Intellivision Amico - Tommy Tallarico introduction + Q&A

FYI About T Minus 15 minutes and counting…

52 minutes ago, IMBerzerk said:

It's a shame there isn't more flexibility in game title remakes.  Like a movie being remade.  It's not the same exact movie, it's a new version of an old story.  

 

It's not the original Moon Patrol...it's a new interpretation of it.  So it could win or fail on its own.  But I guess it's all in the name isn't it.

Amico Moon Patrol might work without a license, if you change the music and the name.  But you might as well get the license, otherwise it's seen as a ripoff game, plus you capture fans of the original game.

FYI 

The Amico All Access podcast is at a new time 11am ET starting May 30.

3 hours ago, mr_me said:

Amico Moon Patrol might work without a license, if you change the music and the name.  But you might as well get the license, otherwise it's seen as a ripoff game, plus you capture fans of the original game.

True..and Lord knows how many rip off games we've seen across the lot of systems. 

I do like that Tommy is gunning for the licenses though. It's cool to have it be an actual real title remake rather than a rip off of one. 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whomp_'Em

This game seems like it could be on Amico.  It's from Jaleco & released on the NES.  Not sure if Tommy is interested in any Jaleco games.  Also, Brett Weiss praised the game according to the Wikipedia page.

OK hotshot - so you want to be a gunner on the Amico B-17 Bomber?  With Memorial Day approaching, thought you might get a kick out of this video on YouTube:  Zenos Warbirds - Hitting a Moving Target for World War 2 Bomber Gunners (1944 - restored).

Tommy posted some new Astrosmash screen shots on FB and Twitter.

1 minute ago, GrudgeQ said:

Tommy posted some new Astrosmash screen shots on FB and Twitter

 

Here ya go!

1 minute ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

Here ya go!
 

BTW A big thumbs up on the alien saucer death skeleton animations in the game. There is something very satisfying about seeing the empty hulks fall and it not just disappear in a 'boom' or something.

18 minutes ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

Here ya go!

 

 

The 'rainbow streak' is an timed hyper dash power up you get in the game. It is critical to top game play because it lets you quickly move across the screen to respond to far away threats (or dodge imminent disaster)

. You only get it so often however so you have to save it up.

20 hours ago, IMBerzerk said:

Road Blasters is a cool game.  Not commonly known, but if you ever play it, it's a lot of fun.  

 

The trick to Spy Hunter is the steering.  It's extremely difficult to play on MAME because the steering is so sensitive.  But if that can be coded to the disc, and have it used as either a wheel or left-right steering, it would be a blast on Amico.  

 

I hope there will be a line of reimagined Arcade hits, not just an Atari "Arcade Hits" pack.  Too many emulators out there now where you can play the original...all free.   Time for some new vision using the past as the inspiration.

 

Imagine Spy Hunter top-down with 2D style graphics like Moon Patrol!  That would be off the charts.... especially in the Boat and Helicopter sections. 

 

And of course...Tommy's version of Peter Gunn playing the whole time.  Sick...

I actually worked on the remake of Spy Hunter that they did for the PlayStation 2, Gamecube, XBOX, Windows, etc. 20 years ago.  They called it SpyHunter as one word instead of two.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SpyHunter

And YES!  I had a LOT of fun with that music!!

I did all the cutscenes for the game (not the in game music).

Here is the intro:

And YES... would love to see it make a modern comeback on Amico!!

Amazing.  That's the vibe right there!  You nailed the Henry Mancini original Big Band version perfectly.  

Maybe it's just my opinion, but after using emulators for 25 years, I'm tired of seeing Game Packs of old arcade games on new systems.  Much like what you're doing with these old titles and breathing new life in them, I hope more arcade games can be done as well.  Just amazing what your team conjured up with Moon Patrol.  

Would love to see a bunch of classics redone like that in a new light.  Not like the 90s did with flashy effects of the old Space Invaders and Galaga...I mean a new look to the game.  Like Galaxian, Scramble, Defender...even Gorf.  As I mentioned before.  No point in doing packs...we have every available option to play the real arcade ROMs on a zillion emulated systems...including MAME...for free.  It's just doesn't make sense in the modern gaming era.  But what you're doing with Night Stalker, Astrosmash and Skiing makes a lot of sense and seems like the right path to be on.

42 minutes ago, IMBerzerk said:

Amazing.  That's the vibe right there!  You nailed the Henry Mancini original Big Band version perfectly.  

 

Maybe it's just my opinion, but after using emulators for 25 years, I'm tired of seeing Game Packs of old arcade games on new systems.  Much like what you're doing with these old titles and breathing new life in them, I hope more arcade games can be done as well.  Just amazing what your team conjured up with Moon Patrol.  

 

Would love to see a bunch of classics redone like that in a new light.  Not like the 90s did with flashy effects of the old Space Invaders and Galaga...I mean a new look to the game.  Like Galaxian, Scramble, Defender...even Gorf.  As I mentioned before.  No point in doing packs...we have every available option to play the real arcade ROMs on a zillion emulated systems...including MAME...for free.  It's just doesn't make sense in the modern gaming era.  But what you're doing with Night Stalker, Astrosmash and Skiing makes a lot of sense and seems like the right path to be on.

Thanks! 

Yep!  That is our plan.

I think one of the issues I've personally experienced in the game industry (because I've worked on some of these franchises) is that they take the name or characters but try to adapt the gameplay to modern systems.  Using things like 3D or 3rd person perspectives, etc.

How about just redoing the audio, visuals and adding multiplayer and widescreen design capabilities!  Keep the core there (the thing that made it great in the first place!) but expand with different modes of play, etc.

 

On 5/16/2021 at 4:53 PM, インテレビジョン said:

Hey Tommy,

  Have you thought about producing any coloring books for the kids based on the upcoming Amico games? For example, you could take one of those Finnigan Fox screenshots, remove the color but keep the black outlines, and there you go, you have a drawing waiting to be colored in!

 

  I remember back when I was an elementary school kid and those Nintendo Game & Watches came out. A bunch of kids in my school had them, and I remember we had a small assignment in class where we had to draw something and explain it. Some boys who usually weren't that interested in studying suddenly got excited and asked if they could draw their Game & Watch. The teacher agreed, and they eagerly started drawing them, trying to get perfect realism. I just think kids might be that eager to try coloring in scenes from their favorite Amico games. I know I would've loved to have colored in the box art for Astrosmash had it existed.

 

Thanks as always!

It's a great idea.  I haven't thought about that, but you bring up a great point!

LOVE IT!

On 5/17/2021 at 9:08 AM, woobman said:

My first Cornhole (in the wild) sighting!!!

I was out for a walk, early in the morning this weekend.. Saw this.  I don't know these people, but I will go ahead and earn my shill Check this week and let them know about Amico.

 

That brings up a question about the play mechanics of the game itself: I've noticed that every player in the ACL, before tossing the beanbag, will fling the bag in the air a few inches and spin it around a few times. I'm sure there is a "professional" term for it.  But everything that I type makes the 12 year old me... Giggle.  Will this play mechanic be included in the game? I know its not really essential for the game But just wondering.  I assume that is a reason and its more than just a nervous tick with everyone. Distributing weight evenly around the bag? Flattening the bag for better aerodynamics? Or are they just having fun? 

With a straight face I will try to say...

You cannot spin your bags before a throw.  But when you have a bag in your hand you can move the controller and your bag (and hand) moves on screen.

*giggle*

On 5/17/2021 at 9:09 AM, Battlefish said:

Here's a screenshot, if anyone's curious:

You can also see a sneak peek at the Glacier White and Graphite Black controllers, as well as the top shell of a couple Vintage Woodgrain systems.

 

The latter seems less metallic and more glossy, when compared to render shots. Not sure how good it's gonna look if they go with that...

Here's the pic if anyone is collecting or archiving them.

On 5/17/2021 at 11:24 AM, IntelliMission said:

More modern gaming news that can benefit the Amico:

 

Sony has patented its own game betting system: eSports platform could allow spectators to bet money or in-game items, with odds determined by player history

 

The world needs the Amico, if only for this kind of things. To have an alternative.

Modern gaming definitely seems to be headed in a different direction these days.

On 5/17/2021 at 2:21 PM, justclaws said:

This is a little off-topic, but it's very much on-topic for game collectors,
and the link is, Tommy Tallarico is in the film, talking about game music.
https://watch.plex.tv/movie/nintendo-quest

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3063470/fullcredits
Maybe you've all seen it, but I hadn't, and did not expect the Tommy Tallarico bit.
 

(I just streamed the film via my Atari VCS, which introduced free Plex to me.)

Of course since then, prices soared for all retro games, and modern games, huh?

For Dutch pricing comparisons, see: 
https://www.nedgame.nl/zoek/systeem:nintendo--nes-/

For that matter, you can also check-out the Dutch Ebay, for Intellivision gear...
https://www.marktplaats.nl/q/intellivision/#searchInTitleAndDescription:true
 

That was a fun documentary!  Honored to be a part of it.  They filmed that a LONG time ago.  I had forgot that I did that.

1 hour ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

 

I actually worked on the remake of Spy Hunter that they did for the PlayStation 2, Gamecube, XBOX, Windows, etc. 20 years ago.  They called it SpyHunter as one word instead of two.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SpyHunter

 

And YES!  I had a LOT of fun with that music!!

 

I did all the cutscenes for the game (not the in game music).

Here is the intro:

 

 

 

 

 

 

I love this game! I still have it for the original Xbox. The music, cut scenes and vehicle transitions are slick. I remember the first time I saw the car transform into the boat; blew my mind. 

On 5/18/2021 at 1:15 AM, oelli said:

Hi, Tommy!

Was the painting for the great Biplanes Box-Art you showed recently done by one of your Intellivision employees or from an externally commissioned graphic artist?

 

As a big fan of the illustrations of the old Mattel Intellivision Boxes I did an internet research some time ago and found out that Jerrol "Jerr" Richardson was the artist that made them.

But I have never seen one of the original paintings the old boxes where made from. Are they all lost? Since Jerr was a Mattel employee I assume they all are owned by Mattel.

You Tommy, the great collector of all that things, have for sure tried to get hold of the originals?

 

 

External artist that our art director Mike Dietz helped to direct with input from me & Mike.

We've been searching for those as well.  Unfortunately in the boxes and boxes of old stuff we have... none of them contain any original art.

On 5/18/2021 at 5:14 AM, Zee said:

My footbath doesn't look that nice

Mine do!

Make sure to check out the Galaxy Purple!
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00LR76UK4/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&linkCode=sl1&tag=kayheavy-20&linkId=96962c1df66acf712529fd76497d2671

GTO Red:
https://www.amazon.com/Carepeutic-Ozone-Waterfall-Massager-Pound/dp/B0161ZWKPK/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&linkCode=sl1&tag=kayheavy-20&linkId=a0a6c6c1508e24e8d4f822d50bdb1f35

And of course... the Vintage Woodgrain!
https://www.amazon.com/CONTINUUM-PediCute-Portable-Foot-Spa/dp/B079MJXJ9B/ref=as_li_ss_tl?th=1&linkCode=sl1&tag=kayheavy-20&linkId=2b5ef8bb456b2cfb7d27b901886b66ef

On 5/18/2021 at 7:49 AM, GrudgeQ said:

Hey @Tommy Tallarico just want to make sure I am doing this "Paid Shill" thing right. I pay you and you send me stuff, right? 🤣

(btw bonus points for anyone who can find the order where I screwed up and ordered the wrong size of shirt)

 

 

 

Yes.  That is correct. 

You pay me... and then you read off the talking points I give you... then you buy an Amico and a ton of games.

Enjoy the cult!

On 5/19/2021 at 7:01 AM, IntelliMission said:

If someone is going to make audiovisual piece with Puffy, please use the song Puffy Cloud by Ween.

WHAT THE HELL DID I JUST LISTEN TO?!?!?