''Bristles'' is a non-scrolling
platform game
A platformer (also called a platform game, and sometimes a jump 'n' run game) is a subgenre of action game in which the core objective is to move the player character between points in an environment. Platform games are characterized by levels wi ...
by Fernando Herrera for
Atari 8-bit computers. It was published in 1983 as the second release from the company he co-founded,
First Star Software
First Star Software, Inc. was a Chappaqua, New York based video game development, publishing and licensing company, founded by Richard Spitalny (who remains the company's president), Billy Blake, Peter Jablon, and Fernando Herrera in 1982. It is ...
.
[ It was ported to the Commodore 64,][ ]ZX Spectrum
The ZX Spectrum () is an 8-bit computing, 8-bit home computer developed and marketed by Sinclair Research. One of the most influential computers ever made and one of the all-time bestselling British computers, over five million units were sold. ...
,[ and as an ]arcade video game
An arcade video game is an arcade game that takes player input from its controls, processes it through electrical or computerized components, and displays output to an electronic monitor or similar display. All arcade video games are coin-oper ...
using Exidy's Max-A-Flex system.[ As Peter the Painter, the player uses ladders and elevators move through a cutaway view of a house to paint all the walls.
]
Gameplay
The player controls Peter the Painter with the goal of painting the walls of eight different houses within a time limit. To move between the different floors Peter can ride an elevator or climb a ladder. If he gets caught in an open elevator shaft, Peter is sent to the bottom of the building.
Dangerous objects that hinder Peter's task include "flying half pints" that knock him down and "dumb buckets" that steal Peter's brush.[ Later levels add "Brenda the Brat", who leaves handprints all over the freshly painted walls, and the "Bucket Chucker" who never stops chasing Peter. Brenda can be pacified with a candy cane and Bucket Chucker can be temporarily trapped in a paint mixer.
The player starts with 10 brushes serving as lives and additional two brushes are added after finishing the paint job on every level.
]
Music
''Bristles'' soundtrack uses arrangements of different pieces from Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker Suite, Op. 71a. The main theme is ''II. Danses caractéristiques - a. Marche''. When the player is knocked down, the game reacts with a IIc piece: ''Russian Dance''. When Brenda is ruining freshly painted walls, piece IIe ''Chinese Dance'' is played.
Reception
In a review for '' Antic'' in 1984, George Adamson wrote: "The game's action is fast and furious. It doesn't get faster in higher levels, though. Instead, ''Bristles'' offers more novel challenges".[ ''Video Games'' magazine wrote: "As excellent and colorful as the visuals are, the melodies throughout this contest are the real show stoppers."]Andy Eddy
Andy Eddy is an American video game journalism, video game journalist and critic. He resides in Redwood City, California.
Biography
Eddy was the executive editor (and de facto editor-in-chief) of ''VideoGames & Computer Entertainment'' in the la ...
cautioned, "Many users will find ''Bristles'' too difficult and demanding, as it's a very hard game to master."
Legacy
In 2004, an authorized modification of the Atari 8-bit computer version was released as an Atari 5200 cartridge.
References
External links
*{{atarimania, id=794
Review
in '' Electronic Fun with Computers & Games''
Review
in '' Commodore User''
1983 video games
Arcade video games
Atari 8-bit computer games
Commodore 64 games
First Star Software games
Multiplayer and single-player video games
Platformers
Video games developed in the United States
Works about painting
ZX Spectrum games