''Chop Suey'' is a martial arts

fighting game The fighting game video game genre, genre involves combat between multiple characters, often (but not limited to) one-on-one battles. Fighting game combat often features mechanics such as Blocking (martial arts), blocking, grappling, counter- ...

developed by Adam Billyard for the

Atari 8-bit computers The Atari 8-bit computers, formally launched as the Atari Home Computer System, are a series of home computers introduced by Atari, Inc., in 1979 with the Atari 400 and Atari 800. The architecture is designed around the 8-bit MOS Technology 650 ...

. It was published in 1985 by

English Software The English Software Company, later shortened to English Software, was a Manchester, UK-based video game developer and publisher that operated from 1982 until 1987. Starting with its first release, the horizontally scrolling shooter ''Airstrik ...

Antic Software Antic Software was a software company associated with ''Antic'', a magazine for Atari 8-bit computers. Bound into issues of the magazine, the Antic Software catalog initially sold Atari 8-bit games, applications, and utilities from the recently de ...

published the game in the US. The title is a repurposing of

American Chinese cuisine American Chinese cuisine, also known as Sino–American cuisine, is a style of Chinese cuisine developed by Chinese Americans. The dishes served in North American Chinese restaurants are modified to suit customers' tastes and are often quite d ...

dish of the same name.

Gameplay

''Chop Suey'' is a one-on-one martial arts fighting game. The action takes place on a box-type stage, watched by an audience sitting in several rows of seats in front of two competitors. Each successful attack on an opponent means their pain bar goes up and when the bar is full, the POW symbol will start blinking. It means the player is in a very fragile state of health - one more punch or kick and the fighter will fall. The match ends when the fighter falls eight times or the timer runs out. At the top of each wall air vents will open occasionally, allowing scorpions to drop to the floor and scuttle away. The players should avoid them at all costs, as they give potentially lethal bites. If the player is victorious, a more difficult opponent is faced in the next match.

Development

Adam Billyard wrote some routines to draw large bitmapped sprites, and he wanted to use them in a game. He was at college at the time, and got so absorbed into writing ''Chop Suey'' that he missed his end of the year exams and was expelled. Billyard later graduated and completed a doctorate. ''Chop Suey'' uses a variation of

Johann Sebastian Bach Johann Sebastian Bach (German: Help:IPA/Standard German, �joːhan zeˈbasti̯an baχ ( – 28 July 1750) was a German composer and musician of the late Baroque music, Baroque period. He is known for his prolific output across a variety ...

Brandenburg Concerto The ''Brandenburg Concertos'' (BWV 1046–1051) by Johann Sebastian Bach are a collection of six instrumental works presented by Bach to Christian Ludwig, Margrave of Brandenburg-Schwedt, in 1721 (though probably composed earlier). The origina ...

No. 3 as its title music.

Reception

Jim Short was impressed with ''Chop Suey'' in his review for ''

Page 6 ''Page 6'' (subtitled ''Atari Users Magazine'') was a British magazine aimed at users of Atari 8-bit computers and Atari ST home computers. The first issue was in 1982, and it was renamed to ''Page 6 Atari User'' and then ''New Atari User'' be ...

'' magazine. He concluded: "English Software are onto a winner here. ..Graphics and animation are first-rate and, perhaps more importantly, it's an easy and fun game to play. Well done, English Software!"

References

External links

* 1985 video games Atari 8-bit computer games Atari 8-bit computer-only games Karate video games Fighting games Video games developed in the United States English Software games {{Videogame-stub