Tempest 4000
A modern reimagining of the 1981 arcade classic Tempest.
Tempest 4000 is a shoot 'em up game from Llamasoft, published by Atari, Inc. It reimagines the 1981 arcade classic Tempest for modern platforms. Players pilot a spacecraft called the Claw, blasting enemies and obstacles across geometric prism-shaped levels. The goal is to survive each stage by clearing threats quickly and racking up high scores for leaderboard positions. The game includes one hundred levels across three modes: standard, pure, and endurance. Its visuals are bright and neon-heavy, paired with a techno soundtrack that reinforces the futuristic feel. Development was handled by Llamasoft, the company founded by British designer Jeff Minter. The game runs in native 4K resolution and uses a soundtrack inspired by 1990s techno. Minter had previously created Tempest 2000 for the Atari Jaguar in 1994 and Tempest 3000 for the Nuon in 2000. In 2014, Llamasoft released TxK, a Tempest-inspired game for the PlayStation Vita. Atari, SA blocked TxK from reaching other platforms due to its similarities to Tempest. Minter was frustrated by this, but later partnered with Atari to produce Tempest 4000. The project began as a virtual reality version of TxK, but Atari required the VR mode to be removed before release. Tempest 4000 was announced in August 2017 and shown at Gamescom that month. It was planned for Windows, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One. A PlayStation 4 release was set for March 28, 2018, but was delayed until July, when it launched across multiple platforms. Atari later claimed the game would be a launch title for its upcoming Atari VCS microconsole in 2019, but Llamasoft denied this at the time. The game was released for the Nintendo Switch and Atari VCS on March 22, 2022. Reception was generally favorable, according to Metacritic.
Quick Facts
- Title
- Tempest 4000
- Developer
- Llamasoft
- Publisher
- Atari
- Programmer
- Jeff Minter
- Series
- Tempest
- Platforms
- PlayStation 4 / Xbox One / Microsoft Windows / Nintendo Switch / Atari VCS
- Released
- PlayStation 4, Xbox One, WindowsWW · July 17, 2018Nintendo Switch, Atari VCSWW · March 22, 2022
- Genre
- Shoot 'em up
- Modes
- Single-player
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Tempest 4000 was developed by Llamasoft, a company founded by British video game designer and programmer Jeff Minter. Minter previously created Tempest 2000 for the Atari Jaguar in 1994—a remake of the 1981 arcade game Tempest, followed by Tempest 3000 for the Nuon in 2000. In 2014, Llamasoft released the Tempest-inspired video game TxK independently for the PlayStation Vita. Due to similarities between Tempest and TxK, Atari, SA blocked the release of TxK on other platforms. Minter was unhappy with Atari's intervention, but partnered with the company to create Tempest 4000. Tempest 4000 started out development as a virtual reality (VR) version of TxK but Atari forced the developer to remove the VR mode from the final game.
Reader's Guide
Tempest 4000 continues a lineage of Tempest remakes by Jeff Minter, following Tempest 2000 and Tempest 3000. Its development was shaped by the legal dispute over TxK, which led to a partnership between Llamasoft and Atari. The game was originally conceived as a VR version of TxK, but Atari required the removal of VR support. Released across multiple platforms including the Atari VCS, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows, and Nintendo Switch, the game received generally favorable reception according to Metacritic. Its 100 levels and three game modes—standard, pure, and endurance—offer varied play styles. The neon visuals and techno soundtrack, inspired by 1990s-era techno music, define its aesthetic. The game's release history includes a delay from March 2018 to July of that year, and a later launch on Nintendo Switch and Atari VCS in March 2022.
Did You Know?
- Tempest 4000 was developed by Llamasoft, founded by Jeff Minter.
- The game started development as a VR version of TxK but VR mode was removed at Atari's request.
- Tempest 4000 was released for Nintendo Switch and Atari VCS on March 22, 2022.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Tempest 4000?
It's a modern spin on the 1981 arcade Tempest, built by Llamasoft and released by Atari, Inc. You fly a ship called the Claw through neon-lit, prism-shaped stages, mowing down enemies to climb the leaderboards.
How many levels are in Tempest 4000?
The full run is 100 levels long. You work through them in one of three modes—Standard, Pure, or Endurance—each framing the challenge a little differently.
What's the difference between the three game modes?
Standard, Pure, and Endurance are the three ways to play through the 100 levels, each tweaking how the run feels and how you're scored. Fans who chase leaderboard positions tend to specialize in whichever mode suits their style.
Which platforms does Tempest 4000 support?
You can play it on Atari VCS, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows, and Nintendo Switch. It also pushes native 4K output on displays that handle it.
Who developed and published Tempest 4000?
Llamasoft handled all development work, and Atari, Inc. stepped in as the publisher. Together they brought the original 1981 Tempest concept up to date with a techno soundtrack and bright, futuristic visuals.
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