Split Personalities is a sliding puzzle game featuring topical people from the 1980s (Margaret Thatcher, Neil Kinnock, Charles and Diana, Reagan, Breshnev, and so on). The game was first released in 1986 by Domark and was a critical success, but not a commercial one.
Tag Archives: 1986
10th Frame, Commodore 64
10th Frame is a ten-pin bowling simulation that was developed by the same people who made the classic golf game, Leaderboard. It was first released by Access Software in 1986.
It’s A Knockout, ZX Spectrum
It’s A Knockout, also known as “Jeux sans frontières“, was a TV show where teams of contestants battled it out over various physical challenges, in order to win the most points.
The idea for the show came from French President Charles de Gaulle, whose wish was that French and German youth would meet in a series of games to reinforce the friendship between the two countries. The domestic BBC English language version of the show was called “It’s A Knockout“.
The TV show grew during the 1970s and became popular throughout Europe, with various countries getting their own local and national versions, and the winners going through to a European final where individual countries would take each other on. These finals were usually much bigger-budget, with elaborate costumes and challenges, than in the early rounds, and they were broadcast throughout Europe on a regular basis for at least a couple of decades. It’s A Knockout was a phenomenon back in the late 70s and 80s. It’s since been replaced by similar shows like Tekashi’s Castle.
Akumajō Dracula, MSX
The MSX and Famicom Disk System versions of Konami‘s original Akumajō Dracula (aka “Vampire Killer“), were being worked-on simultaneously by developers inside Konami, in 1985 and ‘86.
The Famicom Disk System version was released one month before the MSX version. Although they are essentially the same game, there are some significant differences between them.
Legendary Wings, Arcade
Legendary Wings is an arcade game from Capcom, first released in 1986. It uses a loose interpretation of Greek mythology to style its visuals and gameplay.
Express Raider, Arcade
In Data East‘s 1986 Wild West-themed scrolling action game – Express Raider (aka “Western Express” in Japan) – you’re not trying to be the good guy; you’re actually the bad guy, trying to hold up a series of trains and steal as much gold and money as possible.
Attack of the Killer Tomatoes, ZX Spectrum
Based loosely on the satirical (and frankly terrible) 1978 film of the same name, Attack of the Killer Tomatoes is an isometric platform/action game – in the style of Knight Lore – that was first published by Global Software in 1986.
Bomberman Special, MSX
Bomberman Special on the MSX is an enhanced version of the original Bomberman, with elements incorporated from the 1985 NES/Famicom version of the game. It was first published by Hudson Soft in 1986.
Screaming Wings, Atari 8-Bit
Released in 1986 by Red Rat Software, Screaming Wings is a vertically-scrolling, ‘bullet hell’ shooter in which you pilot an aircraft similar to a Lockheed P-38 Lightning (the famous single-seat WWII fighter with the twin boom design).
Choplifter, Sega Master System
The Master System version of Choplifter was developed and published by Sega in 1986, and it is closest to Sega‘s arcade version of the game. That said, it’s not as head-bangingly hard as the arcade version, but does have all the different stages, so could be argued is the best version of (the first) Choplifter around.
The King of Grabs 