Warbirds (video game)

This article is about the 1991 Atari Lynx video game. For the 1995 PC video game, see WarBirds. For other uses, see Warbirds.
Warbirds
Cover art in all regions
Developer(s)Atari Corporation
Publisher(s)Atari Corporation
Designer(s)Robert Zdybel[3]
Programmer(s)Robert Zdybel
Artist(s)
  • Melody Rondeau
  • Susan G. McBride
Composer(s)Robert Vieira
Platform(s)Atari Lynx
Release
Genre(s)Combat flight simulator, first-person shooter
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer
(up to four players via ComLynx)

Warbirds is a 1991 first-person combat flight simulation video game developed and published by Atari Corporation in North America and Europe exclusively for the Atari Lynx. Taking place in the 1910s during World War I, players assume the role of a rookie aircraft pilot from the Army Air Force who joined the titular squadron taking control of a prebuilt biplane in order to win the war against the enemies. Its gameplay mainly consists of dogfights against either AI-controlled opponents or other human players using the Lynx's ComLynx system, with a main four-button configuration.

Warbirds was written and designed by Atari veteran Robert Zdybel, who dedicated the project to his father.[3][4] The game garnered positive reception from critics and reviewers alike who praised the presentation, pseudo-3D visuals, sound design, controls and gameplay. Its multiplayer support received unanimous praise but the single-player offering was noted to be one of the title's negative points. It also served as an inspiration for Beyond Games' 1993 BattleWheels.[5][6]

  1. ^ "Electronic Gaming Monthly & Vic Toaki Inc. Present... The Games Of April 1991...Appearing In Local Stores Now! - Lynx - Warbirds". Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 21. Sendai Publishing. April 1991. p. 29.
  2. ^ "Electronic Gaming Monthly & Vic Toaki Inc. Present... The Games Of May 1991...Appearing In Local Stores Now! - Lynx - Warbirds". Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 22. Sendai Publishing. May 1991. p. 113.
  3. ^ a b Hague, James (2019). "The Giant List of Classic Game Programmers". dadgum.com. Archived from the original on 27 April 2019. Retrieved 12 May 2019.
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference IGNw was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ Hawken, Kieren (November 2016). "From The Archives: Beyond Games". Retro Gamer. No. 160. Future Publishing. pp. 64–69.
  6. ^ "Interview with Kris Johnson, Founder of Beyond Games, Developer of the Cancelled Redline Arena". dreamcastlive.net. 30 June 2018. Archived from the original on 9 May 2019. Retrieved 3 November 2019.