Barbarian - HOT NEWS as Barbarian: The Ultimate Warrior" arrives on the Atari XL/XE

For decades, Atari enthusiasts have felt a void without one of the most iconic fighting games from the 1980's. Today, that "historical bug" has finally been fixed. Team Vega have released a brand-new port of the legendary Barbarian, built from the ground up specifically to harness the unique power of the Atari XL and XE line. As one person puts it "The highly anticipated release of "Barbarian: The Ultimate Warrior" for the Atari XL/XE series is here. This version has evolved dramatically since its first teaser some years back promising an unforgettable experience for retro gaming fans."

Trap - A lost prototype originally a C64 release appears on the Atari XL/XE!

Throughout the years we've featured many lost and recovered games, this is especially true when it comes to either the Amiga or the Commodore 64. Well, today's news is a bit of a special one. As if you have an Atari XL/XE however, we've been told that the 1986 game 'Trap', which featured music by Ben Daglish, has been recovered as a prototype for the Atari XL/XE. A game whereby some have commented for the Commodore 64 version, that it requires patience to play, is rather difficult but was one of Antony Crowther better C64 games.

Tony Do It! - A highly enjoyable puzzle game inspired by the classic Sokoban for the Atari XL/XE

We've just been informed that Monochrome Productions, who was behind two brilliant games called TONY Montezuma's Gold and Go! Tony Go! has released the Atari XL/XE game called 'Tony Do It!'. A small yet highly enjoyable puzzle game inspired by the classic Sokoban. A game that takes place immediately after the events of the original game, in which you discover the legendary treasure of King Montezuma II. To coincide with this news provided below is the latest details and footage.

Elite - David Braben's 8bit space combat trading simulator of Elite gets an Atari XL/XE port demo update by reifsnyderb

Only just recently I was talking to a few friends about the original David Braben's 8-bit space combat trading simulator of Elite, and how we've seen a few fan based remakes appear as well as improvements and ports to different 8bit systems. But this latest news may interest you, if you have an Atari XL/XE however, as reifsnyderb has released a demo update of a port to the Atari XL/XE. A version of the game you can see being played in the footage below.

Classic arcade game 'Street Fighter II' has appeared on the Atari XL/XE!

Throughout this year IndieRetroNews Youtubber Saberman has been keeping you up to date with the latest developments of the impressive looking homebrew remake of Street Fighter II for the Atari XL/XE. Well this game which originally appeared on the Arcades, and was then ported to pretty much every system you could think of, has finally been converted over to the Atari XL/XE thanks to Krzysztof "Vega" Góra, Sim, Gaspar, Miker and GienekP.

Catslevania - Thelen's upcoming Castlevania game for the Atari XL/XE VBXE looks stunning!

Here we are with another shout out for this classic game called Castlevania, as I have been informed through Facebook, that Thelen is still working on a pretty stunning looking Castlevania game for the Atari XL/XE VBXE called Catslevania. A new version of the game, that looks graphically superior since its first tease way back in 2022. To coincide with this news, Saberman has done a new gameplay video which gives us another look at this early development!

Cosmic Hero 2: Prologue for the Atari XL/XE looks rather impressive!

Fancy playing a game that won the Atari Homebrew best homebrew award and has also received great feedback, such as "Unbelievable quality. Scrolling and graphics verging on a 16 bit" and amazing programming and I absolutely love this. Sound, graphics, and gameplay utilizing awesome original ideas" then come and check out this rather impressive looking game called 'Cosmic Hero 2: Prologue' for the Atari XL/XE by pazur3d. A retro sci-fi puzzle/arcade game for 8-bit Atari XL/XE machines, inspired by classic Polish titles from the late 1980s and early 1990s.

Timberman - Lumberjack arrives on the Atari XL/XE

LumberJack has appeared on Indie Retro News a number of times over the years, what with Megastyle & Protovision's C64 release in 2016 and Cobe and Lemming880's Amiga conversion in 2017. But now it looks as if another version has come into the light, and that is Tomasz "Pecuś" Pecko and Paweł "Pirx" Kalinowski's Lumberjack game of Timberman. A new Atari XE/XL version of the very enjoyable wood chopping game, where the only challenge is to chop a tree down while trying not get crushed by the tree itself.

Luckyman - A Montezuma's Revenge inspiration for the Atari XL/XE by Lukasz

In the early 80's many of us had the pleasure of playing the adventure platformer 'Montezuma's Revenge' on the Atari 2600, Atari 5200, Apple II, ColecoVision, Commodore 64, IBM PC, Sega Master System and even the ZX Spectrum (as Panama Joe). It combined treasure hunting, lots of rooms, puzzle solving and deadly traps and enemies that needed to be avoided almost as if you were playing as Indiana Jones himself. But now once again we look towards a new game in that style, as Łukasz "Luklab" Labuda has released a Montezuma inspiration for the Atari XL/XE called 'Luckyman'.

Montezuma's Redux - 1980's Atari 8-bit Platforming classic, overhauled [Atari 5200 UPDATE]

Even more great retro gaming news for this week, as we have just learnt that TIX with the help of Paul Lay, has released an Atari XL/XE rom hack of 'Montezuma's Revenge', which overhauls the game giving it new lease of life. Montezuma was originally released in the early 80's for the Atari 2600, Atari 5200, Atari 8-bit, Apple II, ColecoVision, Commodore 64, IBM PC, Sega Master System, and even the ZX Spectrum and is still enjoyed by many to this day.

A Centipede Emulator for the Atari 8bit/Commodore 64 by Norbert! [UPDATE]

Welcome to Centipede for the C64 as an emulator by Norbert. A game that was not only released as a vertical fixed shooter by Atari in 1980, but it also featured as a rather cheesy but nostalgic Pixel movie. A nod to a game in which you had to protect your garden against not just spiders and scorpions, but also a rather nasty splitting Centipede. To coincide with this bit of history, Saberman has provided some gameplay footage of the Centipede Emulator for the C64!

Rogul - Hack'n'Slash Roguelike for the Atari XL/XE by Bocianu with music by PG

Roguelike. Just the word brings up thoughts of ascii based dungeon crawlers with esoteric early '80s User Interfaces that have the steepest of learning curves that have more complexity than a B-52 cockpit. There are hundreds if not thousands of roguelike projects, each with their own unique spin on the classic formula. Rogul is one such roguelike that deserves a mention today, as not only is it for the Atari XL/XE, but this game has received a new update featuring a number of changes and fixes, bringing it to version 1.0f.

F-16 Falcon Strike - An updated flight simulator for the Atari XL/XE by Jarosław 'Roeoender' Wosik

I hardly ever feature flight simulators here on Indie Retro News. It's not as if I don't want to, but the chances of a developer releasing a new flight sim for a retro system is very rare. Today's news however is pretty special. As not only is it flight simulator related, but a creator by the name of Jarosław 'Roeoender' Wosik has released an update to his Atari XL/XE game of ' F-16 Falcon Strike '. As in his words "homage to the golden era of 80/90's computer combat flight simulators". To coincide with this news, we've got some footage of this rather cool game below.

Ruff in Trouble - A high quality nod to RUFF N TUMBLE for the Atari XL/XE (revised version)

One of the best games to come out of the ABBUC Software Contest 2024 for the Atari XL/XE, was 'Ruff in Trouble'. A nod to a game first released for the Amiga by Renegade in 1994, and developed by Wunderkind called 'Ruff N Tumble': A classic action packed Amiga platformer which is still incredible even to this day. Well here's some news for you if you have an Atari XL/XE, as shanti77 has released a revised edition of Ruff in Trouble for the Atari XL/XE, a new version with changes including background music.

Time Wizard - Control Time in this deluxe edition of an Atari XL/XE game by Amarok

Another game that's worth playing on your Atari XL/XE which first appeared at the ABBUC Software Contest 2023, and is now available to download (for free) as a deluxe edition, is the rather interesting platform puzzle called 'Time Wizard'. A game whereby you don't just manipulate time to your advantage, but you must put a stop to those evil Robots who are trying to change history to rule the world. If this sounds like your sort of game you'd like to play on your Atari XL/XE, then make sure to check out the video below! 

Bubble Bobble looks impressive on the Atari XL/XE, and it's out now!

We have just found through Saberman, that Vega and team have released the eagerly awaited BBC Micro to Atari XL/XE conversion, of the hit game of 'Bubble Bobble'. A game that has infuriated and thrilled us in equal measure at the Arcades and on our home computers since its original release around the year of 1986 to 1987! To coincide with this news, We've got the latest footage of the game, as well as the full details below. Seriously, if you have an Atari XL/XE you don't want to miss this.

Lord of the Orb - XaVeR adds even more levels to a classic 1985 game by Antic Software

Here on Indie Retro News we do love writing about the Atari XL/XE, I mean seriously we can't stop featuring the latest games released for this system. Well here we are with another story sent to us by Saberman, and it's the latest new level update for the classic game of 'Lord of the Orb'; A game that was originally released way back in 1985 by Antic Software. In light of this news, we have some footage of the new levels found within the game below.

Ruff in Trouble - A high quality nod to RUFF N TUMBLE for the Atari XL/XE is now available for all!

Another nod to a classic, as thanks to Saberman letting us know through Twitter, he has told us that the ABBUC Software Contest 2024 is finished, and shanti77 has made available the RUFF N TUMBLE inspired Atari XL/XE first place winner of 'Ruff in Trouble'. A nod to a game first released for the Amiga by Renegade in 1994 and developed by Wunderkind. One of the finest action packed platforming Amiga games you'll ever play. To coincide with this news, we've got a small description of the game as well as a gameplay video.

Go! Tony Go! - Another endless driving game appears, but this time from Monochrome Productions for the Atari XL/XE

It was only just yesterday that we announced the release of Tukinem's Commodore Amiga games of ' GoGoGo' ; A game in which playing as a chef driving a classic sports car, you had to avoid ghosts and chasms, while travelling as far as possible picking up coins and potions(?) for a high score. Well it looks as if Monochrome Productions are getting in on the fun, as they too have released an endless racing game called Go! Tony Go! for the Atari XL/XE. A free bonus game as an addition to an incredible platformer called 'Tony' which was originally released for the Amiga, Atari XL & Commodore 64

Dracula Story - A rather enjoyable Atari XL/XE game via Grevle gets a 1.7 release

Here on Indie Retro News we do love writing about the Atari XL/XE, especially with fabulous games being mentioned such as the Prince of Persia port, and the previously released Auf Wiedersehen Monty enhanced. Thankfully there's no let up in this greatness however, as thanks to another heads up from our good friend Saberman through Facebook, we've been told you can now try out the latest release of Grevle's Arcade game of 'Dracula Story'. To coincide with this story Saberman has also done a video of the new and final 1.7 version of the game.