No Buddies Land

When the demoscene and game industry join forces!

Eternal's No Buddies Land was released in 1991 by Loriciel and is programmed by David Boshoven who is possibly better known as Lair from the group Hotline. Okay, the story is silly but let's roll with it: the land is flooding and Bud is the hero of the day who must climb up into heaven to ask for help before everything is destroyed.

Five dreaded levels are all about to be flooded but our adventure begins in a dingy castle before heading outside to hop his way through the trees and then up into the clouds. As each level begins, the waters begin to rise just as in games like Flood, Goin' Down With The Captain or Killing Game Show. So, be quick and get moving!!

Before any more waffling from me, take a look at the first level...

Level one is pretty cool but it also introduces you to the cruel mechanics and an overpriced shop!

Prepare thyself!

Yes, prepare thyself for a world of hurt because this is cruel with wicked environments and lots (and lots) of traps and frustrating jumps. We must also contend with moving platforms, acid droplets, spikes, disappearing ledges and much more. Not only all that, but the local wildlife is never friendly and will zap your energy with a single touch.

Thankfully, there's nothing better than arming yourself with weaponry. It's perfectly natural to see a kid carrying a pistol in any 16-bit world - we love that! Best of all, this can be upgraded (along with health and more). Yep, you heard me, there are actually shops on the way up to Heaven. Who would have thought that? Well, brace yourself because I'm told there are also hidden side games and annoying puzzles (Grr!!). Something for everyone.

Want more screenshots? Of course, you do! So here is a couple from the second and third level...

I liked level 2 the most which also reminded me of Elf but I found level 3 a killer and really annoying!!

Platforming never looked so good!

The visuals are by Bram Leyten, aka Sense of Hotline, and are stunning with incredible attention to detail for both the environment and cute sprites. Animations are also nice but Bud walks like he's rushing to the toilet - gotta laugh at his zippy legs!! Not only do these graphics knock you for six but they slide down your screen at a graceful 50fps using sync-scrolling.

This method screws up my VGA monitor each time it attempts to scroll, but it works dandy using a standard CRT monitor/TV. So, I guess it must be a VGA issue with my own setup?

Audio has not been forgotten and if you remember Monster Business' outstanding tunes then you're in for another treat. Laurens Tummers, aka Lotus, has done it again to provide the most stunning examples of timeless chip music. In fact, I would say No Buddies Land has some of the best tunes I've heard in any game. Stunning results.

Both levels 4 and 5 feature disappearing platforms which I really, really, REALLY hated!!

The CryptO'pinion?

Technically, a masterpiece and one that proves what the Atari ST is capable of knocking out when in the hands of talented people. However, No Buddies Land isn't perfect. The controls are great but jumping diagonally can be awkward unless Bud is currently walking (YMMV). Also, knowing which ledges to hop onto isn't always obvious when some can blend into the background scenery. Ultimately, with a little extra tweaking, everything would have been perfect.

Having said that, this is a belting platformer and I've really enjoyed playing it. It's nothing like I first expected and is actually enjoyable, unlike that other platformer by TCB. I loved the aesthetics but that doesn't make the game. Thankfully, the range of levels is extraordinary with each featuring different environments that are as challenging as they are gorgeous.

Overall, a belting game with a few niggles but otherwise really enjoyable and highly recommended.

Download the floppy or HDD versions.

Top Banana

Get ready for this...

Top Banana is a vertically scrolling platformer not too dissimilar to Magic Boy or Rainbow Islands. Ignoring the stupid eco storyline, this has an unusual mix of weirdness but begins with a tripped-out acid-style intro that reminds me of Grotesque and Aciid Burn (Whattaheck). Well, a little, and it's in stereo so worth watching.

The gameplay is simple, we start at the bottom of the screen and leap upwards using the platforms whilst avoiding the rising water levels. Along the way are the unusual nasties and our weapon appears to be "love" itself. We deliver a fatal kiss of death to anything that gets in our way. So take no prisoners and enjoy killing loving everything!!

Considering this is a game full of eco-preservation, it contradicts itself by killing animals. Anyhow, you win when you reach the top and then the screen falls and you can collect lots of doughnuts and other items before starting the next stage. Nothing new or mind-blowing but I actually quite enjoyed this incredibly cr4p platformer!

Before we go any further, let's take a peep at the first screenshot (which is taken from the ST version)

Top Banana played on the Atari ST (the oldest model without a Blitter Chip)

Aesthetics

That's right, this is one of the few games taking advantage of the Atari STe, so kudos to Hex for going that extra mile. However, what do you think about these screenshots? The ST version is rather lacking with an empty feel whereas the STe is the complete opposite with a crazy display of mess scrolling along your monitor using parallax-scrolling. My eyes are bleeding, my head hurts... I think I'm going to die if I play for much longer!!

Top Banana is incredibly unique. Never have I seen a game with such a weird abstract style. I admit, at first, I hated it because it was cluttered so I would struggle to see the dangers ahead in time. After a few games, I eventually overcame that eye-burst feeling and was used to it. Well, I must applaud the artists for daring to be different.

Interestingly, Top Banana supports the Atari STe which features madenning graphical design! But it supports parallax scrolling and also comes bundled with DMA sound effects. These effects certainly beat the chirpy YM effects into dust but, (like the visuals) are possibly way OTT. Check out this Atari STe screenshot...

Top Banana on the Atari STe. Eye-bursting visuals albeit with parallel scrolling.

The CryptO'pinion?

Top Banana is unusual alright. It offers an enjoyable challenge and I've nothing but respect for Hex for supporting both Atari computers. However, it looks, sounds and plays drab on the ST whereas it's way OTT on the STe. In fact, Atari STe owners should take out health insurance because your ears might burst with the incredibly annoying samples and the bloated parallax-scrolling display will give you a headache or a brain tumour.

I do wonder what Hex was thinking when they made this weird little game. Having said that, it is also pretty good and obviously inspired by Rainbow Islands. Sadly, it's one that I fear everyone might ignore which is a shame. Okay, I wouldn't bother if you're an ST guy but I'm tempted to sadistically recommend it for all STe owners!!

The D-Bug boys have a hard drive version and Stonish has two floppy disk options you need to try:

 1)  Fuzion #151 (a one-disk download without the intro)

 2)  Pure Energy #6A and #6B (with the silly intro but it comes on two disks)

Monster Business

The demoscene does it again?

Monster Business is a fun-themed platformer released in 1991 by Eclipse and produced by incredibly talented people you may recognise from the ST scene. As storylines go, this one is a Christmas cracker!!

Crazed "mad meanies" have been loosed from their forest habitat and are pinching items from Bob's construction site. You are Leroy The Beast Buster who must help Bob blow-up these cheeky invaders. Yep, this might sound like diarrhoea, but we should still help Bob because we are the only beast buster in Tin Town. Yep... O_o

Each level is big and uses smooth vertical scrolling to hunt down the freaky monsters!

Olde gameplay and it works!

Each level follows a familiar Bounty Bob design of platforms, slippy slopes and chasing monsters. Be careful because they kill with one touch so I'm grateful that we carry an air pump weapon to inflate them for a bloated and cruel death. This is nothing short of hilarious and once they begin floating away you are able to nudge them into oblivion, leaving behind their stolen goodies. If you're lucky, they might drag along others for multiple killings.

The joystick controls are spritely and I like how there are two heights we can jump - this depends on how long you push upwards. Repeatably pressing the fire button activates the weapon to bloat the monsters - so I appreciated the autofire function. Two-players are supported but sadly not for co-op, which would have been superb...

Blown the sucker up for a cruel, yet hilarious end to his life!

A pleasure for your eyes and ears!

The graphics are nice with simple backgrounds any 8-bit owner would have drooled over back in the early 80s. The scrolling is ultra-smooth but its the sprites which shine the most: I dare anybody not to laugh when seeing a ginormous duck waddle across your screen. I loved their expressions and bloated deaths. Hilarious pixel art.

Audio is immensely impressive with a superlative range of gorgeous chiptunes by Laurens Tummers, aka Lotus! The sound effects are also great but even so, are completely overshadowed by the music. Wow!!

Taken from behind and check out his expression. This game is brilliant!!!

The CryptO'pinion?

Bloating animals is shockingly entertaining and I guarantee you will enjoy hunting down cute prey. However, it's quite repetitive and this might reduce any long-term enjoyment. I also thought the time limit was too harsh... Monster Business is best with friends and I promise that everyone will be giggling like school kids. A superb game!!

Monster Business can be downloaded for floppy & hard drive.

Nebulus

Pogo the frog? Oh boy, this is gonna suck

Nebulus was released in 1988 by one of my favourite gaming companies ever, Hewson. It features an armed frog with big eyes called Pogo. But he isn't too happy with the thought of eight large sea-based towers and decides they need climbing and blowing up! Essentially, this is a platformer with some interesting pseudo-3D mechanics that provide a pretty unique visual style within an ingenious design. This is class programming as you will soon discover...

All towers are cylindrical with several platforms dotted all around the outside and nifty tunnels which offer a great way to quickly access the opposite side - if the current route appears a dead end. The world certainly revolves around little Pogo because he remains at the centre of the screen with horizontal movements causing the screen to scroll in a "three-dimensional" circular motion. Thus turning the tower around into view, it's quite brilliant.

Sounds rather insane, right? But let's ignore that initial opinion to check out this colourful screenshot...

Talk about going the extra mile and NOT sticking to 16 colours! Absolutely superb.

Frogs love water, right?

Getting through any of the towers will never be easy thanks to a barrage of unusual nasties to either shoot or avoid - and one that flies by to conveniently get in your way. Access to the top will involve careful strategy because your route is broken thus forcing you to use opposite sides of the tower depending on where you are. Always consider the option of using these tunnels to quickly nip through, they might come in handy to avoid those flying obstacles!!

Nebulus may sound easy but, it's actually very challenging and a brisk time limit allows little room for error. Bumping into an enemy will drop you down to the previous ledge, which is fantastic because that doesn't necessarily mean a frustrating loss of life, nor will it impede your momentum as you pick yourself up to try that part of the tower all over again. However, if there isn't a ledge to land on, you might fall even further down thus requiring lots of hefty backtracking.

Falling further still (and into the water) is strangely fatal for this froggy - the only frog ever to have existed who can't handle the deep waters. Yup, that means we lose a life! Also interesting is a bonus game featured between the levels - this has Pogo travelling to his next tower via a nice horizontal scrolling level. It's a shooter with lots of Psygnosis-busting smooth parallax scrolling! It should have been longer because I really enjoyed it a bunch (best viewed on a real ST).

Right then, you guessed it! Yep, it's time for another cool screenshot...

Another day and another tower to climb. Ahh, this one looks too easy, right?

16-Bit Sex Appeal!!

Throughout our adventure, the visuals are utterly tremendous. Nebulus is programmed by legend, John M Phillips, who treats us to a lovely display of great artwork and ultra-smooth framerates. Not only that but he spared no idle cycles, bursting the limits with a ton of extra shades for the backdrops. The end result is a game that puts others to shame. Isn't it incredible what the Atari ST cranks out - when programmed by somebody with talent and commitment?

The audio is equally impressive with gorgeous effects that are zesty and sharp totally suiting the gameplay styles. Also, a beautifully unique chiptune that I could leave running all day... it's captivating. Totally enchanting audio.

This is how all 16-bit games should look and sound. And that was all in 1988 too. Wow!!

Okay, ignore my jerky capture because this part scrolls so smoothly. And is great fun!!

The CryptO'pinion?

Nebulus can feel daunting thanks to its hefty learning curve which is steeper than you might expect. With lots of practice, I guarantee hours of addictive gaming because Nebulus is a real firecracker. I love how it integrates both arcade action and strategic thinking using a fascinating visual style. I think in many respects this game was ahead of its time.

Yes, it's pretty tough at first, but you will soon get the hang of this rather unique and wonderful shoot 'em up. In fact, I would personally rate it as an Atari ST classic - not only because of how it looks and sounds but the addictive gameplay. Enjoy this beautiful piece of JMP magic which is nothing less than an icon of the 16-bit era.

Floppies are available on Stonish

and 8BitChip has a hard drive version!

Magic Boy

Prepare to be amazed!

Magic Boy was released in 1993 by Empire and is one of the cutest platformers I have ever seen. Personally, it reminds me of Rainbow Islands because of its visual quality and ravishingly charming styles. This is gonna be good!

We play as Hewlett, a young boy with a magic wand who accidentally turned all the animals into freakishly cute monsters. Seems plausible to me but how do these things keep happening? Not to worry, it's our task to restore everything back to normal, so that means venturing forth through many beautiful worlds to tag & bag the nasties.

Firstly, check out this screenshot I've taken. Wear sunglasses and take a deep breath...

Magic Boy must be one of the most colourful games on the Atari ST.

Shoot, jump, bag & grab!

There are four massive worlds to explore (Sand Land, Wet World, Plastic Place, Future Zone) and each offers eight levels. Things begin relatively easily before lots of crafty tricks and traps are introduced. This difficulty is staggered gradually through the levels so helps to keep things interesting - without being too tough to play properly

This mild learning curve is nothing much for the easier levels. It's very easy to pick up and play, so you're instantly leaping your way through in no time. Make sure you collect all the power-ups which will aid your progress. Just watch out for anything that looks oddly cute - it's not really. It's very nasty so shoot it and then bag it. Great stuff!!

However, the later levels are challenging and I really mean really formidable!! Those cute critters are actually deceivingly mean and seem to know just when to strike with a perfectly well-timed shot. Also, the level layout increases with the usual moving tiles and others might dissolve or randomly disappear. Infuriatingly difficult which can be a shame sometimes as these later levels are impossible for a guy like me to complete.... lol... not without a cheat enabled!!

Wanna see another multi-coloured screenshot? I know you do...

Things are now starting to get serious with cunning-level designs for a tough challenge!

Aesthetics

This is literally one of the most stunning 16-bit games I have ever seen. This quality is thanks to John Dale and Leigh Christian who have created a game with bright, radiant visuals and so many comical characters. Nothing has been sacrificed and you will see your Atari ST looking this good AND that includes ultra-smooth scrolling. Wonderful stuff!!

Sound effects are excellent and best experienced when using an Atari STe. Yes, I said STe but that doesn't mean the ST is lacking. Not one bit. Accompanying music is perfect with a fun-themed high-quality tune, that remains in your head - all day. Yes, Magic Boy is most definitely one of the sexiest Atari ST games I have ever played.

Why couldn't every game have this much love put into it? Let's view another screenshot...

Future Zone has some incredible levels to hop through as does the quirky Plastic Place.

The CryptO'pinion?

You won't be shocked to hear that this is one seriously addictive platformer and I loved it. Yup, it's almost perfect and a genuine pleasure to play because it's so much fun and I really cannot think of something negative to say. Okay, okay, that difficulty in later levels is really tough but something weirdly reminiscent of games from the era.

The perfect game? Well, the controls, game mechanics, visuals, and audio are... Look, it's a showcase product but also loads of fun and a thrill to play. Doesn't this prove what the Atari ST/e is capable of when in the hands of talented people? So stop what you're doing and load it up - right now - because it's one of the best 16-bit platformers ever released.

Grab yourself either the floppy disk or a version to install onto a hard drive/Ultrasatan thanks to 8BitChip. For those who wanna flick through directly to the later levels then you will enjoy these codes. On the menu screen, press and hold down the desired keys before pressing fire to begin:

     -> Sand Land......(part 1)  =  S + 1
     -> Sand Land......(part 2)  =  S + 2
     -> Future Zone....(part 1)  =  F + 1
     -> Future Zone....(part 2)  =  F + 2
     -> Plastic Place..(part 1)  =  P + 1
     -> Plastic Place..(part 2)  =  P + 2
     -> Wet World......(part 1)  =  W + 1
     -> Wet World......(part 2)  =  W + 2

Captain Dynamo

I'm a superhero!

Captain Dynamo was released by Code Masters in 1992 and is something I instantly fell in love with. This is actually a wicked platformer that transforms you into a superhero, flying up through the most craftily-designed maps. Derek Leigh-Gilchrist did a great job because it feels new and is enormous fun. Let's wear spandex and be Captain Dynamooooooo!!

Graphically, this is excellent with gorgeous cartoon visuals designed by Leigh Christian. But it not only looks the part but scrolls smoothly too for a fluent feel. The music is lovely with fantastic chiptunes by 4mat. I mean, wow!

If you wanna be a superhero then grab either the floppy or a hard disk installable version right away.

Rainbow Islands

   

Today, I booted up Rainbow Island on my Atari ST and I fondly remembered the time I saw it in our local computer shop. I was instantly hooked by those gorgeous colours and the fun effects, it looked so amazing! After paying lots of cash, I walked home as fast as my lanky legs could carry me! This is probably one of the most famous platformers for the Atari ST and there isn't anything new I could tell you. Waste no more time, play Rainbow Islands!

8BitChip has a download which can be installed onto hard drive!

Old Games Finder has all the floppy disk images.

Fancy a few cheat codes? Of course, you do so type all these on the title screen:

           -> BLRBJSBJ for fast feet.

           -> RJSBJSBR for double rainbows!

           -> SSSLLRRS for super fast rainbows.

           -> BJBJBJRS for the first hint.

           -> LJKSKBLS for the second hint.

           -> LBSJRRWL continues each round.

           -> SJBLRJSR will slow down the baddies.

           -> For infinite lives: choose three credits and hold the QWERTY keys and press fire.

Erik

Erik The Viking!

Erik is a kind and peaceful Viking who happens to keep himself to himself and bothers nobody. Unfortunately, that evil god Loki isn't too pleased about Erik choosing a pacifistic lifestyle over one of pillaging so he casts a spell and turns the world rotten. Erik must now travel to these infested lands and battle all kinds of sadistic evil before he can return home. Wow, the problems computer characters must face on a daily basis... It's just not fair, is it?

Atlantis Software released Erik back in 1992 and it's a vertically scrolling platformer that features dozens of levels spread over four worlds. Of course, each level contains a fair few baddies, cool traps and scary end-of-level bosses. The graphics are cute and cuddly with nice detail and super smooth scrolling with raspy samples for sounds.

Overall, this is a really simple platformer which is entertaining and challenging. Loads of fun!!

Floppy disks can be found over on AtariMania.

Klaz has a fantastic hard disk download!