720° is a 1986 sports video game created and sold by Atari Games for arcades. It is based on skateboarding. The player controls a skateboarder who competes in events like ramp jumping and downhill races to earn money.

The game has been made available on different home console and computer systems. It has also been released again on these platforms.

Gameplay

The game starts with a player controlling a skateboarder who rides through a middle-class neighborhood, using everyday items as ramps to perform jumps.

At the beginning, the player has a set number of "tickets." Each ticket allows entry to one of four skate parks, or "events," located in Skate City, which is the main area connecting the parks. When a park is entered, one ticket is used. The player earns more tickets by collecting points. When not in an event, a timer counts down until a group of killer bees appears, along with the message "SKATE OR DIE!" Once the bees arrive, the player has a short time to reach a park. Delaying too long makes the bees faster until they cannot be avoided. If caught by the bees, the game ends. However, on default settings, the player can choose to continue by adding more money. Reaching a park with a ticket lets the player earn points, medals, and money. Money is used to improve equipment, and the timer resets after finishing an event.

The player must quickly perform tricks and stunts in events and parks to earn points and tickets. The player's score determines how much time remains to play. To win, the player must complete sixteen events across four hubs.

The game has four levels, each with four events:

• Ramp: The player rides around a half-pipe structure, trying to gain height and perform tricks in the air to earn points. The event ends when the timer runs out.
• Downhill: A long course with slopes and banks must be navigated to reach the finish line. The faster the player reaches the finish, the more points are earned.
• Slalom: An obstacle course requires passing between pairs of yellow flags. Each flag passed gives extra time, and points depend on how much time remains when the finish line is crossed.
• Jump: The player jumps from ramps, aiming to hit a bull's-eye target off-screen. Mysterious symbols on the ramp hint at the target's location. The event ends when the timer runs out or the player crosses the finish line, whichever happens first.

Throughout the levels, map icons are placed on the ground. Activating these shows a map with roads, parks, shops, and the player's location marked. Hazards and obstacles are also scattered throughout the levels. Jumping over hazards earns points.

The player earns points and money for high scores in each event. Performing well in events provides the money needed to buy equipment that improves performance and gives a chance to earn bronze, silver, or gold medals. Completing all four events in all four levels finishes the game.

Development

The game program for the arcade version was developed using BLISS and used the Atari System 2 hardware.

Ports

The game was released for the Commodore 64 (two separate releases) in 1987, the Amstrad CPC and ZX Spectrum in 1988, the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) in 1989, and the Game Boy Color in 1999. An unreleased version for the Atari Lynx also exists.

The Amstrad CPC, ZX Spectrum, and the first Commodore 64 versions were created by Tiertex Design Studios and made available by U.S. Gold. Sinclair User called it "US Gold's finest hour."

The Game Boy Color version was created by Game Brains and made available by Midway Games. It was first released in March 1999 in North America and Europe.

Reception

The game received good reviews from both players and reviewers. In 1995, Flux magazine placed the game at number 79 on their "Top 100 Video Games" list. They described the game as "addicting" and different from other games at that time.

Legacy

Recreated versions of the game are part of Midway Arcade Treasures, which was released in 2003 and 2004. These versions are also included in Midway Arcade Origins, a collection released in 2012.