In an exciting development for retro gaming enthusiasts, the beloved project “Goldorak” is now in the works for Atari 8-bit computers.
Spearheaded by French enthusiast Eric Cubizolle, aka “Titan”, this game draws inspiration from the iconic Japanese anime and manga series “UFO Robot Grendizer”; a gem from the late ’70s that, despite its popularity in Japan and the West, remained relatively unknown in other regions.
“Goldorak” unfolds as a captivating shoot’em up game with a vertical scrolling background. Initially intended for the Amstrad GX4000 console and Amstrad CPC computers, the game mirrors the anime’s narrative. Players guide the main character, who escapes the ravaged planet Fleed from the tyrannical King Vega, on a mission to Earth. The objective? Defeat Vega by collecting scattered parts of a device across diverse locations.
The project gained momentum after “Titan” shared its elements – graphics, music, storyline – leading to plans for a broader release on platforms like ZX Spectrum and Sega Mega Drive. One enthusiast, Jean-Marc Lebourg, a devoted Atari 8-bit fan, decided to revive his programming skills for this venture. With assistance from David Lzd and Testuro for graphics and music transfer, the Atari version, tentatively named “Goldoraktari,” is rapidly taking shape, boasting developed elements such as level graphics, code snippets, and music.
A recent video shared by Jean-Marc provides a sneak peek into “Goldoraktari,” showcasing elements like the lower panel, background scrolling, and the character’s avatar. The music, featuring conversions by StaxX, is based on original scores by Shunsuke Kikuchi from the anime.
