Tron Review

By Mat Allen Published 29 October, 2007

Your user can't help you now, my little program!

Version tested: Retro

Not only was Tron a landmark fashion event for fans of skin-tight circuitry wear, the accompanying arcade game was probably the first overwhelmingly successful film license. Indeed, it's rumoured that the game took more money than the film itself. An early exponent of sub-games based on key cinematic scenes - later to become the standard (and extremely tired) method of movie-conversion - the game was a genre-shaping release.

Tron occupies a niche place in history. Its glorious art design and execution were bolstered by the fervour of the arcades, giving it an unusual opulence for the period. Its cultish appeal lies with those who were there, who experienced that "era," and crave a chance to relive those days.

The title's four sections provide a stern challenge, requiring a sustained battle through light cycles, tank patrols, "Master Control Program" attacks and spider hordes. Moderate aid is available through the designated control method, a large, Gorf-like joystick for movement and spinner for aiming; but that's about the only help you'll get, and the precision must be mastered in order to survive.

'Tron' Screenshot 1

Whilst the light cycle segment of the film was probably the most exciting (and most often duplicated by videogames), this early arcade rendering is somewhat less impressive, due to the fact the enemy cycles always follow the same pattern. There's little skill involved, bar working out how to beat them on each level. In comparison, the other three sections require greater tactical awareness and defter adaptation to the surroundings.

Anyone too young to have seen the original film is advised to rectify that before playing the game; if only to observe how a proper license is done. For the Tron-veterans, the game is an impressive C64 gateway to a glorious point in their past. Just try not to get trapped inside.

8 / 10

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About Mat Allen

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Comments (5) Latest comment 4 years ago

Comments threads automatically close after 30 days, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • pagrab #1 4 years ago

    I am totally disappointed by this whole “retro” thing. While reading reviews of some classic and not so classic games on Eurogamer (be it in VC roundup or in XBLA reviews) I oftentimes wondered – how cool would it be if Eurogamer just started reviewing some old titles not being released on new consoles. I wondered because the aforementioned reviews offered fresh and sometimes controversial views.
    The reviewers had the guts to say that something while being historically important, isn’t a cool game anymore – take Scramble as an example. Unfortunately – the whole “retro” subpage feels like ‘yet another nostalgia tilted fan review’. It’s boring and inconsistent with Eurogamer high quality.

  • markopoloman #2 4 years ago

    I think you have missed the point pagrab.

    The games reviewed so far a, as the titles of the articles say 'Classics'. I am 100% certain that there will be reviews of games that have not stood the test of time!

    This Retro section adds a HUGE amount to EG - kinda feels complete now!

    Give it a bit of time to get settled in.

  • pagrab #3 4 years ago

    I might have been too harsh too soon. Nevertheless I think that the games in ‘retro’ corner aren’t reviewed from the point of view of modern gamer. And it is exactly the point of view which made the reviews of XBLA and VC games so fresh and interesting. Most of the games in ‘retro’ aren’t games that stood the test of time – they are just games that many people cherish for nostalgia and historical value. Case in point – ‘1942’ – despite being quite interesting game in its time (although innovative it wasn’t) it was totally overshadowed by later shmups (including its own sequels). There’s nothing in it that haven’t been done much better later. I bet that if it was reviewed on VC it would have been a 3 or lower.

  • Pazuzu #4 4 years ago

    I agree that how we evaluate these games in a modern context raises some interesting points.


    Personally, I tried to bring in the following:

    - Does the game still hold up to repeated plays now? (in many cases, they really do)

    - Was it considered groundbreaking, amazing, or splendid AT THE TIME?

    - Did it influence later titles?


    As "classic" titles were selected for this opening salvo, the scores given have obviously been positive, because many of the games fulfilled at least two of the above three criterior.

    It's a difficult balance, because an 8/10 for Saboteur lines it up against, I dunno, Halo; which on the surface seems unlikely, much as I love Saboteur. Quite genuinely, though, I'd rate a game like Chaos or Rebelstar as an accomplishment similar to (or even greater than) a lot of contemporary stuff. Would someone who never played them at the time feel the same? I'd like to think so, but they'd need the patience to get to grips with simple graphics and a slightly wonky (in retrospect) control system. The heart of these games, though, remains pure.
    Edited by 5 at 01/11/07 @ 00:22

  • merman #5 4 years ago

    Err, surely this is a review of the arcade game, not a C64 game?

    I remember the machine, and it was a classic. Think the first time I saw it was about 1981 in a holiday camp.