Atari has announced that qomp 2, the long-awaited sequel to the iconic Pong (and the first qomp, of course), will launch on the Nintendo Switch eShop on February 20th, 2024.
Of course, since Pong's launch back in 1972, the game has had countless spin-offs and knock-offs alike, but Atari states that qomp 2 is an 'artful' sequel that ponders the age-old question: “What would happen if the pong ball escaped the paddles?”
Developed by Graphite Lab (Mr. Run and Jump, Kombinera), qomp2 looks to capture the spirit of the original Pong by implementing a two-button setup as you navigate a series of labyrinthine levels by moving in 45-degree angles while using a new dash ability to avoid deadly enemies and traps. We love the overall aesthetic of the game and we're definitely curious as to how the simplistic control scheme will work with the complex environments.
Let's take a peek at the key features:
- Cerebral Puzzling: The simple, two-button controls belie complex and compelling gameplay.
Use your reflexes and think ahead to avoid hazards, flip switches, and bounce your way through
30 tricky levels. Hidden collectibles push you to explore every inch of the minimalist maps.
- A Surprise Around Every Corner: qomp2 constantly delights as new features, mechanics,
enemies, traps, and hazards are introduced as you progress deeper into the game. Don’t get
complacent: As soon as you’ve mastered one aspect of gameplay, another is ready to challenge you.- Bosses: Four challenging bosses block your path at the end of each world. You will need to use
all your newfound skills to master their attacks and defenses. Don’t worry. Death isn’t the end in
an arcade-inspired world. Quick respawn makes sure you’re back in the action in seconds.
- A Serene Soundscape: A soundtrack of ambient jams gets you in the groove, and helps you
keep your cool, as you work your way through the minimalist maze. An Emotional Journey: An enigmatic story of doubt, fear, and self-acceptance, told wordlessly
with simple animations and effects.
qomp 2 is available for pre-order now for £17.99 / $19.99.
What do you make of this one? Did you play the original qomp? Let us know your thoughts with a comment down below.
Comments 33
cant wait to become king of qomp and stomp all the other qompers at the qomp qompetitions
There is no reason to refer to this as "the sequel to Pong" that's finally happening 50 years later other than marketing. It simply is just not a meaningful statement.
I was born in 1971.
This story makes me feel very, very old.
I'm starting to Pong.
😁
Now get off my lawn!
Just, why write dumb stuff like this? I come here to read news of new games, this is a new game, there's no need to attempt to trick me.
So they're taking the Game Boy Donkey Kong approach, interesting!
My only concern is, how to control this game, with gyro controls or the analog controller? I'm looking for ages for a proper paddle device. I bought the atari paddles but there is no converter in europe to make it function on pc. I would love to see this game comes with the real paddle device, it makes the game so much better.
Respect to the fifty year olds, innit.
FInally! Grandpa's dream will be fulfilled!
This looks amazing to me.
Pong has had over a dozen actual sequels, and this isn't one of them. This reminds me of when Nintendo Life wrote about a Chinese Arkanoid shovelware ripoff and acted like it was a new, official Arkanoid game.
It's a sequel in as much as Atari today is actually Atari. Bit.trip Beat is just as much a Pong sequel.
I don’t think that looks like a sequel, and I’m not impressed at all by how it looks. Honestly this one looks way better… and I’ve played it and find it to be rather enjoyable https://www.nintendo.com/us/store/products/pong-quest-switch/
I honestly think the game looks pretty awesome. I am not a big Pong fan by any means, but this looks pretty fun.
I'm getting serious NightSky vibes from this, and so I'll be very interested to see more info.
yeah to my memory pong got a sequel in the psx era, and I'm betting that's not the only time. and, it was called "Pong."
that was a sequel, THIS is a spinoff (if we are being extremely generous with the term.)
everybody hates it when you do this, Nlife.
"qomp2 looks to capture the spirit of the original Pong by implementing a two-button setup as you navigate a series of labyrinthine levels by moving in 45-degree angles while using a new dash ability to avoid deadly enemies and traps"
what about this supporting paragraph suggests the premise that "the spirit of the original Pong" has been "captured," here?
two button setup?
labyrinthine levels?
45 degree angles?
dash ability?
deadly enemies and traps?
are y'all thinking about what you are writing, or do you just copy paste whatever in this case Atari sends you? serious question from a long time reader.
@Rambler As I'm not an english native, could you just explain why "What if there was more to the story?" would be incorrect ?
@-wc- I love Pong The Next Level, I wish there was a new game like that.
Not sure why this is a story, the game's been up for preorder with its release date and price clearly advertised for some time
I actually just played through the original qomp on Steam around a week and a half ago, and it's a great little game - possibly the only game I've finished in one sitting, but it's got a lot of clever ideas and I haven't played anything else quite like it. I did feel like the very end was slightly weak, but otherwise, it did get me to preorder the sequel. I do have a few reservations - namely, the movement looks slower in qomp2, though I imagine that's in part because it's been rebalanced around the new dash - but Graphite Lab has a good track record so far, so the switch in developer doesn't worry me too much
@-wc- the atari site calls it an artful reimagining of pong and a sequel to qomp, which makes sense. A little confusing for sure.
For the game - actually looks decent, could get it for the right price
@CammyUnofficial
that does make more sense. so, why would Nintendo life report differently? that part still baffles me.
I'm typically on board with these kinds of games (ive wasted enough money trying to find a good one on switch, that's for sure,) but a game based on angles and trajectory having a forced fisheye lens is just stupid imo. otherwise id have been interested. ✌️
@Poodlestargenerica
yes! i had to google it but that is the game i remember. thanks!
I would rather have a port of that same game than any of the pong like stuff ive been trying to get into on switch to this point.
new games make me sad sometimes. 😔
@defrb Have you played Give Me Toilet Paper? It uses the joy con for analogue paddle-like controls and I love it. At max sensitivity it's fun and easy to play without cardboard, kleenex, or toilet paper! I wish arkanoid/beakout/pong type games would include this type of control method.
And I also wish for a nice, real, paddle controller like Atari 2600 had. There's Negcon or whatever on PS1, and I think DS got a paddle add on? Switch should get a paddle!
Also, this game looks and sounds great! Looking forward to trying it out.
@-wc- that's true too. Tbh I have yet to pick up the Atari 50th Collection and would probably get that before this haha
@CammyUnofficial
yeah! i want that atari 50 comp! (but i always wait for a deep discount lol. I'm old, I can wait. ✌️)
A bit pricey at $20 no?? I can see $10….maybe then.
Pong Quest in the meantime I suppose.
I still remember first playing pong as a young whipper snapper. ah the days of penny whistles and u could still get a pop for nickel!
I remember playing Pong on the Amiga 500. It had these female tennis player moans every time you hit the ball. So funny.
So we just ignoring Pong 2000 and Ping The Next Level?
Just give us Atari controllers for the Switch already.
@Olliemar28 I'm sure Pong's already had many sequels.
What about the 1999 Pong: The Next Level on PS1/PC/Mac/GBC?
I had the GBC, and compared to the 20 or whatever variations promised on the PS1, getting only three on the GBC was a disappointment (even though I only paid like $10 for the game on clearance at Target, and I'm betting it had the standard GB line's USA suggested price of $30!)
I've been really looking forward to this since it was first announced (and I thought it had a release date then, too?). Really looks like my kind of game. I picked up qomp 1 on Steam a few weeks ago to prepare, and man...it's a fun little game. I think I'm gonna love this.
This would have been a great opportunity to release a custom joycon with a paddle controller.
Remember way back when the Switch was going to be released, and many people showed designs for different custom controllers with different types of control knobs/buttons? A trackball...a spinner...sadly, it never happened.
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