Wanna be a Tyson Fury?
Do you remember a game called Frank Bruno's Boxing on the ZX Spectrum? Well, it looks like the folk over at Tynesoft did when they released Seconds Out in 1988. As in the Speccy game, we're in a boxing ring fighting ugly dudes, and the action is viewed ringside from behind our noble challenger. Yup, it's original alright!
We are Marco, a challenger who must compete against five champions from around the world. His first bout breaks us in gently against Joe Weed, who lives up to his name and is easy to knock out. The second is harder, closely shadowing you and can easily block your punches. The third is rather odd, and that's saying something for this peculiar boxing game: it's a lame fella who wears glasses and can headbutt. (I believe there are two more champions: an American and a Russian. Just don't ask me if I can reach that far!!)
We are Marco, a challenger who must compete against five champions from around the world. His first bout breaks us in gently against Joe Weed, who lives up to his name and is easy to knock out. The second is harder, closely shadowing you and can easily block your punches. The third is rather odd, and that's saying something for this peculiar boxing game: it's a lame fella who wears glasses and can headbutt. (I believe there are two more champions: an American and a Russian. Just don't ask me if I can reach that far!!)
Shall we see the first screenshots to tempt you to continue reading...
First up is Joe Weed, an easy opponent!
Jonesy is harder, although he seems shocked to lose!
First up is Joe Weed, an easy opponent!
Jonesy is harder, although he seems shocked to lose!
Punching people with a joystick?
Controls are odd, but the one-button ST does well after a few practices. Moving left/right is easy, but slow, and we can guard ourselves using up/down with a sway thrown in for good measure - if pointless. With the fire button pressed, we can punch with either arm as we float around that ring, looking to sting. Well...
Energy levels are displayed at the top of the screen: decreasing with each hit taken and increasing when dealing out damage/resting. Also, a throbbing boxer's "KO" glove will indicate when your opponent is weak enough for a knock-out. That is the time to hit up/fire to perform the special ability, a swift right hook!!
Each round lasts 1:30 seconds, but oddly feels longer against the tougher guys who cannot easily be knocked out. Between rounds, we are slumped in the corner with our coach, who helps recover lost energy - something I didn't realise until after I made my recording. That'll teach me not to read the manual.
Energy levels are displayed at the top of the screen: decreasing with each hit taken and increasing when dealing out damage/resting. Also, a throbbing boxer's "KO" glove will indicate when your opponent is weak enough for a knock-out. That is the time to hit up/fire to perform the special ability, a swift right hook!!
Each round lasts 1:30 seconds, but oddly feels longer against the tougher guys who cannot easily be knocked out. Between rounds, we are slumped in the corner with our coach, who helps recover lost energy - something I didn't realise until after I made my recording. That'll teach me not to read the manual.
Let's see some more mind-blowing screenshots...
Don't be a fool like me!! Waggle that joystick...
...and put that old man to some good use ;o)
Don't be a fool like me!! Waggle that joystick...
...and put that old man to some good use ;o)
Graphics & Sounds
Graphically, this ain't anywhere near what the ST is capable of, but it does feature lots of comical aspects - like Mike "Hammerhead" Hagman!! Also, the see-through wireframe works well, but is spoiled by having a pixelated head. Animations are okay, but the crowd makes few movements, so they look rather bored.
Audio has been forgotten, with no music, and the near-static crowd is silent for such an event!!
Audio has been forgotten, with no music, and the near-static crowd is silent for such an event!!
The...
silence...
is...
freaky!!
Watch out for this dirty Jeff Minter fighter.
Even when I'm knocked out, he still tries to headbutt me!!
The CryptO'pinion?
This game has massive drawbacks, like speed. There isn't any; these athletes are the slowest I've seen! Never will you feel like you're participating in an event with a motionless and silent crowd. Also, the gameplay is short and obviously linear in structure, so I'm sure better players could complete it in under an hour. Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee? Hardly, it's like walking barefoot in slutch, with a broken leg!!
That being said, Seconds Out is still enjoyable, and everyone needs to witness that Glaswegian and his idiotic headbutts! An average sports game that needed to be much quicker, flashier, and a lot noisier.
That being said, Seconds Out is still enjoyable, and everyone needs to witness that Glaswegian and his idiotic headbutts! An average sports game that needed to be much quicker, flashier, and a lot noisier.
Those who fancy sparring with Marco can find the Super Pack floppies on Atarimania.
