The Grudge List

**NeoZeedeater** · 24 Jan 2008, 02:12 PM

Originally Posted by Cowutopia

I guess, but that's a pretty weak answer.

Okay, well games like Shooting Gallery! (1976) on the VES/Channel F had difficulty settings. They're at least that old depending on your definition.

**Yoshi** · 24 Jan 2008, 02:12 PM

Originally Posted by NeoZeedeater

That was an impressive piece of hardware in '86. It didn't get the kind of support the Amiga did but at least it's got the best pre-emulation version of Rastan by far.

I never had Rastan. I remember having Mean 18, Batman, Ghostbusters, football and baseball from Accolade IIRC, and not much else. Oh and fucking Little Computer People.

**Cowutopia** · 24 Jan 2008, 02:13 PM

+1 to Zeed for being the best resource on the internet.

**YellerDog** · 24 Jan 2008, 02:14 PM

Originally Posted by dog$

The Intellivision was the first console to offer a controller with a directional pad and shoulder buttons, the first console to offer an online service of any sort, and the first home console to provide games with speech. Why are you ignoring it?

Just didn't spring to mind. You can stop hitting your monitor with your cane now.

**gamevet** · 24 Jan 2008, 02:19 PM

Originally Posted by Cowutopia

What was the first (home) game to include different difficulty levels? And for that matter, what was the first Arcade game to feature difficulty settings that could be tweaked in the cab?

The Atari VCS had difficulty switches, so you could have one player handicapped, against a lesser foe.

I'm not sure if the redesigned 2600 kept those switches.

**Cowutopia** · 24 Jan 2008, 02:21 PM

Another good question: What was the first game, arcade or otherwise, to change the difficulty based upon how well the player was doing, or by otherwise satisfying hidden criteria? The first game I remember doing this was a Time Crisis, but that's all I've got.

**YellerDog** · 24 Jan 2008, 02:27 PM

NBA Jam? Numerous racing games?

Waaaay before Time Crisis anyway.

**Cowutopia** · 24 Jan 2008, 02:28 PM

Racing games I thought about but I'd discount because it's more like level progression than dynamic difficulty.
I did not know NBA jam did that.

Shit I'm so far off topic with this, it should probably be its own thread.