Play Vanguard Online

Summary

Vanguard on the Atari 5200 tries to capture the frantic scrolling action of the 1981 arcade hit, but the control swap feels like a step backward. The original cabinet let you fire lasers in any of the four cardinal directions with dedicated buttons, yet the 5200 version forces the ship to shoot where the joystick points, so you can’t aim independently of movement. Adding to the frustration, the 5200’s non‑centering sticks feel sluggish, and the ship actually slows down whenever you hold the fire button, though the options screen does let you toggle between single‑shot and rapid‑fire modes.

Despite the clunky handling, the port earned a B+ rating from Video Games Player and even snagged the 1984 Arkie Award for Best Science‑Fiction/Fantasy Videogame, with judges praising its "outstanding graphics" and "scrolling shootout extravaganza" feel. Contemporary reviews noted the visuals looked great but the gameplay suffered, calling the experience "looks good but plays bad."

In short, the Atari 5200 version of Vanguard showcases the era’s ambitious sound and visual design, but its compromised control scheme and sluggish joystick make it a mixed bag for fans of the original arcade shooter.

Storyline

Vanguard thrusts players into a desperate fight against the dreaded Gond, a space marauder that has been raiding nearby colonies. Chosen to pilot an advanced fighter with high offensive power, you must navigate the treacherous cave inside an asteroid that serves as Gond’s lair.

The mission takes you through six distinct zones – the Mountain Zone, Rainbow Zone, Styx Zone, Stripe Zone, Bleak Zone, and finally the City of Mystery, also known as the Last Zone, where Gond is rumored to hide. Defeating the Gond is the only way to save the colonies; failure means they will be doomed.