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#REDIRECT [[Circus (video game)]] {{R from merge}}
{{Infobox CVG
[[Category: 1980 computer and video games]] ▼|title = Circus Atari
|image = [[Image:CircusAtari.png|200px]]
|developer = [[Atari]]
|publisher = Atari
|distributor =
|designer = [[Mike Lorenzen]]
|engine =
|version =
|released = [[1980]]
|genre = [[Action game|Action]]
|modes = [[Single player]], [[Multiplayer]] ''(2 alternating or simultaneous)''
|ratings =
|platforms = [[Atari 2600]]
|media = [[Cartridge (electronics)|Cartridge]]
|requirements =
|input = [[Paddle (game controller)|Paddle controller]]
}}
'''''Circus Atari''''' is a [[video game]] for the [[Atari 2600]] designed by [[Atari]] programmer [[Mike Lorenzeen]] and published by Atari. The game is a video game console color version of the 1977 [[Exidy]] [[arcade game]] ''[[Circus (arcade game)|Circus]]'' and 1978 Atari arcade game ''[[Clowns (arcade game)|Clowns]]''. [http://www.ataritimes.com/2600/reviews/circusatari.html]
Gameplay in ''Circus Atari'' is very similar to that of the game [[Breakout]] (also an Atari-made game). A [[clown]] sits on a [[seesaw]], which is controlled by a 2600 [[Paddle (game controller)|paddle controller]]. A second clown jumps from the side of the screen. By moving the empty side of the seesaw under the falling clown, it causes the other to be propelled into the air. At the top of the screen are several rows of colored blocks (which the game's manual says are actually [[balloon]]s). These blocks are destroyed when the clown comes into contact with them. As the clown comes down, he must be caught by the seesaw, thus propelling the other clown into the air. By pressing the button on the controller the seesaw can be flipped around. The object of the game is to destroy balloons and score points. Destroyed rows of balloons are eventually restored, depending on the game variant (see ''Game types'' below).
==Game types==
* '''Game 1:''' ''Breakout Circus''. The clowns bounce off of balloons when they hit them.
* '''Game 2:''' Similar to Game 1, although there is a set of barriers under the balloons.
* '''Game 3:''' ''Breakthru Circus''. The clowns do not bounce off of balloons, they go through them as they pop.
* '''Game 4:''' Game 3 with barriers added.
* '''Game 5:''' In Games 1-4, after an entire row of balloons is popped a new one is created. In this mode however, all three rows of balloons must be popped before new ones are created.
* '''Game 6:''' Game 5 with barriers added.
* '''Game 7:''' A simultaneous multiplayer mode, unlike Games 1-6 which have two player alternating modes. Both players have a seesaw and a set of clowns and are competing for points.
* '''Game 8:''' Game 7 with barriers added.
==External links==
* [http://www.atariage.com/software_page.html?SoftwareLabelID=87 Circus Atari] at [[AtariAge]]
▲[[Category: 1980 computer and video games]]
[[Category:Atari 2600 games]]
[[Category:Breakout clones]]
[[Category:Video games about clowns]]
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