[Atari 2600], [Atari 5200], and [Arcade Game]
Produced by: [Atari], [Centuri], [Cinematronics], and [SNK]
Model Number:CX2669 (2600) and CX5216 (5200)
[Atari rarity guide|Rarity]: 2 Common
Year of Release: [1980] (arcade), [1982] (2600), and [1983] (5200)
[Atari 2600 game programmers|Programmer]: [Unknown]

Strap yourself in Space Cowboys, this is the Vanguard expedition, and we are off to find the lost city.

Vanguard is a classic arcade game (also ported to [Atari 2600] and [Atari 5200]). There are some minor differences between versions. But they are close enough that I can treat them as identical for purposes of this node (the only major differences are in the controls).

This is a scrolling space shooter (some levels are horizontal, some are vertical). Shoot down enemies with your [laser] (the [arcade] version has 4-Way directional fire). Keep a close eye on your ever decreasing [fuel gauge] (you are toast if it runs out), luckily each [enemy] that you destroy will add to your remaining fuel. Find the energy pods to be temporarily invulnerable (this last for several seconds, but the timer resets itself everytime you bash into an enemy, making it possible to stay invincible for quite a while), the energy pods will also increase your fuel level.

At the end of each level you must defeat a boss that is guarded by two moving [force field]s with holes in them (if I was an evil enemy, I would not have holes in my force field, but hey, thats just me). The computer will then announce the name of the next zone using some nifty early 80's synthesized speech (arcade version only). The different levels include [Mountain] Zone, [Rainbow] Zone, [Styx] Zone, Rainbow Zone 2, [Stripe] Zone, Rainbow Zone 3, [Bleak] Zone, and the [City of Mystery].

This game is [emulation|emulated] in [MAME]. The [Atari] formats have also been emulated (but the original is best).

Scoring Information (from the [Atari 5200] manual)

Mist Ship -- 70 Points
Harley Rocket -- 50 Points
Helm Balloon -- 80 Points
Ammo Balloon -- 100 Points
Base -- 100 - 400 Points
Garime Monster -- 100 - 400 Points
Barrier -- 800 points
Floating Payne -- Invincible
Kemius Snake -- 100 - 400 Points
Romeda Ship -- 100 Points

From the instruction manual (Atari 2600 version)

"Whoowhee! If the folks back home could see me now! When I joined the Vanguard [expedition] I never thought I'd be flying through the tunnels of Aterria looking for a mythical City of Mystery."

"It might not be a [myth]."

"[Captain], do you mean to tell me you really believe there is such a city, paved with silver and ruled by a giant called Gond?"

"Why not? It's right here in the flight [log book] we found in the Aterria excavations. That's pretty convincing."

"But that book's dated [1983]. People believed in all sorts of weird things back then...flying reindeer, egg-laying rabbits..."

"When you've been on as many expeditions as I have, you'll believe anything can exist. This whole [planet] is pretty unreal. Take these tunnel walls, for instance...every color of the rainbow! I'd swear I was in heaven if it weren't for the rocks...

"Hey! Watch out! You almost speared us on that [stalagmite]. I know our spaceship has five lives, but we still have a long way to go and we're going to need all the lives we've got. If this log book is telling the truth, these tunnels are full of dangerous flying objects: hovering Mist ships, [Harley] rockets, Helm balloons."

"Yeah. Garimes waiting to tear us with their [tentacles] and that other cozy customer, the flying Kemlus snake."

"Seriously, what do you think the log book means by 'Watch out for the rain of Romedas in the Bleak [Zone]'?"

"I think the pilot that kept that log book was out of his mind, that's what I think. Probably bitten in the head by a Kemlus snake."

"Well, if there is anything in this tunnel, we should be sighting it pretty soon. According to our [tunnel] map, we're entering the Mountain Zone. How's the fuel supply holding out?"

"Getting low. We'd better infuse [energy] pretty quick or we'll crash."

"I certainly hope the log is right about energy pods growing in the Mountain Zone. [Pod] energy is supposed to make us indestructible for 10 seconds. Why, if that's true, we won't need to fire out lasers."

"Oh sure, Just run headlong into an [enemy] ship and POW! down it goes. Listen, I don't believe in pod power any more than I believe in Mist ships. If there is anything like that on Aterria, I'll eat it."

"Well, I hope you have the [stomach] for it. Look what's coming!"

"Great Gonds! Mists as thick as hornets and twice as mad."

"And they're all yours. [Fire at will]...and while you're at it, keep an eye out for energy pods."

"[Roger]! City of Mystery, here we come!"

Collectors Information

This game was originally designed by [SNK] but [Centuri] quickly licensed it. It is not known if any [SNK] branded cabinets were ever produced. Some of the earlier [Centuri] cabinets will show [SNK] as the producer on the title screen (later versions show [Centuri]). [Cinematronics] also licensed this game, producing a [cocktail] version. A Vanguard machine in a [dedicated cabinet] will have [sideart] of a spaceship being attacked by giant laser shooting snakes (gotta love that 80's [sideart]). This game spawned a sequel, in a total show of originality it was named [Vanguard II].

The arcade version of this game is powered by a [Z80] CPU and a sound board with a [SN76477] chip (which allows for all that nifty speech, and the [Star Trek] inspired theme music).

The [Atari 2600] version of this title is worth about $2 USD. While the [Atari 5200] version is worth about $5 USD. I am sure all of you little Atari fans out there already know that "games with boxes and manuals are worth more".

Vanguard (thing)