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.
Tag Archives: 1984
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.
Ancipital, Commodore 64
Jeff Minter‘s seminal shooter Ancipital features psychedelic sprite-based visuals and fast blasting/running/jumping action.
Summer Games, Commodore 64
The first of the ground-breaking/award-winning Epyx multi-event sport games, Summer Games was first released way back in 1984.
HES Games, Commodore 64
In my mind THE best Olympic sports type game on the Commodore 64.
HES Games – by 321 Software and HESWare – beats Epyx‘s great sports titles by virtue of its simplicity, and of it’s refined control system. And there’s an interesting mix of events too.
Sabre Wulf, ZX Spectrum
Ultimate Play The Game‘s iconic seventh release for the ZX Spectrum was first released in 1984.
Sabre Wulf is a colourful maze/action game, and was the first game to feature the lead character Sabreman.
Backpackers Guide to the Universe, ZX Spectrum
Bob Hamilton‘s third game featuring the charismatic lead character ‘Ziggy’ (The Pyramid and Doomsday Castle being the previous two), this time exploring a large, alien planet in search of riches and knowledge.
Continue reading Backpackers Guide to the Universe, ZX Spectrum
Underwurlde, ZX Spectrum
Ultimate Play The Game‘s Underwurlde was first released on the ZX Spectrum in 1984 and was the company’s eighth release (actually a simultaneous release with Knight Lore), and the third game featuring the lead character ‘Sabreman’ (Sabre Wulf and Knight Lore being the other two).
Space Taxi, Commodore 64
This ancient little game, made by Muse Software for the Commodore 64 in 1984, is still completely brilliant to play now and has lost none of its appeal over the decades.
Technician Ted, ZX Spectrum
Screenshots of every level of Hewson’s 1984 platform-gaming classic, Technician Ted. And what a tough game it is! It’s playable and very colourful, though.
The King of Grabs 