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Alpha Beam with Ernie

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North American cover art
Developer(s)Atari, Inc.
Children's Computer Workshop
Publisher(s)Atari, Inc.
Programmer(s)Michael Callahan
Preston Stuart
Platform(s)Atari 2600
Release
Genre(s)Edutainment
Mode(s)Single-player

Alpha Beam With Ernie is an edutainment video game released for the Atari 2600 by Atari, Inc. in 1983.[2] It was developed in conjunction with the Children's Computer Workshop. The game was programmed by Michael Callahan and Preston Stuart.[3]

Gameplay

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Gameplay screenshot

The object of Alpha Beam is to help Sesame Street's Ernie pilot a small shuttle, collect fuel tanks (marked by a letter of the alphabet), and return them to his space ship so that he can return to Earth.

The game was marketed as a family-friendly game that could teach children pre-reading skills such as identifying and matching letters. Alpha Beam was compatible with the Atari Kid's Controller, which was sold separately, although the regular keyboard controller is also compatible.[4]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Atari VCS game release dates". Atari Archive.
  2. ^ GameSpot – Alpha Beam with Ernie page
  3. ^ AtariAge – Alpha Beam with Ernie page
  4. ^ AtariAge – Kid's Controller