Bombuzal

Dazzling dots!

It's time for some more amazing #PixelArt with ImageWorks' 1988 hit Bombuzal. I remember seeing this in the magazines of the day, I couldn't believe the cartoon-like quality of the main character within a colourful isometric world. He is an odd potato-shaped dude who performs a funny expression as the bombs are exploding - it's almost like he doesn't trust himself!! There are some big names associated with this game but is it any good?

Well, this is quite a simple puzzler that requires us to detonate a collection of red bombs. Each screen contains a number of squares we can use to help calculate our best route but watch out for traps: crumbling tiles that can be walked on only once before they disappear forever, so don't get yourself stranded!

Other tiles might be too slippery to walk on whilst some can transport you to another location. Slotted tiles allow us to move selected bombs to a different location, usually to avoid being caught up in an explosive chain reaction. I like Bombuzal, it's a fun game to tax the old brain cells and it's got fantastic pixel art too!

Floppies can be found via Old Games Finder with HDD versions by 8BitChip & Klaz.

Wow, this must be one of the brightest and happiest games on the Atari ST.


This is interesting and being able to flip POVs is neat. But I prefer it in 3D myself...


I love its pixel art. Isometric styles always look cool but this one also uses the palette perfectly.


Oh no, watch out for crumble tiles and (so many) other hazards. This 3D world is dangerous!

Wreckers

It's time once again to save... the ship!

Wreckers is an isometric adventure onboard the interestingly named space station, Beacon 04523N, located in the loneliest part of deep space. With a crew of three, held in cryogenic stasis, automated robots look after the day-to-day care and maintenance of the station. However, the computer has decided to wake you when it detected the threat of Plasmodians, a lifeform that wants nothing more than to frantically consume the ship and everything in it.

In some respects, I'm reminded of the brilliant Escape From The Planet Of The Robot Monsters but there is far more to this game than simply running around shooting green blobs of plasma, albeit great fun! From the very start, you discover that the alien attack is happening and, once they make physical contact with the outer hull, it's only a matter of time before they begin creating havoc with the computer's systems.

The station has its own style of defence capabilities in the form of a hoover which can suck up the aliens in space - before they can get on board. Also, the droids can be controlled to help, and another option is to suit up and head outside to play Jetman with a can of bug spray. Yep, Beacon 04523N is hardly Babylon 5 but at least all these options are available. Oh, do remember to use the Zippway Shuttles and elevators to travel the Beacon but don't dawdle because the main computer has decided one hour is enough to eradicate the threat before self-destruct is activated!!

Control is handled via keyboard and joystick but it's the latter which might disappoint some because I actually found myself holding that in a sideways-on manner, which was a little weird! Also, the user interface might take a little time to get to grips with, I found it quite unusual and sometimes a little awkward in the heat of the moment.

  
I love the title screen's gorgeous pastel palette before these three dodgy characters pop up!

Graphically, I love the 80s feel of Wreckers and, whilst it doesn't look like it came out of 1991, it has a certain retro charm which I really like. Scrolling is adequate but I sure love the station's attention to detail, along with the colourful sprites. The title music is just awesome and the box loves to gloat about who made it, Warren Cann of Ultravox!

Wreckers will certainly keep you on your toes as it requires an urgent attitude with the ability to juggle tasks and think ahead whilst suffering a constant onslaught of baddies. Running around zapping aliens is one aspect of the game but, because there is so much going on, it's sometimes extremely hard just to keep up with the panic. Now, don't get me wrong, Wreckers is a very good game but one which requires a lot of time and commitment. Brace yourself!

* Floppy disks can be found via Old Games Finder with a hard disk version by 8BitChip.

* Hall Of Light has a superb map of the space station which sure comes in handy!!

Head Over Heels

Going back to my Your Sinclair days!

I stumbled upon Head Over Heels by pure chance today. It's been donkey's years since I played this on my old ZX Spectrum and seeing it again is a heartwarming reminder of my 8-bit days. However, I shockingly cannot remember completing this tough isometric adventure and I certainly don't ever recall playing the Atari ST version!

Head Over Heels is far more complex than it first appears, two characters who each have their own skillset solve the puzzles. It's superb to see this again after all these years and anyone that loves the "filmation" genre will surely be in heaven. The graphics are Spec-tacular with superb details and more colour than my old rubber Speccy could ever have dreamt of. A huge and intriguing adventure offering many sleepless nights!

AtariMania features this within the ST database including an interesting tidbit too! Download Head Over Heels from 8BitChip as this supports a trainer and hard drive installation. Also, here is an extremely interesting website for the ZX Spectrum version with maps, videos, and more which should prove helpful.

Knight Lore

Uh, a Falcon game???

AtariCrypt is all about the Atari ST/e computers but I shall make an exception for its big brother: the 32-Bit Atari Falcon. This is because I was recently contacted by Janez Valant (Swe, of YesCREW) and he mentioned a Falcon release of Knight Lore that might be cool for those who don't know about it. I was one of them. How did I not know about this game?

I'm a big fan of Ultimate's famous isometric Spectrum game from 1984. I can even remember it being released and we were blown away by the next-gen visuals and also how each puzzle was presented as a 3D room. Okay, I had seen similar in 3D Ant Attack but definitely nothing at this new level. To be honest, it was one of those mind-blowing moments in history.

The Falcon version appears to be the complete game, featuring spot-on perfect gameplay too. In fact, it's probably better because there is no slowdown that the Speccy version suffered. However, gone is the lovely monochrome palette for something that is now very colourful. Ahem, perhaps too colourful for my liking? It feels unnecessary.

There was a part of me that didn't believe Janez yet here it is running on my virtual Falcon (Hatari) and it's brilliant. However, I must admit that I'm saddened it doesn't run on the ST/e. Ignoring the tacky colours, I don't see why the ST cannot handle it. Perhaps somebody out there knows the answer but if it's because of the many colours - I'll be very angry lol.

Anyhow, playing this iconic game on the Atari Falcon is fantastic. All I need now is a real Falcon...

 Download Knight Lore and relive 1984 ZX Spectrum style!! 

Chicago 90

An isometric DRIVER?

Let's start by saying that every kid played cops and robbers and now that we're grown-ups (aka BIG kids) we can do the same again using our favourite retro computer. This is thanks to Microïds and their 1989 hit, Chicago 90 which allows us to drive around the streets as either the good or bad guys. Easy choice, I say? Yep...

As a cop, it's our job to do the chasing but I didn't really click with this game type. However, I always prefer to be a bad guy which is much better and I love having a car full of swag whilst rushing to flee the city limits for my freedom! The controls feel a little flaky, at first, but you will soon be rip-roaring around Chicago in no time.

You could always be a good guy instead of running from the law? Yeah... that's what I thought!!

Read the flipping manual

Sadly, collision detection is often suspect and the car oddly bounces during a bump when going too fast. The cops are a little simple with naive AI that isn't exactly Einstein-level but good enough to give you a good chase. If caught, you're presented with a rather dodgy-looking image of the scene... I shall say no more about this lol.

Initially, the in-game user interface is rather complex, and especially confusing if you choose to be the police. Down the left are many icons - most of which I have no idea about! Along the bottom of the screen are two windows - the first is an overhead city map which displays the location of the fuzz. The other is a first-person view (from inside your car) and should help avoid crashing into law-abiding citizens. Well, in theory!

Success!! We've finally found the way out of this urban jungle. Now, HIT IT!!

The CryptO'pinion?

Chicago 90's downfall is its weak Police role which I personally found cumbersome and rather boring. So, that left me with the gangster role which is great fun! Driving through the city, avoiding cars and running from the cops, is surely an early glimpse into an early GTA experience? It's pretty much fantastic and I've loved every second.

Overall, with a little thought for gameplay objectives, this could easily have been a fantastic venture into a life of crime. As it happens, we're just stuck in the Chicago maze frantically looking for an escape. However, racing away from the cops is always going to be a thrill and I enjoyed this a lot - so I ended up buying it. Excellent game!

Visit Chicago - Driver & GTA style!

8bitchip has a hard drive installable version

Old Games Finder has all the floppy disks!

Atari Greenlog now has a cool gameplay video.

Gauntlet III - The Final Quest

Oh, dear...

Sorry, I meant to say, here we have Gauntlet 3 developed by Software Creations for US Gold. Yet another sequel to the incredible arcade original, only this time somebody decided that the winning formula of speed and action wasn't enough. So it was decided a modernized version with an isometric viewpoint was instead needed.

Please note that I did try to keep an open mind throughout. Rather than being a grumpy old man wondering why his favourite game had been so drastically changed. Anyhow, it's not all bad surely? Of course not, but why change a winning formula? Erm, anyhow let's crack on...

So, gone is the top-down view in favour of a funky isometric 3D perspective which isn't actually too bad if I'm honest. It looks different but in a good way. I liked how we begin the opening levels in a spooky forest, this looks the part alright. All the familiar Gauntlet ingredients are lurking in the woods: ghosts, generators, treasure and food. The idea remains much the same as we hack and slash through to a medieval church... And this is just the first level. This game is pretty big!

The ruins of an old church deep in the woods. That tree looks scary so let's get inside quick!

Let's kill monsters!

Before we begin, decide who you wanna be and there are now a lot more to choose from - Warrior, Wizard, Rockman, Lizard Man, Elf and more. One or two players can team up (definitely better with two) but the basic gameplay mechanics remain pretty much the same. We're still throwing axes, arrows, magic and more directly into the faces of ghosts, goblins and other hideous creatures that emerge from their generators.

The levels are big and split over a number of small areas which you can visit at any time. Blast the generators as quickly as possible and then follow the same rules as you always have - collecting treasure and noshing on food to stay alive. Shooting potions will clear the screen of baddies or they can be collected to use later. Escaping to the next realm can only be done once humble tasks are completed - keys to collect and that sort of thing.

Essentially, they wanted this to be Gauntlet but with an isometric point of view. Sadly, it isn't really if I'm honest. What made the original games such instant and timeless classics was their immediate ability to blast monsters (either solo or with others) and the action was fast and furious. This isn't the case with Gauntlet 3. Not even close.

Inside the church are many ghosts and awkward objects to try and walk around...

Fighting in slo-mo?

Gameplay is now a lot slower, so gone is that instant enjoyment of mass killing that we love, for a more sedate exploration with some killing thrown in. That's how it feels to me. That frenzied action simply isn't here and that's made worse thanks to its level design and terrible control mechanics. Even walking is a bit of a problem...

The opening levels are littered with objects that need to be walked around. That might not sound much of a big deal, but it is because I was sick & tired of getting stuck in the scenery. This also applies to your weapons which are often blocked so can't hit their target. Heck, even the ghosts suffered from this problem!

Even worse are the controls which are so sluggish and make walking tiresome. Plus the rate with which we attack the monsters is far too slow and that means we can't destroy any generator unless you choose to walk through lots of ghosts to get a closer shot - and thus lose energy. A faster rate of firing would have fixed that instantly...

Looks like we've just walked straight into an ambush. Shoot the generators, if you can!

The CryptO'pinion?

Gauntlet 3 was programmed by Bill Barna of Software Creations and I wonder if his job was to rush through a quick and nasty Amiga port? It certainly feels like it, which is disappointing when you consider this is the same company that proudly gave us Bubble Bobble, Ghouls & Ghosts and Bionic Commando! What went wrong?

To be honest, the entire "Gauntlet" aspect was destroyed from the moment the isometric idea was born. That doesn't work. And is made worse thanks to the clunky gameplay with sluggish controls. Okay, with a friend, it's better but it's still not Gauntlet. Forget this third game was ever released and boot up either of the other two instead.

Downloads available for floppy and hard drive.

A GLIMMER OF HOPE?

Update: I have contacted Peter Putnik (8BitChip) to ask about a hard drive version that supports faster Atari computers. Once again he worked his magic and I've been enjoying Gauntlet 3 on my 16MHz Atari STe and yes, I said the word with enjoy in it!! Sure, it isn't perfect but, if you have a faster computer, then this update will help to eliminate some of the problems, especially with the unresponsive controls.

Highway Encounter

1985 has come knocking!!

Here we have one of my all-time favourite 8-bit games from the brilliant mind of Costa Panayi, Vortex Software. It's an understatement to say I was flabbergasted when I read an old post on Atari-Forum concerning the unreleased ST game; developed in 1990 by the late Mark Haigh-Hutchinson. Sadly, Vortex was unable to find a publisher, so that was that and the game was left to gather dust for years, which is terrible when you think about it!

I always had a soft spot for Vortex and fondly remember playing Android, Cyclone and Revolution but Highway Encounter was definitely my favourite. The game takes place on a stretch of highway populated by crazy baddies, tricky puzzles and many other obstacles to get in your way. Aliens have invaded and our robot convoy has the task of merrily pushing a bomb down the highway in order to destroy their mothership, which is at the other end of this insane road.

Funny tidbit, I remember making a VERY basic map of this game back in the day. Very crude but I was pleased with the progress. Well, until I saw a beautiful screen-captured version in one of the magazines. Typical... Anyhow, there's a link to the Atari ST map right at the bottom of the page for all interested.

Guide our little friends the best you can, they have very dangerous cargo!

Road rage!

Highway Encounter hasn't been changed with bloatware so remains pretty much the same. The obvious improvements are with the graphics; gone are the monochrome visuals for a world of technicolour. The highway and your objective remain the same with lots of whacky aliens roaming freely. Our droid colleagues are still daft and will get stuck on objects but this can actually be good: leave them behind - in safety - so you're free to clear the highway ahead of the dreaded aliens.

Joystick controls are great and, if you love isometric games, you'll be right at home - left and right rotates, forward to accelerate and pulling back slows/stops movement. Weaponry is an ultra-cool energy bolt that can also be improved upon - thanks to power-ups lying along your road trip journey. Can you make it to the end of this motorway?

There is also an editor to create your own highway. This is something I've yet to play with but I'd be interested if any of you guys have used it. Let me know in the comments below!

Some wobbly things are approaching! Let's kill 'em!!

Speccy aesthetics?

Visually, this is a joy with old-fashioned graphical values that takes me back. In fact, I'm transported to 1985 with its authentic style which has been updated yet preserved using a gorgeous palette that isn't over the top. In the 80s, isometric games were the in-thing and this was one of the most beautiful examples of that genre. The sprites are as crazy as ever, making you appreciate the finer details of what was achieved. Better still, the ST has taken the original idea and bettered it.

As for the audio, in-game music would have completely spoilt the atmosphere and been something I would have muted. Highway Encounter is all about careful planning and strategy so it has to be sound effects. Thankfully, they are made from samples and perfectly futuristic for all the zapping that is needed. It sounds great and I love it!

Those guys are almost too cute to kill. But let's kill 'em anyhow. Do you see a theme here?

The CryptO'pinion?

Let's take a moment to think about this: we have an Atari ST version of Costa Panayi's excellent shoot 'em up. What's more, the original game has been bettered with marvellous and faithful gameplay plus improved aesthetics. What more could you ever desire? Unlike many, this is how all 16-Bit remakes should have been done. Well done Mark I say.

Highway Encounter will always be a Crash Smash and the Atari ST has gained an exquisite remake. I Love it!!

Download floppy / hard drive (ultrasatan)

AtariMania has an awesome map!

History of Vortex Software

PacMania

Popping pills & chasing ghosts!

Pac-Mania was released in 1989 by Grandslam and is based on the arcade classic which was a nice conversion and generally well-received at the time. This new "3D" game saw our pill-popper change from an overhead 2D perspective to a fancy isometric viewpoint and, because the play area was so large - it scrolled. Which is an ace idea I gotta say!

Pacman himself also had an upgrade by having the ability to jump - even though he has no legs! Sadly, the Atari ST version suffered a smaller screen because it lacked hardware scrolling and, as a result, featured a large status panel. Don't get me wrong, something had to give but the game still featured smooth scrolling and definitely wasn't a lame port.

Here is a screenshot of the original ST game (note, I've left in the top/bottom borders for a reason)...

As you can see, it looks great albeit with that overly large status panel taking up a lot of space.

Gee, how would an Atari STe have coped?

Well, I'm glad you asked! Entering into the 16-bit arena is Samuel (aka Zamuel_A) with an upgrade specifically designed to make maximum use of the Atari STe and its lovely enhanced hardware. Firstly, the gameplay now takes place in overscan opening up the gameplay arena in ways you cannot imagine. The entire screen flows along at a silky-smooth 50fps thanks to the hardware scrolling in all four directions (a much under-utilised feature of this computer).

But that's not all, the Blitter handles all the sprites and the DMA audio hardware plays the sampled sound effects with our sweet YM2149 banging out wonderful chiptunes - better than Tracker MODs!! Technically, this is far beyond impressive and I'm sure Samuel has utilised every part of the computer? Well, it certainly provides the wow factor!

Wanna see how it looks compared to the original? Of course, you do so scroll down a little further...

And this is how the same game appears on the Atari STe using overscan and all the other goodies!

The CryptO'pinion?

Okay, the original PacMania was a good game and a decent conversion - I don't want to appear negative about it whatsoever. Having said that, Samuel has completely blown away the original game with his upgrade! It has transformed our yellow friend for the 21st-century retro gamer. It's impossible not to be impressed by Samuel's dedication and hard work.

This is what happens when a talented chap takes a great game and rebuilds it in a way that would never have been possible back in the day. I doubt any software house outside of the mighty Thalion would have been more committed to developing for the Atari STe? Especially when you consider how the boundaries have been pushed in such incredible ways.

This is a fascinating revamp of the old favourite and far more enjoyable than ever. Absolutely superb!!

Downloads are on Atari-Forum! (another video I recorded)

Escape From The Planet Of The Robot Monsters

When gaming meets B-movie!

Oh no, evil Reptilons are hell-bent on destroying us and have taken hold of Planet X. They've enslaved the human population and forced them to build a robot army for an invasion. Jake and Duke are two heroes with a simple plan: destroy as many robots as possible, trash the computers, rescue every cute girl and save the day.

Robot Monsters is played in a fashion similar to other 3D isometric games; imagine a pinch Buck Rogers mixed with a dollop of Gauntlet and you get the idea. The goal is to rescue the humans, without forgetting those held in stasis pods! Along the way are traps designed for us soft fleshy humans: sharp spikes, rotating chunks of metal, and electric floor panels.

All this is going on whilst Planet X constantly spawns new enemy robots. Yes, the alien hoard is relentless so you better be quick on the trigger otherwise you will be overrun. It's insane, so let's check out some screenshots of the intro...

Grab a raygun and fight back!

We have a weapon which is a great tool for quick kills. But, refrain from overuse otherwise, it is less effective... Thankfully, it can be charged by collecting the green blobs that a dead robot might leave behind. There are also bombs - hit the shift key and they detonate killing anything within your vicinity. Even the captives so, be careful.

A canal stage appears after a few levels which offer extra bonuses but aren't essential to your overall progress and I wasn't too eager about it anyhow. The big Reptilon boss will first seem an impossible opponent but there is a cunning way to avoid it by using a few bombs and a little joystick waggling!! Just ask me if you need any help.

I know, I know, you wanna see some more screenshots from the intro. Well, you're in luck...

Next-Gen aesthetics!

Well, yes and no. Back in the day, I remember being blown away by the comical artwork, which still looks great. In-game, I love the isometric 3D styles which I think is perfect, and the entire environment has superb attention to detail. The alien hoard is varied and looks excellent - my favourite being the biscuit-looking lot. They're not biscuits of course, but I think they're cute! And that's this game to a tea, it's different and loves to be different. It works perfectly.

The audio is a blast with cool, zappy effects and gorgeous chip music. Click the arrow and listen for yourself...

AtariCrypt · Escape from the Planet of the Robot Monsters

Don't run away. Come back, there are girls to be rescued and robots to destroy!

The CryptO'pinion?

You know folks, I have really enjoyed playing this great game again after all these years. This is one of those shooters that is stuffed to the brim with originality and frantic metallic mayhem. Running around shooting everything is totally demented and all done with a comical personality using great characters. This is superb gameplay at its finest.

It's just as much fun to play today as it was back in 1990. An iconic 16-Bit shooter and I love it to bits!!

DOWNLOAD for hard disk and floppy

The Immortal

A thinking man's Diablo!

I have always found something quite appealing about exploring a monster-infested dungeon and this is one of the best and most unique there is. Designed by Will Harvey and programmed by Brett G. Durrett, The Immortal offers a challenging experience of solving puzzles and surviving long enough to see what's around the corner.

We are a wizard who has been asked to help another wizard that's in a spot of bother. He is called Mordamir and somehow thinks your name is Dunric, which it isn't. Will you still help him? Of course, you will, even though we later find out this means exploring creepy dungeons infested with hideous nasties intent on your demise.

Are you still feeling brave? Stop. Don't lie. Be absolutely sure before accepting the challenge of this brutal adventure. Okay, you're still here. Then it's time for clean underwear as we venture forth into the realms of myth, sorcery, and brutal violence. Let's check out a few screenshots of the sinister troubles that lay ahead...

Do you think it's safe walking around down here? Well, you shouldn't!!

Learn how best to battle to defeat your foe. And why not chat with the locals?

That's some drop there. Best watch your step or come back later?

Welcome to a dark place with monsters and lots of traps!

The Immortal is a scrolling isometric adventure set within a creepy labyrinth of unforgiving pitfalls and ghastly horrors. I cannot stress that enough, right from the start too. These harsh characteristics will torment even the most experienced adventurer so you will witness the bloodiest of deaths at a most frequent rate. Never have I played a game like this with so many hidden traps so grab a pen and paper to make notes.

Lurking within the labyrinth are trolls, goblins and lots of scary creatures that want you dead. Some have exquisite names like The Shades which you encounter early and are a life form that hides in the darkness, only casting a faint shadow under a firelight. Are you scared yet? You should be, this game is callous and ruthless.

As you can now imagine, The Immortal isn't a game you can rush and complete quickly. Its design dictates a need for a determined player with patience. One who will fall victim to many gruesome deaths in order to learn the ropes. Don't underestimate it and grab that pen and paper to make notes, you'll need them. Trust me.

Hey, I hear there's a prince over in Persia that would love one of those carpets!!

You will die and die and die!

Each room is unique and has its own battles, treasures, and pitfalls - so think first, be vigilant and always on your guard. The good news is that you can often avoid a confrontation by being stealthy, but brave warriors can always use their weapons or conjure magic spells to beat their foes. Expect your endurance to be tested to the full by each level's cruel traps which are often hidden. Argghh, there are so many bloodthirsty traps!

Careful exploration is the key to success. Take your time but also make sure to examine everything. Who knows, that item may help later on and a slain victim is a great place to find what you need. Hey, what's better than plundering a dead corpse? Finally, don't forget to rest, if you see a straw bed then take the time to catch up on your sleep and enjoy forty winks. This restores health and might even produce an enlightening dream...

Sadly, there is no instant save function. Instead, at the end of each level, successful wizards are awarded a certificate ie level password. Yes, this might appear disappointing but the levels aren't overly massive plus it forces you to tread carefully and be a better adventurer. Cheaters skipping levels will soon realise the error of their ways.

Even the monsters appear to hate each other. Let's watch them fight!

Effects

All visuals are by Michael Marcantel and Ian Gooding and are absolutely excellent. They've helped to create a dungeon of horrors using a dark and creepy design that works well. Each room looks the part plus all monsters are ghoulishly drawn with good animation. I wonder how much inspiration was later taken from this old game?

Spot effects are used for lots of actions and various pieces of chip music by Doug Fulton feature throughout the levels. Some dislike the tunes for a game like this whereas others enjoy them. You can run with sound effects only but I fear you will be missing out on much atmosphere if you do. Personally, I'd leave the music on.

I never expected a boat ride - whitewater madness style!!

The CryptO'pinion?

The Immortal is groundbreaking due to its gripping storyline, eerie atmosphere and captivating deeds. Mix that in with a style employing adventure, action and RPG and it's apparent why I love it so. An extremely excellent game offering hours of agonising pleasure as you uncover its secrets. The Immortal is cruel, yet highly addictive!!

Download for floppy or hard drive.

ZX Spectrum

Speccy v2.07 is (...wait for it...) a ZX Spectrum emulator for our favourite 16-Bit computer. It was developed by Christian Gandler and is a fantastic program with lots of options which can produce fascinating results.

However, the stock 8MHz Atari ST cannot really match the blistering speeds of a ZX Spectrum, especially if large sprites, music, or scrolling are being utilised. So it's far better with single-screen games like Styx, Hero, Tutankhamun and others. But, generally speaking, a 16Mhz processor is the minimum requirement.

So this is exactly what my feature is based upon: how my own 16MHz Mega STe performs as a ZX Spectrum. Here is a huge list of some of my favourite Speccy games with a % rating of how I thought the emulator performed.

Download Speccy for yourself and have a play ( filename = zx_sp207.zip )

First up is an obvious choice for me - good ol' Willy, released in 1983 by Bug-Byte and perhaps the first game that made my jaw drop. Certainly THE FIRST game I was addicted too like a crazy fool! Performance - mixed results really, but all good. With the in-game music playing, it actually feels a tad slower than a real Spectrum but it's certainly nothing to ruin the fun. Turn off the in-game music to fix that (which I always do anyhow). Interestingly, it's quite enjoyable when I switched to 8Mhz - one of the *very* few games that I can say that about! Rating - (music on) 85% Rating - (music off) 98%
I couldn't continue without mentioning the next game in the Willy series and here he is again trying to tidy up his messy mansion, in Jet Set Willy. Not only that but the place is full of beasts and each room is like something from a nightmare. How does he live here! Performance - as you read above about his first game, it's pretty much the same situation again. I do prefer to turn off that in-game music, so it's not a big deal for me without it. But I would advise you guys play the official Atari ST Jet Set Willy game. Rating - (music on) 85% Rating - (music off) 98%
Styx is the next game that I just had to try because it was the very first game that I ever bought with my own pocket money. Again, released by Bug-Byte back in 1983 and it's also by Mathew Smith! It's a repetitive game but a personal favourite of mine for the obvious reasons. Performance - a simple game that the emulator handles perfectly. Rating - 100%
How could I continue on without trying a game by the mighty Ultimate? They were basically a Spectrum version of Thalion! My choice is quirky but it's a game I've always loved: Pentagram. Released in 1986 and it's Ultimate's own Knight Lore rip-off that seems to have very few friends, but I really enjoyed it and I've completed it too! Performance - seems fine in the quieter rooms but sadly it suffers lots of slowdowns when in the busier rooms (same as the real Spectrum!)  :( Rating - 50/75%
As much as I love (with a passion!) the Miner Willy games neither is my favourite platformer. That accolade goes to Chuckie Egg 2 (yes, TWO) which was released back in 1985 by A&F. This is a game that I can easily get lost in and it's almost like an open-world game with that exploration element. Yes, after three decades I am still addicted to Mr Harry adventure!! Performance - it's a tad slower than it should be, but nothing to spoil the egg-venture! (sorry) Rating - 95%
Fred is a game that I am happy to say (yet again) I have completed - without cheating, I might add!. Released by Quiksilva back in 1984 and is an incredible platformer set inside a pyramid maze filled with ghosts, skeletons and all kinds of creepies. Escape if you can! Performance - it sure looks great but disappointingly sluggish to play. Rating - 50%
Saboteur 2 was released by Durrell back in 1987 and I utterly loved this immense venture into the world of covert ninja espionage! Shocker time - I completed this game too! I spent months playing this game!! Performance - sadly too slow to fully enjoy, if only it was a little quicker. I am gutted!! Performance - 60%
I have always had a strange fascination for these unnatural beings and who doesn't love killing them? The zombie species made it onto the Spectrum with an atmospheric release by Quicksilva in 1984 called "Zombie Zombie" (yep..) Performance - it's almost there but not quite! Very enjoyable but it just needed a little more nip to feel authentic, but it is playable. Rating - 80%
Kokotoni Wilf, a creative platformer released by Elite all the way back in 1984. Such original ideas plonked on top of an established format and it works. Ace! Performance - sadly not so much under emulation as it's too slow to enjoy. Like Saboteur 2, I think this game would need a minimum of the Atari TT.. shame. Rating - 60%
To me, Rick Dangerous, is an Atari ST game and I've stayed clear of Spectrum versions of the ST classics like Flying Shark, Ikari Warriors and others.. but I weakened for Rick! Performance - I shouldn't have bothered. I couldn't get the controls to work at all and poor old Rick gets squashed by that first boulder! Still, it did appear to run well.. Rating - hard to say, probably around 80%
To contradict what I write above, there were a couple of "ST games" that I just had to test out. One such game is Zynaps released by the wonderful Hewson back in 1987. Performance - let's just say I shall be sticking to the Atari ST release until I've bought an Atari Falcon or TT. Rating - 70%
Yet another contradiction because here is another and another Hewson classic, Cybernoid. An Atari ST game that I recently featured on AtariCrypt and loved, like Zynaps the Spectrum games are absolutely ace! Performance - Played very very well and I was impressed. Not quite fast enough but I was able to enjoy it. Damn good fun!! Rating - 90%
The Birds And The Bees released by Bug-Byte in 1983 is a fun game if a little repetitive. A game I bought and the follow-up performs even better Antics, released in 1984 has cool gameplay. Performance - the original plays extremely well, which shocked me as it's a scroller and those tend to be no-no! Antics was also pretty good too. Impressive results for both. Rating - 85% (Birds And The Bees) Rating - 90% (Antics)
H.E.R.O. (or Helicopter Emergency Rescue Operation) was released by Activision back in 1984 and is literally one of my favourite games, ever! Such a simple-looking game with extraordinarily addictive gameplay. ACE!!! Performance - THANKFULLY it is excellent! Not quite 100% but I found myself hammering through the levels without a care for the slight lack in emulation speed! Rating - 95%
I was never much of a Monty fan, although the first game had its moments, I always felt they couldn't compete with the likes of Chuckie Egg 2 or the Miner Willy. However, I did try Monty Mole (1984) and Monty On The Run (1985)... Performance - worked okay for both games, but it was like walking in mud and needed a dollop more CPU humph to be enjoyable. Shame... Rating - 65%
Sabrewulf was released back in 1984 and blew everyone away with its beautiful graphics but it was really just a simple maze with funny creatures. I like it! Performance - I seriously expected Sabrewulf to suck. It's littered with tons of graphics and large monsters but it was actually very playable! Rating - 85%
Trashman was released by New Generation Software in 1984 and is a game that can boil the blood with frustration as it's all about timing and speed. Who'd have thought emptying bins could be so entertaining!! Performance - actually not too bad and very playable. Rating - 80%
Bug-Byte did it again with their release of Turmoil in 1984. Don't be put off by the graphics as this is a simple game of grabbing the oil and fill up the car... but it's challenging and extremely addictive. Ace game!! Performance - Yet another than just needed a pinch more CPU horsepower to make it playable. Oh, you lucky Falcon and TT owners should play this!! Rating - 75%
Tutankhamun, released in 1983 by Micromania may look incredibly old, and dull, but do not let appearances fool you. This is a fiendishly awesome maze game with classic old skool gameplay! Performance - another which is so close to being just right. Certainly not enough to spoil the fun and it plays superbly. Rating - 95%
Valhalla, released in 1983 by Legend is one of those pinnacle moments in computing history. At least to me! Awesome, fictional atmosphere recreated so beautifully. Sure, it looks simple now but this is a belting adventure game! Performance - umm not too bad. Seems to lag whenever you enter a command. So typing in "west" to travel will take the computer about 5 seconds of pondering! I'd estimate it to be around 70% of the real game BUT being an adventure that factor doesn't matter as much as it would for a shooter, for example. Rating - 70% (but don't let that stop you!)
Heck, even I don't know why I playtested this one - but here we have 1984 that was released in (wait for it) 1984 by Incentive Software. Performance - yep, this seems to be perfect! Rating - 100%
Bombjack was released by Elite in 1986 and isn't really a game I ever bothered to play. I just wanted to test it out for my own curiosity. Performance - almost but not quite. Plays very well but needs an extra nip of speed... Rating - 75%
Bounty Bob Strikes Back, released in 1985 by US Gold and it's a game I suck at terribly. I'll stick to the Speccy version myself! Performance - not too great, like playing in slo-mo! Rating - 60%
Buck Rogers Planet of Zoom is a cracking game, so much arcade fun and often one that people seem to by-pass. Released in 1985 by US Gold. Try it! Performance - not too great, which is strange as there's not actually an awful lot going on graphically so why it's so slow... I don't know? Rating - 65% (it various / this is an average)
Back in 1984, Knight Lore kickstarted a whole new venture into 3D and lots of companies copied with their own releases. This game started it all. Classic. Performance - It's like Pentagram, on the quieter rooms it's almost perfect but on some of the busier rooms there is some slow down. But, there was on the original Spectrum too.... Rating - 80%
Alien 8 was released a few months after Knight Lore and was more of the same with different graphics, some might say a rip-off but it was a massive hit and it's a fantastic game. So... Performance - Same as Knight Lore. Perhaps there's a little umm little extra speed? Rating - 80%
Underwurlde was released at the same time as Knight Lore, late 1984 and was a complete opposite. Ultimate really did cover all basis that Christmas period and here was a platform game with lots of action as you leap about. Can I shock you once more and report that I mapped and completed this game!! Performance - strange one this, to move about and play it is actually darn close to perfect but the monsters seem to take longer to materialise. So, you actually get a slightly easier game... result! ;^) Rating - 85%
Avenger was released by Gremlin Graphics in 1986 and I'm sorry to those guys, but I never ever liked this game. A weak Gauntlet rip-off and I feel bad saying that because it's by Gremlin and lots of gamers loved it. But I don't! Performance - actually, it's yet another that needs a slightly faster machine. It's playable and enjoyable but I expect a TT or Falcon would be perfect. Rating - 75%
Fairlight A Prelude is based upon the 3D isometric idea first created by Ultimate but here we have what could be described as the next-gen in this genre. This is a wonderful game which is highly engrossing and certainly one I'd describe as a true classic for the Spectrum. Performance - like the Ultimate games, it's not too bad on quieter rooms but the busier ones do struggle a little. Sometimes it can be as poor as Pentagram, and then sometimes it's acceptable - just like Alien 8 or Knight Lore. So it's a mixed bag that really needs the power of a TT or Falcon, I imagine. Rating - 60/85%
Blue Max may sound like a dirty movie but it's actually one of the best shooters I've ever owned. It's been slammed on some YouTube videos but it's a game I've always enjoyed. Sure, it's not perfect but it's fun to play. Performance - it's slower than the real machine. Shame (for me!) Rating - 70%
Atic Atac blown everyone out the water back in 1983 with its ace graphics and arcade action as you plundered the various levels avoiding the creepies. Another game I completed!! Performance - as with Underwurlde this plays near perfect but the monsters are delayed in appearance. Perhaps this is all because the computer struggles to calculate that in the background? Who knows. But it certainly is enjoyable!! Rating - 85%
Bug Byte's awesome scrambler, Cavern Fighter was released in 1983 and it's a game I still own. Don't be fooled by the minimalistic graphics - it's AWESOME!! Performance - very good actually and I was pleasantly surprised how much I was enjoying this game again. Missed it! Rating - 90%
I remember school friends going crazy over this game but sadly Dynamite Dan, released by Mirrorsoft 1985, didn't really do much for me... Performance - not too great I'm afraid, it's playable but slo-mo. Rating - 70%
Frank N Stein is a nifty alternative to the typical platform genre and forces a more creative play. Released by PSS in 1984 and a game I'm honoured to still own, it's ace! Performance - as with Dynamite Dan really, it's just a little bit too slow to fully enjoy. Rating - 72%
Gulpman is literally one of the first games I played on my own ZX Spectrum and was released by Campbell Systems in 1982. Once again, don't be put off by those graphics! Performance - almost there, I expected perfection but not so. Almost, but not quite. Rating - 95%
Zaxxon was a little bit of a disappointment after seeing those screenshots on the back of the box... But it plays great, so what more do you need? Not the best by US Gold but enjoyable. Released in 1985. Performance - even with all those gordy graphics this game played ace. Shocked!! Rating - 90%
Highway Encounter, another absolute classic by Vortex Software from 1985. A beautifully designed masterpiece of skill and patience with a shed load of lovely 3D action thrown in for good measure. Work your way down the highway of ever-increasing isometric difficulty. Another game I completed! Performance - oh dear.. this appears to work wonders from the title screen (albeit a little slower than a real Spectrum) and the in-game demo works fine. However, the game appears to freeze after starting a new game which is an ultra shame! Rating - 85% (potentially!)
Of all the Horace games, I think this is my favourite. Horace And The Spiders is fun and a little creepy too if you suffer from arachnophobia! Superb game. Performance - strangely there's not much going on graphically, yet this game suffers the slo-mo effect. Still playable but odd as I expected better. Rating - 80%
River Raid is up there with H.E.R.O is another Spectrum classic by Activision in 1984. What an old skool game this is and it hits you hard with its addictive gameplay. A brilliant game conversion. Performance - sadly this is the kicker. It runs extremely well, I'm talking almost perfect speeds. Until you hit that fire button and then it crashes BUT there is a fix. Just configure the emulator to continue on when it encounters a problem and then the game runs fine. Rating - 95%
There are dozens of Jet Set Willy games out there so I figured I would pick one at random. A Bulgarian Requiem was released in 2000 and, as you'd imagine, plays just like the original game but with all new rooms to explore (map). Excellent!! Performance - as with the original JSW game and Manic Miner the performance is spot on and even better without the in-game music playing. Rating - (music on) 85% Rating - (music off) 98%
As with JSW, MM also has a few clones and I found this one lurking in the archives. This was released in 1985 by RD Foord. It's always interesting to see these modifications of the original games. Check out its map, I must play this more! Performance - I think we can guarantee all the Miner Willy games will play great. Enjoy them all! Rating - (music on) 85% Rating - (music off) 98%
Wizard's Lair was released in 1985 by Bubble Bus Software and is basically an Atic Atac rip-off but a damn good game also, so who cares! Performance - works until the game starts and then it totally bombs out. Mega shame, especially because you can move and see the baddies for a split second and it runs nice... until the bombs! Rating - 85% (would be score!)
Ad Astra, by Gargoyle Games in 1984 is a shooter with a 3D perspective ahead of its time. Either you'll love or hate this shooter. Performance - From what little I could see (I suck at this game!) it played almost as good as the real deal. Very fast. Rating - 95%
Beach-Head was released by US Gold in 1984 and is pretty much one of the most simplistic games there is, it's so basic. Yet it works! Performance - speed is slightly less than perfect but it works and it works well. Very enjoyable! Rating - 85%
Backpackers Guide To The Universe was meant to be a part 1 of 3 games, sadly Fantasy Software went bust and we never got to see the follow-ups... But, Ziggy is the star! (from The Pyramid and Doomsday Castle and is a hero of mine. Great games). Whatever happened to Bob Hamilton? :/ Performance - thankfully Backpackers works extremely well under emulation and it's fast too, not quite as fast as the real computer but not enough to spoil it. Love it! Rating - 90%