Sesame Street: Ernie's Magic Shapes - Version Comparison
Ernie's Magic Shapes is a computer game featuring Ernie from Sesame Street first released in 1984. It was released in cartridge form by CBS Software for various platforms (including Commodore, Atari, and IBM PCjr) and in cassette form by CCW for Radio Shack's TRS-80 (16K) Color Computer.
The game was re-released by Hi Tech Expressions as a standalone game in 1987, and included in the 1986 Sesame Street 123 and the 1988 Sesame Street ABC & 123 compilations.
The layout of the game is as follows: with a wave of his magic wand, Ernie the Magician makes a shape float over his head. Another wave, and a second shape appears on a table nearby. The player now decides whether or not the two shapes match. If so, and the player agrees, Ernie nods and the two shapes float together before disappearing. If not, Ernie shakes his head "no", waves his wand, and a new shape appears on the table.
Ernie's Magic Shapes has six levels of play. At the lower levels, the player compares one shape to another or the colors of two similar shapes. Levels four and five require greater visual discrimination since the target object is made up of several shapes and each one has to be matched individually. At the highest level, there is a complex mixture of both shapes and colors.
After looking at each port, I counted 7 ports, however I was only able to play 4, for the ports, I've had it play the 2nd level and 7th level:
0:00 (TRS-80)
[Footage by Highretrogamelord] I think the first release was actually on the more obscure TRS-80, I can't even find a playable archive.org or downloadable ROM for this version, so I used footage from epic person Highretrogamelord for this one. The system was basic, but hey Ernie is Orange here.
1:38 (Atari 8-Bit)
This version is similar to the TRS-80 version, imo the Atari 8-bit is capable of an actually better port here tho.
4:00 (Commodore 64)
The playable archive.org game refused to load for me, so without any gameplay videos elsewhere or any way I can play it. This version sadly will be omitted :( from what I know its similar to the Atari 8-bit version.
4:04 (Apple II)
Nice, this port actually looks better than the other 3, and it doesn't have 100% atrocious sound in gameplay, far better than the rubbish Letter-Go-Round AII port, making this my favorite Home Computer port here, of all systems.
6:46 (DOS)
This version is CGA once again, however for the looks its spot on, the game does run fast for me but atleast not unplayable fast.
7:45 (NES)
The best version of Ernie's Magic Shapes is this one released on the NES game Sesame Street 123 along with Astro-Grover, this version has great graphics and a nice in-game 8-bit soundtrack, easily my favorite version here.
9:25 (VTech Laptop)
[Footage by Lucky Penny Shop] You probably weren't expecting this, but Ernie's Magic Shapes actually made its way on the 1992 Sesame Street Super Talking Computer, a VTech laptop with LCD games featuring Big Bird Bert and Ernie's voices, and the Magic Shapes game made its way here, however due to the LCD limitations you will not see Ernie, I do like how this port does exist as its the only one to use his actual voice. However I think you need the laptop itself in order to play this version.