Steve Crow‘s colourful and fun Wizard’s Lair is clearly a tribute to the brilliant Ultimate Play The Game title Atic Atac. It has the same overhead viewpoint, similar gameplay and graphics and sound effects.
Tag Archives: 1985
Roller Coaster, ZX Spectrum
First released in 1985, Roller Coaster – by S. Brocklehurst – is a fun and jaunty platform game in which you play a small, agile character who has to explore a huge theme park looking for bags of gold.
Nemesis/Gradius, Arcade
Known as Gradius in Japan – but Nemesis everywhere else – Konami‘s classic 1985 shoot ’em up is one of the earliest progressive weapons blasters, with distinct levels and boss battles.
The game is somewhat reminiscent of the classic side-scrolling Scramble (also by Konami), but in Nemesis you fly a ship called the “Vic Viper”, and which has a variety of different weapons which can be powered-up by collecting capsules left by destroyed enemies.
Monty On The Run, Commodore 64
Created by Pete Harrap and published by Gremlin Graphics in 1985, Monty On The Run is the sequel to Wanted: Monty Mole, and a real step up in quality from the first game, in terms of satisfying platform action.
Chuckie Egg 2, ZX Spectrum
Chuckie Egg 2 is to Chuckie Egg what Jet Set Willy is to Manic Miner – it’s a platform game adventure with screens that can be re-visited, and routes that can be planned and executed, with some deft mapping and jumping.
Popeye, ZX Spectrum
DK’Tronics‘ 1985 release Popeye is notable for its use of large, colourful animated character graphics, the likes of which had not been seen before. At least not at the time of release on the humble ZX Spectrum.
Time Bandit, Atari ST
Time Bandit was first released in 1983 for the TRS-80, but is far better known for its 16-bit versions on the Atari ST and Amiga. These were released later, in 1985, and featured vastly improved graphics.
Dig Dug II, Arcade
Namco‘s fairly unassuming 1985 release, Dig Dug II, is a fun sequel to the classic digging game, except in this game you are (the character) Dig Dug – on an island, with either your hose or your drill as weapons – and must defeat all the monsters to progress.
Commando, Arcade
Commando is a classic vertically-scrolling run-and-gun game, first released by Capcom into arcades in 1985.
Ghosts ‘N Goblins, Arcade
Capcom‘s 1985 arcade hit, Ghosts ‘N Goblins, is renowned for its difficulty. It is SO tough that grown adults weep when they play it…
The King of Grabs 