Considered by those who know it as an early precursor to Grand Theft Auto, Mike Richardson‘s excellent Turbo Esprit is an action/driving game where the aim is to catch and arrest drugs smugglers by driving around a city and pinpointing them using a map. It was first published for the ZX Spectrum by Durell Software in 1986.
Category Archives: Durell Software
Harrier Attack, ZX Spectrum
Written by Mike Richardson and released by Durell Software in 1983, Harrier Attack is a side-scrolling Scramble ‘tribute’, but with VTOL (Vertical Take-Off & Landing) military Harrier ‘jump jet’ aircraft instead of spaceships.
Thanatos, ZX Spectrum
Thanatos is an unusual side-scrolling action game designed by Mike Richardson and programmed by Rod Barrington for Durell Software in 1986.
The game is unusual because you play as a dragon… Yes, that’s right: a dragon! And not any old dragon, but as “Thanatos the Destroyer” – a fire-breathing behemoth with a heart.
Saboteur II: Avenging Angel, ZX Spectrum
This 1987 sequel to the pioneering Saboteur is so much bigger in scope than its predecessor, but retains much of what made it good in the first place.
Saboteur, ZX Spectrum
Written by Clive Townsend and published by Durell Software in 1985, Saboteur is a stealth action platform game that was something of a hit with ZX Spectrum users back in the day.
Combat Lynx, Amstrad CPC
The Amstrad CPC version of Combat Lynx looks a bit like the BBC version (ie. chunky), but is thankfully more colourful – and more playable.
Combat Lynx, BBC Micro
Combat Lynx on the BBC Micro is a bit gaudy, compared to other versions, and that’s probably down to the fact that – in this screen mode – the BBC can only display four colours.
Combat Lynx, Commodore 64
Ron Jeff‘s Commodore 64 conversion of Mike Richardson‘s ZX Spectrum helicopter sim is actually pretty good.
Combat Lynx, ZX Spectrum
Mike Richardson‘s Combat Lynx is a very effective helicopter combat sim, first released for the Sinclair ZX Spectrum by Durell Software in 1984.
Scuba Dive, Commodore 64
Scuba Dive on the Commodore 64 must rate as one of the worst conversions of all time.