:Tempest 3000

{{Short description|2000 video game}}

{{good article}}

{{Infobox video game

|title = Tempest 3000

|image = Nuon Tempest 3000 cover art.png

|developer = Llamasoft

|publisher = Hasbro Interactive

|producer = Joe Sousa

|programmer = Jeff Minter

|composer = André Meyer
Ian Goddard
James Grunke

|series = Tempest

|platforms = Nuon

|released = {{vgrelease|NA|December 13, 2000|EU|March 2001}}

|genre = Tube shooter

|modes = Single-player, multiplayer

}}

Tempest 3000 is a tube shooter video game developed by Llamasoft for the Nuon. It was published by Hasbro Interactive in North America on December 13, 2000, and Europe in March 2001. It is a follow-up to Tempest 2000, an updated remake of Dave Theurer's arcade game Tempest (1981). The player controls a claw-shaped blaster, shooting at enemies and obstacles, scoring points, and surviving multiple levels. The game modifies and builds upon the gameplay from Tempest 2000, introducing new enemies and mechanics.

Tempest 3000 was one of the first games unveiled for Nuon and was programmed by Jeff Minter, who previously worked on Tempest 2000. In the late 1990s, Minter left Atari Corporation after completing Defender 2000 to work for VM Labs. After Minter designed an audio visualizer for the Nuon, VM Labs asked him to refocus his efforts on Tempest, which was challenging due to the limited power of the console's hardware.

Tempest 3000 received generally favorable reception from critics; the soundtrack, frenetic action, game mechanics, and difficulty were praised, but the blurry visual effects as well as the lack of versus and cooperative multiplayer modes were criticized. By 2003, it had sold over 20,000 copies. In 2024, a limited re-release of the game was made by publisher Songbird Productions.

Gameplay

File:NUON Tempest 3000.webp

{{see also|Tempest (video game)#Gameplay|Tempest 2000#Gameplay}}

Following the gameplay of Tempest (1981) and Tempest 2000, Tempest 3000 is a tube shooter game where the player shoots enemies and obstacles as they appear from the center of the screen. The player controls a claw-shaped blaster, scoring points by hitting targets as they try to survive multiple levels.{{cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/tempest-3000-manual/Tempest_3000_manual/mode/2up|title=Tempest 3000|date=2000|publisher=Hasbro Interactive|edition=North American|type=Manual}} The blaster is also equipped with a "Superzapper" that destroys all enemies on-screen, which recharges between each level. Players can collect power-ups and upgrades, which appear when enemies or their bullets are destroyed.

The game modifies and builds upon the enhancements from Tempest 2000 with new mechanics. Instead of a jump ability, the blaster can now spend fuel to hover and glide over the web. A homing missile power-up allows the player to target enemies in two lanes of the web. The player can also improve their score multiplier by collecting power-ups, but using a "Superzapper" resets the multiplier to zero. Power-ups also activate a remote droid that appears above the web to help the player destroy enemies. The game also introduces new enemies to the series, such as Rotors and Unmaker-Spiders that move and reform the web respectively.{{cite web|last=Manne|first=Kevin|url=https://www.nuon-dome.com/t3krev.html|title=Tempest 3000: NUON Game Review|work=Nuon-Dome|date=December 2000|access-date=2024-03-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020227224815/https://www.nuon-dome.com/t3krev.html|archive-date=2002-02-27|url-status=live}}

When all enemies have been destroyed, the player warps to the next level, but must avoid or destroy spikes left by Spikers and Super Spikers that are in the way. Hitting any spike will destroy the blaster and force the player to start over. The player can also collect three warp tokens to access a bonus round, and completing it allows the player to skip two levels. The game features over 256 levels, with the last half being procedurally generated.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.edge-online.com/news_main.asp?news_id=3376|title=Team Diary: Coffee nights|magazine=Edge|publisher=Future plc|year=2001|access-date=2024-03-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010418222433/http://www.edge-online.com/news_main.asp?news_id=3376|archive-date=2001-04-18|url-status=dead}} The player loses a life when their blaster is destroyed or captured, and the game is over when all lives are lost. The player can resume their progress via passwords provided after completing each odd-numbered level. In addition, the game also has a multiplayer option which allows two players to play by alternating turns.

Development

{{multiple image

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| footer = Tempest 3000 programmer Jeff Minter (pictured in 2007) worked for VM Labs with software design and writing the VLM-2 audio visualizer for the Nuon (left).

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| image1 = Jeff Minter - GDC 2007.jpg

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Tempest 3000 is a follow-up to Tempest 2000, itself an updated remake of Dave Theurer's arcade game Tempest (1981).{{cite magazine|last=Mehta|first=Andrew J.|url=https://issuu.com/unitedgames/docs/united-games-march-2001|title=Nuon: Cambridge hits the USA; "Show me the Games!"|magazine=United Games Fanzine|volume=2|issue=2|publisher=United Games|date=March 2001|pages=25, 26–27}}{{cite book|url=https://cdn.arstechnica.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/NUON-Tempest-3000-Design-Doc.pdf|title=Tempest 3000 (Nuon)|type=Game design document|publisher=VM Labs|date=September 2, 1999|pages=1–12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150701142450/https://cdn.arstechnica.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/NUON-Tempest-3000-Design-Doc.pdf|archive-date=2015-07-01|url-status=live|access-date=2024-03-24}}{{cite web|last=Sheffield|first=Brandon|author-link=Brandon Sheffield|url=http://gamasutra.com/features/20070404/sheffield_01.shtml|title=Llamas In Space: Catching Up with Llamasoft's Jeff Minter|work=Gamasutra|publisher=UBM Technology Group|date=April 4, 2007|pages=1–6|access-date=2024-03-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070414002839/http://gamasutra.com/features/20070404/sheffield_01.shtml|archive-date=2007-04-14|url-status=dead}} ([https://www.gamedeveloper.com/design/llamas-in-space-catching-up-with-llamasoft-s-jeff-minter Transcription] by Game Developer. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210827115711/https://www.gamedeveloper.com/design/llamas-in-space-catching-up-with-llamasoft-s-jeff-minter|date=2021-08-27}}). It was programmed by Jeff Minter, founder of Llamasoft, who previously worked on Tempest 2000.{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/NextGeneration37Jan1998/page/n19/mode/2up|title=News: Project X confirmed for 1998|magazine=Next Generation|issue=37|publisher=Imagine Media|date=January 1998|pages=18–19}}{{cite web|url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=23111&tab=credits|title=Tempest 3000 - Credits|work=AllGame|publisher=All Media Network|date=November 28, 2000|access-date=2024-03-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141115231256/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=23111&tab=credits|archive-date=2014-11-15|url-status=dead}}{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/Micromania113/page/n129/mode/1up|title=Jeff Minter: El místico|magazine=Micromanía|volume=3|issue=113|publisher=Axel Springer SE|date=June 2004|page=130|language=es}}{{cite book|last1=Minter|first1=Jeff|author-link1=Jeff Minter|last2=Minter|first2=Patrick|year=2009|chapter-url=https://s3.amazonaws.com/lsshop/AHistoryofLlamasoft.pdf|chapter=Visual Synthesis - The Evolution of Llamasoft's Graphical Style|title=A History of Llamasoft|publisher=Llamasoft|pages=195–209|access-date=2024-03-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240318142534/https://s3.amazonaws.com/lsshop/AHistoryofLlamasoft.pdf|archive-date=2024-03-18|url-status=live}} Minter left Atari after completing Defender 2000 in December 1995 and returned to Wales to work for VM Labs, a California-based semiconductor company founded by Richard Miller with former Atari and Sony staff.{{cite magazine|last=Montfort|first=Nick|url=https://archive.org/details/wired-magazine-04.10-1996-october/page/n182/mode/1up|title=Spawn of Atari|magazine=Wired|volume=4|issue=10|publisher=Wired Ventures|date=October 1996|pages=166–171}} ([https://www.wired.com/1996/10/atari-2/ Transcription] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151027234226/https://www.wired.com/1996/10/atari-2/|date=2015-10-27}}).{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/NextGeneration35Nov1997/page/n18/mode/1up|title=Project X: A Mario killer in the making|magazine=Next Generation|issue=35|publisher=Imagine Media|date=November 1997|page=17}}{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/electronic-gaming-monthly-issue-103-february-1998_202212/page/n27/mode/1up|title=Video Game News: X Marks The Spot|magazine=Electronic Gaming Monthly|issue=103|publisher=Ziff Davis|date=February 1998|page=26}} He helped with software design and wrote the built-in VLM-2 audio visualizer for the Nuon DVD technology, then codenamed "Project X".{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/GamePro_Issue_105_April_1998/page/n27/mode/1up|title=News Bits: The Project X Files|magazine=GamePro|issue=115|publisher=IDG|date=April 1998|page=26}}

In 1997, Minter teased on his personal website that Tempest 3000 could happen, and in 1998, VM Labs asked him to create Tempest for the Nuon, allowing him to apply ideas he had tried with a version of Breakout for his particle effects system.{{cite web|last=Minter|first=Jeff|author-link=Jeff Minter|url=http://myweb.magicnet.net/~yak/gnus.htm|title=The Llatest From Llamaland|work=The Grunting Ox|access-date=2024-03-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010128135500/http://myweb.magicnet.net/~yak/gnus.htm|archive-date=2001-01-28|url-status=dead}} The game was produced by Joe Sousa, who worked on Atari Jaguar titles such as Cybermorph and Kasumi Ninja.{{cite web|last=Wallett|first=Adrian|url=https://www.arcadeattack.co.uk/joe-sousa-atari/|title=Joe Sousa (Atari) – Interview|work=Arcade Attack|date=June 28, 2019|access-date=2024-03-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190629225418/https://www.arcadeattack.co.uk/joe-sousa-atari/|archive-date=2019-06-29|url-status=live}} The soundtrack features nineteen songs, twelve of which are remixed tracks from Tempest 2000, while the remaining music are original compositions by André Meyer, Ian "T(NT)" Goddard, and James Grunke.

Minter said it was difficult taking advantage of the Nuon's hardware due to its underpowered architecture, forcing him to limit the game program to less than four kilobytes of RAM. According to Minter, VLM-2 code was integrated into the game to generate live background effects.{{cite web|last=Minter|first=Jeff|author-link=Jeff Minter|url=http://myweb.magicnet.net/~yak/oxapr99.htm|title=Gruntings of April 1999|work=The Grunting Ox|date=April 1999|access-date=2024-03-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010309224657/http://myweb.magicnet.net/~yak/oxapr99.htm|archive-date=2001-03-09|url-status=dead}} Production of the game lasted two years, with development concluding in October 2000.{{cite web|last=Minter|first=Jeff|author-link=Jeff Minter|url=http://myweb.magicnet.net/~yak/gnugnus.htm|title=Change returns success, going and coming without error...|work=The Grunting Ox|date=October 20, 2000|access-date=2024-03-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010302041707/http://myweb.magicnet.net/~yak/gnugnus.htm|archive-date=2001-03-02|url-status=dead}} Minter considers Tempest 3000 to be the most difficult programming job he has ever done, but he enjoyed his five years working with VM Labs and expressed pride in his work.

Release

Tempest 3000 was one of the first games unveiled for the Nuon, with public demos appearing as early as 1998.{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/electronic-gaming-monthly-issue-105-april-1998/page/n21/mode/2up|title=Video Game News: Fast, Cheap апd Out of Control|magazine=Electronic Gaming Monthly|issue=105|publisher=Ziff Davis|date=April 1998|pages=22–23}}{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/NextGeneration40Apr1998/page/n19/mode/1up|title=News: Project X progresses|magazine=Next Generation|issue=40|publisher=Imagine Media|date=April 1998|page=18}}{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/NextGeneration43Jul1998/page/n17/mode/2up|title=Intelligence: VM Labs Confirms Key Details on Project X|magazine=Next Generation|issue=43|publisher=Imagine Media|date=July 1998|pages=16–17}} The game was showcased at E3 1998 and CES 2000.{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/Gamefan_Vol_6_Issue_08/page/n126/mode/1up|title=GameFan @ E3; The GameFan E3 Top 10; The Editor's Top 10 Picks|magazine=GameFan|volume=6|issue=8|publisher=Metropolis Media|date=August 1998|pages=97–119, 120–124, 125–127}}{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/NextGeneration44Aug1998/page/n27/mode/1up|title=Intelligence: Software partnership comes together for VM Labs|magazine=Next Generation|issue=44|publisher=Imagine Media|date=August 1998|page=26}}{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/NextGen63Mar2000/page/n11/mode/1up|title=News: Tempest in a Teapot? NUON Revealed at CES|magazine=Next Generation|issue=63|publisher=Imagine Media|date=March 2000|page=10}}{{cite web|last=Kennedy|first=Sam|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/nuon-shows-its-face-at-ces/1100-2446026/|title=NUON Shows its Face at CES|work=GameSpot|publisher=CNET Networks|date=April 26, 2000|access-date=2024-03-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240316200409/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/nuon-shows-its-face-at-ces/1100-2446026/|archive-date=2024-03-16|url-status=live}} More details were announced during its E3 2000 showcase, revealing that Hasbro Interactive would publish the title as part of a multi-game deal with VM Labs.{{cite web|url=http://www.atarihq.com/news/2000/index.html|title=News Briefs - 2000 ARCHIVE|work=Atari Gaming Headquarters|year=2000|access-date=2024-03-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010407064155/http://www.atarihq.com/news/2000/index.html|archive-date=2001-04-07|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://nuon.tv:80/releases/05_10c_00.html|title=VM Labs and Hasbro Interactive Ink Multi-Title Software Deal for NUON™ Interactive DVD Games|publisher=Business Wire|date=May 10, 2000|access-date=2024-03-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010210225215/http://nuon.tv:80/releases/05_10c_00.html|archive-date=2001-02-10|url-status=dead}}{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/Classic_Gamer_Magazine_Volume_1_Issue_4_2000-06_Classic_Gamer_US/page/n13/mode/1up|title=Electronic Entertainment Expo — Special Report: E3 2000 Classic Game Overviews|magazine=Classic Gamer Magazine|volume=1|issue=4|date=June 2000|pages=12–15}} A demo disc bundled with Samsung DVD-N2000 models featured the game as one of four included demos.

Tempest 3000 was released in North America on December 13, 2000, followed by Europe in March 2001. In 2001, Jeff Minter donated a unique copy called Tempest 3000: Flossie Edition as part of a Tempest 2000 competition at JagFest 2K1, which contained drawings as well as a piece of wool and a goatee trim.{{cite web|url=http://209.241.178.73/may22PR.htm|title=Llamasoft And The GOAT Store Team Up To Offer Exclusive Jagfest 2K1 Prizes|publisher=The GOAT Store|date=May 22, 2001|access-date=2024-03-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010714142930/http://209.241.178.73/may22PR.htm|archive-date=2001-07-14|url-status=dead}}{{cite magazine|last1=Loosen|first1=Dan|last2=Forhan|first2=Carl|last3=Rowe|first3=Micah|last4=Thompson|first4=Clint|last5=Mosley|first5=Kevin|last6=Femrite|first6=Randy|last7=Rusniak|first7=Ted|url=http://www.atarihq.com/jeo/jeo_0501.htm#JAGFEST|title=JagFest 2001: The Aftermath|magazine=Jaguar Explorer Online|volume=5|issue=1|publisher=White Space Publishers|date=November 30, 2001|access-date=2024-03-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020207000937/http://www.atarihq.com/jeo/jeo_0501.htm#JAGFEST|archive-date=2002-02-07|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://www.midwestgamingclassic.com/2001picrev.php|title=Past Events: JagFest 2K1 - Notes, Reports and Pictures|publisher=Midwest Gaming Classic|year=2003|access-date=2024-03-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031226211814/http://www.midwestgamingclassic.com/2001picrev.php|archive-date=2003-12-26|url-status=dead}} The game has not been ported to other platforms due to its reliance on assembly language.{{cite web|url=http://hivebalur.net/txk/interview.htm|title=Tempest X000!!! Interview with Jeff Minter|work=Tempest X000|date=November 3, 2000|access-date=2024-03-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010303221045/http://hivebalur.net/txk/interview.htm|archive-date=2001-03-03|url-status=dead}} ([https://alive.atari.org/alive0/jeff.php Transcription] by Alive. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051227025625/https://alive.atari.org/alive0/jeff.php|date=2005-12-27}}).{{cite web|last=Chalk|first=Andy|url=https://www.pcgamer.com/games/action/42-games-from-legendary-british-indie-jeff-minters-psychedelic-back-catalogue-are-now-bundled-with-an-interactive-documentary-on-steam/|title=42 games from legendary British indie Jeff Minter's psychedelic back catalogue are now bundled with an 'interactive documentary' on Steam|work=PC Gamer|publisher=Future US|date=March 13, 2024|access-date=2024-03-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240314024300/https://www.pcgamer.com/games/action/42-games-from-legendary-british-indie-jeff-minters-psychedelic-back-catalogue-are-now-bundled-with-an-interactive-documentary-on-steam/|archive-date=2024-03-14|url-status=live}} It was omitted from the Llamasoft: The Jeff Minter Story compilation due to Nuon being "a bridge too far" to emulate, according to Digital Eclipse editorial director Chris Kohler.{{cite magazine|last=Thorpe|first=Nick|title=The Making of: Llamasoft: The Jeff Minter Story|magazine=Retro Gamer|issue=256|publisher=Future Publishing|date=February 15, 2024|pages=52–57}}{{cite web|last=Yarwood|first=Jack|url=https://www.timeextension.com/features/interview-a-true-original-digital-eclipse-on-llamasoft-the-jeff-minter-story|title="A True Original" - Digital Eclipse On 'Llamasoft: The Jeff Minter Story'|work=Time Extension|publisher=Hookshot Media|date=March 5, 2024|access-date=2024-03-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240305161842/https://www.timeextension.com/features/interview-a-true-original-digital-eclipse-on-llamasoft-the-jeff-minter-story|archive-date=2024-03-05|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=Yarwood|first=Jack|url=https://www.timeextension.com/news/2024/03/the-llamasoft-classic-tempest-3000-is-being-reissued-for-the-nuon|title=The Llamasoft Classic 'Tempest 3000' Is Being Reissued For The Nuon|work=Time Extension|publisher=Hookshot Media|date=March 22, 2024|access-date=2024-03-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240325024123/https://www.timeextension.com/news/2024/03/the-llamasoft-classic-tempest-3000-is-being-reissued-for-the-nuon|archive-date=2024-03-25|url-status=live}} In 2024, publisher Songbird Productions, in association with Atari, made a limited re-release of the game on May 7.{{cite web|last=Verdin|first=Guillaume|url=https://mag.mo5.com/254445/le-legendaire-tempest-3000-enfin-reedite-sur-nuon/|title=Le légendaire Tempest 3000 enfin réédité sur Nuon|work={{ill|MO5.com|lt=MO5.com|fr|MO5.com}}|publisher=Association MO5.COM|date=April 5, 2024|access-date=2024-04-18|language=fr|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240405203021/https://mag.mo5.com/254445/le-legendaire-tempest-3000-enfin-reedite-sur-nuon/|archive-date=2024-04-05|url-status=live}}

Reception

{{Video game reviews

|Edge = 9/10{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/edge-020/Edge-095/page/n71/mode/2up|title=Testscreen: Tempest 3000|magazine=Edge|issue=95|publisher=Future plc|date=March 2001|pages=72–73}}

|EGM = 6.5/10{{cite magazine|last=Johnston|first=Chris|url=https://archive.org/details/electronic-gaming-monthly-february-2001/page/n37/mode/1up|title=Nuon: Who Put Their Game System In My DVD Player? - Tempest 3000|magazine=Electronic Gaming Monthly|issue=139|publisher=Ziff Davis|date=February 2001|pages=36–38}}

|rev1 = Digital Press

|rev1Score = 7/10{{cite magazine|last=Perry Jr.|first=Russ|url=https://archive.org/details/Digital_Press_Issue_49_2002-09_Santulli_Joe_US/page/n13/mode/2up|title=Random Reviews Lite: Tempest 3000|magazine=Digital Press - The Bio-Degradable Source For Videogamers|issue=49|publisher=Joe Santulli|date=February 2002|pages=14–15}}

|rev2 = neXGam

|rev2Score = 8.7/10{{cite web|last=Poppen|first=Heiko|url=https://www.nexgam.de/games/2007/Feb/01-Thu/Tempest-3000|title=Tempest 3000 im Test|work=neXGam|date=February 1, 2007|access-date=2024-03-24|language=de|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240324215816/https://www.nexgam.de/games/2007/Feb/01-Thu/Tempest-3000|archive-date=2024-03-24|url-status=live}}

}}

Tempest 3000 received generally favorable reviews from critics. According to GameState magazine, the game had sold over 20,000 copies by 2003.{{cite web|url=http://www.ownt.com/qtakes/2003/gamestats/gamestats.shtm|title=All Time Top 20 Best Selling Games and More|website=Ownt.com|publisher=Cutting The Edge Network|date=May 21, 2003|access-date=2024-03-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030806025329/http://www.ownt.com/qtakes/2003/gamestats/gamestats.shtm|archive-date=2003-08-06|url-status=dead}} Chris Johnston of Electronic Gaming Monthly (EGM) highlighted its evolution of the series' gameplay, sense of humor, and difficulty. Edge lauded its attractive graphics, frenetic action, balanced playability, and difficulty curve. Syzygy{{'}}s Jason W. Cody liked its addition of the bonus multiplier mechanic, new enemies and music.{{cite magazine|last=Cody|first=Jason W.|url=https://archive.org/details/syzygy-issue-4/page/20/mode/1up|title=Tempest 3000|magazine=Syzygy Magazine|volume=2|issue=1|date=Spring 2001|page=20}}

Digital Press{{'}} Russ Perry Jr. praised the audiovisual presentation but felt it was difficult to control without a rotary controller or alternative control schemes. MyAtari magazine deemed it a must-have title for Nuon, commending the "jaw-dropping" visuals, techno soundtrack, and frenetic action.{{cite magazine|last=Wellicome|first=Thomas|url=http://myatari.net/issues/jul2003/nuonexp.htm|title=JagFest highlights: Nuon Experience|magazine=MyAtari|issue=33|date=July 2003|access-date=2024-03-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030829200955/http://myatari.net/issues/jul2003/nuonexp.htm|archive-date=2003-08-29|url-status=dead}}
{{cite magazine|last=Edwards|first=Ryan|url=http://www.myatari.net/issues/feb2004/duranik.htm|title=JagFest highlights: Nuon be Good?|magazine=MyAtari|issue=33|date=July 2003|access-date=2024-10-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030709184329/http://www.myatari.net/issues/jul2003/nuongood.htm|archive-date=2003-07-09|url-status=dead}}
German website neXGam celebrated its impressive graphical department, soundscapes, and numerous levels, but criticized the lack of two-player versus and cooperative modes. The game's blurry visual effects were also criticized by several reviewers, including EGM, Syzygy, and Tips & Tricks.{{cite magazine|last=Santulli|first=Joe|url=https://archive.org/details/tips-and-tricks-issue-88-june-2002/page/n92/mode/1up|title=Collector's Closet: Collecting Nuon|magazine=Tips & Tricks|issue=88|publisher=Larry Flynt Publications|date=June 2002|page=93}}

The game was a runner-up for the "Graphical Achievement" and "Audio Achievement" categories during the Edge Awards in 2001, but lost to Jet Set Radio and Alien Resurrection (2000) respectively.{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/edge-020/Edge-097/page/n57/mode/1up|title=Edge Awards 2001|magazine=Edge|issue=97|publisher=Future plc|date=May 2001|pages=58–65}} Ars Technica considered Tempest 3000 to be the most significant title for Nuon, while Time Extension regarded it as the "crown jewel" of the Nuon's game library, citing its "raw arcade thrills", pounding dance music, and unique visual look.{{cite web|last=Moss|first=Richard|url=https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2015/06/before-the-ps2-nuon-famously-tried-and-failed-to-combine-dvd-and-game-consoles/|title=Remembering Nuon, the gaming chip that nearly changed the world—but didn't|work=Ars Technica|publisher=Condé Nast|date=June 28, 2015|access-date=2024-03-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150629182849/https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2015/06/before-the-ps2-nuon-famously-tried-and-failed-to-combine-dvd-and-game-consoles/|archive-date=2015-06-29|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=Day|first=Ashley|url=https://www.timeextension.com/features/ultimate-guide-nuon-the-dvd-player-that-tried-to-be-a-games-console-and-failed|title=Nuon, The DVD Player That Tried To Be A Games Console And Failed|work=Time Extension|publisher=Hookshot Media|date=July 26, 2023|access-date=2024-03-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230731192345/https://www.timeextension.com/features/ultimate-guide-nuon-the-dvd-player-that-tried-to-be-a-games-console-and-failed|archive-date=2023-07-31|url-status=live}}

References

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