What do you get if you merge together "Horace Goes Skiing" with Cannon Fodder? Easy, it's called Whipper Snapper's Race by Petr Sumbera of New Design using Omikron Basic. The game stars Max - a dude who goes skiing down many vertically scrolling levels in places that look (umm) spookily familiar...
Navigate left/right to pass each obstacle as you ski—but don't bump into anything else; you'll fall flat on your bum! Pushing up will reduce your speed, pulling down will increase it, and firing will perform a leap into the air. Passwords are used to access the "missions" without starting over from the beginning!!
Graphically, I could never complain because it is Cannon Fodder with superb attention to detail. Of course, it's all ripped and unoriginal but I do not care! The funky music is in stereo by Tomas Kucera and I'm sure you will leave it playing for a long while. In-game sound effects are ace but I won't spoil that surprise for you!
Sing with me - Skiing in Cannon Fodder... Never been so much fun....... (sorry!).
Okay, this is an easy one to rate, I'm sure you've guessed already what I think. Well, thanks to the great controls, this is effortless to pick up and play but that doesn't mean it's easy. Later missions are challenging yet always fun. Whipper Snapper's Race is a very silly skiing game and shockingly addictive!!
I've made a floppy for those stuck in 3.5" hell :^)
Download the hard drive-installable game @Demozoo!
Petr's website is still up and running after all these years!!
After about 6 years, Equinox eventually released Virtual Escape in 1999 and it's one of my favourite demos. The tunes are utterly sexy and there are also some of the most incredible visuals that will blow your socks off!! Those swirling dots are gobsmackingly beautiful and I love the super-duper fast 3D. It's hard to believe this is all on a stock 512KB 8MHz Atari ST. An incredible production that oozes class and is definitely one of the beST 16-Bit demos out there.
Don't emulate - experience this using a real Atari ST and crank up the volume!
Credits and Downloads
Furax - Music
Jedi - Music
Keops - Code, Graphics (design)
Mad Max - Music (endpart)
Nova - Graphics
Starlion - Code
You can download Virtual Escape right now off Demozoo.
Democyclopedia mentions each effect, along with the awesome Skyline (see above).
I'm sure everyone knows that Jet Pac was originally released in 1983 for the ZX Spectrum by uber-gaming legends, Ultimate Play The Game. It's one of the most iconic 8-bit games from the era and still plays brilliantly today. Our remake/conversion was developed by Pete J. Whitby in 1992 for Budgie UK. Heck, he also designed all the graphics and sound effects, very impressive. Talent like this never ceases to impress me.
Interesting tidbit? I owned Jetpac on both cassette and cartridge (ZX Spectrum). I also had a huge Speccy collection that dated back to 1981 plus others like an Interface II (I'm such a geek). Sadly, I sold the lot when we got our first house/mortgage. :( ....I need a time machine!!!!!
Right, what's the story? Well, our Jet Man is a lucky fella working as a space pilot for Acme Interstellar Transport Company. They're sending him to fifty planets to assemble (and playtest) their technological creations. Sadly, his luck ran out as each planet was bombarded by hostiles ranging from fiery comets to fluffy aliens.
I thought I'd never see Jet Pac on the ST yet here is a screenshot to make us all very happy...
There are so many different baddies to blast and many new ones too...
Planets, aliens, and lasers!!
Playability is impressively legit from the start. The controls are tight, responsive, and instantly familiar - albeit a tad quicker than I remember. Jet Man's movements are exactly as you would expect but he oddly cannot wrap around the screen. However, he compensates for that lost ability with a new one - shield power-ups.
That's right, the fuel pods aren't the only thing dropping in from the skies. Collect one of the bubbles and you're protected from harm. It doesn't last long but that grace period is good enough during the heat of battle.
Those space nasties use differing attack patterns that help keep the arcade action very engaging. Many are new and some require several shots whereas others are invulnerable. Also, watch out for deadly platforms that can zap Jet Man into an early grave. Heck, there is even an end level - this is something missing from the original. If only I had better gaming skills to witness that for myself? Yeah, I know. Not gonna happen!
Let's view another screenshot and this time I've beaten the hoard and escaped in my rocket...
Jet Man is one lucky dude who gets to play with all the cool new rockets!
Aesthetics
Visually, there wasn't much to the original but it wasn't needed and the same applies here. The Atari ST remake follows the same format albeit with smooth-moving sprites and extra colours. The only thing I didn't like was the new background, which I felt wasn't needed. I wonder if there can be a way to remove it?
The audio is good but not great. You can play with either the sound effects or chip music by Mad Max. Personally, I would recommend you leave that exceptional music playing because the sound effects are bland. Actually, it's humorously disappointing to hear the Atari ST out-bleeped by the inferior ZX Spectrum sound effects.
Okay, it's time for one last screenshot and this one represents the action nicely...
Zip Zap (geddit?) the aliens the best you can!! And refuel that rocket!
The CryptO'pinion?
Jetpac is Jetpac and this game will always be magnificent no matter the year. Admittedly, our remake wasn't going to beat the original but, I feel, Pete has done enough to capture the authenticity whilst also successfully implementing new ideas that work well and set it apart from being a mere clone.
What's not to love about frantically rushing about the screen, zapping a relentless alien hoard whilst gathering fuel pods? I loved playing it and enjoyed the new features. The boring sound effects aside, this is an utterly excellent game that I highly recommend. Let me know in the comments below what you think.
+ Play the original game on your Atari ST using an emulator: > Artemis is a unique (albeit colourless) emulator that works only on 8MHz Atari ST/e computers. Recommended for those wanting to experience something different. > Speccy is another emulator with full support for colour and supports faster Atari computers. What a class emulator this is!!
