FlipOut!#Legacy

File:JAG FlipOut!.png

FlipOut! is a puzzle game where the main objective is to match the colored tiles into their respective colored spaces, with an extra tile that does not belong to the playfield being placed before starting a round and must be kept hanging in the air to match the other ones. Should the players take too long to match the tile into its respective space before landing on the ground, it will break and the round restarts as a result. There are nine stages to play through, each having their own number of rounds to play and ranging in thematic. There are also four levels of difficulty to choose from at the options screen of the main menu before starting a game, which changes the main gameplay. High-scores and other settings made by the players are automatically kept by cartridge's internal EEPROM, but progress must be saved manually by accessing the options menu at the map screen from the main mode.

On the initial level, players are tasked to match the tiles with their respective space on a 3x3 grid, with other rounds introducing new aliens that mess with the tiles and score is given after finishing each round depending on the player's performance. While gameplay remains relatively the same, stages increases in both difficulty and complexity as players progress through the game, with new aliens and obstacles being introduced to mess with the player's tiles. In addition, the playfield changes to reflect the location of the level. The final level is a 1v1 match with King Fluffy, ruler of the Cheese Planet on a 4x4 grid and defeating him results in the player being named the new ruler of the planet.{{cite web|url=http://www.vgmuseum.com/end/jaguar/a/flip.htm|title=Ending for Flip Out! (Atari Jaguar)|website=vgmuseum.com|accessdate=2018-08-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160610165330/http://www.vgmuseum.com/end/jaguar/a/flip.htm|archive-date=2016-06-10|url-status=live}}

FlipOut! was one of the first titles developed by Gorilla Systems.{{cite web|url=http://atarijaguargamebygame.libsyn.com/24-flipout|title=The Atari Jaguar Game by Game Podcast: 24 - FlipOut!|website=atarijaguargamebygame.libsyn.com|date=August 19, 2018|accessdate=2019-03-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190307112341/http://atarijaguargamebygame.libsyn.com/24-flipout|archive-date=March 7, 2019|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}{{cite web|last=Wallett|first=Adrian|url=https://www.arcadeattack.co.uk/conrad-barski/|title=Conrad Barski (FlipOut!) – Interview|website=arcadeattack.co.uk|date=May 10, 2019|accessdate=2019-05-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190517022142/https://www.arcadeattack.co.uk/conrad-barski/|archive-date=2019-05-17|url-status=live}} An early design document shows ideas that either would be implemented into the final release, were changed or scrapped altogether, such as power-ups.{{cite web|url=http://www.atarimania.com/game-atari-jaguar-flip-out_7124.html|title=Atari Jaguar - Flip Out|website=atarimania.com|accessdate=2018-08-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180803194654/http://www.atarimania.com/game-atari-jaguar-flip-out_7124.html|archive-date=2018-08-03|url-status=live}}

Both Electronic Gaming Monthly writer Michael Price and Dan McNamee of Atari Corp. were testers for FlipOut!.{{cite web|last=Wallett|first=Adrian|url=http://www.arcadeattack.co.uk/mike-price/|title=Mike Price (Electronic Gaming Monthly) - Interview|website=arcadeattack.co.uk|date=June 1, 2018|accessdate=2018-08-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180803140950/http://www.arcadeattack.co.uk/mike-price/|archive-date=2018-08-03|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=Wallett|first=Adrian|url=http://www.arcadeattack.co.uk/dan-mcnamee/|title=Dan McNamee (Atari) - Interview|website=arcadeattack.co.uk|date=February 2, 2018|accessdate=2018-08-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180316152638/http://www.arcadeattack.co.uk/dan-mcnamee/|archive-date=2018-03-16|url-status=live}} Price was tasked on pre-evalutating prototype builds of the game in Gorilla Systems' offices, while also giving feedback and suggestions to improve the experience. He also stated that the project was done on a low budget. McNamee, on the other hand, found ways to keep crashing the game but stated that he had fun with it. FlipOut! was first showcased at E3 1995, with minimal differences compared to the final release.{{cite video|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ioG07qR6T7k|work=YouTube|date=July 11, 2020|author=Hans Reutter|title=Atari Jaguar @ E3 1995 - Atari Explorer Online (48min 18sec)|access-date=2020-07-12}}{{cite magazine|last1=François|first1=Tommy|last2=Msika|first2=David|url=http://www.abandonware-magazines.org/affiche_mag.php?mag=101&num=2883&album=oui|title=Reportage - E3 - Atari - Le Virtuel, Ça Marche|magazine=CD Consoles|issue=8|publisher=Pressimage|date=June 1995|page=43|lang=fr|access-date=2018-08-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180619035732/http://www.abandonware-magazines.org/affiche_mag.php?mag=101&num=2883&album=oui|archive-date=2018-06-19|url-status=live}}{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/stream/Gamefan_Vol_3_Issue_07#page/n38/mode/1up|title=E-3 The Biggest And Best Electronic Entertainment Show Ever! - Jaguar|magazine=GameFan|volume=3|issue=7|publisher=DieHard Gamers Club|date=July 1995|page=37|access-date=2018-08-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181129120834/https://archive.org/stream/Gamefan_Vol_3_Issue_07#page/n38/mode/1up|archive-date=2018-11-29|url-status=live}}{{cite magazine|last=Zengerle|first=Robert|url=https://retrocdn.net/index.php?title=File%3AVideoGames_DE_1995-07.pdf&page=30|title=News - E3 - Die Übermesse in Los Angeles - Jaguar|magazine=Video Games|issue=44|publisher=Future-Verlag|date=July 1995|pages=8–33|lang=de|access-date=2018-08-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180726005717/https://retrocdn.net/index.php?title=File%3AVideoGames_DE_1995-07.pdf&page=30|archive-date=2018-07-26|url-status=live}} When it launched, critics pointed out the flaws that Price suggested to improve before release but he recalls his experience with the game as a "great time and a very cool experience". After its release, the game was available to play at Atari Corp.'s UK division for the press.{{cite magazine|last=Schaedle|first=Wolfgang|url=https://retrocdn.net/index.php?title=File:VideoGames_DE_1995-09.pdf&page=43|title=Profil - Atari News|magazine=Video Games|issue=46|publisher=Future-Verlag|date=September 1995|page=45|lang=de|access-date=2018-08-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180710010230/https://retrocdn.net/index.php?title=File:VideoGames_DE_1995-09.pdf&page=43|archive-date=2018-07-10|url-status=live}}{{cite magazine|url=https://retrocdn.net/index.php?title=File%3AEGM_US_080.pdf&page=20|title=Press Start - Can PC Games Rescue Atari?|magazine=Electronic Gaming Monthly|issue=80|publisher=Sendai Publishing|date=March 1996|page=20|accessdate=2019-05-16}}

FlipOut! was also ported by Gorilla Systems for MS-DOS and published by GameTek.{{cite web|url=http://compkarori.com/jaguar/hoff4.txt|title=Atari Broadens its Platform Base|publisher=Business Wire|website=compkarori.com|date=2 January 1996|accessdate=2019-04-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303172957/http://compkarori.com/jaguar/hoff4.txt|archive-date=3 March 2016|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}

{{Video game reviews

|rev1 = AllGame

|rev1Score = (Jaguar) {{Rating|2.5|5}}{{cite web|last=Scoleri III|first=Joseph|url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=7212|title=Flip Out! - Overview|website=AllGame|accessdate=2018-08-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141114095641/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=7212|archive-date=14 November 2014|url-status=live}}

|rev2 = Atari Gaming Headquarters

|rev2Score = (Jaguar) 4 / 10{{cite web|last=Iida|first=Keith|url=http://www.atarihq.com/reviews/jaguar/flip_out.html|title=AGH Jaguar Review: FLIP OUT|website=atarihq.com|accessdate=2018-12-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161017023217/http://www.atarihq.com/reviews/jaguar/flip_out.html|archive-date=2016-10-17|url-status=live}}

|rev3 = Electronic Gaming Monthly

|rev3Score = (Jaguar) 20.5 / 40{{cite magazine|title=Review Crew - Flip Out|magazine=Electronic Gaming Monthly|issue=74|publisher=EGM Media, LLC|date=September 1995|page=40}}

|rev4 = The Electric Playground

|rev4Score = (Jaguar) 7 / 10{{cite web|last=Lucas|first=Victor|url=http://www.elecplay.com:80/review_395.html|title=Reviews - Flip Out!|publisher=The Electric Playground|date=January 3, 1996|accessdate=2018-08-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010421122843/http://www.elecplay.com/review_395.html|archive-date=April 21, 2001|url-status=dead}}

|rev5 = Game Players

|rev5Score = (Jaguar) 73%{{cite magazine|last=Salmon|first=Mike|url=https://archive.org/stream/Game_Players_Issue_56_September_1995#page/n55/mode/1up|title=Jaguar - Review - Flip Out!|magazine=Game Players|issue=75|publisher=Signal Research|date=September 1995|page=54|access-date=2018-05-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190104234936/https://archive.org/stream/Game_Players_Issue_56_September_1995#page/n55/mode/1up|archive-date=2019-01-04|url-status=live}}

|rev6 = GamePro

|rev6Score = (Jaguar) 11.5 / 20{{cite magazine|last=Larry|first=Scary|url=https://retrocdn.net/index.php?title=File:GamePro_US_075.pdf&page=78|title=ProReview: FlipOut!|magazine=GamePro|issue=75|publisher=IDG|date=October 1995|page=76|access-date=2018-05-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180526112759/https://retrocdn.net/index.php?title=File:GamePro_US_075.pdf&page=78|archive-date=2018-05-26|url-status=live}}

|rev7 = Game Zero Magazine

|rev7Score = (Jaguar) 34.0 / 50{{cite web|author1=R.I.P.|author2=Salamander|url=http://www.gamezero.com/team-0/final_word/jaguar/flip_out.html|title=The Final Word game review - Flip Out -- Gorilla Systems Corporation|work=Game Zero Magazine|publisher=Game Zero|date=October 1995|access-date=2019-10-02}}

|rev8 = MAN!AC

|rev8Score = (Jaguar) 54%{{cite magazine|last=Hartlehnert|first=Tobias|url=https://archive.org/stream/MANIAC.N027.1996.01/MANIAC.N027.1996.01-romiso_noOCR#page/n64/mode/1up|title=Spiele-Tests - Jaguar - Flip Out|magazine=MAN!AC|issue=27|publisher=Cybermedia|date=January 1996|page=65|lang=de|access-date=2018-05-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190104221625/https://archive.org/stream/MANIAC.N027.1996.01/MANIAC.N027.1996.01-romiso_noOCR#page/n64/mode/1up|archive-date=2019-01-04|url-status=live}}

|rev9 = Mega Fun

|rev9Score = (Jaguar) 69%{{cite magazine|last=Souleiman|first=Sandrie|url=http://www.kultboy.com/index.php?site=t&id=15294|title=Test Jaguar - Flip Out|magazine=Mega Fun|issue=38|publisher=CT Computec Verlag GmbH & Co. KG|date=November 1995|page=93|lang=de|access-date=2018-05-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180526185837/http://www.kultboy.com/index.php?site=t&id=15294|archive-date=2018-05-26|url-status=live}}

|NGen = (Jaguar) {{Rating|3|5}}{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/stream/nextgen-issue-009/Next_Generation_Issue_009_September_1995#page/n91/mode/1up|title=Finals - Jaguar - FlipOut!|magazine=Next Generation|issue=9|publisher=Imagine Media|date=September 1995|page=90|access-date=2018-05-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190104234936/https://archive.org/stream/nextgen-issue-009/Next_Generation_Issue_009_September_1995#page/n91/mode/1up|archive-date=2019-01-04|url-status=live}}

|rev10 = PC Games

|rev10Score = (DOS) 60%{{cite magazine|last=Wagner|first=Harald|url=https://archive.org/details/pcgamesmagazine-1997-04/page/n147|title=Review: FlipOut! - Farbe bekennen|magazine=PC Games|issue=55|publisher=CT Computec Verlag GmbH & Co. KG|date=April 1997|page=150|lang=de|access-date=2019-05-25}}

|rev11 = PC Joker

|rev11Score = (DOS) 59%{{cite magazine|title=Spieletests - Strategie - Flip Out|magazine=PC Joker|issue=51|publisher=Joker-Verlag|date=May 1997|page=88|lang=de}}

|rev12 = PC Player

|rev12Score = (DOS) {{Rating|3|5}}{{cite magazine|last=Austinat|first=Roland|url=https://www.kultboy.com/index.php?site=t&id=16808|title=Denkspiel für Einsteiger und Fortgeschrittene - Flip Out|magazine=PC Player|issue=53|publisher=Future Verlag|date=May 1997|page=135|lang=de}}

|rev13 = Reset

|rev13Score = (DOS) 6 / 10{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/stream/reset_5-1997-9#page/n40/mode/1up|title=Recenzje - Flip Out!|magazine=Reset|issue=5|publisher=ZPR Express Sp. z o.o.|date=September 1997|page=41|lang=pl}}

|rev14 = Score

|rev14Score = (DOS) 4 / 10{{cite magazine|last=Varoščák|first=Tomáš|url=https://www.oldgames.sk/en/mag/score-39/page/75/|title=Recenze - Flip Out!|magazine=Score|issue=39|publisher=Omega Publishing Group|date=March 1997|page=75|lang=cs|access-date=2019-05-25}}

|rev15 = ST Magazine

|rev15Score = (Jaguar) 68%{{cite magazine|last=Abramson|first=Marc|url=http://www.abandonware-magazines.org/affiche_mag.php?mag=6&num=901&album=oui|title=Cahier Loisirs / Jaguar - Enfin Là|magazine=ST Magazine|issue=100|publisher=Pressimage|date=December 1995|pages=50–54|lang=fr|access-date=2019-01-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180924185859/http://www.abandonware-magazines.org/affiche_mag.php?mag=6&num=901&album=oui|archive-date=2018-09-24|url-status=live}}

|rev16 = Última Generación

|rev16Score = (Jaguar) 70 / 100{{cite magazine|last=S. Fernández|first=Javier|url=https://archive.org/details/Ultima_Generacion_09/page/n107|title=Versión Final - Jaguar - Flip Out!|magazine=Última Generación|issue=9|publisher=MV Editores|date=December 1995|pages=108–109|lang=es}}

|rev17 = Video Games

|rev17Score = (Jaguar) {{Rating|2|5}}{{cite magazine|last=Karels|first=Ralph|url=http://www.kultboy.com/index.php?site=pic&id=4562&s=2|title=Special - Atari Jaguar - Komplettübersicht Jaguar-Modul-Games - Flip Out!|magazine=Video Games|issue=93|publisher=Future-Verlag|date=August 1999|page=56|lang=de|access-date=2019-01-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180804201520/http://www.kultboy.com/index.php?site=pic&id=4562&s=2|archive-date=2018-08-04|url-status=live}}

|rev18 = VideoGames

|rev18Score = (Jaguar) 6 / 10{{cite magazine|last=Hallock|first=Betty|url=https://archive.org/stream/Video_Games_The_Ultimate_Gaming_Magazine_Issue_80_September_1995#page/n81/mode/1up|title=FlipOut! - A good cheese reference never hurts a game|magazine=VideoGames - The Ultimate Gaming Magazine|issue=80|publisher=L.F.P., Inc.|date=September 1995|page=80|access-date=2018-05-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181129120834/https://archive.org/stream/Video_Games_The_Ultimate_Gaming_Magazine_Issue_80_September_1995#page/n81/mode/1up|archive-date=2018-11-29|url-status=live}}

}}

FlipOut! received mixed reception when it was released.

Next Generation reviewed the Jaguar version of the game, and stated that "FlipOut! is an enjoyable and original puzzler on a system sadly devoid of them."

{{clear}}

After FlipOut! was released, Gorilla Systems started developing a horror-themed game for the Atari Jaguar CD titled Dante's Inferno, which was based on the first part of Dante Alighieri's 14th-century epic poem Divine Comedy and was scheduled for a June 1996 release, but it was never released.{{cite web|last=Vendel|first=Curt|url=http://www.atarimuseum.com/videogames/consoles/jaguar/jagfiles/jag64-payments.PDF|title=Payment Schedule for Jaguar games to Developers|website=atarimuseum.com|format=PDF|date=August 26, 1995|accessdate=2018-10-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141211091716/http://www.atarimuseum.com/videogames/consoles/jaguar/jagfiles/jag64-payments.PDF|archive-date=2014-12-11|url-status=live}}{{cite magazine|url=https://retrocdn.net/index.php?title=File:VideoGames_DE_1995-08.pdf&page=41|title=Release Liste|magazine=Video Games|issue=46|publisher=Future-Verlag|date=August 1995|page=43|lang=de|access-date=2019-01-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180914203501/https://retrocdn.net/index.php?title=File:VideoGames_DE_1995-08.pdf&page=41|archive-date=2018-09-14|url-status=live}}{{cite magazine|last=Gore|first=Chris|url=https://archive.org/stream/Video_Games_The_Ultimate_Gaming_Magazine_Issue_79_August_1995#page/n13/mode/1up|title=The Gorescore - Industry News You Can - Upcoming Jaguar Software Titles|magazine=VideoGames - The Ultimate Gaming Magazine|issue=79|publisher=L.F.P., Inc.|date=August 1995|page=14|access-date=2018-08-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181129120834/https://archive.org/stream/Video_Games_The_Ultimate_Gaming_Magazine_Issue_79_August_1995#page/n13/mode/1up|archive-date=2018-11-29|url-status=live}} In 2004, a demo of Dante's Inferno was released by the defunct Jaguar Sector II website under a CD-ROM compilation titled Jaguar Extremist Pack #1.{{cite web|author=jaysmith2000|url=http://atariage.com/forums/topic/43543-atari-jaguar-extremist-pack-1-for-pre-sale/|title=Atari Jaguar Extremist Pack #1|publisher=AtariAge|date=February 6, 2004|accessdate=2018-10-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190104234936/http://atariage.com/forums/topic/43543-atari-jaguar-extremist-pack-1-for-pre-sale/|archive-date=January 4, 2019|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}{{cite web|last=Smith|first=Jason|url=http://www.jaguarsector.com/index.php?autocom=ibwiki&cmd=article&do=print_article&id=379|title=Atari Jaguar Timeline|website=jaguarsector.com|accessdate=2018-08-03|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130629025431/http://www.jaguarsector.com/index.php?autocom=ibwiki&cmd=article&do=print_article&id=379|archive-date=29 June 2013|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=Smith|first=Jason|url=http://www.jaysmith2000.com:80/Jagpriceguide.htm|title=Jaguar Sector II Atari Jaguar Software Price and Rarity Guide|website=jaysmith2000.com|accessdate=2018-08-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131117222232/http://www.jaysmith2000.com/Jagpriceguide.htm|archive-date=2013-11-17|url-status=dead}}

{{reflist|30em}}

• {{Official website|https://web.archive.org/web/20010223212523/https://www.flipout.com/}}
• [https://atariage.com/software_page.php?SoftwareLabelID=1085 FlipOut!] at AtariAge
• [https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/jaguar/586890-flip-out FlipOut!] at GameFAQs
• [https://www.mobygames.com/game/flipout FlipOut!] at MobyGames

{{Portal bar|1990s|United States|Video games}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:FlipOut!}}

Category:1995 video games

Category:Atari games

Category:Atari Jaguar games

Category:DOS games

Category:GameTek games

Category:Gorilla Systems games

Category:Puzzle video games

Category:Single-player video games

Category:Tile-matching video games

Category:Video games developed in the United States

Category:Video games set in outer space

Category:Video games set on fictional planets