F. David Thorpe

Buck Rogers: Planet of Zoom

Buck Rogers: Planet of Zoom

Sinclair ZX Spectrum - Released - 1985

Buck Rogers: Planet of Zoom is a single player science fiction themed obstacle race, where the player controls Buck Rogers' space ship and must guide it through multiple pairs of pylons throughout the game. Controlling the ship involves side scrolling to the left or right, stop, moving forward (and faster), and moving backwards/break (and slower). Additionally, the spaceship can also fire its weapon to unleash a pair of energy bolts. The player starts in sector 1.0 and will finish this level after the player successfully goes between an allocated number of pylons, indicated at the top left side of the screen; the first requirement is 9 pylons and will gradually increase with each new sector. In sector 1.1., with the addition of having to complete the pylon requirement, a group of flying saucers, ranging from 1 to 4 (per group), fly in a pattern. The player must avoid these flying saucers by maneuvering out of their way or by shooting them down. In sector 1.3., a new type of robot spaceship (at least one) will fly erratically and attempt to crash into the player's space ship (due to the marvel of technology of that era, enemy ships that disappear from one side of the screen, will emerge on the other side of the screen). Later sectors will gradually introduce more difficult challenges. The game ends when the player loses all three lives by crashing into (or being crashed by, it seems sometimes) pylons or enemy space ships. Although there is no penalty in avoiding pylons altogether, the game will also end if the allocated amount of time (indicated by a long bar at the top center screen) runs out. The player may increase speed to move faster, which will present maneuverability challenges in itself. The overall score increases by distance traveled, pylons traveled through, and enemy spaceships shot down. The latest score and the high score are saved and shown in the main menu.

Flak

Flak

Sinclair ZX Spectrum - Released - 1984

In the year 2096 a huge rogue CPU called Computer Control is trying to take over the universe and you have been tasked to fly in your AGX Hypersonic Fighter and bomb Flak Batteries and other defences to reach the fortress containing the CPU and destroy it. The game is a vertical scrolling top down shoot-em-up with the screen scrolling constantly. You control your ship with a joystick and with a sight in front of you, you must bomb various buildings and defences which shoot at you trying to destroy you. Get shot and you lose one of four lives and the game can be played by one or two players, each taking it in turn when the other player loses a life..

Gilligan's Gold

Gilligan's Gold

Sinclair ZX Spectrum - Released - 1984

Gold - it gives you fever!... and Gilligan's Gold will send your temperature soaring. Collect the gold bags and dodge the bandits. Hang on the trucks, run down the ladders and jump into the lifts but watch out for the mine shafts... aghh! Help Gilligan collect all the bags of gold and evade the desparate outlaws. PLAYING You must collect all the bags of gold and place them in your wheelbarrow before the time runs out. Each bag gives you more time and raises your score but beware the outlaws are after you - and the gold. Jump onto the trucks (by hanging on the hooks) or escape via the ladders and lifts, but watch out for the mine shafts; deep and deadly!

Hunchback II: Quasimodo's Revenge

Hunchback II: Quasimodo's Revenge

Sinclair ZX Spectrum - Released - 1984

On the first six screens Quasimodo must collect bonus bells to reach the following screen. On the first, a simple platform arrangement, the bells are set into the floor and walking over them will collect them. Each level of the platform screen is connected by the bell ropes at either end which go up and down. Hazards include arrows and fireballs which must be ducked or jumped, while on subsequent screens there are bats, birds and axes. On the seventh screen, which is inside the castle belfry, the working mechanisms of the clock threaten him. On completing the seventh screen, the game returns to screen one with an increased level of difficulty.

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