Andrew Braybrook’s 1985 cult hit Gribbley’s Day Out is a strange kind of platform game in which you control a bouncing (and floating) head-on-a-foot, called Gribbly Grobbly.
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Video game companies.
Dropzone, Commodore 64
Archer MacLean‘s seminal Commodore 64 shooter, Dropzone is like a cross between Defender and, erm, Defender, but with more realistic graphics. And slightly different gameplay. But the principles are pretty much the same: super-fast, super-smooth, side-scrolling shooting. Avoid touching anything – or it’s instant death.
Bruce Lee, Commodore 64
Ron J. Fortier and Kelly Day‘s brilliant Bruce Lee shows that you can squeeze real character into tiny pixels if you try hard enough, what with it’s dozy sumo (The Green Yamo) and daft ninja chasing you down relentlessly, like idiots on the run. And punching and kicking them is not only hilarious, but also essential, if you are to keep them off your back.
Exile, Commodore 64
Jeremy Smith and Peter Irvin‘s groundbreaking Exile first came out on the BBC Model B in 1988 and was later converted to other systems. Including for the Commodore 64.
Wizball, Commodore 64
Sensible Software‘s bizarre but brilliant 1987 Commodore 64 shooter with a difference!
Ancipital, Commodore 64
Jeff Minter‘s seminal shooter Ancipital features psychedelic sprite-based visuals and fast blasting/running/jumping action.
Paradroid Metal Edition, Commodore 64
Arguably the best version of Andrew Braybrook‘s timeless Commodore 64 classic, Paradroid.
Paradroid Metal Edition (aka Heavy Metal Paradroid) is a suped-up version of Paradroid with faster scrolling and more responsive controls.
Scarabaeus, Commodore 64
This obscure Commodore 64 classic is one of THE scariest – and most confusing – games of all time. Both in one!
In Scarabaeus you have to explore an ancient Egyptian tomb, chasing ghosts, avoiding zombies and spiders, and eventually making your way to the Pharaoh’s tomb in the centre of the third level.
International Karate Plus, Commodore 64
Archer Maclean’s IK+ (International Karate Plus) ushered in a new wave of fighting game on the Commodore 64, back in 1987.
California Games, Commodore 64
Perhaps the least orthodox Epyx multi-event sports game, but arguably the best out of all of them, California Games was first released in 1987 to much acclaim.