The Atari Jaguar, a console that has a bigger “what if” library than the 3DO but more official releases than the Apple Pippin console, is picking up in the independent homebrew community. Case in point, a fan has ported Need for Speed over to the Atari Jaguar and now is playing mix n match with other, similarly setup, games such as Cruis N USA from the Nintendo 64. I know what you are thinking, I thought it too when I saw this – WTH. A very cool what the hell thought but still, an WTH nonetheless.
Tom and Jerry Finally Working Together
I am not a programmer, never claimed to be one, but as far as I know, the officially released list of games that used both Tom and Jerry, Jags dual 32-bit RISC processors, is short. It was just something more programmers had a problem wrapping their heads around than not.
No offense meant to anyone that can program, just stating what I understand here. If I am wrong, please mention it in the comments, I love to learn new things.
While the speed of Cruis N USA on the Jaguar is still “close” to that of the original Need for Speed, it is impressive seeing what can essentially be seen as an expansion pack work in progress, for the Atari Jaguar. This is even cooler because Need for Speed never officially came to the Jaguar, though it did release on competitor consoles, PlayStation and Sega Saturn.
A Work in Progress Already Showing Promise
Cruis N USA on the Atari Jaguar is clearly a work in progress. Some things are rough, such as the placement of the arches – the left side is quite visibly “floating” and is not cemented to the ground. There is pop-in, which was there in the original versions too so no use in complaining about it.
What is here is impressive because the Jaguar was never really able to stand and flex its muscle in any genre really. Atari never had the time, nor focus, to go hard in any one, or two, genres before the console was simply dead in the water.
Thankfully, Hasbro opening the Jaguar to the community during the short period they owned it has made it quite a robust option for independent homebrew developers.
Check out the game in the above embedded video and show them some support. A like, a comment, a share, it all goes a long ways in showing other fans their effort is appreciated.
Also, please be respectful, they are working on games like this in their free time and things you want to see may not be implemented yet, or at all, no need in making that a problem for others just sharing their talents.