Bristles on Atari 5200 – Rare Homebrew Edition and Gameplay Overview

Bristles for the Atari 5200 is a rare homebrew adaptation of the First Star Software title designed by Fernando Herrera.

Only 100 cartridges were initially produced, often distributed at retro gaming events such as the Classic Gaming Expo. This scarcity has made the 5200 release particularly notable among collectors and enthusiasts.

The game places players in the role of Peter the Painter, or in certain versions his sister Patty the Painter. The goal is straightforward in concept but challenging in execution: completely paint the walls of each room by running the character over every unpainted surface before the timer expires. Each building functions as a maze-like structure requiring efficient routes and quick decision-making.

As players progress, they must avoid a variety of hazards. Flying Half-Pints travel horizontally and require careful jumping or ducking. Dumb Buckets move in predictable paths and can appear on elevators, while the Bucket Chucker actively tracks the player, creating more dynamic threats. Brenda, the superintendent’s mischievous child, will smear freshly painted walls when she appears, forcing repainting unless she is temporarily stopped with a candy cane. Steam pipes emerge in later buildings as environmental hazards that must be jumped to prevent losing a life.

Bristles features six skill levels, each containing eight different buildings. Completing a building rewards players with part of a hidden message, adding an additional layer of progression beyond the core painting objective. With its mix of platforming, timing, obstacle management and rare release history, Bristles stands out as one of the more distinctive and collectible titles available for the Atari 5200.

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