This run-and-gun platform/action game is based on the 1995 film starring Sylvester Stallone, which in turn is based on the infamous comic strip from British science fiction periodical 2000AD. Judge Dredd was developed by Probe Software and published by Acclaim Entertainment not long after the film’s release.
Monthly Archives: June 2022
Judge Dredd, Super Nintendo
Having been a 2000AD reader since the very first issue I’ve always been sceptical about Judge Dredd games, films, and other third-party uses of the character, mostly because they’ve all been failures. Failing to capture the spirit and tone of the original comic.
This Judge Dredd game is based on the 1995 film of the same name – the one starring Sylvester Stallone and directed by Danny Cannon. I’ve previously avoided it until now, having been one of those who went to see the film when it first came out and being unimpressed by it. To be honest: ever since they announced Stallone as Judge Dredd I’ve been disappointed by the process of bringing one of my favourite comic characters to the big screen. Of all the actors they could’ve chosen to play Judge Dredd: they chose one of my least favourite actors of all-time. So my hopes for this video game were low to begin with.
Rogue Trooper, Atari ST
The Atari ST version of Krisalis Software‘s 1990 adaptation of 2000AD comic anti-hero, Rogue Trooper, is the same as the Amiga version, except with a more standardised display area and without the smooth scrolling.
The scrolling is pretty jerky to be honest although it doesn’t ruin the game. Control responsiveness isn’t as good as the Amiga version either, but it’s good enough.
Rogue Trooper, Amiga
This adaptation of 2000AD‘s famous comic character, Rogue Trooper, was developed and published by Krisalis Software for the Amiga and Atari ST in 1990, and it’s a reasonable attempt at bringing the blue-skinned super soldier’s stories to life in a video game.
Judge Dredd, Commodore 64
The second Judge Dredd game on the Commodore 64 was developed by Random Access and published by Virgin Games in 1991, and while it’s better than the crappy 1986 Judge Dredd game from Melbourne House, it’s still not very good.
Judge Dredd, Amiga
The 1990 version of Judge Dredd, developed by Random Access and published by Virgin Games, is a frustrating and barely playable platform action game that is hamstrung by restrictive game mechanics.
Judge Dredd, Atari ST
The Atari ST version of the 1990 Judge Dredd game from Virgin Games is pretty much identical to the Amiga version – and the 8-bit versions – which means that it’s another failed attempt to bring the famous 2000AD comic character to life in a video game.
Judge Dredd, ZX Spectrum
This second attempt at a Judge Dredd game on the Spectrum was developed by Random Access (the development team at The Sales Curve) and published by Virgin Games in 1990, although there is some debate about how widespread the game’s release actually was.
Was the game even properly released, or was it cancelled and some copies leaked out? Few people seem to have had a copy and it only recently turned up on game preservation sites. There were reviews in most of the major magazines at the time, although this doesn’t indicate whether the game was released or not.
Nemesis the Warlock, Amstrad CPC
Creative Reality developed and Martech published this adaptation of the famous 2000AD comic character, Nemesis the Warlock, in 1987. It is a simple platform action game where the aim is to kill as many Terminators as possible in order to open up the exit to the next level.
Nemesis the Warlock, ZX Spectrum
The ZX Spectrum version of Nemesis the Warlock was developed by Creative Reality and published by Martech in 1987. And it is another relatively poor adaptation of a classic 2000AD comic character.