This original ZX Spectrum version of Raffaele Cecco‘s Cybernoid was released by Hewson Consultants in 1987.

In it you fly a ship through various screens, looking to retrieve pirate plunder for the authorities. Unfortunately there is a time limit. If you don’t reach the depot before the time limit runs out you lose one of your ships… Talk about harsh!

Cybernoid does have its fans, although I find it a bit too frustrating for my tastes. It’s beautifully programmed and presented. Critically-acclaimed at the time. Still played now.

But will almost certainly have you tearing your hair out…

See also: Cybernoid II: The Revenge

Cybernoid on The King of Grabs:
ZX Spectrum version; Commodore 64 version; NES version; Amstrad CPC version

More: Cybernoid on Wikipedia
More: Cybernoid on World of Spectrum