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.
Tag Archives: 1985
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.
Summer Games II, Commodore 64
Sequel to the award-winning Epyx multi-event sports game, Summer Games II is arguably even better than its predecessor.
Winter Games, Commodore 64
One of many classic Epyx-published multi-event sports games from the Eighties, Winter Games is a collection of playable snow and ice-based Olympic events, but without the official license.
Cyclone, ZX Spectrum
Manchester-based Vortex Software first published Cyclone on the ZX Spectrum in 1985.
A colourful helicopter action game, Cyclone was created by Costa Panayi – an early pioneer of ZX Spectrum games design, and an alumni of The University of Salford – and is a challenging race to pick up crates from a series of islands that are caught in the grip of a powerful weather system.
Gauntlet Title Screens, Arcade
These Gauntlet title screens are cool.
They are from the 1985 arcade original. They show the potions, power-ups and monsters. How many shots to kill each monster. Plus some other interesting information about the game.
Back To Skool, ZX Spectrum
Dave Reidy‘s sequel to Skool Daze is a brilliant comedy sandbox ‘school simulator’ where you play a kid trying to make his way through a ‘typical’ 1980s school day, by squirting water pistols (sometimes filled with sherry, which can intoxicate teachers, if fired at them accurately), sabotaging school shields (found on some walls), avoiding lines, writing on blackboards, and trying to sneak into the neighbouring girl’s school.
Gauntlet, Arcade
The original four-player multiplayer arcade game of Gauntlet is a worthy party game for any retro gaming occasion. Stick it on, and watch everyone get sucked into it. With unlimited credits, you need never die. 🙂
Dragontorc, ZX Spectrum
Steve Turner‘s 1985 sequel to Avalon is about as atmospheric and exciting as a fantasy adventure can get on a ZX Spectrum. It really is amazing that this game fits in to only 48K of memory.
Alien 8, Amstrad CPC
The famous Ultimate ZX Spectrum game, converted skilfully to the Amstrad CPC and eclipsing the original in the process. More colour – less slowdown! 🙂
The King of Grabs 