Space Taxi on Atari XL/XE

Space Taxi, originally released in 1984 for the Commodore 64 by Muse Software, is a cult classic known for its innovative gameplay, digitized speech, and engaging level design. In 2023, Andrea Cucchetto, an Atari 8-bit enthusiast, took on the ambitious task of porting this iconic game to the Atari XL/XE platform. The result is a faithful adaptation that captures the spirit of the original while adapting to the technical specifics of Atari systems. This article explores the history of this conversion, its features, hardware requirements, and its significance to the retro-gaming community.

History of the Conversion

Andrea Cucchetto, recognized in the Atari community for projects like Circo Bianco (1987), Hypnotic Land (1992), and Conquest of the Crown (1994), returned to Atari 8-bit programming in 2013. After releasing a disk version of White Circus (inspired by Winter Games), he tackled the challenge of porting Space Taxi. Originally created by John F. Kutcher, the game was a Commodore 64 hit, largely due to its pioneering use of digitized speech and physics-based gameplay. Porting it to Atari XL/XE required overcoming technical limitations, such as restricted sprite capabilities and a challenging color palette.

Cucchetto began the project with modest expectations but succeeded through advanced programming techniques. A key challenge was recreating the digitized speech, such as “Hey, Taxi!” and “Pad one, please!”. He was assisted by Filippo “Philsan” Santellocco and Janusz “Shanti77” Chabowski, who provided code for handling sound samples in a compatible format. This allowed the game to retain its unique atmosphere, with digitized speech functional on Atari machines with 128 KB of RAM.

The first public version was released on May 31, 2023, receiving enthusiastic feedback from the Atari community. Version 2.5, released in August 2023, introduced improvements like enhanced gate navigation in level 20 (Fast Break), new voice phrases (e.g., “Hey” upon colliding with a passenger), and music on the high-score screen. The project was officially endorsed by John F. Kutcher, affirming its authenticity.

Gameplay

Space Taxi on Atari XL/XE faithfully replicates the original’s mechanics. Players control a futuristic taxi, transporting passengers between platforms across 24 diverse levels, each representing an hour of the day. Levels feature unique graphical themes and obstacles like moving platforms, black holes, or snowflakes, which challenge navigation. The gameplay, inspired by Lunar Lander, demands precise control of thrust, gravity, and inertia.

Players must land carefully on platforms using landing gear, which disables lateral thrusters but is essential for safe landings. Collisions, excessive landing speed, or improper taxi alignment (e.g., landing on one gear) result in crashes. Passengers, appearing randomly on platforms, request specific destinations (e.g., “Pad one, please!”), and players earn fares and tips based on speed and smoothness. After serving all passengers on a level, the next client requests a trip to the following level (“Up, please!”), advancing the game.

Fuel management is critical, as it depletes based on time spent airborne. Players can refuel at designated platforms, but delays reduce tips. Completing all 24 levels unlocks a bonus “Mystery Screen” and a final screen.

Hardware Requirements

Space Taxi runs on all Atari 8-bit systems (400, 800, XL, XE, XEGS) in NTSC/PAL with a minimum of 48 KB RAM. However, digitized speech requires 128 KB RAM, limiting this feature to models like the Atari 130XE, 800XL, or XEGS. Two versions are available: one with original C64 sound samples (lower quality) and another with improved samples. The game is freely available in disk format, with detailed technical documentation, on Filippo Santellocco’s website.

Version 2.5 Enhancements

Version 2.5 introduced several improvements:

• Improved gate navigation in level 20 (Fast Break) for better speed control.
• New voice phrases, such as “Hey” for passenger collisions, “Hey Taxi” for landing on the wrong platform, and “Pad + number” for incorrect deliveries.
• Music on the high-score screen in RMT format.
• Fixed bugs, including issues with non-existent platform assignments and taxi “bouncing” at maximum thrust in level 11 (Magnets).

Significance to Retro-Gaming

The Atari XL/XE port of Space Taxi is both a technical achievement and a valuable contribution to the 8-bit computing community. A hallmark of the Commodore 64 era, the game has been given new life on a platform often overshadowed by its rival due to technical constraints. Cucchetto’s work, supported by Santellocco and Chabowski, demonstrates how passion and dedication can overcome challenges, allowing players to enjoy a classic on beloved Atari systems.

This project aligns with a broader trend of reviving retro games, where amateur developers adapt classics to new platforms while preserving their charm. Available for free, Space Taxi on Atari XL/XE is accessible to all enthusiasts, with technical documentation offering insight into its development process.