Bounce 2, a visually distinctive game evoking the Atari era, has launched on Steam. The title is marketed as a sequel to a 1983 Atari 2600 game called Bounce, which is presented as a "PONG killer" that was reportedly released during the video game crash of that year.
However, initial research suggests that the purported 1983 predecessor may not have existed as described. A search for the original Bounce reveals an entry on the BBC Micro Games Archive for a game of that name from 1983, though it is noted as lost and was developed for the BBC Micro, a different platform than the Atari 2600. This discrepancy has led to speculation that the game's backstory is a creative marketing strategy to draw attention to Bounce 2.
Despite the intriguing premise, Bounce 2 itself offers gameplay distinct from PONG. Instead of controlling a simple paddle, players manage an approximation of a human figure capable of jumping, kicking, and dashing. The objective is to score goals against opponents, which can include up to four players. Combat mechanics are integrated, allowing players to swing their arms to hit the ball with greater force or to attack their opponents. Each player has a health bar, and reducing an opponent's health to zero incapacitates them, leaving only a head that can still participate in the game.
The game also features a distinct visual style with CRT interlacing effects. Players have the option to scale the image to suit their preference, and even adjust settings like phase and chroma, mimicking the controls found on older televisions.
Bounce 2 is now available for purchase on Steam.