This one is very reminiscent of something Earx did for his 10th Anniversary issue of Maggie intro.

Additive transparent sprite test:

A plainer and more transparent version of the Atari ST sprite record.

Wipeout 3D screen test:

A very very early scene test for an attempt at Wipeout on the Jaguar. Not a lot to add. If you interact, you can make the whole thing disappear.

The classic 'Lines' screen saver:

This is the only remaining piece of Orion's tragically lost Windows 3.1 emulator for the Jaguar! At least that's how my brain interpreted it. Never mind, he might rediscover the code for his Jaguar 'flying toasters' one day, and add that as an easter egg on his next release?

Orion Boot up logo animation:

A larger earlier version of the swirling galaxy boot up logo that Orion uses throughout this compilation, and with other productions too.

Raytracer:

You get a quick and dirty realtime raytracing attempt. Described as a 'bad attempt' by Orion but using 100% fixed point GPU code.

There is also a hidden screen in there somewhere too. It remains to be seen if I discover it/Orion takes pity in time before this issue of Mag! is released.

So what are we left with, after that trip through this cart?

Firstly, it is a limited edition, an exclusive for a few lucky people, this author included. There aren't many of them out there. Although it is perfectly possible another limited production run may be possible, as and when Orion makes another batch of Elansar or whatever he's thinking of doing next?

The collection represents Orion's early work. There are some small fancies, the odd production veering into the realms of 'demo'. There are also some interesting game beta's, some further developed and more playable than others. Diamjag and Jungle Jag are decently playable as they are.

It wasn't the cheapest purchase out there, but I'm not going to dwell on or quibble about the price. Some people might consider this as an 'investment'. Personally speaking, I've enjoyed the collection for what it is, not what it might be worth in the future. Anyway, I think Orion is worth it, and I hope that a decent take up of his productions will motivate him to do more, on whatever Atari machine takes his fancy in the future.

Orion has the essential skills to make his presence felt on the Jaguar. He definitely has the ability to make something more arcade or action orientated to follow Elansar should he choose to do so. This cartridge not only demonstrates what might have been, but hopefully give you some idea of what may still be to come?

CiH for Mag! - Sept 2013.

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