EPISODE 04: Gates of Zendocon - a podcast by Mark Little

Tweet#PA2023, Published by Atari Corp.

In this episode, I cover Gates of Zendocon, one of five launch titles released for the original Atari Lynx console in 1989. Included is a complete rundown of the gameplay, music, and sound effects. I also highlight reviews of the game, and I have some feedback about Gates of Zendocon from some of my loyal listeners. Plus, I also provide information about the prices that collectors can expect to pay for an Atari Lynx Gates of Zendocon cartridge on eBay.

GATES OF ZENDOCON VITAL STATISTICS

Release Date: October 1989.

Initial retail price: $34.99.

Cartridge: 128kb stereo cartridge available in all three styles (flat, ridged, and curved lip).

Genre: horizontal-scrolling space action shoot-em-up for one player.

Screen/playfield orientation: landscape.

Other ports: Gates of Zendocon was never ported to any other system.

Carton:  standard-tab carton in full color; available initially in a large carton (7 5/8″ by 5 1/2″ by 7/8″), then later in a regular-size carton (5 3/8″ by 4 3/8″ by 7/8″) with a vertical gray band with faux-embossed X’s on the right of the carton; a regular-sized carton was released even later with larger cover art and no vertical gray band; and as far as is known, Gates of Zendocon was never released in a blister-pack.

Manual: folded 6-page manual in monochrome; available in large booklet (6 5/8″ by 4 3/4″); available later in regular-size booklet (4 7/8″ by 3 3/4″).

Languages: English only (in the United States); Japanese language-version also available.



Compare the spaceship in the 1977 Atari VCS (2600) Asteroids carton cover art by Chris Kenyon pictured at the top with the spaceship in the 1989 Atari Lynx Gates of Zendocon carton cover art pictured at the bottom. Notice any similarities?

GATES OF ZENDOCON CREDITS

Developer/Licensee: Epyx, Inc.

Programmer: M. Peter Engelbrite.

Other credits:  Included in a review written by Mike Kosher and posted in the June 1990 issue (Issue 11) of Electronic Gaming Monthly magazine is an allusion that R.J. Mical and Dave Needle from Epyx were involved in the production of the game, along with R.G. (unknown), Tom (probably Tom Schumacher), and LX (undoubtedly LX, or Alex, Rudis).

LYNX LYNKS

How to Win a McWill-modded Lynx I Console:

Rules and details about how to enter the Retro Man Cave Giveaway Competition can be found here. First Prize is a working Lynx I console, recapped and upgraded with the McWill LCD screen!

Information About Gates of Zendocon:

Atari Age title info/rarity guide for Gates of Zendocon

Wikipedia article about Gates of Zendocon

Giant Bomb article about Gates of Zendocon

PDF of “Atari Lynx Hint Book,” published by Atari in 1993 for Lynx game developers (hints, level codes/select cheat and Easter Egg for Gates of Zendocon can be found on pages 37-46)

Reviews and Ratings for Gates of Zendocon:

Review by Marshall Rosenthal in The Games Machine (UK) magazine (issue 27; February, 1990)

Review in Zero Magazine (Issue 05; March,

Further episodes of The Atari Lynx HandyCast

Further podcasts by Mark Little

Website of Mark Little