Hydra (1990-)

• Developer: Atari

• Publisher: Atari

• Genre: Vehicular Combat

Hydra for the Atari Lynx was developed and published by Atari, released in 1990 as part of the handheld’s early lineup. The game was exclusive to the Lynx and was not ported to other systems, making it one of the system’s standout action titles. It combined high-speed vehicular combat with river-based navigation, offering players a fast-paced, reflex-driven shooter experience that leveraged the Lynx’s graphics and processing capabilities.

In Hydra, players take control of a high-tech attack hovercraft tasked with completing missions along enemy-infested rivers and waterways. The game was inspired by arcade shoot ’em ups and futuristic vehicular combat games of the late 1980s, emphasizing speed, precision, and strategic use of weapons. While the narrative was minimal, it provided a context for the action, casting the player as a lone operative attempting to dismantle enemy forces and complete mission objectives.

Gameplay featured a behind-the-vehicle perspective, with the hovercraft automatically moving along scrolling waterways while players dodged obstacles, destroyed enemy units, and collected power-ups. The Lynx hardware allowed for smooth scrolling, large sprites, and detailed environments that gave a sense of depth and velocity. The audio included looping background music and sharp sound effects for gunfire, explosions, and collisions, helping to immerse players in the intensity of each mission while keeping the focus on fast-paced action.

Hydra did not have a prequel or direct sequel and remained a standalone title on the Lynx. Promotion was modest, primarily appearing in Atari catalogues and magazine previews that emphasized the game’s speed, action, and challenging levels. Reception was generally positive, with critics praising the sense of velocity, fluid controls, and engaging mission design, though some noted that its difficulty could be steep for new players. Over time, Hydra has been remembered as one of the Lynx’s most exciting and technically impressive action titles, combining vehicular combat with thrilling river-based shooting sequences.

Images from MobyGames