Atari 2600 Game Review - Squeeze Box (1982) by US Games
Squeeze Box
Publisher: USGames. Developer: James Wickstead Design Associates.
Genre: Action
1982
Squeeze Box for the Atari 2600 intrigued me right from the start, offering a concept reminiscent of theMCP level of the classic Tron arcade game from 1982. In Tron,players face off against the Master Control Program, breaking through rotatingwalls in a colorful environment. Squeeze Box attempts to capture asimilar vibe, placing players, as a jailbird, in a claustrophobic scenariowhere the walls literally close in on them from the sides. Despite thepotential excellence, Squeeze Box falls far short of delivering thewell-balanced and strategic gameplay that made the MCP level of Tron a favorite.
The protagonist issignificantly larger than most characters found in Atari 2600 games. This sizeaspect adds an interesting dynamic but also contributes to the game'simbalance. The prisoner is trapped in a continuously shrinking jail cell, withthe goal being to shoot at the walls to create an escape route before beingcrushed. Conceptually, this setup is engaging and should offer players a tense,strategic challenge. However, the execution leaves much to be desired.
One of the mainissues with Squeeze Box is the lack of balance in gameplay. As the wallsinexorably close in, players quickly find themselves in situations that feelcheap and unavoidable. Unlike Tron, where skillful maneuvering andtiming provide a fighting chance, Squeeze Box soon puts players inpositions where any escape attempt is futile—it goes from easy to impossiblewith not much in between. This feeling of helplessness detracts from theoverall experience, making the game feel more frustrating than fun.
Moreover, the gamesuffers from a lack of strategic depth. In superior games, even when the actionbecomes frantic, there remains a sense of control—a belief that a cleverstrategy or a well-timed move can turn the tide in the player's favor.Unfortunately, Squeeze Box lacks these moments of strategic brilliance.The gameplay devolves into a doomed scramble to shoot at walls, with littleroom for tactical decision-making or foresight. Arcade-style games inherentlymake you feel like you are doomed, but the better ones give you a fighting chance,or at least trick you into thinking you can survive.
Squeeze Box tantalizes withits concept but ultimately disappoints in its execution. The potential for acompelling, strategy-based challenge is undermined by unbalanced gameplay and alack of meaningful strategic options. The comparison to the MCP level of Tronhighlights what Squeeze Box could have been—a game where skill andstrategy lead to satisfying victories against daunting odds. Instead, playersare left feeling that their fate is more often dictated by the game's brokennessthan their own actions. While Squeeze Box may hold some nostalgic appealor curiosity for Atari 2600 collectors, it does not stand up as a nicelyprogrammed example of the system's capabilities. What a missed opportunity…
