Retro Action Issue 1

RETROACTION
ISSUE ONE SPRING 2009
LEGEND OF
WUKONG
New Sega Mega Drive /
Genesis game reviewed
Plus an interview with
RETRO REMAKES
Super Fighter Team, COMPETITION 2008
the developer/publisher The categories, the games!
behind the project
ZENOBI
We talk to the people behind one of the
UK’s most popular adventure publishers
DOSBOX
We take a look at the
ultimate DOS emulator
retroaction. re‘tro‘ac´tion (plural re‘tro‘ac´tions). noun.
1. Any action that has an influence due to a past event
How very apt that definition is regarding

retrogaming and our new digital retro games
magazine in particular.
Some readers, especially Amstrad CPC fans,
may remember the Amstrad Action tribute
magazine, which is where we envisaged the
Retroaction name plus many of the features in this
magazine.
To produce a magazine with such diverse
content, an array of experienced gamers from
around the globe has been assembled to work on
Retroaction. We will waffle on about retro games
from all platforms whether they are good, bad, or
ugly. There will also be a smattering of reviews,
interviews, and anything else that we feel is
appropriate. Just look at the line up on the very next
page to get an idea of what we’re about.
We have taken full advantage of the magazine’s
digital format, so it’s fully interactive: the contents
page is linked with the relevant features (see an
article you want to read? Just click on the contents
page entry and voila), all internet links are
hyperlinked (one click sends you to the website),
reviews have links to the game’s ROM, there’s also
a link to the appropriate emulator, and if you need to
get in touch with any of us, or to let us know what
you think of the magazine, then Retroaction staff are
just one click away from an email. You can also air
your opinions or join in on the retro discussions on
our website’s forum: www.retroactionmagazine.com/
forum.
The journey to get here has been long and the
journey ahead will be longer still; this is just the
beginning.
Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Retroaction.
The Retroaction team

MAIN MENU
3MAIN MENU
4 RETRO REMAKES 41 INTERVIEW - PAUL NEW GAMES
EDITOR COMPETITION 2008 KOOISTRA FEATURED IN
Neil Reive THIS ISSUE
DEPUTY EDITOR
14 PREVIEWS 43 RETRO RESPECT -
LEGEND OF WUKONG 29
Gnome SPEEDBALL 2
SUB HUNTER 35
17 RETRO RESPECT -
DESIGNER PERFECT FIT 37
Neil Reive JILL OF THE JUNGLE 46 HOW TO
CAUSE A SHOOT REDUX 38
CONTRIBUTORS
Duncan Rule
19 COMPLETE SUDOKU 39
GAMESMASTER CONTROVERSY ALBATROSITY 40
Mark Hall LOOKBACK DEATHCASE REMAKE 05
Richard Goulstone 49 DOSBOX EMPIRE STRIKES BACK REMAKE
06
22 INTEVIEW - EMULATOR PROFILE
Duffman SUPER MARIO KART REMAKE
ZENOBI SOFTWARE 07
51 THE COSMIC PRISON COMMANDO
"You wake up one day and find 25 RAIDERS COMPUTER 08
it’s all been a dream or you OF THE LOST WARRIOR ULTIMATE BRUCE LEE 09
wake up and discover you’ve
been asleep all the time and ARCADES SEWER SHARK REMAKE 10
the nightmare is real." 57 CLASH OF THE 8-BITS ELECTRO FREDDY REMAKE 10
27 VOYAGE KICK OFF 2 REMAKE 11
www.retroactionmagazine.com
TO THE 59 AMSOFT - A KUNG FU II 11
retroaction-magazine.blogspot.com
BOWELS OF PERSONAL FACTORY DAZE 14
The Retroaction team (C) 2009. THE BACK EXPERIENCE DX RICK DANGEROUS 2 15
Retroaction is an independent
publication. We have taken great care CATALOGUE
to ensure that what we have published GAME OF THE DEAD 15
is accurate, but cannot be liable for any 61 THE
mistakes or misprints. All copyrights PIER SOLAR 16
have been acknowledged and games
29 REVIEWS WEIRD AND
MOUNTAIN PANIC 16
are featured solely for educational and WONDERFUL
criticiscm purposes. No part of this BLURP 16
publication may be reproduced in any 32 INTERVIEW - WORLD OF
form without our explicit written
permission.
SUPER FIGHTER TEAM RETROGAMING
RETROACTION ISSUE ONE SPRING 2009 3

Just like films, video games are often remade
with the intention of improving or adding to the
original. Retro Remakes is arguably the most
popular website which caters for video game
remakes. It has also been the place for the
Retro Remakes Competition for years now.
Just recently, the 2008 competition ended.
The coders had toiled away for months
developing their remakes for the December
deadline. With 50 entries competing for six
categories, it looks like being an impossible
task to pick out the winners...

FEATURE RETRO REMAKES COMPETITION 2008
DEATHCHASE
Developer James Kett Platform PC Download N/A Genre Shoot-’em-up Category Retro Remakes
D
eathchase is—if there is still one controlled using the mouse. Now you gun will ensure a good score. Receive a and it is frightfully scary speeding
person out there that doesn’t may think that using the mouse for a high score and you can enter your through the forest in the pitch dark.
know—a remake of the 1983 ZX racing game is rather silly, but once name on the high score table. If you liked the original then you will
Spectrum classic 3D Deathchase. you get used to the mouse controls it I played the Amstrad CPC version, no doubt love this remake; even if you
Originally written by Mervyn Estcourt becomes second nature. Holding the which is almost an exact replica of the hated the original, then this version
for Micromega, the game was one of right mouse button accelerates the Spectrum game, and I wasn’t very might just change your opinion.
the first examples of 3D first person bike, while releasing it slows you down. impressed with the game at all. The
perspective. The response to the game Moving the mouse left or right moves graphics were monochromatic, the
was unbelievable, from gamers to the bike in the corresponding direction. sound was pretty poor, and the
magazines; they all praised it for its As you speed through the forest gameplay wasn’t that great. However,
speed and playability. you will soon come across enemy the remake seems to eliminate all
Despite playing the Amstrad CPC bikers, which can be taken out with the these problems. The PC’s graphics are
conversion last year, and now the PC bike’s laser gun by pressing the left by no means top of the range—they
remake, I still don’t know what the hell button. Taking out the necessary can get quite blocky at times—but are
is going on plot wise. All I do know is number of intruders will take you to adequate, and the trees blur by
that the game takes place over several further stages, which gradually get smoothly when zooming through the
stages with both day and night patrols. tougher with more trees to dodge and forest.
You are informed of a number of more—faster—enemy bikers. Sound is covered well with an
intruders in the forest and it’s your job Points are gained according to the excellent incidental soundtrack: the
as commander of a high-speed pursuit difficulty level and are given for faster you go the more upbeat the
motorbike to hunt them down. destroying enemy bikers and music gets. Spot sound effects are also
The difficulty level can be set to completing a stage. However, ten handled well with laser gun effects and If you thought the day-time
easy, normal or hard and you start the points are deducted for every laser explosions accompanying the visuals. mission was hard then wait ‘til you
game with three lives. The bike is shot you fire, so careful usage of the The gameplay itself is fast furious fun see the night mission. Jeez
You really feel the speed as you ...no, you really do, just look at the Damn! Crashed into a tree, again. One life left—indicated by the
zip through the forest... trees blurring. Oh, there’s an Erm, I mean the enemy whacked single yellow light on the bike—so
enemy biker me from behind... I better make it count

THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK

Developer MinionSoft Platform PC Download N/A Genre Shoot-’em-up Category Retro Remakes
O
nce again, the fate of the
Rebels lies in the capable
hands of Luke Skywalker and
Han Solo as they fly across the
frozen wastes of the planet Hoth to
bring the evil Empire to its knees.
Many of you will have seen the
film and played the games which
followed. Having produced a remake
of the first Star Wars arcade game,
MinionSoft decided to continue with
the great franchise and bring us a
remake of the classic Atari arcade
game from 1985. The famous opening scroll—where
The game sees you playing as virtually indestructible, but destroyed you will earn a letter you can’t read it until half way
Luke fighting off the onslaught of fortunately have a couple of weak from the word JEDI. through—recreated in all its glory
imperial probe droids homing in on spots. With a Tie Attack and Controls are very flexible and
the rebel base’s location. It’s your Asteroid Belt sections later, the the game can be played with the blocky efforts, but show some
mission to destroy them before game is a faithful remake of the mouse, joystick, gamepad, or rough edges-probably due to the
they discover the power generator. original. keyboard. Options are numerous hurriedness of the development.
Taking control of a snow The ultimate aim is to help Luke with plenty of configurations Sound is also impressive with
speeder, you then have to battle gain full Jedi status and to do this available. some sampled voices and effects
against the advancing AT-AT and you have to destroy a number of The graphics are a huge leap from the film itself. My only concern
AT-ST walkers. These beasts are targets. Each time the targets are from the original’s wire frame is that the fun is over rather quickly.
Stage one and the probes are Fighting against four star I had one of these—the toy model But don’t laugh at them for too
causing a few problems destroyers, are you insane? that is—and the missus called it a long as they pack a mean punch.
dog. Ha-ha, etc. Ouch, I felt that whiz by my ear

SUPER MARIO KART

Developer Grindalf Platform PC Download N/A Genre Racing game Category Retro Remakes
In last place, but it can be quite Watch it on this level as one wrong Okay, so I’m in last place again. I Another tricky little level with
easy to catch up on the pack move and you’re over the edge blame the mud—it slows you down water hazards on every corner
S
uper Mario Kart on the Super the tracks is done by using the around the courses, however, there is
Nintendo was a revelation in the directional arrow keys. Up accelerates, noticeable slowdown at certain points.
early 90s. Gamers loved it and down reverses, while left and right Sound is all right, but hardly an
magazine journos loved it. Everyone turns the kart in the corresponding improvement on the original. One
loved it and why not, it is an excellent direction. Items can be picked up from minor niggle is that there is no
game. Using their most popular video the question mark boxes, which joystick/pad support, which,
game characters, Nintendo created include banana skins, green shells, red considering the SNES uses one, is
one of the best games of the nineties, shells, mushrooms, coins and stars. quite a disappointment.
which excelled due to its multiplayer Pressing the space bar activates an Due to the time constraints of the
action and additional features. item: banana skins can be dropped for Retro Remakes competition, and the
The main speed options are 50 cc, trailing racers to skid on, and green late start Grindalf had, several features
100 cc, and 150 cc, which determine shells can be used as a weapon against had to be dropped. These included a
the speed and difficulty of the game. racers in front. two player split screen, enemy powers,
There are three tournaments to When racing against the others you battle mode, a map, jumping, special
compete in: the mushroom cup, flower will no doubt come in contact with cup, and the Donkey Kong character. Fighting with Luigi for first place.
cup, and star cup. Each tournament them. When this happens, you will lose Just imagine what may have been if all Just hope I don’t skid off the icy
takes place over five different tracks. a coin, but if you haven’t got any coins these were implemented into the track
Your final race order determines the then you will spin, which can get really game. If ifs and buts, etc. As it stands,
amount of points you win and the annoying if it happens right at the Super Mario Kart Remake is an
points are tallied up during the start. However, there are plenty of admittedly flawed, but fun game.
tournament. The player with the most coins scattered around the racecourses
points at the end of all five tracks wins for you to pick up.
the tournament and the cup. The game certainly looks good and
Controlling the racing karts around the graphics move smooth enough

COSMIC PRISON COMMANDO

Developer Carnivac Games Platform PC Download One level demo Genre Shoot-’em-up Video clip YouTube Category We Like It
The Turrican influences become He, he. The power up is an icon of Jack lets rip with his standard Three-way gunfire. Look at the
apparent immediately the Amstrad CPC464. Nice touch weapon as the enemy approach lighting effect on Jack. Excellent
D
eveloped for the Retro Remakes of the things Carnivac had to There’s the usual walk, jump,
2008 contest, C.P.C. was remove include the options menu, a crouch movements, but there is
entered into the ‘We Like It death animation, boss enemies, also the ability to break through
Retro’ category (a new game with a and extra weapons. thin platforms by crouching down
retro style). While this is The plot of Cosmic Prison and pressing the jump key.
essentially a new game developed Commando is not really known—the Certain coloured doors block
on the PC game, the retro style intro screen is currently disabled— your path so you will need to find
chosen is very much Amstrad CPC but the aim of the demo is to get to the matching colour device and
from around 1989; it uses the the end of the level, negotiating destroy it to open these doors.
CPC’s 16 colours on screen from a around the map area, shooting the Collecting orbs will give you extra
palette of 27. The name Cosmic enemies, collecting power ups. points (one hundred will gain you
Prison Commando is also a For the demo, controls can be an extra life). The weapons in the
reference to the CPC itself and the configured in the config file (0 for game include your standard blaster
The Amstrad CPC style graphics game’s level design has been keyboard and 1 for joystick), as and a multiple shot, which are
have been replicated perfectly created with obvious influences can the scanline options (1 is solid, upgradeable through picking up the
from the likes of the Turrican 0 is invisible and 0.5 is a relevant ammo icons. As
series. compromise). For the moment the mentioned, a third weapon is not
Due to time constraints, C.P.C. game can only be played full working for the demo, but should
was not completed in time for the screen, which isn’t really any be ready for the completed game,
Retro Remakes compo deadline, bother to be honest. as will smart bombs and weapon
hence why this is the demo version The controls are fairly easy and maximum upgrades. It is a great
we’re looking at. So what we have are probably designed for use with demo all the same, and if Carnivac
here is one level with most of the a joystick/keyboard combo, can complete the game in the near
features hidden or removed. Some although you can use a gamepad. future, then he will have a brilliant
little game on his hands.
ULTIMATE BRUCE LEE

Developer Trevor (Smila) Storey & Stuart Collier Platform PC Download Release Genre Beat-’em-up Category Retro Remakes
O
riginally released on the two hits, but is more agile and will A great title soundtrack plays away
Atari home computers in the dodge your attacks and fight back as you look through the options and
mid 1980s, Bruce Lee was with his sword. They both track you the spot effects are solid enough.
received well by many and ports to relentlessly throughout the game. Gameplay is great fun and feels just
other home computers quickly You start the game with four like the original. As with the original,
followed. Using the name of world falls (lives) and three knockdowns there is a two-player mode (the
famous martial arts guru, many by the enemy or a hit by a hazard second player controls Yamo), which
would have thought that the game loses a fall. Other dangers await makes for an interesting game,
would be lacklustre, but that was Bruce throughout the levels: spikes however, the remake has the option
not to be the case. Now we have a wait to impale a careless fighter of two players against the computer
remake of this old classic from and lethal beams shoot across with two Bruce Lees.
Trevor Storey and Stuart Collier. gaps. With all the hazards—not to Apart from the main game, there
Set in ancient Japan, the player mention Yamo and the Ninja—skilful are quite a few other modes and
With so many options and mini takes on the role of Bruce Lee as timing is required to progress the challenges to play through. You can
games, UBL will keep you busy he searches out the secrets of levels. even play the original version in all
eternal life and fabulous riches. The The screens are colourful and its 8-bit glory. Other modes are only
one man who possesses this secret have been well recreated with unlocked by achieving certain
is an evil wizard who lives high up some good animation. As you’d accomplishments, so it’s going to
on Mount Fuji in a fortified palace. expect for a remake, the sound is a take some time to become the
The palace is guarded by two of the huge improvement on the original. ‘Ultimate Bruce Lee’.
Far East’s most fearsome warriors:
the huge green Yamo and the
Ninja.
Bruce can run and jump around
the platforms and fall without too
much harm. There are also many
things that he can use to climb
including ladders, trellises, and
frames to get to the upper
platforms. In each of the screens,
The remake’s graphics are really you must collect the hanging
lush and smoothly animated lanterns, which gains access to the
lower levels via a hatch that opens.
Bruce can defend himself against
Yamo and the Ninja with punches, For the true nostalgic trip, you can You can even play Bruce Lee Tron
flying kicks and by ducking. Yamo play the original... style
is a particularly dangerous enemy
to confront and will only be
temporally defeated with three
knockdowns. The Ninja takes only

SEWER SHARK
Developer Park Productions Platform PC & Mac Download v1.2 Genre Shoot-’em-up
ELECTRO FREDDY
Developer Musti Platform PC Download Release Genre Puzzle Category Retro
Category We Like It Retro Remakes
T E
he original Sewer Shark got some lectro Freddy is a remake of the onto the conveyor belt then a key will
fine reviews in the day, and was game of the same name, appear for the next warehouse.
one of the Mega CD’s finest developed by Softspot and Controlling the character with the
efforts. Boasting FMV first perspective published by Amsoft for the Amstrad arrow keys can get quite fiddly and
images, the game played out like an CPC in 1985. You play Electro Freddy joystick compatibility would have been
interactive movie. who has to stop the villain Uncle a huge plus for the game. As a
In the future Earth suffers a nuclear Claude of Sincrum Research by getting consequence, the game is quite
blast. Humans have fled underground the product out of the warehouse to frustrating as a small mistake with the
for cover, hiding in the sewers. the shops. keys can lead to a loss of life.
However, Ratigators (mutant hybrid of The warehouse is a single screen While the graphics and sound aren’t
rat and alligator) inhabit the sewers. with a conveyor belt running along the up to much, the game can be
Sewer Sharks have been hired to clean bottom. Product like Spectrums, Orics, surprisingly addictive. However, once
up the mutants. As a sewer shark, you MSXs, and C64s are scattered around you have seen the first few levels
play a rookie sewer shark code named The Speccy version suffers from the different warehouses. Using the (from a total of 25), it doesn’t take
‘Dog Meat’. Along with your co-pilot, colour clash arrow keys, you control Freddy and long for tedium to set in.
you take control of an exterminator have to push the product onto the
vehicle known as Hole Hawg. patrolling the sewers, they are pretty conveyor belt.
The remake is an arcade shoot-‘em- easy to take out-one quick fire from Uncle Claude will try and stop you
up, which scrolls vertically upwards, your gun and they’re history. Although and if he does then it’s a hospital job
where you can move around in all anything that hits the ship causes as an ambulance rushes on screen and
directions, speeding up and slowing damage. Clear each sewer sector of takes you away, losing a life in the
down. Along the way, metal barricades ratagators and exit the sector in the process. However, you can push the
open to allow progress along the given time limit. product on top of him to knock him
sewer. Be careful with these automatic A unique feature of this remake (I out, although he will reappear at the
barricades as crashing into them will certainly haven’t come across this top of the screen.
decrease your ship’s shield power. before) is that you can play any of the Watch out for the falling Microsoft
Various sewer pipes, do not hit. three 8-bit versions: Amstrad CPC, Windows packages, which will take you Oh, dear, a little trip to the
While there are many ratigators Commodore C64, or ZX Spectrum. out. If you can move the entire product hospital
While the three versions may look
different, they play more or less the
same as each other. Compared to the
CPC and C64’s colourful graphics, the
Spectrum version suffers greatly from
its monochrome display. It becomes
hard on the eyes when controlling a
blue ship along a blue sewer.
With 19 sectors you may think that
you’ve got some game here, but to tell
the truth, there’s not much depth to it.
Despite the graphics and playability
being top notch, the game can get
Watch out for the Windows At last, a good use for a C64:
quite tedious. It is also a bit on the
While the CPC version is colourful package; it’s evil whacking people over the head.
easy side and doesn’t present much of
and clear... I’m joking, of course
a challenge...

KICK OFF 2
Developer MikeDee Platform PC Download N/A Genre Sport Category Retro Remake
KUNG FU II
Developer KNPMaster Platform PC Download N/A Genre Beat-’em-up Category
Sequels That Weren’t
T K
he Kick Off games pioneered ung Fu 2 was entered into the involves as much luck as skill. The
many football features such as ‘Sequels That Weren’t’ variety of enemies provides plenty
the vertically scrolling overhead category and is based on the of long-term gameplay if you get
viewpoint, mixing fast paced arcade 1984 NES Kung Fu game by Irem, stuck into it.
action with realistic ball control: it didn’t which bears a passing resemblance The graphics are okay, and the
stick to the player’s feet like other of the arcade game Kung Fu sound effects are reasonable. It’s
games. There was also the legendary Master. As ‘Kung Fu Master’ certainly a challenge, but the
aftertouch feature where the player Thomas, it’s your mission to repetitive and daunting action may
could perform curling shots. So what negotiate the five-storey temple to be too much for some.
can a PC remake possibly bring to the rescue your girlfriend, Sylvia, from
KO2 fanatic? Well how about 3D the clutches of the evil Mr X.
graphics, improved ball physics, and The game can be played with
improved crowd effects? Well, that’s either keyboard or joystick,
what was planned, but how well has the Japan scores against the although joystick is recommended.
ideas been implemented? incompetent goalkeeper As you walk along the first
The main menu offers you a Friendly corridor, all sorts of nasty
Match, World Cup, Training, Options, and and if you can win the cup then a secret henchmen and hazards get in your
Quit. The options include difficulty (easy team will be unlocked (must be Scotland way, reducing your energy. Some
or normal), camera (KO style, horizontal – Ed). will require you to defeat them
normal/near, vertical normal/near), ball With some notable omissions in the while others can be avoided. Your
(classic, default, dots, white), ball control remake, the game seems to falter before energy is shown by the player’s
(free, sticky), match length, and full it’s even started a match. When a match energy bar and if it reaches zero
screen on/off. The friendly match is a does start, it becomes clear that the then a life is lost.
good chance to practice the game and graphics are a clear improvement on the The enemy can be punched or That old classic story: boy loses
see how it fares against the original original and the choice of viewpoints is an kicked out of the way. Time the girl, boy beats up bad men, boy
version. The World Cup tournament is the added bonus. The sound effects appear to attacks carefully, though, as the gets girl back...
one that you will want to play in though, be a marginal improvement with crowd henchmen can get you into a hold,
chanting away and oohs ringing out when which can be lethal as others can
action happens. join in. A quick waggle of the
However, one thing that you will notice joystick can knock them off,
is that the game is keyboard only. The though.
arrow keys move the player around the As your progress through the
pitch, while using them after you have levels the difficulty increases with
just taken a shot will produce a renowned new enemy and hazards. Things
aftertouch finish. When attacking with the can get quite hairy at times when
ball at your feet, pressing ‘A’ will perform there are a lot of enemies on
a long pass, ‘S’ a medium pass, and ‘D’ screen, and if you manage to
will shoot at goal. While defending, dispatch them then there’s a nasty
pressing ‘D’ will produce a tackle. It’s very guardian at the end of the level to
fiddly to play the game with the keyboard, deal with.
which hampers the gameplay drastically The gameplay is frustrating as
as the original was best played with a ever and not just because it’s Quite a bit of blood flies around.
You can view the action from the Just make sure that it’s not yours
joystick. difficult, but also because it
side, above, and more...

Category 1: Retro Remakes Dizzy - The Lost Island Monuments Of Mars Starquake DS
By Park Productions By Ed Britton By ShaymanJohn
The main category, as you would
expect from the Retro Remakes Remake of the classic 8-bit adventure This is a remake of Monuments of Mars In order to save the Earth from a
competition, is Retro Remakes and game from the Codemasters in 1987. Episode 1, which was originally rogue planet, you must take control of
sees the most games entered than any published by Apogee software BLOB (Bio-Logically Operated Being)
other category. The main category rule Electro Freddy and repair the planet’s core.
was to take a classic game and remake By Musti Parallax
it with today’s hardware, even By Endurion Super Mario Kart
improving on the game if possible by Electro Freddy is a remake of the game By Grindalf
removing any flaws, bugs, etc. of the same name, published for the This game is a
Amstrad CPC. freeware remake Remake of the SNES classic Mario
Bandits At 3 O’clock of Parallax, which racing game.
By Retrorookies The Empire Strikes Back was originally
By Minionsoft made by Sensible Ultimate Bruce Lee
Remake of the Software. By Stu C, Smila and Ovine
Acorn Electron/ Based on the classic 1980s arcade
BBC game with machine, which was based on some RetroBoxing 3D Bruce Lee seeks to claim infinite wealth
elements adding film or another, which no one has ever By Gman and the secret of immortality in this
from dogfight/ heard of? remake of the 8-bit classic platform
biplane style Remake of the original Boxing for the beat-‘em-up.
games on the Atari KickleC Atari 2600 by gman
St and Amiga By xCept Zektor
platforms. Sabre Wulf By Sokurah
A remake of Irem By Ervin
Blocksmania DS America Corp’s Shoot-‘em-up remake of the arcade
By Kukulkan fiendish puzzle A remake of the game which was produced Gremlin in
game Kickle classic 8-bit game 1983.
Puzznic was a popular puzzle game Cublicle. by Ultimate Play
from Taito, and Blocks Mania brings the Game. Category 2:
that old classic up to date with new Kick Off 2 Games That Weren’t
graphics and controls. By Mike Dee SEUCK
By KungPhoo Games can be planned or developed
Deathchase Remake of the classic Dino Dini football and then cancelled at any time. These
By James Kett game from the 1990s. Shoot-‘Em-Up Construction Kit for PC. are the games that weren’t. With this
category, coders were given the
A remake of the game 1983 ZX Lords Of Conquest Sorcerer Lord chance to develop a game that they
Spectrum game “3D Deathchase”. By KaiserPC By KaiserPC wish was released, but wasn’t.
Dingo A game of strategy/war for 1 to 4 A one-player fantasy turn based war Sigue Sigue Sputnik
By Sokurah players. A remake of the Electronic game. A remake of the PSS game of By Lobo
Arts game from 1987. the same name from 1987.
Dingo is a In 1989 there was a
labyrinth/maze Mini-Saboteur Space Fury hint of an SSS game
game and you are By FatSeagal By Sokurah coming to C64. It
‘Big Ted‘ - a panda never happened and
on a mission. The Mini-Saboteur is a remake of the 8-bit Shoot-‘em-up remake of the original only one screen was
original arcade game was developed by game Saboteur, originally published by arcade game which was produced released to public.
A.C.G. in 1983. Durell Software. Gremlin in 1981.
Category 3: Aimed at bringing home games to By Stu C, Smila and Ovine same spec as those machines.
Sequels That Weren’t those who cannot play the typical Whack A Mole, Monty style. As Time Goes By
arcade type genre due to By Lobo
Some games are great. There are also disability. Category 5:
some which are just great to certain Mash Up Casablanca, the game, comic book
people. However great a game might be, A Sliding Puzzle For this category, coders were asked to style.
it doesn’t always guarantee a sequel. Well For Helen merge different games together to
here was the chance for developers to By TCK form one. Like Aliens vs Predator. Oh, CPC
release their very own sequel to that wait, that’s been done, but you get the By Carnivac
favourite game of theirs. A sliding puzzle idea. A hybrid of two, or more games.
game for the Amstrad CPC run and gun action.
Hamurabi 2 Games For Helen category. Blast Passage
By Brian Sauer By Markus Persson Devil Ronin
Battlezone By The Codex
A city sim originally coded in 1969. By Genki Bomberman vs Gauntlet.
An original game in
Kung Fu 2 You control a futuristic tank defending Snakoban Dash C64 style.
By KNPMaster the earth against an alien fleet. By Ichigo Jam
Lightmare
Sequel to the NES game Kung Fu. Carnival 1980 Sokoban vs Snake By Kevin Oke
By Scott McKay vs the ZX
Raid On Fort Spectrum. A retro style vampire game.
Apocalypse Carnival is a shooting gallery game for
By bignobody the Games For Helen Category Sports Daze Retroman
By RichJ By Joachim Despland
Guide your Letter Blaster
helicopter in a By Lindsay Grace Sports game with elements of Rid the planet of the evil space robots.
dangerous and Skool Daze, Hypersports, and
daring raid on Fort Remake of the letter blaster game Decathlon. Revenge Of The Punched Tape
Apocalypse. from the Apple 2 many, many years By VladiKuz
ago. Tetroid
The Kiwi’s Tale By Caleb Eberhardt and Ian O’Dea Retro style humorous gaming.
By Earok Ropor
By Ichigo Jam Tetris and Metroid in the same game? Sewer Shark
Inspired by the original game New By Park Productions
Zealand Story. Help Robot to collect treasure, then The Eggyard
using the warp that appears. by Yxxa Zu and Monochrome Remake of the Mega CD FMV game, in
Pauline’s Way three separate retro styles.
By Harold The Factory Custer’s Revenge vs Dizzy.
By Hockings Spare A Thought For The Little Guy
Pauline was the lady in the original Category 6: By Saul Cross
Donkey Kong game. Do you have what it takes to run a We Like It Retro
complex production line? Collect the souls and escape from hell,
Category 4: C64 style.
Yup, we certainly like it retro. But wait,
21st Century Frog
A Game For Helen this category is all about developing a
By Endurion Staroid
PC game that could pass off as a
Sit there catching flies. by Ichigo Jam
This is an interesting category and Spectrum, C64, or Amstrad CPC game.
perhaps the most challenging one. This meant limiting the game to the
Whack A Monty Mole Asteroid based C64 styled platform
action. 13
RETROACTION ISSUE ONE SPRING 2009
PREVIEW
Duffman loads up this issue’s pile of previews and work in progress games
and is impressed—judging by the games in development, the future of
homebrew gaming is looking very good indeed
FACTORY DAZE
Developer Bob Smith Platform ZX Spectrum Download Work In Progress Video clip YouTube Genre Puzzle
A
t first glance Factory Daze preferences. A password system is is more or less done for you as the given to your control—you can tell
looks very similar to also in place, ready for the final toys are made without any this has happened because the toy
LucasArt’s Night Shift—which game’s release. intervention. The toy parts travel icons appear on the front of it and
also features a similar plot—but as The toy kit machine begins at down onto the second conveyor the lights on it flash away. This
you play the game, it soon becomes the top, where a toy kit starts and are assembled more, before means that you have to move up
apparent that this is different moving down a conveyer belt. It’s being completed on the final and down between the two
enough to stand on its own. down to you to correctly apply the conveyor belt. They are then machines adjusting them to the
The purpose of the game is to relevant toy making machinery to shipped in to the back of the correct toy. And if there are
produce a certain quota of toys the kit. This is achieved by moving delivery van. several different toys to produce—
required by the bosses. For the keys/joystick right and left to Achieve the production quota needing four machines to control—
example, level one might require make the corresponding toy image and you go to level two, but miss then things can really get hairy.
four toys out of a batch of five kits, appear. To make things easier, the the quota and it’s a first warning However, in your advantage is that
with two different toys needed. toys are colour co-ordinated, and from your boss. It sounds easy the number of batches goes up as
Play can be done with keyboard the toy making machinery colour doesn’t it, and it is for the first few well, so there’s more room for
or joystick, which are both matches the toy kits. levels anyway. Things start getting errors during the toy production.
customisable to the player’s The rest of the factory process hectic when another toy machine is The graphics are all in place and
look good. The title screen is
particularly impressive: its menu
and credits all below an image of
the factory’s exterior. The factory
sign ‘Daze’ even lights up a letter
at a time—just like a sleazy old
factory. There wasn’t any music or
sound in this preview version, but
looking at the credits Lee Du-Caine
has been credited with music and
sound effects, so expect some
decent stuff there. So the game
looks promising, and definitely one
Looking good so far. Just sit back The customer wants four toys— With two toys right and one wrong to look out for when it is released
and watch as the conveyor belt comprising of green and white— so far, it’s now all down to the last as a free download.
whizzes them into the truck produced. No probs two coming into the truck...

PREVIEWS
DX RICK 2 GAME OF
THE DEAD
Developer Rox271 Platform PC Download v0.80 Video clip YouTube Genre Platform
C
urrently version 0.8, and very
playable, DXRick2 is a DirectX 9
remake of the 1990 classic Rick Developer Ood Platform PC Download
v0.2 Video clip YouTube Genre Shoot-’em-
Dangerous 2 by Core Design. The
up
original was given rave reviews
Z
throughout many computer magazines ombies Ate My Neighbours (or
at the time with many ratings in the ZAMN for short) was originally
nineties. DXRick2 is based on the released on the Mega Drive as
design of the Atari ST version, but just Zombies. Somehow the powers
with some of the soundtrack from the that be must have thought that zombies
Amiga version. eating neighbours wasn’t a very nice
The plot involves Rick fighting off title or something.
hordes of aliens. Rick’s nemesis, the ZAMN is a quirky parody of all the
Fat Man, has enlisted a fleet of alien great horror and sci-fi films of the past
spaceships to invade Earth. As the with Gauntlet/Smash TV style
ships hover over London, Rick makes gameplay. You trek through the various
a run towards one that lands in Hyde areas (people’s gardens, playing fields,
Park. It’s time to settle this once and spooky castles..) rescuing normal
for all... everyday folk (neighbours even) while
Although not 100% complete, the blasting, beating, freezing and generally
game is very playable – all levels are destroying zombies, mummies,
there and accounted for. However, you chainsaw maniacs, and killer babies.
will need to install the latest version of There are loads of different enemies,
Microsoft DirectX driver – DX9c or and a similarly large number of
better. weapons with which to waste them
As with the original, humour plays with: water pistols, cutlery, plates,
a part in the game. First there’s Rick grass strimmer, rocket launcher... Each
himself, who wears a Flash Gordon weapon has a different effect on each
style outfit, adversaries include enemy, and ammunition is limited, so
clockwork penguins, Alpine goat it’s not just a question of mindless
herders, B-movie style robots and so blasting either.
on. Odd is currently working on a
The graphics are more colourful remake titled Game of the Dead and
and varied, with a large number of has released a playable Alpha 0.2
wonderfully animated sprites. The demo. The graphics look great and the
sound has also been given a boost, game really suits the 3D landscapes.
although the infamous difficulty is still We can’t really determine how the
present, but that’s what made it what game will eventually play, so what will
it was. the game feature? How about real time
lighting, 3D zombies, extra weapons,
RTS elements, fogging, online
RETROACTION ISSUE ONE SPRING 2009 multiplayer? Sounds great... 15
PREVIEWS
PIER SOLAR
Developer Water Melon Development Platform Sega Mega Drive/Genesis Download
Preview demo Video clip YouTube / Trailer Genre RPG
MOUNTAIN BLURP
PANIC
Developer Dave Footit Publisher
Developer Rich Talbot-Watkins
Publisher Retrosoftware
Platform BBC Micro
Video Clip YouTube Genre Platform
Retrosoftware Platform BBC Micro
P
ier solar and the Great Architects, Download Demo Video Clip YouTube
to give it it’s full title, is a new Genre Platform
Mega Drive/Genesis game from
Water Melon Development. The RPG has
been in development for a good few
years now and was set for a Christmas
2008 release. However, following a
setback, the game has been put back to
Spring 2009.
The story follows the exploits of a
trio of young friends-Hoston, Alina, and
Edessot-in the peaceful town of Reja.
B
Unfortunately, Hoston’s father is very ill lurp, coded by Rich Talbot-
and the only cure is a rare herb found Watkins, is a scrolling platform
only in a dangerous cave that houses all game in development for the
manners of monsters. Although BBC Micro. I can’t help but be re-
A
new BBC Micro game in
successful in finding the herb, Hoston minded of the Amstrad CPC Plus game
development by coder Dave
learns of a greater evil which threatens Fluff when I look at Blurp’s
Footitt and artist Roger Coe and
their peaceful lives... screenshots. Little is known of the
Chris Hogg. Mountain Panic is an
The preview contains the first game, but when it’s finally released,
original flip screen adventure based on
mission and despite its problems looks we can expect to see some cute multi-
Mountains of Madness novella by H.P.
very promising. The graphics are great directional scrolling, action.
Lovecraft. The demo is quite an early
(colourful, well defined with some nice
version, but the completed game will
cut scenes), sound is good and the
feature Mode 2 colour graphics, ability
gameplay is classic RPG style.
to climb a thrown rope, use items,
The game will come in a 64mb
enemies (including penguins), and
cartridge available from the official
more…
website. The package will include the
game cartridge, a CD-ROM, an
authentic retail case, an instruction
manual, and a poster. The CD-ROM will
enable the game to be played with the
Mega CD add-on with enhanced
soundtrack and effects.
Hopefully, the game will be ready by
the time we get around to completing
issue two and if it is then expect to see
a full review then. I’m sure the extra
wait will be worth it. In the meantime
check out the official website, the demo,
and the unofficial fan site.
RETRO RESPECT
RESPECT
Duncan Rule finds girl power and giant ants at the C:\ prompt
T
he year was 1992, and a boot.
certain Italian plumber was at Jill was distributed using the
the height of his powers. The then-reigning shareware business
platform genre had officially model, and came in three separate
exploded, and the resulting games parts: Jill of the Jungle, Jill Goes
were two-a-penny. Legions of Underground, and Jill Saves the
console gamers were spoilt for Prince (that’s right, the prince is the
choice as they picked out the next one getting saved; could this be one
ledge-jumper worthy of dropping of the earliest examples of feminism
their hard-earned cash on. PC in gaming?). The first part could be
gamers certainly weren’t going to be freely acquired and distributed,
left out however, and the early whilst parts two and three were only
1990s saw a number of developers available when purchased directly
and publishers trying their hand at from Epic.
creating a Super Mario rival for the Each of Jill’s three chapters are
mighty 80386. structured differently. Chapter one
Epic Megagames (now Epic consists of a side-scrolling overworld
Games of Unreal fame) decided to filled with entrances to the various
try and out-do id’s Commander Keen main levels, which can only be
and Apogee’s Duke Nukum (as he accessed after completing the
was known circa 92) with their own preceding level. Chapter two goes
platform-hopping hero. The result for a more traditional, direct level-
was Jill of the Jungle; a vine- by-level progression, whilst chapter
swinging, tree-jumping, knife- three presents gamers with a top-
throwing femme fatale. That’s right down, map-style overworld. The core
Lara, Jill beat you to the punch by game however remains the same
four years, and her games were a throughout all three chapters, and
hell of a lot more fun than yours to consists primarily of the standard
That’s right Lara, Jill beat you to the punch by four years,
and her games were a hell of a lot more fun than yours to
RETRO RESPECT JILL OF THE JUNGLE
Developer / Publisher Epic Megagames Released 1992 Platforms PC DOS Video clip YouTube Genre Platform
There’s Jill in the, er, Jungle... Jill out of the Jungle... Jill back in the Jungle...
run-and-jump gameplay we all know these is the weapon system the flame-bird or a frog), in order to giant ants and crocodiles early on, to
and love. Rather than simply game uses. Jill, unlike Mario and advance in a specific area. These strange demons and monsters later
charging from one end of the many others, cannot harm enemies animals have additional powers in the game. Jill is also noteworthy
scrolling world to the other, though, simply by jumping on them. Neither (such as the bird’s ability to shoot for its fantastic sound effects, which
Jill’s levels are constructed in a can she blast away with lasers and fireballs) that will enable you to are so much fun that Epic decided to
rather more non-linear fashion, with ray-guns. Instead, Jill is able to traverse an area that Jill would be include a feature that lets you mash
various areas to explore in all collect knives and throwing stars unable to in human form. Jill of the your keyboard to play any of the
directions (including frequent throughout the game, which behave Jungle is rife with puzzles, and most game’s various noises.
underground sections). This design in different ways. The knife, when levels will require you to use your Two years later, Epic decided to
means the game can include some thrown, will shoot out in a straight brain a few times to figure out how jump on the 90s-tastic
nice hidden areas and odd touches line from Jill, decimating whatever is to progress. While these puzzles “anthropomorphic animals with
that you may miss the first time in its way before returning to her, aren’t exactly the most challenging ‘tude” bandwagon and released (the
round. Jill of the Jungle also makes boomerang-style. This presents an ever conceived, they provide a admittedly brilliant) Jazz Jackrabbit.
use of a number of quite original interesting mechanic, as Jill’s welcome change from the mindless Jill was kicked squarely into the
ideas and game mechanics to movement can be used to divert the left-to-right jumping of most infinite abyss of lost DOS games,
separate itself from the average course of a returning knife, causing platformers, and add an interesting never to be heard from again. Those
platformer of the day. it to kill extra enemies on its way dimension to the levels. of you who played Jill of the Jungle
One of the most interesting of back. It’s also possible to lose the The graphics here are bright, at the time will likely remember her
knife entirely, as it will give up if it colourful and very memorable, and adventures with fondness, and if you
gets stuck, and must be picked up each episode makes use of a slightly want to try a platformer that’s a bit
again manually. The throwing stars, different palette to give it its own different, or you’re just bored of
acquired later, are somewhat easier feel. If you’re feeling really old- playing Commander Keen, it’s a
to use, as they bounce around killing school, the standard VGA mode can game you’ll definitely want to track
whatever they find. be switched to EGA on start-up to down.
At various times, Jill also requires provide some archaic 16-colour fun. (Note: Apparently Jill of the
you to activate power-ups which will The enemies on offer range from Jungle can still be purchased via Epic
turn you into an animal (such as a animal-based foes such as frogs, Classics, although my recent e-mail
to them went unanswered. Does the
In her third adventure, Jill went
Jill was kicked squarely into the infinite abyss of company even still exist? Answers
out to save the Prince... lost DOS games, never to be heard from again on a postcard please.)

SERIES ONE, EPISODE ONE
GamesMaster helped bring video games to the
masses and gave birth to the TV game show
Sir Patrick Moore: the almighty Julian Rignall (left): the first games
format. Neil Reive goes back in time to January GamesMaster journalist to co-commentate
1992 to relive the historic premiere episode all
magazine. magazine show. Dedicated
over again… The show’s format was principally especially to people out there who
three games playing challenges find Pictionary pointless and
O
n Channel 4 at precisely sweet, but it was ours. Many (including a celebrity challenge) Kerplunk a waste of marbles.” After
6:30pm on Tuesday 7th imitations came and went over the which were punctuated by reviews, he explains the show’s premise, he
January 1992, something years, but GamesMaster was news, features, and the then introduces us to The
amazing happened for gamers undoubtedly the first, not to mention Consoletation Zone (containing GamesMaster himself: Sir Patrick
across the UK; a phenomenal piece the best, of its kind. From its “virtual hints, tips and cheats). As you can Moore, who appears in pre-recorded
of gaming history that influenced world” opening credit sequence, the imagine, this was a lot to fit into 22 inserts and sets the games
others to follow in its path. This was cheeky Scottish presenter, the minutes of airtime, but the guys challenges.
the premiere broadcast of a new production design and the guest behind the show did a fantastic job. Challenge one is Super Mario
video games show entitled reviewers, GamesMaster offered So, let’s go back in time to January Bros. 3 and the first challenger,
GamesMaster. Finally gamers had an something different, something 1992 and relive the historic Daniel Blake from Edgewell, has the
entire television show dedicated to unique, and a legacy that lasts to premiere episode all over again… task of collecting 50 coins in two
their hobby, their machines, and this day—albeit in a slightly diluted The show opens in the mistiness minutes on level one. Dominik
their games. Sure, it was short and form—with the GamesMaster of a church interior as the crowd go enters the commentator’s box to
wild. Video arcade games line the join the show’s first co-commentator
far end of the wall and the crowd “world famous computing celebrity”
line up in the pews. A fresh faced Julian Rignall (of Mean Machines and
Dominik Diamond steps down from Computer and Video Games
the organ, heads towards the centre magazine).
of the main stage and introduces the The challenge begins, and after a
show: “Welcome to GamesMaster. minor stumble (he misses the secret
Television’s first ever videogames tunnel at the first attempt) Daniel is
“Welcome to GamesMaster. Television’s first ever

videogames magazine show. Dedicated especially to
The Church: the main set for series Dominic Diamond: the host, the people out there who find Pictionary pointless and
one main man, a cheeky chappy Kerplunk a waste of marbles.” - Dominic Diamond
FEATURE GAMESMASTER LOOKBACK: SERIES ONE, EPISODE ONE
game,” explains David Wilson, “…and
“If you take that back to Edgewell with you, it certainly would give you value for
put it in your hand, and walk around proud and erect money in terms of playability
because it’s very addictive. But it
through the high street.” - Dominic Diamond doesn’t really offer much original or
successful, walking off with the first new.” An average final verdict of
ever GamesMaster Golden Joystick 63% is given.
award. Dominik offers his Indiana Jones and the Fate of
congratulations: “If you take that Atlantis for the PC rounds off the
back to Edgewell with you, put it in reviews. “A much more
your hand and walk around proud sophisticated game,” states David,
and erect through the high street.” “…superior graphics, and the depth
Just like the magazines at the of the story and puzzling is at a Dominic and second co-
time, GamesMaster included reviews much higher level.” Radion tells us commentator Tom Watson from
of forthcoming titles. In an attempt that “it’s got all the makings of a Renegade
to give the show some credibility Lucasfilm game. If you look at it, the
with the viewers and gaming attention to detail; the quality of the
The first reviewing team includes industry alike, the producers hired graphics... [it’s] …one of the best PC
David Wilson from Zero the cream of games journalists from adventure games.” A fine final
magazine... the main publishing companies such verdict of 93% is awarded.
as EMAP and Future Publishing. This Following the reviews is a quick
gave the show the opportunity to feature on Gameboy customisation.
use the collective views from One guy has put skateboard grips
journalists who worked on onto his Gameboy to make it more
magazines including Mean Machines, comfortable and to stop his hands
Computer and Video Games (C&VG), sweating so much. While a woman
ACE, Sega Power, and Amiga Format. tells us that “a Gameboy comes into
For episode one, the three this world naked and it’s just
begging to be designed. It’s crying Help with Sonic the Hedgehog in
reviewers look at movie-to-game
the consoletation zone
adaptations. Up first is The out to be scribbled on, drawn on,
Terminator on the Sega Mega Drive.
David Wilson (Zero magazine)
describes it as a “…good game. It’s
very playable. Nice big sprites. Lots
...and Radion Automatic from of exciting explosions and gung-ho
Computer and Video Games action.” Tim Oberman (who?) points
magazine out the “…digitised screen shots,
which are very impressive.” Radion
(C&VG) tells us “…for once, it’s a
Mega Drive game that packs a real
challenge.” The final verdict is a
decent 87%.
Dominik introduces the next
game as a “macabre romp ‘round The first ever GamesMaster Golden Simon Reynolds scores against
your Nintendo with The Addams Joystick is won by Daniel Blake John Fashanu in the celebrity
Family.” “For youngsters, it’s a good challenge...

FEATURE GAMESMASTER LOOKBACK: SERIES ONE, EPISODE ONE
John has a chance to reply with a quick equalizer, but

manages to smack the ball onto the bar from two yards,
much to the amusement to all present
smashed up and designed all over.”
Celebrity Challenge time, and The
GamesMaster tells us that the game
he has chosen is Manchester United
Europe (also known as European
Club Soccer to console players). The
game will be played over two 90-
second halves, with Simon Reynolds Tony Wright rounds off the show ...winning a golden joystick in the
from Bishop Stortford taking on with a winning performance on process
Wimbledon and England striker John Mad Dog McGree...
Fashanu. Joining Dominik in his
“pulpit dugout” to co-commentate is having trouble with spells in
John Fashanu smacks the ball onto this time is Renegade Software’s Elvira, and the last Consoletation
the bar from two yards in the Tom Watson. The game begins well involves Simon’s Quest, and a cliff.
celebrity challenge enough—despite some dodgy For the final challenge, The
tackling—and both players hit the GamesMaster chooses the arcade
post within seconds of each other. light gun game Mad Dog McCree.
However, the first halve ends The challenger, Tony Wright from
goalless. Simon goes into the lead in Wales, must rid the town of outlaws
the second half, after a blunder from and free the imprisoned sheriff who
John’s goalkeeper. John has a chance is held hostage in his own jail. “So
to reply with a quick equalizer, but get your pistol hammer cocked, and
manages to smack the ball onto the let’s see those barrels blazing.” Co-
bar from two yards, much to the commentating with Dominik this The first episode is brought to an
amusement to all present. Simon time is Tim Boone (editor of end as Dominik bids farewell, until
takes advantage of John’s lapse in Computer and Video Games next time....
concentration and scores a long- magazine). The shooting is top
range effort to help him win the drawer, and Tony takes out on-
Tim Boone, editor of C&VG, joins game 2-0, taking home with him a comers left, right, and centre. He
Dominic in the pulpit to co- GamesMaster Golden Joystick. frees the sheriff and wins himself the
commentate on the final game Oh dear, it’s now time for the coveted GamesMaster Golden
Consoletation section, where Joystick.
members of the public ask As Dominik closes the episode, he
GamesMaster for tips and cheats on dons his smoking jacket, tells the
their favourite video games. One guy audience that he’ll “see [them] again
is having trouble finding the “secret in seven days,” before disappearing
world” in act three of Sonic the into the haze of the church with the
Hedgehog. He “can’t find it monk following closely behind. The
anywhere.” GamesMaster shows him camera pulls away, then the closing
That’ll be the end of the episode
how to spin through a wall and into a theme kicks in, as the computer- then?
room with bonus rings. Another guy style closing credits begin to roll.

THE GREAT ZENOBI SOFTWARE
INTERVIEW WITH A BALROG
With so many names
Z
enobi Software, the Valley (Anglesey) and Seletar upgraded to a ZX Spectrum... the
Rochdale Balrog, the Cat (Singapore) before settling down in only things that seemed
and guises, it was and the Cockroach were Rochdale in 1970 where I still live reasonable to play on these
virtually an impossible responsible for developing to this day. As for the ‘cat’ that is machines were ‘text adventures’
and/or publishing over two simply one of my many ‘alter- (the arcade games did not appeal)
task to track down the hundred excellent—nay, egos’... now, that is a ‘first’ for you so those became my passion.
man behind one of the classic—ZX Spectrum text- and your readers, as I have never
adventures (that were admitted to that before. ‘Cat’ is a G: Did you have any game
Spectrum’s great eventually ported to most other good one, unlike ‘Cockroach’ who developing experience before
publishers, but Gnome home micros) and quite a few is an evil, mischievous little sod. starting up Zenobi? Any ties to the
managed it. He talks to Atari ST ones too. What’s more, industry?
John Wilson (a.k.a. the Balrog) G: Why—and more importantly, B: None whatsoever. I was working
John Wilson—the man the man behind it all, a Speccy how—did you start Zenobi? Were as a Radio/TV Technician just prior
behind Zenobi—about developer that supported the you all alone in this, erm, to starting Zenobi and before that I
machine all the way into the adventure of sorts? had been a Quantity Surveyor for a
his past, present, and 90s and a key figure in the B: Had been unemployed for a number of years. The urge to
future adventure scene, is here to number of years and during a produce an adventure-game came
enlighten you and me on how ‘careers interview’ I blurted out “to simply from my own experiences
things happened and what the run a software house” in answer to and the games I had played
future holds. Read on, then hop one of their questions. Being me, I through at that time. I liked what I
over to the lovely official decided to stick with that choice had played and thought I could
Zenobi website (zenobi.co.uk), and Zenobi Software was formed in produce something similar (if not
grab a DVD with its rich retro 1984/85. Like everything in my better...).
offerings, ask for a freebie, life, since I met her, my Ann was
frolic in the forum and with me in this enterprise. Without G: Weren’t you afraid of actually
remember just how great retro her help I would never have made competing against bigger software
8-bit interactive fiction was. the success of Zenobi Software houses?
that it was... if it ever was a B: I am never afraid of a challenge
Gnome: Tell us a bit about ‘success’. and to be quite honest I never
yourself, oh Balrog. Some info on envisaged myself as being in
the cat might be nice too. G: And the focus on text- ‘competition’ with anybody. The
Balrog: I was born in Edinburgh adventures on the ZX Spectrum? whole idea of the project was
(Scotland) in 1947 and moved to How did you decide on that? simply to get my games out to the
South Wales (Cwmbran) at the age B: Because they were what I was general public. Things just got out
of 12. Lived there for a few years into at the time. I had been given of hand a touch and grew far
and then moved to North Wales a ZX81 by a mate and then bigger than I ever imagined.
Behind Closed Doors, eh? Sounds (Flint) before enlisting in the Royal
like a great advertisement for this
interview
Air Force in 1964. Served in ‘Cat’ is a good one, unlike ‘Cockroach’ who
various places... as far apart as
is an evil, mischievous little sod
INTERVIEW THE GREAT ZENOBI SOFTWARE INTERVIEW WITH A BALROG
Revenge, The Ket Trilogy,
Shadowfire, Heavy On The Magick, just came flooding in.
and Tir Na Nog. G: In retrospect, which would you
say were the finest moments in/of
G: You’ve created a fair amount of Zenobi?
admittedly brilliant, tough, B: Getting the first game-review
inspired and generally hilarious published (The Boggit in PCW),
adventures. Which ones are you being awarded ‘Mega-game’ status
favourites? Was there a certain in Your Sinclair and being voted
way your games were designed? I ‘Best Software House’ (the first
mean, really, where did all this time).
inspiration come from?
B: Of them all, the original Behind G: Why stop after the Atari ST
G: Besides designing, playtesting Closed Doors has to be my G: What about them weird names, games?
and publishing Zenobi adventures, favourite, if only for the fact that it settings, loading screens and B: It was no longer a viable
did you actually allow yourself to was written, tested and finalised in stories? proposition to produce new games
enjoy any of your competitors’ less than 24 hours. However all of B: They are all part of the twisted for either the ZX Spectrum or the
offerings? Any non-Zenobi them are my ‘children’ and just as mind that I have been blessed Atari ST. Sales were no longer high
favourites you are still fond of? in real-life I never choose with... that and the ability to enough to warrant the financial
B: Never actually played any of my favourites. ‘bend’ things to suit. Give me a outlay and I felt that it was stupid
direct competitor’s games apart ‘topic’ and I can generally sit down to keep squandering my own cash
from those by Compass Software (I G: How did you come up with and just type out a story (complete on a losing cause.
always liked their stuff) and those intricate puzzles? with characters, plot, descriptions,
Essential Myth (liked them so B: Pinched all the ideas from ‘real- etc) and do all this as I go along. G: Any other platforms you
much I bought the rights to their life’ incidents. All it takes is a little Much in the same way that I am developed for?
Jekyll & Hyde). However I was a imagination and you can convert typing out this interview. No B: Not really, though we did
great fan of the more ‘professional’ anything into an ‘adventure- preparation, just ‘flying by the seat produce ‘emulations’ of all the
set-ups such as Interceptor Micros. situation’. Alas, I am very lucky to of my pants’ as my old Dad would original ZX Spectrum titles to suit
AdventureSoft, CRL, and Delta 4. have the kind of mind that can say. the Commodore Amiga, Mac, PC,
Games such as The Warlord, come up with ‘ideas’ without too Sam Coupe, and QL. Not to
Heroes of Karn, and Robin Of much thinking... I used to dream G: Now, as Zenobi published quite mention every form there was of
Sherwood still have fond memories them up as I typed them a few games from a variety of the ZX Spectrum... i.e. Plus D, +3,
for me. sometimes. authors/designers, could you give Tape etc.
Two other software houses us some insight as to how this bit
whose games I really enjoyed were actually worked? G: Oh, and do you still play
Mysterious Adventures (Brian B: Simple... I was unable to games? Any thoughts on their
Howarth) and Smart Egg Software produce enough games current state?
(even though they tried to rip me (personally) to meet the demand, B: Nope... my real passion has
off with a ‘deal’ for Seeker of Gold so decided to use the services of always been music and these days
and Bulbo). other authors to meet the quota. I my spare time is spent listening to
Some Favourite Games Of All spread the word I was on the that. My CD collection numbers in
Time (in no particular order) lookout for new games and they the ‘tens’ of thousands... you can
include: Rebel Planet, Jewels of believe that or not!
Babylon, Lords of Midnight, I am very lucky to have the kind of mind that can
Doomdark’s Revenge, Sorcerer of
Claymorgue Castle, Rigel’s come up with ‘ideas’ without too much thinking
INTERVIEW THE GREAT ZENOBI SOFTWARE INTERVIEW WITH A BALROG
thought of putting all of the past B: The ‘Zenobi Love’... just what
25 years in one safe place as the f*ck is that? Zenobi Software
well. was a part of my life, is still a part
of my life and always will be a part
G: You wouldn’t have any original of my life—it has nothing to do
tapes for sale, would you? with ‘love’ it was (and still is) the
B: This is a question I have been ‘driving-force’ behind my
asked a lot in the past few years, existence.
but sadly the only ones I have
left are the original ‘master’ It was a dark rainy night and Balrog
copies and I am very reluctant to was slumped over a plate of mince
part with them. To be honest I & tatties when there was a gentle
G: Considering there is a strong don’t think there is a single that no matter what you may ‘tap’ on the kitchen door. “Bloody
Spectrum retro scene, a very ‘blank’ cassette-tape in the place think, the ‘customer’ is always visitors... and at this time of night
lively interactive fiction scene these days. So sadly, the answer right and that they usually vote/ as well!” growled Balrog as he
and an obvious revival of the has to be... No! show their approval with their flicked the errant pea(s) back on to
adventure genre, well, what does gold. his plate and shuffled off in the
the future hold? More games? A G: Any advice for aspiring direction of the knock. “John
book per-chance? adventure writers? For indie G: How do you feel about the fact Wilson?” enquired the chubby-faced
B: None of the above. I still write developers per chance? that people still care that much gent stood in the pouring rain.
the odd short-tale, but they are B: For the ‘writers’, simply this: about those lovely (mostly) 8-bit “Come in Tam...” grinned the Balrog
either just for my own make it believable, make it games you provided them with? and ushered the gent, and his
amusement (and end up in the interesting and allow the ‘player’ B: It makes an old man very happy companion, into the warmth of the
desk-drawer) or else they get put to feel part of the game. That way (and gives him a nice warm ‘glow’ kitchen. “How do you know me?”
on the website where they bore you draw them in and with a touch at times...) to see that so many asked the gent. “Saw your picture in
everybody to death. Though I of inspired writing perhaps you can people still hold Zenobi adventures PCW when you were awarded the
have promised myself that one hold them long enough for them to in such high regard. It was just a prize for completing The Ket Trilogy
day I will bring the Korat tale to want to complete the adventure. pity that my abrasive (and smiled Balrog, flicking on the switch
its eventual conclusion... if only For the ‘indie developers’, work sometimes very ‘blunt’) approach for the kettle and reaching under
for my own peace of mind. hard, cut your costs, and provide to life caused so much ill feeling the worktop for some cups. “Tea or
the customers with a product amongst my contemporaries. coffee and how many sugars?”
G: You’ve been kind enough to they will want to buy again and However, it was always the So it was that ‘Tartan Tam’
provide the gaming masses with again. But most of all, remember ‘customers’ that mattered and it is encountered the Balrog for the first
the excellent Zenobi DVD directly them that hold Zenobi dear to their time... a true story!
from your website (zenobi.co.uk). hearts.
Care to explain what it’s all
Note: this interview was originally
about? G: Finally, you do still feel the
published over at Gnome’s Lair, and is
B: Very simple that, I needed to Zenobi love, don’t you? Mind you, presented here in its edited form and
continue to earn some money and feel free to add anything else you with the approval of John Wilson, who
that seemed the quickest and think would be vaguely appropriate was kind enough to answer quite a few
best way to do it. It also meant and/or titillating. more questions exclusively for
that the entire Zenobi collection the readers of Retroaction.
would be available in one fell
swoop for whosoever wanted to Zenobi Software was a part of my life, is still a part
purchase a copy. I quite liked the of my life and always will be a part of my life...
Guns, rockets, bikes, jeeps, trucks, bang, bang,
bang, crash... Game over. Neil Reive drives up
this mysterious Battle Lane, gnashes his teeth in
frustration at the difficulty curve, but continues
to play away and discovers that this forgotten
arcade game is actually quite good
A
rcade gaming used to be a arcade’s downfall. Arcades soon
staple diet for most gamers became the forgotten gaming
across the land, with such pastime, and was ignored by gamers
great innovative games like Space and developers alike. Now only the
Harrier, OutRun, Operation Wolf, and hardcore establishments host the
many more showing the way forward odd arcade cabinet now and then.
for computer and console machines. The actual license of Battle Lane
However, by the mid 1990s, consoles belonged to Taito, who then licensed
and PCs had improved significantly it to Tecmo, who further licensed the
and arcade games had all but title to Romstar. This seemingly
disappeared from the streets. With pass-the-parcel process of
huge leaps in technology it became distributing the game could be
less of a need to visit the arcade for viewed as the companies feeling that
the latest and greatest looking the game was poor compared to
game. “Why visit an old dusty other games at the time. So what we
arcade when you can play the arcade have here is an unappreciated little
in your home?” seemed to be the game that was ignored by a lot of
feeling amongst many gamers. journalists, gamers and, well,
Multiplayer and online aspects that everyone else.
most games came with added to the
What we have here is an unappreciated little game

that was ignored by a lot of journalists, gamers
and, well, everyone else
RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARCADES BATTLE PLAN! No. 5
Battle Lane Vol. 5, to give its full backwards and forwards as well as
title, is a vertical scrolling shoot- dodge from side to side. This is
’em-up with a hint of Commando. essential when you are dodging
The quick intro sees a convoy of bullets, vehicles or bridges. In
enemy army bikes, jeeps, and addition, button one fires unlimited
trucks, driving up the, so called, bullets and button two fires off a
battle lane, with what looks like rocket. Rockets can be picked up
nuclear weapons onboard a large along the way and are limited.
trailer. Once they’ve disappeared Battle Lane is very fast and
off screen, your hero, on his little packed with action. There’s
bike, appears ready to chase after nowhere to hide for a breather,
them, reach the end of level and you’ve just got to plough straight
destroy the enemy defences. up the road and hope your driving
Driving up the narrow dusty and shooting skills are up to
lane, you soon encounter the first scratch. You have to carefully plan
of the enemy soldier bikers. But your progress. Will you shoot Okay, I lied; you do get a breather The battle lane defences, and
these aren’t normal bikes; they’re everything in sight, just dodge for a second when you drive over a you’ll be seeing a lot of this; Game
sidecar bikes and a soldier in the everything, or a fine balance of bridge Over, that is...
passenger side fires pot shots at both tactics? Killing off the enemy
you. Soon other enemy vehicles isn’t the end of the danger, though,
and no continues available, this is are done to an adequate level. A
are in sight: bikes, armoured as you’ve still go to concentrate
one tough game to crack. Careful two player is available, albeit
jeeps, trucks who shoot machine avoiding their vehicle exploding or
trial and error gameplay is needed consisting of players taking turns
gun fire, grenades, and rockets at bike veering off course in front of
to ensure progression. The screen one after the other, but it would
you. The eight way directional you.
is smooth and constantly scrolls have been nice to have co-
controls ensure that you can go With three lives, no energy bar,
upwards, keeping you on your operative gameplay.
toes. It can be frustratingly difficult At first glance, Battle Lane Vol.
at times, and with the first bonus 5 doesn’t look like much—just a
given out after racking up 20,000 Commando clone with bikes—but
points, and every 50,000 points play it for a few minutes and you
thereafter, the programmers will see that it is different enough
haven’t given any leeway at all. to stand on its own. There is an
The graphics are colourful and addictively—albeit frustrating—
well defined, with some Commando game hidden under these familiar
style sprites used. Sound is well visuals. With a bit of practice you’ll
catered for with a background soon be racing up Battle Lane
soundtrack plays throughout the causing all sorts of havoc and
game. Spot effects likes enjoying one the arcade’s lost
explosions, gunfire, and crashes games.
At first glance, Battle Lane Vol. 5 doesn’t look like

Skilful driving as well as good If you’re not up to fighting, you much—just a Commando clone with bikes—but
shooting skills are needed in this can try to dodge around the out-
game side of the vehicles
play it for a few minutes and you will see that
it is different enough to stand on its own
VOYAGE TO THE
BOWELS OF THE
WORLD CUP
BACK CARNIVAL
U.S. Gold’s football offering must rank as one of
the cheekiest, most awful, hideous, and
CATALOGUE ultimately, most disappointing efforts in gaming
history. Neil Reive dredges through the bowels
of the back catalogue and discovers World Cup
Carnival firmly wedged down the far reaches of
the retro colon
J
une 1986 and Scotland had football game released by U.S.
lost their first World Cup Gold.
group stage game to the U.S. Gold managed to acquire
The pre-release hype: tournament newcomers Denmark, the rights to produce the first FIFA
Oh, no, it’s “coming and they hadn’t even played the World Cup licence game in 1986.
soon” mighty West Germany yet. In the The plan was to develop a great
advertisement... and second game Gordon Strachan, new football game and release it
the wall chart given amazingly, put the Scots ahead with to coincide with the World Cup
away with the game. a fine goal, but the West Germans tournament. However,
Hurrah! fought back to win 2-1. Scotland programming problems meant
now needed to win their last group that the game couldn’t be
game to progress in the completed in time. To combat this
tournament. However, they issue of not having a completed
struggled against a vicious tackling game, U.S. Gold performed a
Uruguay, and limped off with a 0-0 move sneakier than Maradonna
draw; the Scots were coming home could ever dream of and passed
early again. But that was nothing another company’s football game
compared to the shocking off as their own product.
embarrassment that was the official Artic Computing had released a
U.S. Gold performed a move sneakier than

Maradonna could ever dream of...
VOYAGE TO THE BOWELS OF THE BACK CATALOGUE WORLD CUP CARNIVAL
Developer Artic/U.S. Gold Publisher U.S. Gold Released 1986 Platforms Amstrad CPC, Commodore 64, ZX Spectrum Genre Sports
pretty mediocre football game, miserable gaming package all

World Cup Football, a couple of round.
years previously. U.S. Gold bought Unsurprisingly, computer
the rights to the code, made some magazines gave the game a rough
minor cosmetic adjustments to the time upon its release: Zzap!64
game, slapped a poster and wall awarded the game with and overall
chart in with the package, changed rating of 11%, Crash gave it a
the title slightly to World Cup slightly better 26%, but Amstrad
Carnival, and asked the punters to Action weren’t impressed at all,
pay full price—as opposed to the awarding it 0% (a record low score,
budget price the original game was which was never matched during the
retailing for. Naturally, games magazine’s entire run).
magazines and gamers alike weren’t (CPC) That’ll be a goal then? The release was a bit of an
(C64) ...and Scotland score the
too chuffed and quickly recognised Although it looks like 1966 all embarrassment for U.S. Gold, but
winning goal in extra time, beating
that this was a turkey disguised over again they did manage to regain some
their auld rivals. ‘rah!
with flash packaging and hype. credibility following the release of
All versions (C64, Amstrad CPC, future games that were much better
and Spectrum) feature pretty they seemingly skate around on the horizontally up into the air— - although to be honest, they
primitive and jerky graphics. The grass punting the ball two feet up although this laughable dive only couldn’t do any worse. The whole
game itself features ten teams— into the air. Yes, you read right, results in a save if the ball is shambles may now be but a distant
although the Spectrum game has TWO FEET (although the Spectrum directed squarely at him. memory, but it will never disappear
24—and you can only choose eight version can’t even muster two If you are some kind of perpetual completely; the game, the
to take part in the World Cup finals inches for some reason), and that’s self-torturer, and can actually put packaging, the hype, and the
(Eh?). The matches are played out about as complicated as the game up with all these unforgiving behind-the-scenes-buy-out-of-a-
over three minutes with the playing gets. There’s no sliding, tackling, gameplay issues (erm, I only did poor-game-to-release-as-your-own-
area viewed from the side. There heading, jumping, or even handball this for critical purposes), then the cover-up all amount to one of the
are no team selections, formations, shenanigans to get hot and game can be completed very easily: greatest retro gaming disasters of
tactics or anything, just two sets of bothered about here. there’s the quarter finals, semi- all time.
teams struggling to stand upright as All the computer teams have the finals, and the final itself—
same amount of skill and AI—from amounting to around ten minutes of
Ireland to Brazil—so there’s playing time.
absolutely no realism at all. Player The game also features a
selection usually comes down to pathetic, and obviously tacked-on,
luck as the computer decides when training mode—ball juggling,
to respond to your button presses, penalty kicks, and goalkeeping
and by the time this happens the practice—which is just as awful as
computer has drifted past your open the main game, if not more so, due
defence. Pressing the fire button to the incredibly sluggish controls.
when the opposition is in the Coupled with frustratingly bad
goalmouth makes your keeper leap gameplay, this makes for a pretty
The game also features a pathetic training mode—ball

(ZXS) Even the keeper’s had
enough and storms off the pitch in juggling, penalty kicks, and goalkeeping practice—which is (CPC) The keeper does his
superman impression - although
utter disbelief just as awful as the main game, if not more so the ball is nowhere to be seen
.
REVIEW
Developer Gametec / Super Fighter Team Publisher Super Fighter Team Platform Sega Mega Drive / Genesis Price £29.00, $46.00, •37.00 Video clip YouTube Genre RPG
LEGEND OF WUKONG
I
If there’s not much in the way of new Amstrad t’s odd how the Role Playing all English speaking nations.
Game never really took off in the If you’ve ever played a turn-
CPC games then surely new Mega Drive games western world until the late based RPG then you’ll be right at
are virtually non-existent? Not any more. Super 1990s. Japan, and the rest of the Far home with the gameplay, and even if
East, have always been crazy about you haven’t played this type of game
Fighter Team are here with their second release these things. Even the likes of the before then you are eased in gently.
for the 16-bit Sega in as many years. Neil Reive Phantasy Star and Shining Force It is possible to play the game
games couldn’t convert many without even looking at the
once again enters a world of strange creatures gamers over here. Sure, they were instructions because of the intuitive
and big boss guardians... well received by those that actually way the controls have been
played them, but on the whole RPGs designed. Even the battle sequences
GOING TO TOWN were still a niche genre in the are really easy to do, and let you
During your travels, you’ll western world. What this means is carry out cunning strategies against
come across lots of little that there are literally hundreds of the enemy. The next thing you will
villages, each one full of Mega Drive RPGs that were never find out is that, rather than simply
houses, shops, people… er…
Armour shop released outside of Japan, or in wandering around beating up
trees, roads, and all the other Legend of Wukong’s case, Taiwan. monsters and collecting herbs,
things you’d normally expect to Super Fighter Team, who liked what playing a great RPG is like reading a
find in villages. Feel free to The Inn they saw, set about converting and good book. And like all good books,
wander around and mingle translating the game for a worldwide Legend of Wukong has a good plot.
release. So for all intents and The game opens with a cut scene
with the population…
purposes, this is a new release for intro where a young Wukong is
Playing a great RPG is like reading a good book. And like

Casino all good books, Legend of Wukong has a good plot
Temple
It seems okay for a

youngster to gamble in
this village and if you
know what you’re
doing, you can win big
time
Herbs & items shop

Battle tactics. Choose who you The on screen menu can be
want to twat over the head first accessed to Equip, use items...

REVIEW LEGEND OF WUKONG
OUT AND ABOUT

On your quest to retrieve the time
machine you will travel through fields,
forests, bridges, villages, caves, tunnels,
and more. And this is just Chapter One
Pigsy is quite useful at fighting The boss characters take some

with his, er, rake beating and so will you
visiting his neighbour Dr Tang who predetermined course the whole

shows off his new invention: a time time, you always feel you’re in
machine. Being a rather inquisitive control. And there are plenty of
little rascal, not to mention having amusing diversions along the way.
an uncontrollable urge to press If you are going to progress in the
buttons, Wukong accidentally game then you need to get Wukong
It’s dark in this activates the time machine and he and his friends valuable experience
underground tunnel disappears from Dr Tang’s lab. points. Exploring the world for the
so you might want to Wukong is sent hurtling through time machine inevitably results in
take some kind of time to the doctor’s test destination: the encounter of many monsters and
Don’t travel too far
light with you the Village of the Sun during China’s demons, which break out in battle.
without visiting a
Tang Dynasty. As Wukong lies Combat is represented in a side view
village; save your
unconscious, a local monster nabs screen with your team on the right
progress often
the time machine. Taking control of hand side facing the enemy from the
Wukong, it’s your job to track down left. All your team’s portraits are at
the time machine and get back the bottom of the screen with Level
home, but it’s not going to be easy (LV), Health Points (HP) and Magic
with a land full of monsters and Points (MP) displayed along with
demons. their current status (healthy, weak,
The Village of the Sun. As you wander around, you’ll be fainted, etc.). The battle itself is turn
This is where you start able to talk to the inhabitants of the based and you must instruct your
your adventure. Equip villages you pass through, gleaning team one by one to attack, perform
yourself well before helpful information and finding a a spell, run, etc. Once the battle
leaving as danger couple of people who want to join ends, experience points, gold, and
awaits your fight against the hordes of evil. possibly a level up are gained.
Although you’re following a strictly Our worthy hero’s will alone is
Although you’re following a strictly predetermined course

the whole time, you always feel you’re in control. And
there are plenty of amusing diversions along the way
REVIEW LEGEND OF WUKONG
NOT SO FAST…. I haven’t been glued to my Mega Drive since a certain

Shining Force II was in the cartridge slot, and that is
While I agree with most of what is said in the main review, I have many testament to the quality of Legend of Wukong
issues with Legend of Wukong. Firstly, the difficulty, especially at the
beginning, is quite steep. I had been told that I was best to get Wukong
to level 15 before attempting to defeat the first demon boss and after
several failed attempts—swift ones at that—I understood why. This
meant wandering around for at least two hours stumbling through
battles for the necessary experience points needed to level up.
Then there’s the battles themselves, which are randomly generated,
even in areas that you’ve cleared before, and can get annoying after the
second, third, and fourth time. The caves you have to explore are also a
chore to get through, as you will always meet with a dead end and as
such encounter countless random battles doing so.
However, despite its faults, there is a decent game here. The It’s magic time as Wukong engulfs Hurrah, I’m a hero. What do you
presentation is good, graphics and sound is adequate, and the plot is the enemy in flames mean that’s just Chapter One?
intriguing. However, I certainly wouldn’t rate it as highly as Neil has,
and would knock off at least seven percent from the overall rating. irresistible playability are present THE VERDICT
Duffman here. Yes, there’s the price to GRAPHIC S 85%
consider, but it provides good value All game graphics (cut scenes,
enough to carry him through the first a Mega Drive or Genesis, but is for money—there must be weeks of maps, battle screens) are presented
few battles successfully, however, it compatible with other systems like playing time here. It’s undoubtedly well.
isn’t long before the upgrade of the Nomad, 32X, CDX, or X’Eye. the best game I’ve played in ages,
armour and weapons is vital. So it’s Legend of Wukong scores for and I urge all Mega Drive owners to
SOUND 87%
just as well that all the villages accessibility, easily understood consider purchasing it immediately.
supply the equipment you are design and for being great fun to
A wide selection of tunes and
And what I’m not going to do is
looking for. There’s the weapons, play. It also comes up trumps for qualify that with an “if you like this melodies greet the ears—all
armour, and items shop where you graphics and sound. The graphics sort of thing”. Everyone can enjoy a appropriate to the on screen action.
can buy or sell the appropriate are simple and clear where they game like this—it’s that great.
equipment. You will also discover need to be—when you’re wandering Neil Reive GAMEPLAY 90%
other buildings in the villages: the around villages, for example. Battles Though there is much depth to the
casino (a smart place to win gold, if look particularly attractive with gameplay the control method is
you know how to play it wisely), the animated portraits on the status very straight forward.
inn (where you rest to replenish screen portraying the effects of the
energy and also where you can save fights. Although the music can get STAYING POWER 92%
your progress), temple, and annoying at times, it’s generally The game is enormous. That in itself
residency buildings. very well done, with some good ensures a long lasting challenge.
The package itself consists of the tunes. Just as well there’s a save function.
game (a 16 meg authentic plastic I haven’t been glued to my Mega
shell cartridge), a 16-page colour Drive since a certain Shining Force II OVERALL
OVERALL 90%
90%
instruction manual, and a plastic was in the cartridge slot, and that is A skillfully crafted piece of Mega
clamshell case with an authentic testament to the quality of Legend of Buying time. Just make sure you Drive gaming with a good mix of
early Mega Drive style colour insert. Wukong. The main things that I look buy wisely and can use it action and adventure to satisfy all
The cartridge is not only playable on for in a game—atmosphere and

With the great nostalgia feeling from playing Neil Reive: For the uninitiated, recommended from our Beggar
can you please introduce Prince script programmer, Derrick
Legend of Wukong still buzzing in his body, Neil yourself and tell us a little Sobodash. Based on his urging I
Reive contacted Brandon Cobb, the President of more about Super Fighter bought a copy of the Taiwanese
Team? original, and within moments of
Super Fighter Team, for some background Brandon Cobb: I’m an adult who trying it felt a connection. It had
information on the game and the company… never grew out of the imagination charm, cleverness, some funny
that childhood gave me. Humor characters and an interesting back
and the entertainment it brings are story. Most of all though, it jumped
paramount to every aspect of my out at me as a real sort of “do it
life. I won’t give up on my hopes, yourself” RPG project. I was
dreams and passions for anything. inspired to add new things to the
I’m a simple man with clear game while strengthening its
objectives. existing content, a thought that
Super Fighter Team was formed made me energized and excited.
at a time when all the things I
truly loved about video games What made the team decide to
were fading out of the industry. work on the Mega Drive/
Founding the company was my Genesis rather than any other
best effort to save them. platform? Following your
previous release, Beggar
How did the Legend of Wukong Prince, why choose to do
project come about? another Role Playing Game?
The game came highly There just wasn’t anything going on
“Within moments of trying [the Taiwanese original]

felt a connection. It had charm, cleverness, some
funny characters and an interesting back story”
INTERVIEW SUPER FIGHTER TEAM
for the Genesis; no new games on
cartridge, and we wanted to change
that. Originally, we toyed around
with the idea of porting Super
Fighter over, even producing a very
limited demo back in 2001. That
never took off for a number of
reasons. Beggar Prince came about
and we decided it was going to be
“the” new Genesis game.
As for why we’ve chosen a few
RPGs, well, I’m a writer. RPGs allow
me to use my ability to great
potential, entertaining thousands.
That’s a very touching benefit. As
well, RPGs immerse players into a original programmers, and without enhancing magic and items and their
new world in which they can any source code, and perfect the uses. I’m very thankful I decided to
imagine, dream, and feel new games we so greatly admire. have us proceed with the game in
things. It’s great fun and there’s Localization is delicate and this fashion. Even if nobody outside
immense replay value. painstaking, but we do so much the development team ever fully
more than that. Representatives of realizes the scope of our
Some fuss has been made from the companies that we partner with accomplishment, it was a personal
certain forums over the ‘brand have described our results as need of mine to deliver a stellar
new’ labelling of the game as “deeply moving”, among other such update to an already solid game—
they feel that it is just a elegant superlatives. You don’t get and we achieved that goal so well, I
conversion of the original heartfelt responses such as these can’t help but feel proud.
Taiwan game. However, the from a simple “conversion”.
team have actually Legend of Wukong really gave us What kind of software/hardware
reprogrammed a lot of the game, a chance to shine; to show the world was used to develop Legend of
haven’t they? Can you clarify what we were really capable of when Wukong? How long was the
this issue and tell us exactly it came to enhancing and improving development period and were
what has been done to bring upon the existing framework of a there any problems during the
Legend of Wukong to the game. Along with localizing the process?
Western World? game, we also dug in deep and Legend of Wukong took a little over a
What I hope people would come to reprogrammed what I would year to complete in full. We make
understand about us, more than estimate to be around 30% of its use of custom designed development
anything, is the amount of passion code. This included, among other boards and equipment for each of
and dedication we put into each of feats: extensive rewrites to the our Genesis games, and code is
our games. After negotiating proper combat engine, the addition of new written in assembly. The only way
permissions from a copyright holder, magic, adding a variable width font, we do testing is on real hardware, as
we go in without any help from the improving the save game system, that’s the only way that matters.
Testing is performed using every
“Along with localizing the game, we also dug model of the Genesis or Mega Drive
you can think of, including clones
in deep and reprogrammed what I would and compatibles, plus the kitchen
estimate to be around 30% of its code” sink.

INTERVIEW SUPER FIGHTER TEAM
Legend of Wukong is now “If you love something and want to share it with you love something and want to
available to buy through the share it with the world, hold onto
official website (http:// the world, hold onto that feeling and never that feeling and never let anyone
www.legendofwukong.com). let anyone take it from you no matter what” take it from you no matter what.
What kind of packaging/
content can buyers expect to wants to play and enjoy them, we invited to pick up Super Fighter Thank you for taking the time
get? Is there a limited number don’t feel it very sensible to “limit” Block Battle as a free download to speak with us. Is there
of copies available? the number of copies we produce. (http://www.sfblockbattle.com). anything else you’d like to add?
At Super Fighter Team, our focus is This is an experience we are We had that title in development It’s my great pleasure, thanks for
always to deliver the highest excited and proud to extend to for quite a while, but the wait was giving me the opportunity. The
quality product for the benefit and anyone and everyone who wants to definitely worth it. work we do at Super Fighter Team
enjoyment of our customers the play and enjoy a new game for makes me feel alive. I truly hope
world over. In the case of Legend their favorite classic system. As Is there any advice that you we can always inspire that same
of Wukong that means they will such, we’ll continue to produce can give to any budding feeling in the people who play our
receive the game cartridge with copies of this game and of our independent developer/ games. Keep playing, friends—and
authentic plastic shell, full color 16 others so long as there is publisher out there? never let dreams die!
page instruction manual and reasonable demand to do so. Strive only for greatness, because
plastic clamshell case complete your customers and fans deserve
with full color insert. Everything is Not many people will have a nothing less. Don’t cut corners or
produced brand new from scratch working Mega Drive/Genesis costs in your production. Get
by our factory. The result is an these days, so will the game spirited and excited; close your
absolutely beautiful product for a ever be released—at a small eyes and touch your dreams. Don’t
low price. price—as a downloadable ROM let anyone, EVER, tell you that
As the purpose of creating new in the future? success is unreachable. Make
games for classic systems is to get We produce new games for classic yourself proud and show the world
them out there to everyone who systems, not for emulators. If what you’re capable of. Most
you’re taking the actual system importantly—do it from the heart!
hardware out of the picture, As long as there is at least one
what’s the point of making new person left to keep the fire going,
games for it? it will never burn out and as a
result, we’ll always have a place to
What’s next for the Super come to, to be warm together. If
Fighter Team? Are there
any plans for further game
projects?
We’re currently managing the
development of Zaku, an
exceptional horizontal shooter
for the Atari Lynx (http://
www.zaku-lynx.com). It’s
fast, impressive, 100% new
and original and best of all:
it’s fun to play.
If you own a Nokia phone
running the series 60
Symbian platform, you’re

REVIEW
Developer Richard Bayliss, Frank Gasking Publisher Psytronik Software Platform Commodore 64 Price Free download Video clip YouTube Genre Shoot-’em-up
SUB HUNTER
S
Take an old Vic 20 omething is wrong; huge With the desire for an updated
game, a poor C64 fish are roaming the sea and conversion, Richard Bayliss
threatening the lives of produced Sub Hunter, but this
conversion, and what innocent swimmers. It is soon wasn’t just a straight forward
do you have? The discovered that a scientific update. Extra levels were created,
experiment to increase the number more features added, enhanced
desire to remake the of fish has gone slightly wrong to presentation, creating an all-
game as Sub Hunter. say the least. To cover up their together new game. Sub Hunter
Duffman dives deep as disastrous project, several barrels was developed by over a period of
of radioactive waste are dumped four years with additional help on
he attempts to rescue into the sea causing the mutation design and graphics from Frank There’s a swimmer. Quick
mankind from the of the sea life. Taking control of Gasking. rescue him before he bites it
the submarine (charged with The game was originally
mutants of the ocean infinite torpedoes) you must available at the end of 2008 as a
traverse the undersea landscape, cassette tape through Psytronik
deal with mutant fish, enemy Software. Not only does the
submarine (who don’t want anyone purchase get you the tape, but
meddling in this incident), and also a specially produced colour
protect the human swimmers by tape inlay and a link to a tape ROM
picking them up. file for use with C64 emulators.
The game is based on Sub However, as promised, a download
Hunt, which was originally a Vic 20 version was made available at
game later converted to the C64 in Christmas. This two-disk ROM
1984—albeit with mixed results. download not only features the full Bombs away. That’ll learn ‘em
game, but a whole host of extras to bite my swimmers
(previews, demos, and even a mini
game Sub Duel).
Sub Hunter is a shoot-’em-up
with a difference: not only do you
shoot the enemy, but you’ve got to
carry out rescue missions as well.
This makes for a very interesting
This isn’t just a straight forward update. Extra levels were

The calm before the storm in Aaargh! Look at the size of that
created, more features added, enhanced presentation,
the impressive intro scenes thing. And that fish is big too creating an all-together new game.
REVIEW SUB HUNTER
Developer Richard Bayliss, Frank Gasking Publisher Psytronik Software Platform Commodore 64 Price Free download Video clip YouTube Genre Shoot-’em-up
Crabs, crabs everywhere and The disk contains loads of You can even play the original There’s a mini game, Sub Duel,
not a single one is nice extras. Just look at them Vic 20 game, Sub Hunt where two players duel it out
game where strategy can play a the oxygen levels as well because it
vital part; will you shoot away like drops steadily, and drops further if
a maniac or play it cool while you kill a swimmer by mistake,
carrying out rescue missions? After making the game a race against the
all, the main mission is to rescue clock. Leave the controls alone and
THE VERDICT
the swimmers, and if that means your sub will slowly sink towards GRAPHIC S 89%
dodging the mutant fish, instead of the seabed, requiring you to Impressive presentation, scrolling
shooting them, then so be it. constantly manoeuvre with the and colourful sprites throughout.
Each level features a different joystick. This keeps you on your No major complaints here
situation: level one scrolls from toes by making you concentrate
The ocean is cleared for the right to left where you negotiate 100% all the time. SOUND 90%
swimmer to get to safety mutant fish and enemy subs while The use of colour and graphics is Good soundtrack while the game
rescuing swimmers, level two excellent, with some stunning plays. Although, it would have been
consists of dropping depth charges parallax scrolling on the sea nice to have more spot effects
onto the required number of mutant background. Sound is provided with
fish (within a time limit) to allow an upbeat soundtrack and solid spot GAMEPLAY 85%
the swimmers to swim to safety, effects can be heard throughout. Quite tough and awkward to control
level three is a dive and rescue With twenty-five levels in total the sub in certain sections.
mission, and so on. The mutant sea (each one with varied gameplay and Otherwise smooth handling
creatures come in all shapes and five swimmers to rescue), bonus
sizes too; there’s the mutant fish, levels, and mutant guardian STAYING POWER 95%
squid, crabs, jellyfish. There’s encounters, and the mammoth Huge game plus the whole package
something new to see on each amount of extras, this package is with its demos, extras, and mini
level. going to keep you very busy. game, give it great longevity
You will need to keep an eye on Duffman
OVERALL
OVERALL 88%
90%
The mutant sea creatures come in all shapes and sizes A polished game and one which
too; there’s the mutant fish, squid, crabs, jellyfish. should be tried by all gamers, not
just by C64 fans
There’s something new to see on each level
REVIEW
Developer Paxanga Soft (original developer: Akuma no Houkon) Platform MSX Price Free download Genre Puzzle
PERFECT FIT
Puzzle games are ten to a penny on retro
computers, but is Pefect Fit really the perfect
puzzle game for the MSX? Duffman—who has
perfect 20/20 vision—takes a good look and
reports back with some interesting news Early puzzles can be quite ...however, later levels include
P
erfect Fit may look familiar to block will not stop until it hits a simple to complete with just harder obstacles and multiple
anyone who has played wall, another block, or the one colour... colours to play with
Puzznic, but while both games surrounding play area’s border. Once
may look similar, they play quite the block comes to a stop, the user (play user creation levels). The
differently. Originally a GP2X game cursor is free to continue with menu is full of options including THE
THE VERDICT
VERDICT
developed by The Devils Jester, the another block or move the same start, continue, level set, tile set,
game has now been remade for the one. music / SFX only, load level, editor. GRAPHIC S 80%
MSX by MsxKun. Coming in on a If you manage to get all blocks The game’s editor feature allows the Nothing outstanding or
cartridge ROM file and 32k, they onto their corresponding colour player to create their very own groundbreaking here, but it is
have done wonders to create this targets, then the level is complete. levels. Using the block, target, wall adequate and colourful
game. Once five levels have been icons, it can be pretty simple to
It involves placing the coloured completed, and every fifth level have your own fiendishly difficult SOUND 85%
blocks on top of a co-ordinating after that, you will receive a puzzles. Good soundtracks throughout with
colour target circle. To move a password. This will enable Graphics are colourful and the odd sound effect scattered
block, you need to move the cursor commencement from that level in adequate. After all, there’s only so around the levels
over to the block, hold down fire and future play. The puzzles are much you can do with a square block.
move the joystick in the direction arranged in logical order and the The main thing is that the blocks and GAMEPLAY 88%
you want it to move. However, the first few levels are easy enough, but target circles are clearly identifiable. Very easy to grasp the basics, but
they get progressively harder. Music is well catered for and fans patience is needed to master the
Later levels will require you to of Guns ‘n’ Roses may recognise the
different puzzles
use one or even two blocks with title music as it is an instrumental
each other to create a wall so that sample of Sweet Child Of Mine, and it
you can move into the target circle. STAYING POWER 91%
sounds good. The main game music
Move the wrong block at the wrong is also up to scratch. However, there Twenty-five levels and a level editor
time and you soon get yourself into is only the odd spot effect to round means that the game will last
trouble. It’s all too easy to end up things off sonic wise. longer than usual
with the blocks going awry. Gameplay is easy enough to grasp,
OVERALL
OVERALL 87%
90%
There are three game modes to but mastering it will take skill and
choose from: normal (normal patience. With twenty-five levels, and Surprisingly, this is a great little
blocks, normal targets, and normal endless user defined levels, the game game and one which has come out
walls), extended (special tiles, will keep you busy for some time. from nowhere. Excellent stuff
moving walls, direction blocks), and Duffman
37
37
REVIEW
Developer Computer Emuzone Games Studio Platform ZX Spectrum 48k / 128k Price Free download Genre Shoot-’em-up
SHOOT REDUX
Shoot Redux: Marifrisky Space Warrior, to give some multiplayer ZX Spectrum based
the game its full title, is an old fashioned arcade high score competitions, even though
apparently a proper ending is rumoured
blaster involving coffee. The editor is rubbish at to have been included too.
shmups (hoi! - Ed), so we enlisted the talents of The single most impressive thing
about Shoot Redux is the quality of the
Gnome instead... graphics. From the brilliant loading Pow. A coffee rock is hit. And
screen, to the relatively complex and there’s an enemy ship coming
S
hoot Redux, a remake of an character of Shoot Redux, is running definitely amazing (parallax) scrolling
on cue
obscure little Speccy game out of coffee, and you—none other star field, to the explosions, to the well
called Shoot, is an indie and than the player—have to make sure designed sprites, to the miraculous lack
obviously freeware installment in the things never reach the critical point of of colour clash, everything looks
CEZ Minigames series, which is none no coffee. To avoid said terrible fantastic. And I don’t mean this in a
THETHE VERDICT
VERDICT
other than the series that retro tragedy you get to fly to the grocery purely technical sense either. The GRAPHIC S 90%
maestros Computer Emuzone created store at the other end of the galaxy quality of the art present here is way Some of the technically most
in order to quickly try out new and through a nasty planetary system above average and Computer Emuzone impressive gfx I’ve ever seen on a
programming techniques and controlled by evil mafia leader even mentions an extra end sequence
Spectrum. Lovely art too
impressive programming tricks via Prepuccio Petrucci. Then some graphical treat… Ultimate eat your heart
short and sweet games. Apparently, it Martians and hot Japanese ladies get out.
also is a way to see just how thrown in and things get truly Oh, and the sound is rather nice too. SOUND 83%
preposterous and lovely a simple complicated, especially if your Spanish On the humble 48k Speccy too. Imagine Great intro theme and decent –
shmup plot can be. skills, well, just aren’t there. Point is that. though simple– in-game effects
Marifrisky, you see, the main you have to guide Marifrisky to the Gnome
coffee, shoot some sort of space GAMEPLAY 76%
coffee while getting there, blast
Simple, fun, intuitive, tough and
intergalactic Mafiosi and avoid getting
destroyed. Oh, and Marifrisky seems repetitive. Definitely not
to be on the feminine side of groundbreaking
humanity.
The game itself is an extremely STAYING POWER 66%
simple and quite playable shoot-‘em-up Well, it can be addictive, but not
in the vague style of Space Invaders that addictive
with some Galaxians and a few modest
new ideas thrown in, that sports nine OVERALL 79%
difficulty levels, and only utilizes three
keys: left (O), right (P), fire (Space). A fantastic tech demo that is
Simply move from left to right, shoot, actually fun to play, especially
Shoot the coffee asteroids and kill, don’t be killed and go for a high- when competing against
score. This is after all a short and simple Shoot the coffee asteroids and (preferably drunk) mates. High
the enemy ships. Easy, huh? the enemy ships. Yes, again
game that’s perfect—nay, designed—for score chasing can be fun, you know

REVIEW
Developer Kevin Thacker Publisher Cronosoft Released Now Platforms Amstrad CPC, ZX Spectrum Genre Puzzle
SUDOKU
Although the Amstrad CPC464 was
the lead platform used for development
of the game, the ZX Spectrum version
is almost identical in every way: it looks,
sounds, and plays just like the CPC
A rare new offering for the Amstrad CPC (the version. If you like Sudoku, and own
an Amstrad CPC, ZX Spectrum (or can
Speccy and C64 seem to have all the new games even get hold of an emulator), then buy
these days), giving Richard Goulstone the this game. My advice is to buy the
cassette version - there is nothing like
incentive to purchase a cassette copy and see how playing it on a real machine. I hope
(CPC) Quick, solve puzzle...
well the game fares on his trusty old machine Cronosoft release further Amstrad CPC
cassette games as I for one will buy
I
t has been 16 years since I last several minutes for a loading screen, oriental themed music plays
whatever they make - any company
bought a new game release for the at least make it a bit interesting. throughout.
that produces new software for the 8-
Amstrad CPC, so I was very As the title suggests, this is a The options and menus are very
bit machines deserves to be supported.
excited when I recently received my computer version of Sudoku, which can intuitive and easy to follow. There are
Richard Goulstone
copy of Sudoku all the way from the be a rather addictive numerical puzzle three difficulty levels: Easy, medium,
UK. I bought mine from the official game. Kevin Thacker has done an hard, and you can set the grid to be
anything from 4x4 up to 12x12. There
THE
THE VERDICT
VERDICT
distributor Retrogamez, who I have excellent job of converting a pen and
dealt with before and are a top notch paper game to the computer. Sudoku are also ten set levels or you can GRAPHIC S 65%
company. is a number logic game where you generate a random board of numbers. Not really a graphical game, but the
First off, the packaging is first class: must have numbers 1-9 appear once A timer keeps track of how long it takes colours used make everything easy
the cassette and inlay are of only in each row, column, or sub-grid. you to complete each puzzle. Once you to read.
commercial standard and would not The puzzle is completed when all complete the game you get flashing
look out of place in 1988. The inlay spaces in the grid have been filled. stars and music, which is nice the first SOUND 85%
printing is a tad small, but gives you The initial development of the game time, but it does go on a bit and you
Great to hear the AY chip put
all of the instructions you need to play started around three years ago, but can’ t start another game until it
through its paces, there’s nothing
the game. The game loaded first time was delayed due to the design of the finishes.
like the sound of 8-bit tunes!
on my 24-year-old Amstrad CPC464, puzzle function. Finally, in September, The controls in the actual game are
and only takes a few minutes to load. the game was announced as easy to use and you can enter and
The first thing you are greeted with is completed. A real CPC musician, Herve erase numbers easily as you try to GAMEPLAY 75%
the title screen, which is a bit bland— Monchatre, composed the game’s work out what goes where. The If you are a Sudoku or puzzle fan
if you are going to make us wait soundtrack, and it shows as jaunty keyboard or a joypad can be used to then this is the perfect game for
control the cursor. The pen/pencil icon you.
is for toggling between erm… pen and
pencil mode, while the spanner icon STAYING POWER 85%
is the options. The main difference So many custom options and an
between pen and pencil mode cell almost endless amount of random
entries is that if you enter a pencil games...
mark into a cell that already has a
pencil mark then it will be replaced. OVERALL 78%
However, if the entry is done in pen, Very impressed with this offering.
then it cannot be overwritten by pencil May Cronosoft continue to produce
mode. Clicking on the X icon can delete many more games.
(Spectrum) So many levels either pen or pencil entries.
39
39
REVIEW
Developer Jonathan Cauldwell Platform ZX Spectrum Price Free download Genre Puzzle
ALBATROSITY
You would be forgiven for thinking that this was
an entry into the recent Retro Remakes
Competition’s ‘Mash Up’ category. Duffman loads
the game up to find out why
W
ith all the platform and platform obstacles that have to be well—as you’d expect from Point the directional line towards
sports games on the overcome with precision hits of the programmer Jonathan Cauldwell—and the flag and it’s there. You hope,
Spectrum, how do you keep ball. You start off with a limited everything seems to work as it anyway
new releases staying fresh, but with a amount of balls (rubber, steel, and should.
familiarity to it so that it’s not too sticky). The rubber ball bounces off Albatrosity is a good natured game
different? You merge two games the walls and needs to be controlled at heart, however, it can get THE VERDICT
VERDICT
together, and in this case, a carefully; the steel ball is heavy and repetitive as you progress and some
THE
platformer and a golf game. Not too useful for breaking through barriers, holes can be very frustrating. To GRAPHIC S 70%
dissimilar to Soccer Kid or Marko’s while the sticky ball literally sticks to combat this, the game can be played Not great, but gets the job done,
Magic Football—which mixed walls and platforms. by up to four players, which will make and it all moves well enough. Quite
platforming action with football— The ball has a small pointer which the game a little more fun to play colourful though
Albatrosity mixes platform action with you can move around with the when solitary play wears a bit thin.
golf. joystick or keyboard and once you’ve There’s also the hole editor feature SOUND 65%
The aim of the game, as it is with set the power, one press of the fire that will extend the lifeline of the Good soundtrack throughout, but
real golf, is to get the small white ball button sends it towards the desired game even further. not much in the way of sound
into the hole. However, here we have direction. Hopefully, the ball will Duffman
effects
avoid any water hazards and end up
at the flag where you are taken to the
GAMEPLAY 83%
next hole.
Each shot you take will reduce the Very easy to play, but some of the
count of the balls at your disposal, so tougher holes will take nerves of
use them wisely. Fortunately, after steel
completion of a hole, you will gain
extra balls. Careful timing of the final STAYING POWER 81%
shot to the flag is needed and if the Multiplayer options and a hole
directional target is off by a small editor make the game last longer
amount then the ball will likely career than it would normally
off into a wall or a hazard.
The graphics are adequate for the OVERALL 80%
Weeee. Across the water (yes, type of game-just don’t expect lush The steel ball is great for bashing
that’s water) it goes, where it ends fairways or greens. The soundtrack is though breakable barriers like A nice little game, but can get quite
up, no one knows jolly enough as it plays away this. Just use it wisely as they’re frustrating and repetitive
throughout. The game plays quite limited

PAUL KOOISTRA:
INTERVIEW
MARK HALL TALKS TO PROGRAMMER PAUL
KOOISTRA ABOUT LIFE, FILMS, ADVICE, AND HIS
AMSTRAD CPC GAME : THE MIGHTY FINE SHOOT-
‘EM-UP STAR SABRE
MH: How did you get into MH: What Amstrad or other computer
programming, was it through friends system game would you most like to
or did you simply see a game and have been involved with back in the
think “wow, I could do that”? day?
PK: Early on in High School my PK: Nothing comes to mind. I don’t
parents bought my brother and I a think I’d want to have been involved
CPC464... I was interested in with games I enjoyed playing or that
learning how to program it from the impressed me somehow, anyway.
outset, but later I, along with some
of my friends with C64s, decided we MH: Star Sabre is the only CPC game
were going to get into making you’ve ever released, how proud are
games. We only got as far as you of this project? And was there
making some things in SEUCK, anything you wanted to put in but
Quill, GAC, and Laser Basic and not couldn’t due to memory restrictions?
much was finished for my part, but I PK: I’m pretty happy with it, as I
did manage to gain some knowledge largely achieved what I set out to do.
of assembly before the 8-bit era My focus was to try to make a
came to an end and I put that aside shooter on the CPC at what I
at the time. considered an acceptable frame
The monkeys now ruled space; Oh, no! Oh, Jesus! They’ve taken
they’d taken over over! (I know! - Ed)

INTERVIEW PAUL KOOISTRA
“[WinAPE is] such a rate, with no slow down, good sprite quite a few games for this, as there
count and collision detection with a are some genres and games I just
great development little leeway to it. I believe I just wouldn’t compare. But of all the
tool, I almost don’t about managed that, with the only games I’ve played over the years
thing I’m not quite happy with in the and just been grabbed by, I think
think of it as an end being the sprite count. Ico is the one I’ve had the least
emulator any more!” I had to leave out a few things misgivings about at the end of it all.
for memory, specifically a high score
table, enemies made of several MH: Desert island games, what ten
sprites appearing during a level, and games would you take with you?
secondary weapon pick-ups for the PK: Soul Calibur (DC), Contra 3
player. Of course, more generally (SNES), Super Ghouls & Ghosts
there’s the lack of music and the (SNES), Rez (DC), Oblivion (360),
very limited graphics space, but RType 3 (SNES), XCom: Enemy
those were issues I expected from Unknown (PS1), 1942 (Arcade),
the beginning with targeting 64k Timesplitters 2 (GC), and Rygar
and there really wasn’t much I could (Arcade).
do about them beyond taking
something else out. MH: Some call the CPC the also-ran,
but was it really as bad as everyone
MH: Would you ever do another makes out?
game, or a sequel maybe? PK: Yes, it must be since I always
PK: A sequel isn’t likely. I am get the “wrong” thing! I’ve got an
thinking about different ideas for HD DVD player, plasma rather than
other possible games, but I haven’t an LCD TV, a DC originally instead of
settled on anything yet. a PS2, and (arguably I guess) a
SNES instead of a Mega Drive... In
MH: What advice would you give to fact the only blot on my record for
anybody attempting to write their buying against “consensus” was
own game, especially on the CPC or getting a PlayStation after the
CPCplus? SNES, but with a new entrant having
PK: Be prepared for it to take a lot a marketing campaign like ‘Society
of time! For the CPC I’d have to Against PlayStation’, how was I
recommend using WinAPE for supposed to know?
development. It’s such a great
development tool, I almost don’t MH: One final question, what is
think of it as an emulator any more! your favourite movie of all time?
PK: Well, again I wouldn’t really say
MH: What is the best game you’ve there is one all time favourite, but
ever played, across any system? for the sake of the argument, let’s
PK: Probably Ico. I could name say Aliens.
42
42
RETROACTION | ISSUE ONE | Winter 2008/09
A
s player manager the player defenders, two midfielders, and three multiplayer setting at the time.
takes control of struggling attackers, who are all body armoured The gym is where you can use all
Brutal Deluxe: the worst team and ready to battle over the small steel that hard-earned money to improve
in Speedball history. It’s the player’s
job to transform the team, gain
promotion and win the first division
league title.
ball. The sport lacks any rules so any
physical contact is allowed and is
necessary to succeed.
Players can move, slide, and tackle
RETRO RESPECT
your slack jawed yokel of a team.
Areas that can be improved are
attack, power, speed, defence,
stamina, aggression, and
The game’s main options are the for the ball, depending on the intelligence. It’s also a good idea to
league, which consists of two circumstances, and when in possession have a good centre forward as he is
divisions with eight teams in each, of the ball, the player can throw it. As always involved in the face off and
the cup competition, which is played well as scoring goals, players can gain scuffles. The transfer market is a
over two legs, and a knockout points by hitting the ball onto stars on good way to gain a good player
tournament. There is even a the side walls, reflect the ball off bounce quickly and all kinds of players, of
management option, although the domes, and points are even given for different abilities, appear for sale
game is best played with you in direct injuring opponent players. The score throughout the game.
control. multiplier also means that your score Gameplay is fast, furious and fun:
You can play the matches as well, can be increased by 50% or 100%. the three Fs. Graphics are typically
which is the real meat of the game. The playing area itself is randomly Bitmap metallic and suit the game
They consist of two 90-second littered with money - which can be style perfectly. Sound is also great
periods, and the gameplay is used for training and buying players - with bone crunching sound effects
futuristic, fast and frantic, with heavy and tokens, which have a limited time and thumping background music.
tackling encouraged in retrieving the of use: freeze opponent team, shield, One minor niggle is that there isn’t a
ball. Power-ups and tokens appear on transport ball, boost stats, etc. There’s career mode, but then there wasn’t
the pitch, including ones to make also the ability to electrify the ball and Speedball
for many games at the2: Brutal Deluxe, to give its full
time.
your players extra-tough or freeze the you can laugh yourself silly as the ball Onetitle,
of the is
bestarguably
games on thethe16- Bitmap Brothers’ most
opponents. flies through an opponent’s bit computers, without a doubt, and
The futuristic sports game (part goalkeeper - electrifying them in the
famous, and best, game. It was released
as the manual states: the game is
handball, part ice hockey) is played process - and straight into the open “100%for many
bigger formats
and includes a host including
of the Amiga,
out over two 90 second halves in an goal. The electrified ball can even go new features.... Speedball 2 is a
indoor arena with two teams of six through another one or two
Atari ST, Sega Mega Drive, and even the
different ball game.” It is indeed and
players: one goalkeeper, two opponents, depending on the score C64.
eclipses Some
the first day,
game by all games will be played
a mile.
this way

RETRO RESPECT SPEEDBALL 2: BRUTAL DELUXE
Developer The Bitmap Brothers Publisher Image Works Released 1991 Platforms Amiga, Atari ST, DOS, Commodore 64, Mega Drive, Master System, Gameboy, GBA. Video clip YouTube
(Amiga) Start the game fast and The Atari ST version plays virtually (DOS) Amongst the violence, you
hard: take a sliding tackle to the the same: fast, frenetic, fun, and, might even score the occasional
opposition attacker... don’t forget, violence goal or two
T
aking the basic ideas behind team’s players. You can groom your As well as the many
Speedball, the legendary team into champions by buying and additions on the pitch, the
Bitmap Brothers used the best selling players or purchasing game is faster, more frantic,
parts of the first game, and upgrades for your player’s kit. and more violent. Each
incorporated them with a whole host The Speedball sport itself is a player has their own
of new features for the sequel. futuristic handball/football hybrid and attributes and can
When the game loads, you can’t is played out in an indoor arena with withstand a certain amount
help but notice the impressive two teams of six players: one of knocks. However, as the
opening theme soundtrack, which is goalkeeper, two defenders, two match progresses and the
suitably futuristic in its style. midfielders, and three attackers, who player takes more
The game’s main options include are all body armoured and ready to beatings, their resistance
the league, which consists of two do battle over the small steel ball. will deplete until they
divisions with eight teams in each, The sport lacks any rules so any finally collapse, having to
the cup competition, which is played physical contact is allowed and is be stretchered off the pitch
over two legs, and a knockout necessary to succeed. by two robotic medics.
tournament. There is even a full-on When the match begins, you The control system is
management option, although the realise the extent to which this sequel easy to use: the joystick
game is best played with you in had been improved. Whereas before, controls the players who
direct control. the pitch was only a few screens high can move, slide, and
You take control of struggling and scrolled vertically only, the tackle for the ball,
team Brutal Deluxe, the worst team Speedball 2 arena spans across depending on the
in Speedball history. It’s your job to horizontally and vertically, and boasts situation. When in
transform the team, gain promotion a number of new improved features. possession of the ball,
and win the first division league While the mainstay of the game, the the player can throw it,
title. As player manager you have goals, hadn’t changed, each side was the strength is
the ability to add specific talents now littered with useful bonus-giving determined by how long
and improvements to each of your gates and features. the fire button is held
As well as the many additions on the pitch, the

game is faster, more frantic, and more violent
RETRO RESPECT SPEEDBALL 2: BRUTAL DELUXE
Developer The Bitmap Brothers Publisher Image Works Released 1991 Platforms Amiga, Atari ST, DOS, Commodore 64, Mega Drive, Master System, Gameboy, GBA. Video clip YouTube
down for. As well as scoring goals, typically Bitmap metallic and suit
players can gain points by hitting the game style perfectly. Sound is
the ball onto stars on the side walls, also great with bone crunching
reflect the ball off bounce domes, sound effects and thumping music.
and points are even given for One minor niggle is that there isn’t
injuring opponent players. The score a career mode, but then there
multiplier also means that your wasn’t for many games at the time.
score can be increased by 50% or The Amiga, Atari ST, DOS, and
100%. Sega Mega Drive versions are
The playing area itself is barely distinguishable from each
Can’t be bothered training your randomly littered with money, and other and either version is worthy
ramshackle of a team? Buy in the power-up tokens, which have a of a look. The Commodore 64
talent from the transfer market limited time of use: freeze opponent version, which has inferior
team, shield, transport ball, boost graphics, still keeps the great
stats, and more. There’s also the gameplay we all know and love.
ability to electrify the ball and you The game also went mobile as a
can laugh yourself silly as the ball version for the Gameboy and
flies through an opponent’s GameBoy Advance were released.
goalkeeper—electrifying them in the The Gameboy version, while
process—and straight into the open obviously monochromatic in
goal. The electrified ball can even presentation, is still a worthy
go through another one or two attempt, while the GBA version is
opponents, depending on the score more colourful and polished. The
multiplayer setting at the time. Sega Master System conversion
Reach for the stars. The extra
The gym is where you can use all plays similarly to its 16-bit
features around the pitch can earn
that hard-earned money to improve relative, but features slightly
you just as many points as goals
your slack jawed yokel of a team. inferior graphics and sound.
Areas that can be improved are One of the best games on the
attack, power, speed, defence, 16-bit computers, without a doubt.
stamina, aggression, and It retains the basic gameplay of the
intelligence. It’s also a good idea to original, but expands on practically
have a good centre forward as he is every part of it. The new enlarged
always involved in the face off and pitch makes for a faster game which
scuffles. The transfer market is a involves more passing and dodging
good way to gain a good player skills, and the new pitch features
quickly and all kinds of players, of add even more variety. As the
different abilities, appear for sale manual states, the game is “100%
You’re even awarded points for throughout the game. bigger and includes a host of new
injuring the opponents. Ho, ho Gameplay is fast, furious and features.... Speedball 2 is a different
fun: the three Fs. Graphics are ball game.”
The new enlarged pitch makes for a faster game

which involves more passing and dodging skills, and
the new pitch features add even more variety From top to bottom: Mega Drive,
Commodore 64, Master System,
RETROACTION ISSUE ONE SPRING 2009 Game Boy, and Game Boy Advance 45
Computer and video games have been the
subject of controversy and censorship for years.
With the ever-increasing realism, games have
come under the spotlight for censorship, and
even banning. As Neil Reive discovers, way back
on the 8-bit computers, there was a little gem of
a game which caused a quite a stir...
N
owadays if you hear the word various screen locations where two
video game controversy you barbarians face off with each other.
might immediately think of the A hack-‘n’-slash fighting game might
Grand Theft Auto series, DOA, or not have sounded like such a big deal,
Manhunt games, but there has been a but Barbarian featured blood (every
long string of games that have had a connected slash of the sword brought a
similar troubled reception. What could splash of blood), decapitations (one
possibly be so controversial in 1987? swift swipe around the neck brought the
Well there were quite a few games that head clean off, which was then kicked
risked backlash from retailers and the out of the screen by an oncoming dwarf
gaming industry, one of them being creature), and sexism (the female is
Barbarian, arguably one of the most depicted as the helpless victim). Okay
famous controversies from the late that’s pretty bad, but coupled with a
1980s. controversial advertising campaign, the
Barbarian (known as Death Sword in game received notoriety for its content,
the USA) is a sword fighting computer packaging, and advertisements.
game from Palace Software and was The real problem came with the
released on most major platforms from promotional photo shoots for the game:
the Amstrad CPC to the Amiga. The a Page 3 girl, Maria Whittaker, was seen
classic plot (inspired by the Conan film wearing nothing more than a skimpy
series featuring Arnold blue bikini draped around the
Schwarzenegger) has the player barbarian’s leg (Michael Van Wijk,
controlling a barbarian, who must a.k.a. Wolf from UK Gladiators). The
defeat the evil wizard to rescue the shots appeared on the game’s
princess. The game is played through
Barbarian featured blood, decapitations, sexism, and

a controversial advertising campaign...
HOW TO CAUSE A COMPLETE CONTROVERSY BARBARIAN: THE ULTIMATE WARRIOR
Developer / Publisher Palace Software Released 1987 Platforms Acorn Electron, Amiga, Amstrad CPC, Apple II, Atari ST, BBC Micro, Commodore 64, DOS, ZX Spectrum. Genre Beat-’em-up
packaging and adverts. There was even the letters: “indications are that the of people could only be found
a huge sized poster given away with the issue sold very well, although I have to thriving in America.”
game. Naturally, this kind of advertising be fair to everyone’s views here printed, As Lloyd Mangram stated,
campaign caused outrage from the and add that representatives of WH “many writers defended Oliver’s
public. Smith have requested that we don’t use fantasy on the grounds that it was
Popular Spectrum magazine, Crash, a cover quite like it again. I think it is a realistic interpretation of the
decided to promote Barbarian by having largely a matter of personal taste...” game it portrayed—that’s probably
art editor Oliver Frey illustrate two Predictably, issue 44’s forum pages a dubious argument too—and
barbarians fighting on the front cover of contained the Barbarian backlash others on the grounds that it wasn’t
issue 41 (June 1987). This resulted in a backlash, where readers wrote in meant to give offence...” The final
backlash from readers who wrote in to replying to the criticism of Oliver Frey letter on the subject was
complain and some of the more bizarre and the front cover illustration. Tricia from Paul Naylor: “Honestly
ones were published in issue 43’s forum Maynham tells us that her “daughter is though, there are squillions
under the heading “BARBARITY IN squeamish at the sight of blood in of people around who
BARBARIAN”. “You are dealing with hospital programmes, but even she aren’t happy unless they’re
EVIL... I ask you as a very concerned knows that fantasy is fantasy, computer complaining about the
parent and Christian, clean up your games are computer games, none of it welfare of humanity etc... If
mag, refuse to print foul pictures and is real or intended to be real, it’s all they don’t like the cover
games, such things are noted in heaven make believe.” then they can stop buying
and God will finally bring them into What irritated most readers was the the magazine, instead, they
judgement...” preached one Mrs Angela religious stance of Mrs Angela Cook who try to ruin it for the rest of
Cook. kicked of the letters page the previous us.” “Amen to that,” replied
Other similar opinions followed with month. Chris Eason was “quite frankly Lloyd.
readers cancelling their subscription to disturbed 200 times more by her letter In the ‘Censorship
the magazine: “I am cancelling my than by the cover itself. It portrayed her Debate’ in Crash #55, Kati
order with my newsagent for your as some kind of demented religious Hamza pointed out that
magazine... I am not prepared to hippy.” Toby Wood added “not only was “the advertising... relies
subsidise sick artists employed by sick she complaining, but she was being heavily on scantily-clad
magazines...” stated Philip Raymond biblical with it, which exacerbated the females— who don’t...
Baker. Elizabeth Fox suggested that situation. Think of all the gory, horrifying feature very much in the
“perhaps the game, Barbarian, is meant things that happened in the Bible, which game—chosen only for their
to be a spoof on violence, but in no way I shan’t mention ‘cos I can’t be sexual appeal.... the image
is that apparent in the cover picture, bothered. (It’ll do you all good, anyway, they create is totally
nor in the semi pornographic picture having to search through the Bible for irrelevant to the product. Again, it’s The advertising campaign images.
advertising the game inside the something gory),” and Jon Gajos not the bodies themselves which are From clockwise: game front inlay,
magazine.” Lloyd Mangram replied to thought “the fanatical Bible-bashing belt unacceptable but the way in which A4 advert, game back inlay, A1
they’re portrayed. The implication is poster
“You are dealing with EVIL... I ask you as a very concerned parent
and Christian, clean up your mag, refuse to print foul pictures and
games...”
47
HOW TO CAUSE A COMPLETE CONTROVERSY BARBARIAN: THE ULTIMATE WARRIOR
Developer / Publisher Palace Software Released 1987 Platforms Acorn Electron, Amiga, Amstrad CPC, Apple II, Atari ST, BBC Micro, Commodore 64, DOS, ZX Spectrum. Genre Beat-’em-up
that there’s nothing more to women them and was very annoyed to find opinion as to whether the advert is in
than bodies and that all they’re there them using fig leaves in lieu of clothing. bad taste—or, as we believe, an eye-
for is sex.” Surely to object to the unclothed body catching but harmless and amusing
The subject was also brought to the is closely akin to blasphemy.” L.H. picture that captures the fantasy-epic
pages of Amstrad Action through Emma Everith wrote: “this is the third copy I style of the game. Our view that the
Broadley’s column. One reader who have received through the post in a advert is not in bad taste has been
replied, Adrian Forbes, wrote: “I’m sure transparent envelope displaying the supported by the Advertising
that people don’t buy games for the most ugly pornographic advertisement Standards Authority.”
brilliant poster of marvellous Maria. Why by Superior Software. Who knows what However, all the publicity didn’t
would someone spend ten pounds on a my postman thinks—Dirty old man?” harm the game reviews or sales; in
game for a picture of a scantily clad Pak Charoenkul stated “a lot of fact, you could say that it even
woman when you can buy a people are making a big fuss about helped. As Richard Leinfellner
pornographic magazine for £1.50 and nothing. The adverts simply show a (Producer/Lead Programmer)
see her totally nude?” “Surely the point half-naked woman with her arms round explained when asked about the
must be that games packaging ought to a man. And hasn’t anyone noticed that controversy, “the game was great, the
reflect the game and not totally he isn’t wearing very much either? And publicity was also great. In Germany
unconnected illustration,” Emma replied, while people are complaining about all we got banned. It all seems so tame
and went on to state that “it is slightly this, they have all forgotten about the now, but at the time it was rock and
less embarrassing to walk out of Smiths game itself. It features two massive roll.” While reviews across games
with a [game] in your hand than men, armed with swords, chopping magazines noted the issues
literature from the top shelf.” each other to bits. Don’t you think that surrounding the advertising campaign,
Superior Software soon ported the this is what everyone should be they concentrated on the polished
game over to the Acorn Electron in worrying about?” However, Robert graphics and gameplay instead.
1988. So when advertisements starting Rountree was “disgusted” by the The sequel, Barbarian II, featured a
appearing in Electron User, some adverts, as he had to hide the back similar advertising campaign: Maria
readers weren’t too chuffed. Following a cover advertisement ever time he took Whittaker as a scantily clad female
letter from J. Clark, complaining that the magazine to school, as it “is warrior. This time though the game
the images were “offensive and embarrassing.” lets the player choose between the
particularly insulting to women,” a Richard Hanson, managing director male barbarian and the female
‘Barbarian Starts a Real Life Battle’ of Superior Software commented “it is princess. After the controversy over
article appeared in the September 1988 interesting to note that about half the Barbarian’s sexism, the sequel shows
issue, featuring reader opinions, pro comments complain about the advert, the princess in an equal role. While
and con, regarding the advertisements. while the other half support our use of the controversy surrounding the
R.H. Hill pointed out that “it is it. This fits with the feedback we have original game may have faded from
Christian belief that God created human had from other sources and shows many peoples’ minds, it’s the
beings in his own image... did not clothe that it is very much a matter of gameplay that matters most, and it
plays great. Still.
“... In Germany we got banned. It all seems so tame now, but at the
time it was rock and roll.”
48
DOSBox
It gave us the FPS, it is the king of strategy,
adventure, and more, but it still goes ignored by
many gamers. It is DOS, and it gave us some of
the greatest games in retrogaming history.
Discover Another World and ... Wolfenstein 3D, the influential
Duncan Rule investigates the ultimate DOS replay classics like... first person shooter, and...
emulator…
recently celebrating its ten-millionth supports many of the original OS’s
I
f you’ve ever blown the dust and One feature which consoles seem download, DOSBox is the last word in commands. These are, as of writing,
cobwebs away from one of your to be striving for is backward- retro PC gaming. implemented at a rather rudimentary
old DOS games with the hope of compatibility, and many online The premise is simple: emulate level; but the name of the game here
getting it running on a modern services such as Nintendo’s Virtual the architecture of an old Intel x86 is getting the games to run as
operating system such as Windows Console give gamers the opportunity PC with your modern powerhouse smoothly and authentically as
XP or Vista, chances are you’ve to re-live the classics on their shiny system. While this is a rather more possible, not to perfectly emulate
ended up keyboard-smashingly new system. Unfortunately, as far as complex undertaking than the DOS itself. Still, previous users of
disappointed with the results. Some PCs are concerned, the old grey-and- emulation of, for example, the DOS will be right at home with the
will start only to grind to a black prompt is dead and buried, and humble NES or Speccy, the power of operation of DOSBox, and you’ll only
complete halt when you actually try the days of “Shutdown and restart in today’s PCs means that it is need to learn a few new commands to
to play them; some play in absolute MS-DOS mode” are long gone. In nevertheless an entirely possible get things up and running. “MOUNT”
silence; and some just flat-out short, trying to play anything from endeavour. DOSBox has a huge is the most essential of these; and
refuse to run at all. the time before Windows ruled the community, and is actively worked is the basic command
earth is a right royal pain in the arse. upon with regular updates. The result
But fear not, intrepid retro is full support for a massive (and
gamers, for we’ve been sent a continually expanding) selection of
wondrous gift from the heavens (or DOS games. Recent versions are
the Internet). Its name: DOSBox. If even able to emulate some of the
you’re the sort of person who just larger, more resource-hungry games
can’t handle life without halting the from the twilight of the DOS era,
Vorticon invasion, or filling Hans such as those based upon Ken
Grosse’s bloated carcass with hot Silverman’s fantastic Build engine.
lead, you’ll probably find DOSBox to DOSBox presents users with the
be the single greatest creation in the classic DOS-style command prompt
history of mankind. With the program interface we all know and love, and
Mount your DOS games location

DOSBox presents users with the classic DOS-style Leisure Suit Larry: a point-and-
and you’re away... command prompt interface we all know and love... click adventure, sort of...

FEATURE DOSBOX
the correct speed it should run at for your games from. Many of these also
a specific game. provide some more advanced
DOSBox is remarkably simple to features, such as the ability to create
use. Once you’ve created a virtual profiles (that is, DOSBox
drive with the “MOUNT”, navigate to configurations) for individual games,
the correct folder using the good old depending on your own preferences
“cd\” command, and run whichever for a particular title. For instance,
executable or batch file you need. some truly ancient games will require
Your game should then start up just a very low CPU cycle count to run at
as it would on a real machine, and the correct speed, whereas something
you can get down to the important like Doom will require a considerably
business of actually playing it. Things higher number. Once you’ve created a
(Blood) There’s nothing like a spot like setup programs can be accessed profile for your game, it can be The RPG genre at its best with
of gardening to relax. There, pretty in exactly the same way, so you can started with just a few clicks of the Ultima Underworld
as a picture. Aaargh, zombies. get the controls, video and sound mouse, eliminating the need for any
options for a specific game exactly as additional tinkering with settings. An detailed compatibility list available
used to make real directories (or you want them. Full mouse and overview of the most popular DOSBox for your perusal.
indeed whole drives) on your joystick support are also available for frontends can be found at the The best part of all this? DOSBox
physical machine accessible to any games that require them, and DOSBox Wiki. is completely and utterly free, so you
DOSBox. I’ve even managed to use an adapted I’m sure the question many of you won’t have to fork over a penny to
Unlike many other emulators, Playstation controller with DOSBox for want answered is ‘How do the games enjoy all of the features it has to
which need ROM files or disk images platformers and such. actually play?’ The answer, in my offer. That said, if the guys behind
of the system’s games, DOSBox If you don’t feel like getting your experience, is remarkably well. The DOSBox decided to charge £100 for
simply requires the original game hands dirty, or aren’t that comfortable PC I use for DOSBox is probably the privilege, I’d gladly cough up.
files, which you can pull straight from with the workings of DOS or the around five years old, and definitely That’s how good this program really
that old CD or floppy disk you have DOSBox configuration file, there are nowhere near the bleeding edge of is. If you’re feeling generous
lying around. The program also also a number of third-party today’s technology. I doubt it was however, you can also make a
supports the ability to mount ISO files frontends available that will give you even when it was new. Nevertheless, donation to the team via the DOSBox
or other CD-ROM images as virtual a nice sparkly GUI to set up and run everything I’ve tried running on website, and do your bit to help keep
drives, should you wish to do so. DOSBox has, with a little tweaking things running. Not a Windows user?
Compatibility is seldom a problem, as and editing of the dosbox.conf file, DOSBox is also available for a
DOSBox’s configuration file can be performed near-perfectly. With the multitude of other platforms and
easily edited to alter the virtual latest release (0.72), I was even able operating systems, so nobody should
settings for things such as sound to get one of my latter-day DOS feel left out.
cards (card type, IRQ, DMA channel favourites, Monolith’s insanely fun If you enjoyed playing the old
etc.), memory (no more fiddling with Blood, running exceptionally well. DOS classics back in the day, or
EMS and XMS), and available CPU Unless your system is a real dog, you just want to see what you
cycles. The program also includes chances are you’ll be able to get your missed out on the first time
controls to adjust the emulated own favourites working just as you around, you owe it to yourself to
processor speed in real-time (by remember them. If you have a download DOSBox immediately. In
values which you can specify), so you specific title in mind, visit the fact, why are you even still
can tweak away until you get your DOSBox website, which has a reading this? Do it now!
game running just right. Lunar escapades. and some
Alternatively, there’s a setting which nuking, with the Duke ...if [they] decided to charge £100 for the privilege, I’d
you can use to get DOSBox to guess gladly cough up. That’s how good this program really is
PART ONE: THE ULTIMATE WARRIOR
Long before The Matrix popularised a cyber world co-existence, there was a
long running comic strip in the Eagle called Computer Warrior, which
involved school kids playing computer games within the computer’s realm.
Neil Reive ventures into his spacious attic, dusts off his old comics, and
relives the first story arc...
C
omputer Warrior, initially titled from a non-games publication back Bobby enters Martin’s room and notices
The Ultimate Warrior, was a then. The integration of comic strip the computer screen displaying the
comic strip series that appeared and computer games worked wonders message “YOU LOSE.” Finding all this a
in the Eagle comic from 1985 to 1994. for both the comic and the game’s bit strange, Bobby decides to open the
The main plot centred on kids who had publishers who had their product envelope Martin gave to him. It reads
discovered the code for the real-life featured in the comic. The comic about how Martin has played the
facility in computers and could be play strip’s popularity ensured that it ultimate game and, if Bobby is reading
video games for real—albeit within the continued right up to the comic’s this, he has lost. Martin was now
computer realm. Computer Warrior eventual demise in 1994. trapped inside the computer and only
was initially printed as a one-off story Bobby Patterson and Martin French Bobby can get him out again.
arc, but following its popularity, new are neighbours and best
plot threads were introduced. Written friends. Martin tells Bobby
by Alan Grant (using D. Spence as a about how he’s been
pen name) and illustrated by many using a real-life facility
artists (J.Cooper, I. Kennedy, S. code, which gains access
James, and M. Western), the comic to the computer’s realm,
strip was a particular revelation for where he has been
gamers. Not only were there some playing computer games
great action story lines for the reader, for real. Naturally, Bobby
but some computer gaming action as doesn’t believe it.
well—something which was unheard of However, Martin hands
Bobby an envelope
stating that he’s playing
a big game that night
and if anything strange
should happen then he
should open it. The next
morning, Bobby goes
round to Martin’s house
only to be told by
Martin’s mother that
Martin has disappeared.
She tells Bobby that
Martin is not in his room,
his computer is still
switched on, and his bed
has not been slept in.
51
THE COMPUTER WARRIOR PART ONE: THE ULTIMATE WARRIOR
Thinking it’s a “crazy joke”, Bobby outer space inside a gun platform. Bobby sneaks back into Martin’s THE GAMES
plays along, enters the secret code Before Bobby can get his bearings, bedroom at night to begin the
and, as requested by the computer, ships home in and blow him up, Computer Warrior tests. As he turns Zyklon Attack
types in his name and objective: losing one of his three lives. on the computer, it displays the first A fictional game that introduced Bobby to
‘Bobby’ and ‘Find Martin’. The Realising this is quite real, Bobby challenge: Wizard of Wor. Bobby the computer’s real-life facility
computer displays another message begins fighting back racking his enters the game and fights against
“PLAY ZYLON ATTACK”. As Zylon score up to 4000. However, the good the monsters with his disrupter rifle. Wizard of Wor
Attack real-life loads into the run is stopped momentarily as Bobby Bobby continues fending off all on- Game test #1
computer, Bobby dissembles from loses another life. With two lives comers until the Wizard appears from (1983) Midway
Martin’s bedroom, much to his gone, Bobby wonders what happens nowhere and blasts Bobby with a bolt
astonishment, and re-appears in if you lose all three lives: death? of lightning. With one life gone, Bobby A 1980 arcade
With fear as an incentive, Bobby realises he must be more cautious and game from
concentrates and builds up his score alert. However, as he descends down Midway, and later
from 4000 to 10000 and wins the a lift a monster surprises him at the ported to the
Commodore 64,
game. bottom and dives on him. With only
Atari 800, Atari
He materializes in Martin’s one life left, Bobby battles away until
2600, and the
bedroom. The computer displays he meets the Wizard again. Bally Astrocade.
another message: “YOU HAVE PASSED Cautiously, Bobby waits for the Wizard An action-oriented game for one or two
THE INITIATION TEST. DO YOU STILL to appear before zapping him with a players played from a top down
WISH TO FIND MARTIN?” As Bobby direct hit. The first challenge is won perspective. The game takes place in
hits Y, the computer explains that and Bobby re-appears in Martin’s various maze-like dungeons teeming with
Martin lost the Ultimate Game and is bedroom. monsters. Points are gained by killing the
imprisoned inside the game’s Martin’s mum then walks into the various monsters (Burwors, Garwors,
program. Only the power of a bedroom to see Bobby there. As Thorwors, Worluks, and the Wizard of
Computer Warrior can release him. To Martin’s mum asks Bobby what he’s Wor).
become a Computer Warrior you must doing there, Martin’s dad also walks
play and win ten games. Then you will in. Bobby tells them that Martin is Pastfinder
be allowed to take part in the Ultimate inside the computer and that he can Game test #2
Game. “Warning! Failure = death.” prove it; he will type in the real-life (1984) Activision
Bobby tells Martin’s mum and his own code. But as he does so nothing
mum, but neither of them believes a happens. Martin’s dad escorts him out Originally
developed for the
word of it. Bobby realises that he will of the house and tells Bobby not to
Atari 800, the
have to become a Computer Warrior if come back. The next day, Bobby
game is set in the
he is ever going to see Martin again. notices the French’s binning Martin’s year 8878 and
computer and games. Bobby rescues casts the player
in the role of a
Pastfinder: an
explorer and
treasure hunter.
At the helm of their trusty Leeper (a four-
legged craft) the player traverses a barren
alien landscape, while hunting for artefacts
from an extinct alien race. With an
overhead vertically scrolling perspective the
player moves around levels consisting of a
variety of obstacles, plagued with the odd
homicidal alien craft. Luckily, the Leeper
can shoot at any enemy that get in the
way.

the computer and the games from When Rescue on Fractalus!
the French’s bin and sets them up in Bobby can Game test #3
his bedroom. He types the real-life safely activate (1984) Lucasfilm Games
code in and is given his next the real-life
challenge to play Pastfinder. facility again, Originally
However, Pastfinder is a newly the computer released for
released game and it isn’t amongst asks whether the Atari 8-bit
family and the
the others that Martin has. Due to Bobby wishes
Atari 5200
the last copy being sold from the to speak to
games
local electronic shop, Bobby resorts Martin. console. It
to swapping his bike for a copy. Martin’s face was also
Bobby gets home and activates the appears on ported to
game’s real-life facility. However, the screen and other popular platforms (Apple II, ZX
having not put in any practice with informs Bobby Spectrum, Amstrad CPC, Tandy Color
the game, Bobby quickly loses one of that he is trapped Computer 3 and Commodore 64). It was
his five lives quickly followed by in the Nightmare one of the first games from the
another. With Bobby fighting as if his Zone and only he can Lucasfilm Games department. The
live depends on it, he quickly free him. Doing a player controls a space fighter in a first-
progresses through sector four and paper round, Bobby person perspective landscape on the
completes the game. As he re- acquires some extra planet of Fractalus in a mission to land
materialises in his bedroom, his money to purchase and rescue stranded pilots.
parents discover that he has taken the new game
Martin’s computer and tells him to required for the next The Great American Cross-Country
return it. Bobby manages to test Rescue on Road Race
Game test #4
persuade them that he’s keeping it Fractalus. This time,
(1985) Activision
for Martin when he returns. Bobby puts in plenty
of practice before playing A racing game
the game for real and makes a However, when the that places the
good start progressing through to race starts for real, Bobby player in a
level four without any problems. He is left sitting at the start before high-
fights his way up through each level, finally making a break for it. Bobby performance
his confidence gaining as his points quickly speeds through the pack car
increase, and finally wins. only to slide on an oil slick, losing all participating in
Events take a turn for the worse, the time that he managed to make races across
though, when Bobby’s dad finds out up. In his attempts to fight back the US. There
that someone else is using his bike. through the crowd of cars, he are several
Bobby explains that he swapped the manages to blow his engine, forcing races that you can choose to complete
bike for a new game, which sends his him to push the car to the next in from simple cross-country coast-to-
dad into a rage. He tells Bobby to garage. He is then pulled over by coast racing to a more difficult mode,
get the bike back or the computer the highway patrol for speeding and which requires you to visit every city on
will be binned. Bobby manages to loses valuable time. Bobby quickly the map. The game also had several
unique features like weather and road
get the bike back—by swapping all makes up the time though and
conditions (fog, snow, etc.), day and
Martin’s old games that he has speeds on. Just as he is upon the
night simulation (night driving, rush
played—and keeps the computer. finishing line though, he runs out of hour traffic, etc.), ability to plan the
Bobby fires up the computer for petrol and has to push the car over route ahead, refuelling, and even police
his next test The Great American the line. pursuits.
Cross-Country Road Race. Again, With the previous test completed
Bobby puts the time in to practice successfully, Bobby is given his next
the game before playing it for real. game to play: Ghostbusters.
Ghostbusters
Game test #5
(1984) Activision
Designed and
programmed
by David
Crane. The
game’s plot is
loosely based
on events
from the film.
As one of the
Ghostbusters,
you have to rid the city of all ghosts and
keep the psychokinetic levels as low as
possible. You begin with a set amount of
money and have to set up the business. If
one of the buildings begins to flash then
that’s your cue to go and do some
ghostbusting and earn money.
the ghost
captures and contains the Walls of Jericho
marshmallow man before he does (fictional game)
any damage. It’s off to the Temple of Game test #6
Zuul where they have to avoid the
Meanwhile, Bobby’s parents are guardian—the marshmallow man—to Desert Fox
called into the school headmaster’s Game test #7
gain entrance. They climb the stairs,
(1985) U.S. Gold
office for a chat. It seems that reach the roof and end the game by
Bobby’s work has been slipping badly spelling ghostbusters with their proton Driving a
in the past few months, and with his packs. The game is won and Bobby is supertank, the
belief that Martin is trapped in the now promoted to Computer player has to
computer, his headmaster Commando. obtain
recommends Bobby sees a However, Bobby’s parents discover strategic
psychiatrist. To prevent any more him in his room at his computer, command
bother, Bobby starts the confiscate the computer and insist he over the
Ghostbusters test after his parents visits the psychiatrist. Next day, when territory of
have went to bed. Just like the game his parents are out, Bobby skips the war torn
of the film, Bobby starts up a ghost school and sneaks back into the house North Africa.
busting business. The game starts to retrieve the computer from his The player battles through five expansive
well with a couple of ghosts captured parents’ bedroom. With the computer campaigns—fighting against enemy tanks,
early on, but the third ghost evades set up, Bobby begins the next game planes and avoiding minefields—to defeat
capture and slimes one of his team Walls of Jericho. Unfortunately, Bobby the Nazis’s top general Rommel (a.k.a. The
members. The next ghosts are had no time to practice and quickly Desert Fox).
captured with no problems until loses two lives through clumsy
another misadventure occurs when mistakes. Bobby quickly learns from
Bobby and his remaining ghostbuster these mistakes and continues on the
cross the beams, losing his team game winning through grit and
member in the process. With a new determination. The sixth test is won.
ghostbusting team, Bobby racks up Bobby appears back in his bedroom

Next day at school, Bobby sells off waiting form him at the other end. Shoot Out
some old games in an effort to get Rommel quickly opens fire, disabling (fictional game)
some money to purchase the next test Bobby’s tank, followed by several “Sudden Death” game for Bobby.
game Desert Fox. Later at home, more hits. Bobby can’t respond
Bobby practises his newly purchased quickly enough and loses the game, PSI-5 Trading Company
Desert Fox game, but unknown to condemning himself to the Nightmare Game test #8
him, his father—who has learnt of his Zone. (1986) Accolade
truancy—is at home and bursts into In the Nightmare Zone, Bobby is
Taking the role
the bedroom. He threatens to put and chased by robot hound dogs and eaten
of the
end to all this nonsense by smashing alive, only to slowly return back to life commander of
the computer with a hammer. Bobby, for the torment to continue. Bobby soon an interstellar
by a whisker, manages to grab the loses track of the number of times he cargo ship—
computer and runs to a friend’s house has died. He soon meets up with crewed by a
where he hides the computer. While Martin, who tells him that there is a way host of quirky
firing the computer up, it gives Bobby out through the “Sudden Death” game, aliens—the
a chance to see what awaits him if he which the computer picks. Bobby player’s
fails: The Nightmare Zone. There he challenges the computer to the Sudden mission is to
meets Martin who is being chased by a Death and appears in western game get supplies
knight horseman, which promptly kills called Shoot Out. Bobby quickly delivered to their destination as fast as
him with a three-pronged lance. They progresses through the game and possible. This may have proved easy
exchange a quick word before Martin succeeds, earning the right to return enough if it weren’t for the space pirates
is chased away by a swooping back to reality and to his quest to just waiting to ambush the ship. It’s here
Wingzapper. become a Computer Warrior. With the where the player must decide whether to
Bobby begins the seventh test, whole ordeal of the Nightmare Zone fight off or attempt to evade the space
robbers.
Desert Fox, promisingly, steadily Bobby has been away over night and
battling his way his parents were worried. Bobby
Uggabula
through the war explains that he ran away over the fight (fictional game)
torn desert with the computer, but decided to come “Once chance freedom” game for Martin.
taking out home. His parents forgive him and allow
enemy tanks, the computer to be returned to his Silent Service
planes. There’s room. Game test #9
only one enemy When he goes to collect the (1985) MicroProse
Bobby fears computer from his friend’s house, he
and that’s quickly fires it up. The computer Set in the Pacific
Rommel, the congratulates Bobby in passing the during World
‘Desert Fox’ Sudden Death game and informs him War II, the
himself. But that the next challenge will be PSI Five player assumes
with the only Trading Company. Having not got control of a US
way to avoid enough money to buy the game, Bobby Navy
him being a walks into his local electronic shop on Submarine.
minefield, his way home with his computer in a Following the
attacks on Pearl
what is Bobby plastic bag and has a quick play of the
Harbor, the player’s mission is to
to do? Bobby demonstration game. Upon finishing the
carry out war patrols against Japanese
carefully demo play, Bobby realises that his shipping. The game allows the player to
negotiates computer is gone and has likely been choose when to attack and a whole range
through the stolen by a punk who was nearby. of realistic tactics are available, including
minefield only Bobby tracks the thief down to a nearby the End Around as well as near invisibility
to have café, confronts the punk and takes off at night (if the sub’s profile is kept to a
Rommel with the computer. minimum).
Back at home, Bobby sets the Back in reality, Bobby—now Ultimate Challenge is on Bobby’s mind Kung Fu Master
computer up just as his father appears. promoted to Computer Commander— so much that he is told off in school for Game test #10
He explains to Bobby that instead of gets ready for his ninth test: Silent not concentrating and is knocked down (1985) U.S. Gold
forbidding the computer, he is going to Service. Bobby makes a steady start by a bus on his way home. As Bobby
take an interest in his hobby and gives and progresses through the game well. recovers in hospital, the computer calls A 1984 arcade
Bobby a present: PSI 5 Trading Later in the game, his submarine takes out to him in his fevered dreams. He game
Company. As Bobby starts up the game a hit and he is forced to dive deep. With wakes up and heads back home to play developed by
the Japanese
for real, he is introduced to his crew and the destroyer ship firing depth charges the game. Through determination and a
company Irem
the mission begins. Bobby manages to from the surface, the submarine is a little bit of luck, Bobby completes the
Corporation.
progress through the game smoothly sitting duck. However, Bobby has a plan game and becomes a Computer The player
with no major events and completes the and jettisons oil and debris to the Warrior. takes the role
mission. surface. The enemy believe the Back in the Nightmare Zone, Martin of Keiji who
Meanwhile, in the Nightmare Zone, submarine has been destroyed so they is having a bad time when the (newly must rescue
Martin stumbles away from killer giant leave, allowing Bobby to re-surface and introduced) Computer Warlord his girlfriend, Sylvia, who has
crabs and falls into a “one chance sail home to victory. summons him. The great Computer been kidnapped by Mr X. Keiji can
tunnel”. A one and only chance to win For the tenth test, Bobby enters the Warlord escorts Martin away from the move left, right, jump, duck, punch and
his freedom, and he must choose a Kung Fu Master game. His progress is Nightmare Zone to where Bobby—in full kick and enemy weapons such as knives
game by spinning a game-wheel. The sluggish through the inhabited levels Computer Warrior costume—is waiting. can be kicked away. With its five levels
spinning wheel stops at Uggabulla, a and he soon loses a life. When he loses Declining any further feats offered by of side-scrolling floors, full of enemies
caveman game where he must trek his second life, Bobby begins to fight the Warlord, Bobby and Martin are sent and an end of level baddie, the game
across dinosaur infested land to bring like he’s never fought before. His hard back home. Having returned to reality, feels very similar to Bruce Lee’s Game
back an everlasting flame for the tribe. work is soon rewarded with an extra Martin vows never to use the real-life of Death’s finale.
Unfortunately, on the brink of success, life. Using his newfound confidence, facility again. Bobby agrees, after all,
Martin fails and is sent back to the Bobby battles through the later levels he’s been gone for months, and he Infiltrator
The Ultimate Challenge
Nightmare Zone. and completes the game successfully. should figure out what he’s going to tell
(1986) U.S. Gold
Back in reality, the computer informs his parents—they’re hardly likely to
Bobby of the Ultimate Challenge: he believe that he’s been trapped inside his Developed for the Atari 8-bit
must play Infiltrator. Borrowing the own computer all this time, are they? family, Apple
money from his father, he II, DOS,
buys the game and puts Commodore
some practice in. The 64, Nintendo
Entertainment
System and
ZX Spectrum
by Chris Gray
Enterprises.
The player
takes on the
role of an ace pilot,
as he has to fly a helicopter, land at
enemy bases, and infiltrate compounds
to stop the “Mad Leader”. The game
combines first-person helicopter
simulation with an isometric third-
person espionage adventure where you
can use false documents to fool the
enemy and use spray and sleeping gas.

CLASH OF
THE 8-BITS School yards across the country were once rife
with arguments over who had the best
conversion of a particular game. We set the
record straight, settle the score once and for
all. Join Mark Hall as he puts the Amstrad CPC,
Commodore 64, and ZX Spectrum versions of
Space Harrier head-to-head in a bid to find the
definitive conversion...
T
he original 1985 arcade the evil creatures that occupy it. You
game by Sega featured a must run and fly through the many
hydraulic mounted cabinet, object-strewn levels... oh, and defeat
which moved around in relation to a dragon at the end of each section.
the player’s joystick movements. It A multitude of objects, both on the
was a real crowd stopper as this ground and in the air, come flying at
represented the most realistic arcade you. They include flying boulders and
simulation for the time. Coupled with faces of rock, mutant dragonflies,
large speakers blaring out the sounds and butterflies. The levels are all in
of the battles, you could almost lose third person perspective with some
touch with reality. great landscapes and graphics. So
You play a space hero who is on how do the home computer
the “scene” to save Dragon land from conversions fare?

CLASH OF THE 8-BITS SPACE HARRIER
Developer Sega/Elite Publisher Elite Released 1986 Platforms Amstrad CPC, Commodore 64, ZX Spectrum Video clip YouTube Genre Shoot-’em-up
GRAPHICS SOUND PLAYABILITY THE WINNER: Amstrad CPC
CPC: So it lacks the filled sprites of CPC: Authentic music plays CPC: Fast, furious and in-yer-face So the Amstrad CPC draws first
the Spectrum or C64, but it’s by far throughout, with super sound action all the way. If the CPC version blood despite the graphical
the best looking version. Succeeds in effects, especially when firing your lacks anything it’s the arcade cabinet problems. The programmers have
capturing the look and feel of the weapon. and moveable seat. Forget about the proved that graphics don’t always
arcade original. vector graphics, once you start make a good game. The CPC wins
Spectrum: Unless I’m playing the playing, you won’t be able to put because everything feels just
Spectrum: The Speccy version is wrong version, sadly there is hardly this down. right: you can see the enemy
instantly recognisable and despite anything to report here.
charging towards you, and the
the limited colours, the whole thing Spectrum: There is no doubt the
animation and speed of the main
zips along at a good pace. C64: The SID chip once again Speccy version is fast, but the
deserves a standing ovation; the graphics tend to get a bit messy, and
sprite work for you rather than
C64: Full screen blocky graphics music sounds as good, if not better, spotting enemy fire can become a against you. Quite simply a
with ill-defined colour, but it still than the arcade original, and the game of chance rather than skill. brilliant conversion.
holds together very well. Once sound effects do a bloody good job
again, the pace of the game holds too. C64: Sadly, too many corners were
true to the original and everything cut, and boredom—nstead of the
looks and feels authentic. Winner: C64 oomph factor—quietly creeps in.
Runner up: CPC
Draw: CPC, C64. Winner: CPC
Runner up: Spectrum Runner up: Spectrum
(Spectrum) “Fast, but the graphics tend (C64) “Sadly, too many corners were cut, (CPC) “Fast, furious and in-yer-face action all the way.”
to get a bit messy...” and boredom creeps in.”

Mention Amsoft, and games such as Bridge-It
and Roland on the Run, to any retro gamer and
they will probably laugh at you. However, as
Richard Goulstone looks back, without Amsoft
the Amstrad CPC might not have been anywhere
near as successful as it was...
A
lan Sugar understood that independent software houses
for any new computer to started to produce games, the
have a chance it had to have quality of Amsoft titles also went
plenty of software at launch and up. Notable software houses that
soon after - other computers, such provided games to Amsoft were
as the Jupiter Ace and Einstein Ocean (Hunchback), Durrell
failed due, in part, to the lack of (Harrier Attack), and Virgin Games
software. To this end, Amstrad set (Sorcery).
up Amsoft: a dedicated software Amsoft was unique in that, as
publishing house who also well as games, it also produced
produced the official many educational and business
documentation (including the titles. The latter was especially
famous Soft 158). The urgent need important, as serious software
for software for the new computer developers are usually the last to
meant that, in the beginning, they get on-board any new system, so
were after quantity, not quality. it was critical that Amsoft brought
Amsoft canvassed software out word-processors,
houses, big and small, and even spreadsheets, databases, etc., to
individual home based try and tap into the business
programmers to get as many titles market. And, of course, mention
as possible. As a result, some truly must be made of the Amsoft blank
bad quality games got published, disks, which were always of the
such as the mentioned Bridge-It. best quality (over the years I have
However, as time went by and the personally purchased many
Notable software houses that provided games to

Amsoft included Ocean, Durrell, and Virgin Games.
59
Amsoft selected softography
1984
Bridge-It Epicsoft/Egypt
hundreds of them). Fruit Machine Paul Aitman
The company also dipped its toes Animal Vegetable Mineral
into magazine publishing with Bourne Educational Software
Amstrad Computer User (subtitled Roland in Time Gem Software
‘The Official AMSTRAD Mirco Astro Attack Ian Beynon
Magazine’) when the first issue was Amsgolf Computersmith
released in August/September 1984. Graf Spee (Admiral) Temptation
The first couple of issues were not Overlord 2 Remy Herbulot
made available to the general public Quack A Jack Paul Shirley
- only to members of the Amstrad Harrier Attack Durell Software
User Club. Content in these early Roland Goes Square Bashing
issues included news, Overview (a Durell Software
Roland on the Ropes Indescomp
look at the CPC464), Q&A, software
Sultan's Maze Gem Software
reviews, listings, programming, and Roland Ahoy! Computersmith
more. Early games reviews Roland on the Run Epicsoft/Egypt
included Amsoft’s very own Roland in An interesting aside that has been Roland Goes Digging Gem Software
the Caves, Roland on the Ropes, and recently discovered—some titles Roland in the Caves Indescomp
Oh Mummy - the Roland games were only produced and released in
series being named after Roland certain countries. For example, 1985
Perry: Locomotive Software (the Amsdraw was recently purchased off Alien Break-In Romik Software
Amstrad CPC’s BASIC operating the Spanish eBay. To the best of my Airwolf Elite
system programmers) supremo. knowledge this was only sold in 3D Boxing James Software
Amsoft did eventually produce Spain, it was certainly not Traffic Andromeda
and distribute some really good advertised in any British Amsoft Alien Argus Press
catalogues that I have ever seen. Alex Higgins World Snooker
games; titles such as Sorcery+ were
Rare Amsoft games are much sought Gem Software
among the best games ever made on
after now and can sell for over 20 Oh Mummy! Gem Software
the Amstrad. The worst ended up as Roland In Space Gem Software
freebies, given away in a ten pack quid each on eBay. My current
Sorcery+ Virgin Games
with each new machine purchased. I collection numbers just over 100
Splat Incentive
doubt if many of these were ever titles, which covers everything that
Subterranean Stryker Insight
loaded more was ever released by Amsoft in
Laserwarp Mikro-Gen
than once. New Zealand, and many that I
Hunchback Ocean
have had to ‘import’ from the Jammin' Tasket
United Kingdom. Spannerman Gem Software
After a couple of years, Amsoft Super Pipleline II Tasket
ceased production and Beach Head U.S. Gold
distribution of software, as by Blagger Alligata
then the Amstrad CPC was well Catastrophes Andromedia
established and every man and Cyrus II Chess IC Software
his dog was bringing out games 3D Stunt Rider DJL Software
for it. It still continued to Doors of Doom Gem Software
produce the magazine and other Pyjamarama Mikro-Gen
documentation for a number of Fantastic Voyage Edmonds Software
years. To me, Amsoft will always
be the number one Amstrad CPC 1986
publishing house. Spy Hunter Choice
Golden Path Magic Logic
Nuclear Defence James Software 60
Qabbalah Gem Software
Developer Sensible Software Platform Amiga Download Cover disk image Genre Puzzle
THE WEIRD AND The excitement of wearing anoraks, sitting on

dubious benches, drinking from Thermos flasks,
WONDERFUL WORLD pointing at trains and jotting down their model
OF RETROGAMING numbers from the comfort of your bedroom
You can’t get much weirder than train spotting and and the premier digital offering that
let you live the excitement of wearing
you can’t get more wonderful than Sensible anoraks, sitting on dubious benches,
Software. So what do you get if you put them both drinking stuff from Thermos flasks,
pointing at trains and jotting down
together? Gnome finds out… their model numbers from the
comfort of your bedroom—is this
C
hoose life. Choose a job. Soccer, Mega Lo Mania, and Cannon article’s subject and the sole reason I
Choose a starter home. Fodder—did actually bother coming won’t even mention the movie’s
Choose a fucking big up with a short, sarcastic and quirky brilliant soundtrack; or the equally
television. Choose dental insurance, Train spotting simulation game back brilliant toilet scene. The game, yes.
leisure wear and matching luggage. in 1995. One whole year before Well, it was released as a cover
Choose your future. But why would Trainspotting: the glorious cult disk for the Amiga Power magazine—
Hurrah, that’s all the trains from
anyone want to do a thing like that? movie with the glorious cult trailer, issue 53, September 1995 to be
this card spotted. On to the next
Simply choose to go with Sensible taught everyone outside Scotland precise—probably as a joke, definitely one...
Train Spotting instead. No, really, (and, well, the UK I guess) that as a quirky freebie and apparently as
heroin is most definitely not a viable Edinburgh had more to it than a a timeless, well, thing, as you can
option. lovely medieval centre, that Scots nowadays download it for free from trains as they pass by, while
Sensible Software—the very have an excellent sense of humour the Hall of Light. It is thus an Amiga appropriately crossing them out of a
same studio that created such and that Brits in general tend to game, or to be fair to it, it’s a card/checklist thingy located on the
timeless masterpieces as Sensible amuse themselves by looking at humorously pointless Amiga game, bottom of the screen. There’s also a
trains. Oh, and yes, it was an that puts you, the absurd retro time limit to make things tougher and
excellent film, one of the best ever gamer, in a digital representation of a a penalty for crossing out wrong
actually, but I digress. railway station (complete with trains. When all trains in the checklist
Sensible Train-Spotting, you see— platforms and station paraphernalia) have been crossed out, the game
the first ever train spotting simulation and tasks you with identifying various moves on to the next more difficult
level, and frankly that’s all it does.
The 2003 Rip-Off Train Brilliant!
Oh, and Train-Spotting sadly was
Sensible Software’s last original game
In 2003, a company called Demon Star released Train Tracking. It
and that long awaited Rock ‘n’ Roll
was nothing more than an exact copy of Sensible’s Train-Spotting,
sim failed to materialize, it was
featuring the exact same game mechanics and screen setup and only intended (according to Stuart
changing the graphics (for the worse). No mention of the original Campbell at least) as a little “thank-
game was to be found and no royalties or at least respects were paid. you” farewell gift to the company’s
Oh, oh, there’s the A99. Don’t Thankfully justice has in a way been done, as you will no doubt many fans. Signature Sensi pixel-art
forget to cross that off from your discover by following this link. graphics do help strengthen the
card nostalgia factor quite a bit mind.

62

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RETROACTION

ISSUE ONE SPRING 2009

1. Any action that has an influence due to a past event

How very apt that definition is regarding

The Retroaction team

RETROACTION ISSUE ONE SPRING 2009 3

RETROACTION ISSUE ONE SPRING 2009 4

RETROACTION ISSUE ONE SPRING 2009 5

THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK

RETROACTION ISSUE ONE SPRING 2009 6

SUPER MARIO KART

RETROACTION ISSUE ONE SPRING 2009 7

COSMIC PRISON COMMANDO

ULTIMATE BRUCE LEE

RETROACTION ISSUE ONE SPRING 2009 9

RETROACTION ISSUE ONE SPRING 2009 10

RETROACTION ISSUE ONE SPRING 2009 11

RETROACTION ISSUE ONE SPRING 2009 14

Retrosoftware Platform BBC Micro

RETROACTION ISSUE ONE SPRING 2009 18

“Welcome to GamesMaster. Television’s first ever

RETROACTION ISSUE ONE SPRING 2009 20

John has a chance to reply with a quick equalizer, but

RETROACTION ISSUE ONE SPRING 2009 21

What we have here is an unappreciated little game

At first glance, Battle Lane Vol. 5 doesn’t look like

U.S. Gold performed a move sneakier than

pretty mediocre football game, miserable gaming package all

The game also features a pathetic training mode—ball

Playing a great RPG is like reading a good book. And like

It seems okay for a

Herbs & items shop

RETROACTION ISSUE ONE SPRING 2009 29

OUT AND ABOUT

Pigsy is quite useful at fighting The boss characters take some

visiting his neighbour Dr Tang who predetermined course the whole

Although you’re following a strictly predetermined course

NOT SO FAST…. I haven’t been glued to my Mega Drive since a certain

RETROACTION ISSUE ONE SPRING 2009 31

“Within moments of trying [the Taiwanese original]

RETROACTION ISSUE ONE SPRING 2009 33

RETROACTION ISSUE ONE SPRING 2009 34

This isn’t just a straight forward update. Extra levels were

RETROACTION ISSUE ONE SPRING 2009 38

RETROACTION ISSUE ONE SPRING 2009 40

RETROACTION ISSUE ONE SPRING 2009 41

RETROACTION ISSUE ONE SPRING 2009 43

As well as the many additions on the pitch, the

The new enlarged pitch makes for a faster game

Barbarian featured blood, decapitations, sexism, and

Mount your DOS games location

RETROACTION ISSUE ONE SPRING 2009 49

RETROACTION ISSUE ONE SPRING 2009 52

RETROACTION ISSUE ONE SPRING 2009 54

RETROACTION ISSUE ONE SPRING 2009 56

RETROACTION ISSUE ONE SPRING 2009 57

RETROACTION ISSUE ONE SPRING 2009 5858

Notable software houses that provided games to

THE WEIRD AND The excitement of wearing anoraks, sitting on

RETROACTION ISSUE ONE SPRING 2009 61

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