Android (1993) – A Platform Adventure for Atari XL/XE

Android is one of the lesser-known yet intriguing platform games released for the Atari XL/XE computers. It was created in 1993 and published by LK Avalon under the Funny Computer label. The game was programmed by Robert Knill, with music composed by Radek Šterba.

Story and Atmosphere

The story takes place on the planet Hagan, where humanity attempts to reclaim the abandoned Balaxian base. You control the titular android – humanity's last hope – sent to investigate and restore control over the lost facility. The game offers a mysterious, cold sci-fi atmosphere, with empty corridors and mechanical threats lurking around.

Gameplay

Android is a classic screen-by-screen platformer. The player navigates through various static screens, avoids traps, collects items, and solves simple environmental puzzles. The game is joystick-controlled and available in both monochrome and color versions, depending on the hardware or release.

Graphics and Sound

The game's visuals are minimalistic but effective. Robert Knill was responsible for both programming and graphics, creating detailed static screens with a variety of obstacles and layouts. The audio, composed by Radek Šterba, enhances the industrial sci-fi atmosphere despite the limitations of the 8-bit hardware.

Release and Availability

The game was released on both cassette and floppy disk. Today, it’s available on retro archives like Atarimania. You can download the disk image and play it using popular Atari emulators like Atari800 or Colleen (for Android devices).

Reception and Legacy

While Android didn’t reach the legendary status of titles like Robbo or Misja, it’s a solid platformer representative of the early 1990s Polish Atari development scene. The game received a 4.3/10 rating on Atarimania, showing mixed player opinions, but still remains a piece of digital history worth exploring.

Conclusion

Android fits perfectly into the retro platformer genre, offering simple mechanics and a uniquely Polish take on science fiction adventure games. For collectors, retro gamers, or Atari fans, it’s a hidden gem that deserves a revisit.