Phosphor Dot Fossils: Storm Warning (1984)

Friends, the esteemed Earl Green has a brand new Phosphor Dot Fossils video for your viewing pleasure – this time tackling an interesting Apple II title called Storm Warning. One that as Earl mentions in the video itself might be better suited as a tie-in to 1996’s Twister starring Helen Hunt and the late and great Bill Paxton. And if there is anyone that should be able to talk about a game involving violent thunderstorms and even tornadoes, it is none other than Earl, as he was raised in Tornado Alley.

For what it might be worth, I actually saw Twister during a Tornado Warning – long story short – one of my best friends and myself were planning on seeing the film opening night… and while making a quick stop at Toys R Us before the film, we couldn’t help but notice the sky was turning green. Being young and a little foolish we decided that we would head to the theater and it was packed, I’m talking sold out – we made it there just before the rains started to come down. I was very much ready to take off – especially when the manager of the theater was coming in before the film to let us know that a tornado had been spotted on the ground fairly close by in the neighboring county. Many folks thought he was just making a joke – but the third time he came in to warn us before it was time for the movie to be shown, he asked if there were any empty seats in the auditorium – that everyone should do their best to move away from the wall – just in case the theater was hit. That got some people to thinking about the severity of the situation, especially when hail started hitting the roof and someone was dumb enough to open the side door to take a peek outside and it was blown open against the side of the building so hard it made everyone jump. But for my friend and myself, we stayed and enjoyed the film immensely – only taking a few moments during the movie to wonder how things were faring outside…

Storm Warning for the Apple II may not be quite as dramatic as catching Twister on opening night – but watching Earl play it looks like it can still become a little stressful. Storm Warning was released in 1984 by MicroSparc, Inc. – who also released Artillery Duel, Hallowe’en, Nibbler, and Lazer-Blaster to name a few. The Player is tasked with driving their truck back and forth down a street picking up citizens of a town under a storm warning – giving up to two of them a ride to the storm shelter at the far end of the street. Picking up lumber at the building supplies will help in the process of rebuilding homes that have been demolished by tornadoes or by fire from lightning strikes. If a Player fails to save three of the citizens or all of the houses are destroyed the game is over.

So without further ado, enjoy Earl Green’s latest Phosphor Dot Fossils video focusing on 1984’s Storm Warning.

For even more pop culture related goodness by Earl – make sure to check out his own website, the Logbook.Com – absolutely one of the best and longest running sites for all your retro needs.