Back in 1984 in the UK there was an infamous, historic miner’s strike that lasted for over a year and caused hardship for many communities. Rather than sit and spectate, young Peter Harrap wrote a satirical platform game about a mining mole and published it, with all the profits going to help the struggling, striking miners. That game was Wanted: Monty Mole, and it launched Pete Harrap on his career making video games, and also the Monty Mole ‘franchise’. Although I can’t really call it a franchise because it wasn’t. It was simply a series of games.
Tag Archives: ZX Spectrum
Bedlam, ZX Spectrum
Another classic ZX Spectrum game from Beam Software, Bedlam is a straightforward vertical-scroller, but done in an incredibly finessed manner.
Lode Runner, ZX Spectrum
Part of the later Software Projects UK releases, Lode Runner was first made available on the ZX Spectrum in 1984.
The small graphics and precise gameplay are perfectly suited to the Spectrum and as a result the game enjoyed some success on the system.
Dynamite Dan II, ZX Spectrum
The sequel to the hit platform game Dynamite Dan, Dynamite Dan II: Dr. Blitzen and the Island of Arcanum is more than just a cheeky update of the first game – it is much bigger, much more involving, and much, much more varied.
Dynamite Dan, ZX Spectrum
Rob Bowkett‘s 8-bit platform game became an instant hit on the ZX Spectrum when it first came out in 1985.
Dynamite Dan had groundbreaking graphics (for the time) and was seen as a “Jet Set Willy-beater” by some. One thing is for sure: it had (still has) a lot of character. Especially in the main sprite of Dan.
Penetrator, ZX Spectrum
Penetrator is a side-scrolling shooter, developed by Philip Mitchell and Veronika Megler (as Beam Software) and published by Melbourne House in 1982.
Sinbad and the Golden Ship, ZX Spectrum
This obscure budget text adventure, with graphics, was released on the ZX Spectrum by Mastertronic in 1986.
Black Crystal, ZX Spectrum
Black Crystal is infamous for being an overpriced and under-produced RPG from the early days of home computing.
The first version of Black Crystal was the ZX81 version, which was designed and programmed by Roy Carnell and Stuart Galloway and released in 1982. A ZX Spectrum version followed in 1983, then a Commodore 64 version later in 1985.
Grange Hill, ZX Spectrum
Argus Press Software released this licensed adventure game, based on the successful BBC TV series of the same name, in 1987. It is infamous for being one of the worst games ever made, and it truly is, for a number of different reasons…
Questprobe 3: Human Torch and The Thing, ZX Spectrum
The third and final Questprobe adventure game, released by Adventure International in 1985.
Continue reading Questprobe 3: Human Torch and The Thing, ZX Spectrum
The King of Grabs 