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The Empire Strikes Back: Atari Archive Episode 73
The venerable game company Parker Brothers releases its first *video* game in July 1982, with a heavyweight license and a pretty unique gameplay hook. Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back is the first in a long line of licensed Star Wars games, recreating the movie's Battle of Hoth and serving as one of two games that cemented Parker Brothers as a major force in the home video game market through the early 80s. If you've enjoyed this, consider checking out my book Atari Archive: Volume 1, now available on Amazon and Limited Run Games. My work is also supported through Patreon at www.patreon.com/atariarchive! Sources include: The Game Makers, Phil Orbanes, 2004 Playing by Different Rules, Ellen Wojahn, 1988 Rex Bradford, interview with Ethan Johnson Rich Stearns, interview with Alex Smith Ranny Barton, interview with Alex Smith Tom Dusenberry, interview with Alex Smith Electronic Fun with Computers and Games, January 1983 Videogaming Illustrated April 1983, August 1983 Video Games, October 1983 TV Gamer, Summer 1983 Space Gamer, September 1982 Logical Gamer, August 1983 Weekly Television Digest, Feb. 16 1982, May 17 1982 Merchandising, March 1982 Toy and Hobby World, February 1982 Playthings, February 1982 Fort Worth Star Telegram, Oct. 9 1982 Billboard, July 3 1982 Behind the Scenes: Star Wars the Empire Strikes Back, gamestm.co.uk, May 21 2010 Video Game Update, August 1982 Video, September 1982
