Tag Archives: early

Lock ‘n’ Chase, Arcade

Yes, Data East‘s classic 1981 arcade game does feature a policeman called “Stiffy”. The other three are called “Scaredy”, “Smarty” and “Silly”. And together the four of them chase you – a thief – whose mission it is to collect the coins in the maze, and any other treasure that appears, before escaping.

Continue reading Lock ‘n’ Chase, Arcade

Scramble, Arcade

Scramble was the first ever side-scrolling shoot ’em up, coming out in arcades in 1981.

It was certainly one of the earliest colour video games, and was a big hit for developer Konami and distributor Stern Electronics.

Continue reading Scramble, Arcade

Tranz Am, ZX Spectrum

Set in a post-apocalypse USA (in the year 3472, no less), Tranz Am is an overhead racing game where the aim is to collect eight cups (The Great Cups of Ultimate), which have been randomly dispersed around the continent.

Continue reading Tranz Am, ZX Spectrum

Pssst, ZX Spectrum

Featuring a cute robot (called Robbie) whose job it is to keep the insects away from the plants.

Continue reading Pssst, ZX Spectrum

Cookie, ZX Spectrum

Another of Ultimate‘s early ZX Spectrum classics, Cookie – from 1983 – is a simple arcade-style action game where you are a little chef sprite shooting bags of flour at ingredients to knock them into a mixing bowl.

Continue reading Cookie, ZX Spectrum

Bugaboo (The Flea), ZX Spectrum

A 1983 Spanish cult hit from Paco & Paco (aka Indescomp), Bugaboo is a simple platform game were you have to jump from ledge to ledge, to reach the hole at the top of the cave, and freedom.

Continue reading Bugaboo (The Flea), ZX Spectrum

Jet Pac, ZX Spectrum

Ultimate Play The Game‘s amazing Jet Pac is an early ZX Spectrum classic, first released onto an unsuspecting world in 1983.

Continue reading Jet Pac, ZX Spectrum