RSS Feed
Twitter
November 27th, 2020 
Carl Williams 
Atari Jaguar Doom port. Not exactly two things that anyone would put together on their own. When Atari released the Jaguar the writing on the wall already said it was dead. While magazines of the time touted Atari garnering support from over 300 companies, very few came through with games. Magazines of the time were all about hyperbole and similar statements were made for the Amiga CD32, 3DO, etc. All had similar results as well. Doom is one game that is extremely hit or miss on console though. The Jaguar version seems to have been a hit as it was the basis for future ports to consoles.
Atari Jaguar Doom was not perfect
As with all console ports of the classic id Software title, there are concessions made here. The Atari Jaguar Doom port is impressive for what is here though. Obviously, larger maps have seen portions changed or removed entirely. Still, most of those levels are here, intact, and looking quite good (go ahead, whip out that 3DO or Saturn version to compare).
Jaguar fans did miss out on two maps, in exchange for two completely new maps. I am sure by now someone has ported those Atari Jaguar Doom exclusive maps to PC.
If you enjoy that soundtrack from the PC game, then don’t get the Atari Jaguar Doom game. There is no music during the game, only in intermissions and the menu screen. For some, that could be a deal killer – for me, I was always less interested in the music. Just seems to take you out of the living hell you are supposed to be living here. We are not all Jessica Biel in Blade Trinity.
High watermark for Doom on console
While the Atari Jaguar Doom port was eventually bested by other console ports, this was the best for a while. This version was one that Atari should have pushed more in their advertising instead of that stupid “Do the math” campaign.
Sadly, you will have to mess with your brightness settings to see most of the Atari Jaguar Doom port. For some reason, the game is extremely dark. So dark that in some areas it is hard to make out where you are supposed to go.
Even with the few negatives against it, the Atari Jaguar Doom port was the console high watermark. That is until more powerful consoles made their debut, well the Sony PlayStation anyhow. The Sega Saturn port is, well, it is there for those only with that console.
It is safe to say that as far as cartridge-based versions, the Atari Jaguar Doom release is still the best. I know that is really limiting the competition. If you prefer to have instant access to your weapons rather than scrolling through them, here you go. Thanks to the Atari Jaguar’s many buttons you have direct access to your weapons.
Ports were the name of the game
Since this release there have been tons of ports of Doom to many platforms. Some official, some not. This is made possible due to id Software releasing the source code to the fans. I have covered a few ports here on Retro Gaming Magazine.
Where have you rocked Doom? What is your favorite platform? Let me know in the comments below.
If you enjoy my write ups about games like this, please take the time to let me know. A comment, a like, a share, if you are able to a donation via PayPal is extremely appreciated. If you like to play games like this and get paid to do it, check out App Flame or Lucky Miner. You can earn points to cash out to PayPal, Amazon, and more. It costs you nothing to join and I get a referral bonus. We both win!
Share this:
Posted in 
Tags: 
