waterpolo_htl Commodore 64 game

Water Polo: A Splashing Sports Experience

Game Details:

• Game No.: 344
• Voting: 7.20 points, 15 votes
• Developer: Gábor Pongyor, Antal Zolnai
• Company: Gremlin Graphics Software Ltd.
• Publisher: Mastertronic
• Musician: Miklós Herendi
• Release Year: 1987
• Platform: Commodore 64 (C64)
• Genre: Sport, Watersports
• Gamemode: Single player, up to 4 players (in turns), 2 players (simultaneous)
• Operation: Joystick
• Media: Diskette, Datassette
• Language: English

Description: Dive into the pool with Water Polo, an exciting sports game developed by Gábor Pongyor and Antal Zolnai, and published by Gremlin Graphics Software Ltd. Released in 1987, this game offers a unique take on the niche sport of water polo.

As you start the game, you'll find various game modes to choose from:

1. Demo
2. One Player
3. Two Player
4. Championship

In the Championship mode, you can compete with up to 4 players, with the CPU opponent offering 10 different difficulty levels. Each match consists of 4 quarters, each lasting 5 minutes of in-game time. However, you must complete each attack within 35 seconds, or the ball possession goes to your opponent.

Just like in real water polo, you can commit fouls. After the same player accumulates 3 fouls, they are benched for 1 1/2 penalty minutes.

Design: Water Polo boasts good graphics, featuring a clear game area and nicely animated players. The player currently controlled is easily identifiable by a brighter bathing cap. Even the ball changes color when it's near the pool edge, making it easy to track. The comically stern-looking referee adds a touch of humor to the game.

The Championship mode, allowing a tournament with 4 players, sets Water Polo apart. It elevates the fun factor significantly, making it a standout in its category. Despite minimal sound, the game delivers long-lasting enjoyment, especially in two-player mode.

Hints: Rules: The game's rules closely mirror those of real water polo:

• You can attempt to gain possession of the ball by attacking from 5 different directions from the front. If your opponent is passive (not waving the ball), possession changes.
• Attacks from the three rear positions (left rear, rear, and right rear) are not allowed and result in a foul.
• Fouls, goals, and quarter breaks are indicated by the referee's whistle.
• Attacking the goalkeeper in front of the goal is against the rules.
• Fouls are counted individually for each team member. After accumulating 3 fouls, a player is benched for 1.5 minutes or until the opposing team scores a goal. Re-entry is only possible after a goal is scored or the ball lands in a dry area or at the end of a quarter.
• Each quarter lasts 5 minutes, and the allowed time for an attack is 35 seconds. If this time elapses without a shot on goal, possession changes.
• If one team scores 50 goals, the match ends, as it raises suspicions of cheating.

Menu: The game offers four options:

A - DEMO: The demo mode is automatically selected if you do nothing within 30 seconds. To choose the demo option, press the FIRE BUTTON before the 30 seconds expire. In the demo mode, you can select the difficulty level for both teams (ranging from 0 - 9, with 0 being the easiest).

B - ONE PLAYER: Here, you can choose the difficulty level. The human player controls the team with the black caps using joystick port 2.

C - TWO PLAYERS: Blue team uses joystick port 1, and red team uses joystick port 2.

D - CHAMPIONSHIP: The game allows up to 4 teams to compete in a championship. First, set the difficulty level, then rename the teams (up to 5 characters each) to define them as human-controlled. Press the EXIT field to start the game.

At the beginning of each round, the participating teams' names are displayed, with matches involving human players highlighted. The player can also highlight computer-vs.-computer matches for demo play. Unplayed matches' results are calculated by the computer and recorded on the championship score table. The home team's difficulty level is one level higher than the opponent's in this case.

The score table displays points, matches won, matches lost, goals scored, matches drawn, and goals scored by the opponents in the order of rounds played.

Controls:

• You always control the player closest to the ball, known as the "activated" player, identified by the bright cap.
• At the start of each quarter, a swimoff occurs, with the player who presses the FIRE BUTTON first gaining possession.
• If the activated player lacks ball possession, they follow the joystick's movement, including turning and swimming in the corresponding direction.
• Pressing the FIRE BUTTON lifts the ball into the air and initiates a swing. A shot can be taken from this position with various parameters:
  • Joystick in neutral position: normal throw
  • Joystick in throwing direction: increased power (a flat, hard throw)
  • Joystick in the opposite direction: reduced power (higher, softer throw)
  • Joystick sideways (relative to the throwing direction): imparts spin to the ball. This causes a curved trajectory, the exact course determined by how long the joystick remains in this position.
  • Diagonal joystick positions allow for a combination of power and spin.
• To release a throw, release the FIRE BUTTON and press it again instantly.

Maneuvering the Goalkeeper:

• The goalkeeper is automatically activated when necessary, controlled like other team members. The only exception is when the ball is out of the goalkeeper's reach. In this case, pressing the FIRE BUTTON makes the goalkeeper raise his hands and dive toward the ball.

Special Keyboard Functions:

• RUN/STOP: Pauses the game. Pressing the same key or the FIRE BUTTON resumes the game.
• RESTORE: Restarts the game.

Solution: A useful tip: Make as many passes as possible, attack swiftly, and remember to press the FIRE BUTTON twice to take a shot!

Cheats: N/A

Voting: C64-Wiki users gave Water Polo an average rating of 7.20 points from 15 votes, ranking it 374th. To vote, users must be logged in.

Reviews: H.T.W: "An entertaining sports game featuring an unusual sport, characterized by good animations and well-implemented game rules. The ability to play with 2 players (head-to-head) and adjust the computer opponent's difficulty adds to the fun. The only drawback is the minimal sound. A game that promises plenty of enjoyment, especially in two-player mode."