Atari Reveals Berzerk: Recharged, The First Berzerk Games Since The 1980s

Atari revealed earlier in the year that it had acquired Berzerk as well its sequel Frenzy and 10 classic arcade titles. As part of Atari’s Recharged line, the company has announced Berzerk Recharged. It will be available on consoles and PCs later in 2018. 

In 1980, the arcade game Berzerk was released. It was a game where players used a top down avatar to shoot through robot hordes in an electric maze. Evil Otto bounced in the maze like a big smiley face and hunted players. Atari claims that Otto returns in Berzerk Recharged with “updated graphics, twin-stick controls and a soundtrack composed by Megan McDuffee.” 

Watch the Berzerk: Charged trailer to see it for yourself. 

A press release stated that “Otto is not just a sly smile, but a dangerous, invincible threat who only offers one viable survival option: Run.” “Paired with Megan McDuffee’s original soundtrack of sci-fi synths, Berzerk: Recharged captures the ambiance of a harrowing space station shootout – and a very groovy 80s arcade.” 

Atari says Berzerk: Recharged’s mazes are made of random rooms, and intensity and difficulty is reflected by enemy robots’ changing color schemes the further you go. Over 20 mazes are available, with each offering a different challenge. You’ll have to use different weapons, such as a railgun, spread-shot or big shot. Other modifiers include speed boosts and shields. 

Berzer Recharged, like previous Atari Recharged games, features both co-op and public leaderboards. 

Atari released Berzerk Enhanced Edition as a 2600 cartridge of the classic Berzerk. The game has received updates such as robot voice samples, diagonal firing and other features. It will be released on 17 November alongside the Atari 2600+ which is an exact recreation of the original Atari 2600. 

Later this year, Berzerk Recharged will be available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S (PS4), Xbox One, Switch and PC. 

Have you ever played Berzerk? Comment below and let us know your thoughts!