To be on Top (C64)
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To be on Top is an early music game by and after an actual video game composer, Chris Hülsbeck. It's a cross between an arcade adventure, a music editor and a rhythm game. You have to find inspirations, connections and musical devices, while avoiding distractions from your mother and reckless passers-by. As the song develops, it climbs the charts. Once on the top 3, you have to prove your sense of rhythm on TV while still rising or even falling - of course the ultimate goal being top 1!
The game was critically acclaimed at its release. However, by the time you know most winning combinations, the repetitiveness becomes noticeable.
Contents
Screenshots
Music
The game features disco music at 125 BPM (except for Title at 95 BPM). Still, being in a music game, the music varies greatly and plays a big role. There are 16 predetermined songs, but more can be produced by the player. The top ten consists of 10 songs, each with an internal score. 5 of the predetermined songs are unique to the predetermined top ten and thrown out when the player reaches top ten. Fortunately, loading and saving the top ten is optional.
Recording
The game uses a bug in the original 6581 chip that allows to play digital samples, in this case synth basses, drums and Hülsbeck saying Nineteen (except on the 50Hz scrolling street). The bug was fixed in the revision 8580, quieting or even muting samples. The analog bass and a few other sounds use a low-pass filter that sounds different on every SID chip. All songs were recorded from the game in VICE 3.2 with the model 6581 (ReSID) and a filter bias of 180, although it is unconfirmed how close this is to what Hülsbeck heard back when arranging.
| # | Title | Composer | Length | Listen | Download |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Title | Chris Hülsbeck | 5:33 | Download | |
| 02 | Title Song | Chris Hülsbeck | 2:50 | Download | |
| 03 | Ghettoblaster | Chris Hülsbeck | 0:08 | Download | |
| 04 | Home | Chris Hülsbeck | 2:12 | Download | |
| 05 | Collect | Chris Hülsbeck | 0:17 | Download | |
| 06 | Celebrate News | Chris Hülsbeck | 3:13 | Download | |
| 07 | Closing | Chris Hülsbeck | 0:03 | Download | |
| 08 | Inspirations | Chris Hülsbeck | 2:12 | Download | |
| 09 | Stairway to Hell | Chris Hülsbeck | 2:12 | Download | |
| 10 | Like a Surgeon | Chris Hülsbeck | 2:12 | Download | |
| 11 | Mad Micheal | Chris Hülsbeck | 1:41 | Download | |
| 12 | Drums to Heaven | Chris Hülsbeck | 1:41 | Download | |
| 13 | Funky Village | Chris Hülsbeck | 2:12 | Download | |
| 14 | Ode to Enjoy | Chris Hülsbeck | 2:12 | Download | |
| 15 | Solo Spectacule | Chris Hülsbeck | 1:57 | Download | |
| 16 | Here I Am | Chris Hülsbeck | 2:12 | Download |
(Source)
Credits
- Ripper: HVSC
- Recorder: Professor Chaos
- Game Credits:
- Not Credited Composer: Chris Hülsbeck
- Not Credited Arranger: Chris Hülsbeck
- Not Credited Programmer: Chris Hülsbeck
(Source: Game has only credits for additional programming and additional graphics, but Hülsbeck confirmed in interviews that 100% of the sound and the voice are his.)
Game Rip
Audio Devices
This game uses the computer's built-in SID chip.
Releases
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Links
- mobygames.com/game/c64/to-be-on-top - MobyGames.
- gamefaqs.gamespot.com/c64/572053-to-be-on-top - GameFAQs.
| To be on Top | |
| To be on Top |  • 
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| Notable Songs | Title - To be on Top |
| Notable Personnel | Chris Hülsbeck • Jochen Hippel |
| Notable Companies | Rainbow Arts |
