Timberman on Atari XL/XE – Retro Reflex Challenge

In an era where fast reflexes and simple rules defined the greatest arcade hits, Timberman proudly joins the ranks of the most exciting new releases for the Atari XL/XE. Developed by Tomasz "Pecuś" Pecko (code) and Paweł "Pirx" Kalinowski (graphics), the game won first place at the Silly Venture 2025 Summer Edition, quickly winning over retro gaming fans.

Simple Rules, Intense Gameplay

You play as a lumberjack whose goal is to chop down a standing tree—alternating sides while avoiding deadly branches. The core mechanic is simple yet thrilling: chop fast to extend your timer, but miss a beat or hit a branch and it’s game over. Every strike adds precious time, but hesitation or error brings swift punishment.

Graphics and Presentation

Despite running on 8-bit hardware, Timberman is beautifully crafted. The lumberjack character is well animated, the tree trunk has detailed texture, and the falling branches create real tension. Sound effects and music, while minimalist, perfectly complement the foresty, frantic vibe of the game.

Competition Success and Availability

Timberman was created for the Atari scene and premiered at Silly Venture 2025. It immediately drew praise for its quality and addictive gameplay. The game is freely available from Atari scene archives and runs on any XL/XE system with at least 48 KB RAM.

Conclusion

Timberman proves that great games don’t need elaborate plots or fancy graphics. It’s a shining example of how vibrant and creative the 8-bit Atari scene still is—decades after the platform’s heyday.

Got an axe? Got the guts? Let’s chop!