Chunkout 2600
Developer: James Todd
Available: Atariage
This game should be called “Just One More 2600” because that’s pretty much how it goes. A maddening puzzler in the same class as AStar, Jammed, or Okie Dokie, Chunkout 2600 will definitely transform 10 minutes into 60 in the press of a button.
What’s All This Then?
There is a 1980’s level “more story than you ever need for this game” backstory to Chunkout, but honestly, you don’t need it The short of it is that you are trying to break through the defense grid of your enemy by taking it out in huge chunks. However, to be successful you must take out the ENTIRE grid, no stragglers. Failure to remove all of the chunks results in GAME OVER. There are only 4 levels in Chunkout, but you play them separately, so you can use the early levels to hone your skills. Then you can call me when you clear level 4. You see, the game isn’t easy. You can only remove chunks when two or more adjacent chunks are of the same color. You can remove more than 2, one might say it’s the only way to victory, but you must match two to clear. This is fundamental blocking-clearing game play, no different than BeJeweled or Candy Crush or whatever. The trick with Chunkout is that you must clear all of the chunks on the screen using only the chunks currently on the screen. No new chunks will come along to help you.
Let’s break it down a bit. When the game starts you will be presented with a screen full of various colored chunks. Your job is to eliminate all of the chunks on the screen by matching two or more of a like color. Thus you can take out chunks in pairs or large swaths, whatever it takes to get them clear. As you clear chunks, the remaining chunks will drop straight down and/or shift left to prevent any blank spaces in the grid. This will ostensibly create new grouping of chunks as the grid reduces in size. You cannot manipulate the chunks in any way, you can only clear chunks where possible. Clear all the chunks and you win. Clear larger and larger chunks at a time to rack up points. Go.
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| It's all downhill from here... |
How’s It Play?
As stated above this is a game that inspires the “just one more” mentality. The gameplay and rules are super simple, so you can pick it up and get playing in seconds. You’ll probably even clear the first level on your first try in a matter of seconds. Game 2 will add an additional color, but again, you’ll breeze through. Then you’ll play Game 3 and start to see where strategy and planning come into play. And when you are feeling bold, you’ll switch over to Game 4. Remember you have to clear ALL of the chunks to win. And that’s where Chunkout’s ridiculously high level of challenge comes in to play. Each game can take as few as five minutes to play, but Chunkout pros soon learn that this is a game that, much like chess, wants you to think many, many moves ahead. I would be willing to wager that the very best Chunkout players have the entire screen solved before they remove the first chunk. Everything you need is on the screen when the level starts, you just have to figure out how to remove the chunks so that none remain. Clear too many pairs and you’ll just end up with a mess. Work on large clusters and you risk isolating a single color chunk that you can’t clear. Should you work from the top down or from the bottom allowing the chunks to drop into new configurations? Every Chunkout master has his or her own strategy for success. My wife is a thousand times better at this game than I am. She can clear level 4 on the regular. I have never cleared level 4.
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| Expect screens like this a LOT. |
Controls are simple: just move your cursor and press the button to clear valid chunks. You can pick your Game variation using the Difficulty switches. Pressing the button will restart your game when you inevitably fail to clear the chunks.
Whistles and Bells
With full apologies to Mr. Todd for my above remarks, the Chunkout 2600 manual features a full backstory for the game play. The manual is designed like the classic Atari manuals from just before the Silver Label era. So you can have a lot of fun just soaking in the nostalgia of reading about the world in which the game is set. There’s even a haunting portrait of Lord Gyrak and the Xotec armada! (read the manual) Otherwise, this is pure 100% game without too many extra trappings.
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| I've had my copy for a few years, so the wear is starting to show... |
Final Assessment
A lot of people are going to sleep on this game because it doesn’t look like much. It’s just a screen of multi-colored blocks. It doesn’t have a flashy title screen or rocking soundtrack. What it does have is incredibly addictive puzzling action that anyone can immediately pick up and play, but few can actually master. And if you master it, there is still the matter of getting a good score. I can easily pop this in the Atari and blow a solid hour before I realize it. “Just one more. I know I can clear it this time…” Famous last words. If you like puzzle games, Chunkout 2600 is a winner.
Tips and Tricks
PRACTICE. I realize Games 1-2 are very, very basic, but spend some time playing them. Even as simple as they are they will provide good practice and hone your instincts for the more difficult Game 3 and the nigh unto impossible Game 4. Practice.
The Bigger They Are. Work the biggest chunks first, taking out as much of one color as you can, then smartly mop up the smaller bits.
Don’t Start. Start eventually, but don’t rush headlong into clearing chunks until you’ve studied the board. As I said above, I feel confident you can plan your moves to clear the entire screen before you press a single button, if you’ve a mind for it.
There is No Try. Unlike puzzle games like Tetris, there is no fixing a screen you’ve botched. There is no wild card piece that will show up to clear a mess. That’s not to say that there is only one solution per screen, but don’t think you are going to salvage a sloppy round.
The Zone. This is very much a zone game. Don’t sit and play one game, lose and quit. Play 10 games, 30, 50. At some point you will enter the zone and you’ll start clearing chunks by instinct.
So there you have it, simple and addictive puzzling action for your VCS. Chunkout isn’t going to blow you away with it’s peripherals, but once you get into the game you won’t care. The classic stylings of the manual and game design will take you back to the golden age of video games, though, so enjoy the ride. I highly recommend Chunkout 2600 to anyone who enjoys puzzle games and considers themselves rather clever.
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