Tynesoft Computer Software

1st Person Pinball

1st Person Pinball

Commodore Amiga - Released - 1989

First Person Pinball is a solid but little-known early pinball game from Tynesoft. Although there is only one table, the game's highlight lies in the ability for up to four players to compete for the high score table, good graphics, and reasonable ball mechanics. Overall, a nice little early pinball title that looks great and plays well, although not in the same league as Macadam Bumper in terms of table design: the First Person Pinball table is quite generic. Great for the sake of completing pinball fans' collection, but doesn't really offer a lot of play value compared to other games.

1st Person Pinball

1st Person Pinball

Atari ST - Released - 1989

Tynesoft were almost certainly the first people to try a first person pinball game with this ambitious program. Up to four players could join in, including 2 computer players to show you how it's done. The game can be played from a more traditional overhead-view mode, which makes it easier to tell where the bumpers are in relation to the flippers, and is recommended for learning the game. Most of those bumpers are single-colour and arranged in a straightforward pattern. There are three different gameplay speeds and 2 possible levels of ball bounce.

1st Person Pinball

1st Person Pinball

MS-DOS - Released - 1989

Tynesoft were almost certainly the first people to try a first person pinball game with this ambitious program. Up to four players could join in, including 2 computer players to show you how it's done. The game can be played from a more traditional overhead-view mode, which makes it easier to tell where the bumpers are in relation to the flippers, and is recommended for learning the game. Most of those bumpers are single-colour and arranged in a straightforward pattern. There are three different gameplay speeds and 2 possible levels of ball bounce.

3D Maze

3D Maze

Commodore Plus 4 - Released - 1987

A version of 3D "Pac-Man" released only as part of the compilation pack "Four Great Games" from Tyneseoft Computing Software in 1987.

Ack-Ack

Ack-Ack

Commodore Plus 4 - Released - 1988

A zapping arcade game, that will put you in the hot seat. Defend your station with a new PHOTON defence gun from the alien bombs.

Alphatron

Alphatron

BBC Microcomputer System - Released - 1986

Your mission is to protect the Trilithium Refineries on the planet Karthos. You pilot a Megan Class Scout Ship equipped with a Delta Laser. The enemy attacks grow more and more frequent as wave after wave of enemy missiles pass overhead. At all costs you must destroy the missiles before they reach the Refinery. Each missile will deplete the Refinery Shields until eventually they collapse. Your Scout Ship is fitted with landing, fuel and guidance computers. Your Control Panel also displays the status of the Refinery shield level. Your fuel is very limited and must be replenished frequently by landing on your base pad.

Alphatron

Alphatron

Acorn Electron - Released - 1986

Your mission is to protect the Trilithium Refineries on the planet Karthos. You pilot a Megan Class Scout Ship equipped with a Delta Laser. The enemy attacks grow more and more frequent as wave after wave of enemy missiles pass overhead. At all costs you must destroy the missiles before they reach the Refinery. Each missile will deplete the Refinery Shields until eventually they collapse. Your Scout Ship is fitted with landing, fuel and guidance computers. Your Control Panel also displays the status of the Refinery shield level. Your fuel is very limited and must be replenished frequently by landing on your base pad.

Apollo Rescue

Apollo Rescue

Commodore Plus 4 - Released - 1985

Apollo 16 has crashed and scattered into 16 pieces on the moon and it is your mission to retrieve all the pieces in the right order to rebuild it. Once you have succeeded to rebuild Apollo 16, you must collect Satellites over the surface so you can return home to Earth. The first part of the game is a platform game with the screen scrolling left or right when you move to collect the pieces and you can move up to the higher platforms using your Jet-Pack. As you search, you will encounter many aliens and these need avoiding or shooting with your laser because if you touch one then you lose one of three lives. All movements also decrease your energy which is shown by a gauge at the bottom of the screen. The second part of the game has you viewing your Shuttle from the side and you must control an arm to collect the Satellites.

Attacked

Attacked

Microsoft MSX

Auf Wiedersehen Pet

Auf Wiedersehen Pet

BBC Microcomputer System - Released - 1984

Auf Wiedersehen Pet was a British TV series that portrayed the exploits of a group of English builders over various locations around the world. The game is based on the first series which was set in Düsseldorf. The Building Site: You have to build a wall. Scattered around the screen are Erics and these must be avoided as well as falling trowels. If you fall off the edge of the screen, touch an Eric or trowel, or lay a brick without one underneath then the game ends. The Bier Keller: Collect all the beer glasses on the screen. As you move around the screen, barmaids appear and you must avoid them, tables or the walls, or the game is ended. The Way Home: There are plenty of police cars in the area as well as security guards and these have to be avoided. After seeing your route home, there are more problems as most of the lamp posts have switched off leaving most of the walk home in complete darkness. You must memorise the route and move up the screen but if you touch an object then the game is ended.

Auf Wiedersehen Pet

Auf Wiedersehen Pet

Sinclair ZX Spectrum - Released - 1984

Auf Wiedersehen Pet was a British TV series that ran from 1983 to 2004 over five series which showed the exploits of a group of English builders over various locations around the world. The game is based on the first series which first introduced us to the gang on a building site in Düsseldorf, West Germany and concentrates on one of the main characters, Leonard "Oz" Osborne. Oz was a bricklayer who didn't like foreigners, liked a drink and was always getting into a fight and we follow him through one day over three single screen games. The idea is to play each game to get a high score and if you complete or even fail each game, you then move to the next one. The Building Site: You have been told by your boss, Herr Fuhrer to build a wall as high and wide as you can. You watch Oz move along laying bricks and you can build upwards or you can move in the opposite direction but you can't lay bricks if there are no bricks underneath. Scattered around the screen are 'Erics' and these must be avoided as well as falling trowels. If you fall off the edge of the screen, touch an Eric or trowel, or lay a brick without one underneath then the game ends. The Bier Keller: After a hard days bricklaying, Oz likes to go to the local bar and drink himself stupid and you must control Oz who moves constantly and collect all the beer glasses on the screen. As you move around the screen, barmaids appear and you must avoid them, tables or the walls, or the game is ended. The Way Home: The bar has been shut at 11:30pm and you must now make your way home to your hut and your bed. Problem is that there are plenty of police cars in the area as well as security guards and these have to be avoided. After seeing your route home, there are more problems as most of the lamp posts have switched off leaving most of the walk home in complete darkness. You must memorise the route and move up the screen but if you touch an object then the game is ended.

Auf Wiedersehen Pet

Auf Wiedersehen Pet

Commodore 64 - Released - 1984

Auf Wiedersehen Pet was a British TV series that ran from 1983 to 2004 over five series which showed the exploits of a group of English builders over various locations around the world. The game is based on the first series which first introduced us to the gang on a building site in Düsseldorf, West Germany and concentrates on one of the main characters, Leonard "Oz" Osborne. Oz was a bricklayer who didn't like foreigners, liked a drink and was always getting into a fight and we follow him through one day over three single screen games. The idea is to play each game to get a high score and if you complete or even fail each game, you then move to the next one. The Building Site: You have been told by your boss, Herr Fuhrer to build a wall as high and wide as you can. You watch Oz move along laying bricks and you can build upwards or you can move in the opposite direction but you can't lay bricks if there are no bricks underneath. Scattered around the screen are 'Erics' and these must be avoided as well as falling trowels. If you fall off the edge of the screen, touch an Eric or trowel, or lay a brick without one underneath then the game ends. The Bier Keller: After a hard days bricklaying, Oz likes to go to the local bar and drink himself stupid and you must control Oz who moves constantly and collect all the beer glasses on the screen. As you move around the screen, barmaids appear and you must avoid them, tables or the walls, or the game is ended. The Way Home: The bar has been shut at 11:30pm and you must now make your way home to your hut and your bed. Problem is that there are plenty of police cars in the area as well as security guards and these have to be avoided. After seeing your route home, there are more problems as most of the lamp posts have switched off leaving most of the walk home in complete darkness. You must memorise the route and move up the screen but if you touch an object then the game is ended.

Autobahn

Autobahn

Commodore Plus 4 - Released - 1985

Autobahn is a car racing game. Keyboard or joystick control as well as track B, A and E can be chosen at the beginning. You can drive over 170 on a very wide street. The faster you drive, the farther to the left on the screen you are. Avoiding hitting other cars gets more difficult that way. The most important utility at your disposal is the very small radar screen at the top of the screen. Most of the time you spend looking at the radar to see when cars are about to hit you, so you can slow down and avoid them.

Battlestar

Battlestar

Commodore Plus 4 - Released - 1987

While on routine patrol over the planet Nuljai you spot the huge construction of a ring around the planet by the evil Cyfrots to syphon the water and transport it to their home planet. You decide that you will fly over the length of the ring and destroy the Pulse Mines and their marauding bombs. Battlestar is based on the game Uridium where you view your craft from above and you scroll horizontally left or right constantly in the direction you travel. As you blast the mines you must also avoid the encasements sticking up as well as bombs moving across the screen. Hitting an object loses you some shields but the faster you travel the less shields you will lose. Once you lose five shields then you lose one of five lives.

Beverly Hills Cop

Beverly Hills Cop

Sinclair ZX Spectrum - Released - 1990

Eddie Murphy became a star in the police film Beverly Hills Cop, and it was this license that Tynesoft used to create a game featuring four distinct sub-games, each of which can be practiced from the main screen in some versions. First Axel Foley visits a warehouse to shoot out some bad guys in a Green Beret-influenced sequence. The second level (first on the C64 version) involves driving after 3 lorries full of weapons, and shooting them out one by one, Chase HQ-style. Avoid contact and stay on the road to complete this. Next you must cross the grounds of a mansion, shooting anyone who gets in your way. The final section is set within the mansion, and is first-person 3D, although with few movement angles and only one enemy on screen at a time.

Beverly Hills Cop

Beverly Hills Cop

Amstrad CPC - Released - May 30, 1990

Eddie Murphy became a star in the police film Beverly Hills Cop, and it was this license that Tynesoft used to create a game featuring four distinct sub-games, each of which can be practiced from the main screen in some versions. First Axel Foley visits a warehouse to shoot out some bad guys in a Green Beret-influenced sequence. The second level (first on the C64 version) involves driving after 3 lorries full of weapons, and shooting them out one by one, Chase HQ-style. Avoid contact and stay on the road to complete this. Next you must cross the grounds of a mansion, shooting anyone who gets in your way. The final section is set within the mansion, and is first-person 3D, although with few movement angles and only one enemy on screen at a time.

Beverly Hills Cop

Beverly Hills Cop

Atari ST - Released - 1990

Eddie Murphy became a star in the police film Beverly Hills Cop, and it was this license that Tynesoft used to create a game featuring four distinct sub-games, each of which can be practiced from the main screen in some versions. First Axel Foley visits a warehouse to shoot out some bad guys in a Green Beret-influenced sequence. The second level (first on the C64 version) involves driving after 3 lorries full of weapons, and shooting them out one by one, Chase HQ-style. Avoid contact and stay on the road to complete this. Next you must cross the grounds of a mansion, shooting anyone who gets in your way. The final section is set within the mansion, and is first-person 3D, although with few movement angles and only one enemy on screen at a time.

Beverly Hills Cop

Beverly Hills Cop

MS-DOS - Released - 1990

Eddie Murphy became a star in the police film Beverly Hills Cop, and it was this license that Tynesoft used to create a game featuring four distinct sub-games, each of which can be practiced from the main screen in some versions. First Axel Foley visits a warehouse to shoot out some bad guys in a Green Beret-influenced sequence. The second level (first on the C64 version) involves driving after 3 lorries full of weapons, and shooting them out one by one, Chase HQ-style. Avoid contact and stay on the road to complete this. Next you must cross the grounds of a mansion, shooting anyone who gets in your way. The final section is set within the mansion, and is first-person 3D, although with few movement angles and only one enemy on screen at a time.

Beverly Hills Cop

Beverly Hills Cop

BBC Microcomputer System - Released - 1990

Eddie Murphy became a star in the police film Beverly Hills Cop, and it was this license that Tynesoft used to create a game featuring four distinct sub-games, each of which can be practiced from the main screen in some versions. First Axel Foley visits a warehouse to shoot out some bad guys in a Green Beret-influenced sequence. The second level (first on the C64 version) involves driving after 3 lorries full of weapons, and shooting them out one by one, Chase HQ-style. Avoid contact and stay on the road to complete this. Next you must cross the grounds of a mansion, shooting anyone who gets in your way. The final section is set within the mansion, and is first-person 3D, although with few movement angles and only one enemy on screen at a time.

Beverly Hills Cop

Beverly Hills Cop

Commodore 64 - Released - 1990

Eddie Murphy became a star in the police film Beverly Hills Cop, and it was this license that Tynesoft used to create a game featuring four distinct sub-games, each of which can be practiced from the main screen in some versions. First Axel Foley visits a warehouse to shoot out some bad guys in a Green Beret-influenced sequence. The second level (first on the C64 version) involves driving after 3 lorries full of weapons, and shooting them out one by one, Chase HQ-style. Avoid contact and stay on the road to complete this. Next you must cross the grounds of a mansion, shooting anyone who gets in your way. The final section is set within the mansion, and is first-person 3D, although with few movement angles and only one enemy on screen at a time.

Beverly Hills Cop

Beverly Hills Cop

Commodore Amiga - Released - 1990

Eddie Murphy became a star in the police film Beverly Hills Cop, and it was this license that Tynesoft used to create a game featuring four distinct sub-games, each of which can be practiced from the main screen in some versions. First Axel Foley visits a warehouse to shoot out some bad guys in a Green Beret-influenced sequence. The second level (first on the C64 version) involves driving after 3 lorries full of weapons, and shooting them out one by one, Chase HQ-style. Avoid contact and stay on the road to complete this. Next you must cross the grounds of a mansion, shooting anyone who gets in your way. The final section is set within the mansion, and is first-person 3D, although with few movement angles and only one enemy on screen at a time.

Big Bad John

Big Bad John

Sinclair ZX Spectrum - Released - 1986

Big Bad John is an Adventure game, developed by IJK Software and published by Tynesoft, which was released in Europe in 1986.

Big Ben Strikes Again

Big Ben Strikes Again

Sinclair ZX Spectrum - Released - 1985

Big Ben Strikes Again is a traditional arcade platform game with puzzle solving elements. The main goal is to collect certain objects and give them to specific people in exchange for information.will become as hazardous as the others. The game takes place in the Houses of Parliament, where a journalist from the Chronicle desperately tries to piece together a big story. The player plays as Ben, the journalist, and to gather material for the big story he will have to bribe the right people with proper gifts in exchange for leaked information.

Bingo

Bingo

Sinclair ZX Spectrum - Released - 1984

Bingo is a gambling game where four to 100 players can play each other with four Bingo cards on the screen and the idea is to fill a card to win money. Each card on the screen is made up of a 5 x 5 grid filled with random numbers between 1 to 99 except the middle square which has the next number called. The computer calls a random number and if a player has that number on their card then they press any key on the keyboard to blank the number out but if the keyboard isn't pressed then that number stays on the card. Once a card has a full line either up/down, left/right, diagonal or the four corners filled then the player presses B to call Bingo and they win the money. If Bingo is called incorrectly then the game keeps going. Before each game the players can choose how much they want to bet for each game with each player starting with £100. The speed of the computer calling the numbers can be adjusted (1 to 5 on the C64, 1 to 4 on the ZX Spectrum). Each game has four lucky numbers and if they match the last four numbers called then an entry form is loaded and filled in with the cassette being sent off to the publishers. This is entered into a monthly draw to win £100 and a new copy of the game sent back to the owner.

Bingo (Tynesoft Computer Software)

Bingo (Tynesoft Computer Software)

Commodore 64 - Released - 1984

Bingo is a gambling game where four to 100 players can play each other with four Bingo cards on the screen and the idea is to fill a card to win money. Each card on the screen is made up of a 5 x 5 grid filled with random numbers between 1 to 99 except the middle square which has the next number called. The computer calls a random number and if a player has that number on their card then they press any key on the keyboard to blank the number out but if the keyboard isn't pressed then that number stays on the card. Once a card has a full line either up/down, left/right, diagonal or the four corners filled then the player presses B to call Bingo and they win the money. If Bingo is called incorrectly then the game keeps going. Before each game the players can choose how much they want to bet for each game with each player starting with £100. The speed of the computer calling the numbers can be adjusted (1 to 5 on the C64, 1 to 4 on the ZX Spectrum). Each game has four lucky numbers and if they match the last four numbers called then an entry form is loaded and filled in with the cassette being sent off to the publishers. This is entered into a monthly draw to win £100 and a new copy of the game sent back to the owner.

Boulder Dash

Boulder Dash

BBC Microcomputer System - Released - 1988

Boulder Dash is a video game developed by First Star Software and released for a number of home computers. The BBC Microcomputer version was published by Tynesoft in 1988. You are Rockford, and you have to dig through monster infested caves in search of diamonds. In each level you must collect a certain number of these diamonds, in order to open a portal to the next stage. Enemies can be squashed by falling boulders, which are released when the ground below them is removed or they are pushed onto empty ground, but be careful because these can also squash you. In later levels, difficulty is increased by many puzzle elements and shorter time limits. There are 16 levels to be completed and five different skill levels available, which affect the number of jewels which must be collected and the time limit.

Bouncing Bombs

Bouncing Bombs

Acorn Electron - Released - 1984

Battle through the depths of the Intergalactic Vortex to reach successive stellar warp zones which transport you even deeper into the Vortex. Avoid the deadly Gamma rays and Lamda particles to survive your epic journey to the far side of the Vortex. Released by Tynesoft in 1984, the game was re-released by IJK Software in 1986.

Bozo the Brave

Bozo the Brave

Acorn Electron - Released - 1984

Direct Bozo through the three lands of Havoc collecting in each a piece of the Crown of Ultimate Darkness. Control Bozo's direction with N,S,E,W keys. Brigands will be encountered in either the Tomb or the Ruin where they may attack. If they do, you may retreat by hitting any key. If you stay and fight, and the number of Brigands reaches zero before you do, you have won the battle and will be rewarded with one of the following: More warriors More gold More food A map (so you won't get lost) A bottle of potion (to protect from the plague) A sword (so you can fight off the dragon) A piece of crown (you may now enter the next land by travelling west off the screen)

Buffalo Bill's Rodeo Games

Buffalo Bill's Rodeo Games

Amstrad CPC - Released - 1989

Buffalo Bill presents a collection of six Wild West themed mini-games, which hang together around humour-lead presentation and backdrops.You can play as many or as few of these as you like, and can always have another go at them if you fail. First task is to throw knives at a spinning board upon which a surely-terrified and fortunately-skinny lady is locked - make sure to adjust for the rotation that will occur in the time your shot takes to hit. You get points for missing as many times as possible before hitting. Event 2 is based on shooting ability and is in two stages. First you must shoot the targets of criminals (but not innocents) as they emerge from the ground, next you must shoot the bottles they throw at you from over the horizon. Event 3 is Calf Roping, in which you must position yourself so as to be able to throw your rope around the poor cow's neck. This is followed by Bronco Riding, in which you must adjust your balance to compensate for the Bronco trying to throw you off, by pushing the joystick out to balance two bars. Level 5 starts off like the Cow Roping, as you jump onto a Steer, before a joystick-waggling section starts. Last of all is a side-scrolling game in which you jump onto a stagecoach which has been invaded by Indians, and beat up the hijacker.

Buffalo Bill's Rodeo Games

Buffalo Bill's Rodeo Games

Atari ST - Released - 1989

Buffalo Bill presents a collection of six Wild West themed mini-games, which hang together around humour-lead presentation and backdrops.You can play as many or as few of these as you like, and can always have another go at them if you fail. First task is to throw knives at a spinning board upon which a surely-terrified and fortunately-skinny lady is locked - make sure to adjust for the rotation that will occur in the time your shot takes to hit. You get points for missing as many times as possible before hitting. Event 2 is based on shooting ability and is in two stages. First you must shoot the targets of criminals (but not innocents) as they emerge from the ground, next you must shoot the bottles they throw at you from over the horizon. Event 3 is Calf Roping, in which you must position yourself so as to be able to throw your rope around the poor cow's neck. This is followed by Bronco Riding, in which you must adjust your balance to compensate for the Bronco trying to throw you off, by pushing the joystick out to balance two bars. Level 5 starts off like the Cow Roping, as you jump onto a Steer, before a joystick-waggling section starts. Last of all is a side-scrolling game in which you jump onto a stagecoach which has been invaded by Indians, and beat up the hijacker.

Buffalo Bill's Rodeo Games

Buffalo Bill's Rodeo Games

Commodore 64 - Released - 1989

Buffalo Bill presents a collection of six Wild West themed mini-games, which hang together around humour-lead presentation and backdrops.You can play as many or as few of these as you like, and can always have another go at them if you fail. First task is to throw knives at a spinning board upon which a surely-terrified and fortunately-skinny lady is locked - make sure to adjust for the rotation that will occur in the time your shot takes to hit. You get points for missing as many times as possible before hitting. Event 2 is based on shooting ability and is in two stages. First you must shoot the targets of criminals (but not innocents) as they emerge from the ground, next you must shoot the bottles they throw at you from over the horizon. Event 3 is Calf Roping, in which you must position yourself so as to be able to throw your rope around the poor cow's neck. This is followed by Bronco Riding, in which you must adjust your balance to compensate for the Bronco trying to throw you off, by pushing the joystick out to balance two bars. Level 5 starts off like the Cow Roping, as you jump onto a Steer, before a joystick-waggling section starts. Last of all is a side-scrolling game in which you jump onto a stagecoach which has been invaded by Indians, and beat up the hijacker.

Buffalo Bill's Rodeo Games

Buffalo Bill's Rodeo Games

Sinclair ZX Spectrum - Released - 1989

Buffalo Bill presents a collection of six Wild West themed mini-games, which hang together around humour-lead presentation and backdrops.You can play as many or as few of these as you like, and can always have another go at them if you fail. First task is to throw knives at a spinning board upon which a surely-terrified and fortunately-skinny lady is locked - make sure to adjust for the rotation that will occur in the time your shot takes to hit. You get points for missing as many times as possible before hitting. Event 2 is based on shooting ability and is in two stages. First you must shoot the targets of criminals (but not innocents) as they emerge from the ground, next you must shoot the bottles they throw at you from over the horizon. Event 3 is Calf Roping, in which you must position yourself so as to be able to throw your rope around the poor cow's neck. This is followed by Bronco Riding, in which you must adjust your balance to compensate for the Bronco trying to throw you off, by pushing the joystick out to balance two bars. Level 5 starts off like the Cow Roping, as you jump onto a Steer, before a joystick-waggling section starts. Last of all is a side-scrolling game in which you jump onto a stagecoach which has been invaded by Indians, and beat up the hijacker.

Buffalo Bill's Rodeo Games

Buffalo Bill's Rodeo Games

BBC Microcomputer System - Released - 1989

Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show (known as Buffalo Bill's Rodeo Games in Europe) is a collection of six Wild West themed mini-games. You can play as many or as few of these as you like, and can always have another go at them if you fail. Games include Knife Throwing, Trick Shooting, Calf Roping and Bronco Riding. The games were programmed by Kevin Blake and Jason Sobell. The original 1989 release was by Tynesoft with a re-release in 1992 by Microvalue.

Buffalo Bill's Rodeo Games

Buffalo Bill's Rodeo Games

MS-DOS - Released - 1992

Buffalo Bill presents a collection of six Wild West themed mini-games, which hang together around humour-lead presentation and backdrops.You can play as many or as few of these as you like, and can always have another go at them if you fail. First task is to throw knives at a spinning board upon which a surely-terrified and fortunately-skinny lady is locked - make sure to adjust for the rotation that will occur in the time your shot takes to hit. You get points for missing as many times as possible before hitting. Event 2 is based on shooting ability and is in two stages. First you must shoot the targets of criminals (but not innocents) as they emerge from the ground, next you must shoot the bottles they throw at you from over the horizon. Event 3 is Calf Roping, in which you must position yourself so as to be able to throw your rope around the poor cow's neck. This is followed by Bronco Riding, in which you must adjust your balance to compensate for the Bronco trying to throw you off, by pushing the joystick out to balance two bars. Level 5 starts off like the Cow Roping, as you jump onto a Steer, before a joystick-waggling section starts. Last of all is a side-scrolling game in which you jump onto a stagecoach which has been invaded by Indians, and beat up the hijacker.

Buffalo Bill's Rodeo Games

Buffalo Bill's Rodeo Games

Commodore Amiga - Released - 1989

Buffalo Bill presents a collection of six Wild West themed mini-games, which hang together around humour-lead presentation and backdrops.You can play as many or as few of these as you like, and can always have another go at them if you fail. First task is to throw knives at a spinning board upon which a surely-terrified and fortunately-skinny lady is locked - make sure to adjust for the rotation that will occur in the time your shot takes to hit. You get points for missing as many times as possible before hitting. Event 2 is based on shooting ability and is in two stages. First you must shoot the targets of criminals (but not innocents) as they emerge from the ground, next you must shoot the bottles they throw at you from over the horizon. Event 3 is Calf Roping, in which you must position yourself so as to be able to throw your rope around the poor cow's neck. This is followed by Bronco Riding, in which you must adjust your balance to compensate for the Bronco trying to throw you off, by pushing the joystick out to balance two bars. Level 5 starts off like the Cow Roping, as you jump onto a Steer, before a joystick-waggling section starts. Last of all is a side-scrolling game in which you jump onto a stagecoach which has been invaded by Indians, and beat up the hijacker.

Cetus

Cetus

Microsoft MSX - February 1, 1986

Circus Games

Circus Games

BBC Microcomputer System - Released - 1988

Circus Games is a video game published by Tynesoft for a range of home computers including the Acorn Electron and BBC Microcomputer. As a tiger trainer, you will have to put the tigers through their various tracks. On the trapeze you have to do various stunts, like corkscrews and somersaults. As a tight rope walker, you need to go from one side to the other, doing handstands and somersaults along the way. There is also a lady daredevil that you do stunts with from the back of a horse. If you do the international competition, you will have to do certain tricks for the trapeze, tight rope walker, horse trick-rider and make the tigers go through all the tricks in their routine.

Circus Games

Circus Games

Commodore Amiga - Released - 1988

Ladiiiieeeees and gentlemeeeeennnnn! Children of all ages! The Greatest Show on Earth proudly presents... Circus Games! As a tiger trainer, you will have to put the tiger's through their various tracks. You have to do various stunts, like corkscrews and somersaults, on the trapeze. As a tight rope walker, you need to go from one side to the other, doing handstands and somersaults along the way. There is also a lady daredevil that you do stunts with from the back of a horse. If you do the international competition, you will have to do certain tricks for the trapeze, tight rope walker, horse trick-rider and make the tigers go through all the tricks in their routine.

Circus Games

Circus Games

Atari ST - Released - 1988

Ladiiiieeeees and gentlemeeeeennnnn! Children of all ages! The Greatest Show on Earth proudly presents... Circus Games! As a tiger trainer, you will have to put the tiger's through their various tracks. You have to do various stunts, like corkscrews and somersaults, on the trapeze. As a tight rope walker, you need to go from one side to the other, doing handstands and somersaults along the way. There is also a lady daredevil that you do stunts with from the back of a horse. If you do the international competition, you will have to do certain tricks for the trapeze, tight rope walker, horse trick-rider and make the tigers go through all the tricks in their routine.

Circus Games

Circus Games

Sinclair ZX Spectrum - Released - 1988

Ladiiiieeeees and gentlemeeeeennnnn! Children of all ages! The Greatest Show on Earth proudly presents... Circus Games! As a tiger trainer, you will have to put the tiger's through their various tracks. You have to do various stunts, like corkscrews and somersaults, on the trapeze. As a tight rope walker, you need to go from one side to the other, doing handstands and somersaults along the way. There is also a lady daredevil that you do stunts with from the back of a horse. If you do the international competition, you will have to do certain tricks for the trapeze, tight rope walker, horse trick-rider and make the tigers go through all the tricks in their routine.

Circus Games

MS-DOS - Released - 1988

A small CGA action game similar to Big Top o' Fun with a simple goal: perform 4 circus events individually or in the International Competition where judges will induct you to the Hall of Fame if your score is high enough. The events (tightrope, trick horseriding, trapeze, and tiger training) are imaginative, with lots of variations and tricks to keep things interesting.

Circus Games

Circus Games

Acorn Electron - Released - April 4, 1989

Step right up, see the main attraction. Tynesoft welcomes you to the greatest show on earth, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey combine to bring you Circus Games, capturing the thrills and excitement of the Big Top! We challenge you to attempt the High Wire - do Flips, Cartwheels and Hand Stands then ride the Unicycle. Try your hand at Trick Horse Riding - Attempt the daring feats on horse back and warm to the applause of the crowd. For the real spirit of the adventure Tiger Taming dares you to face the fierce Bengal Tigers. Make them stand on their podiums, walk through an obstacle course and jump through flaming hoops. Your skill and judgement are vital when it comes to tackling the Trapeze - you may discover that you're a real high flyer. Once you have completed the International Competition and your final score is greater than one of the existing High Scores, then the Ring Master will announce your inclusion in the High Score Table.

Circus Games (Tynesoft Computer Software)

Circus Games (Tynesoft Computer Software)

Commodore 64 - Released - 1988

Ladiiiieeeees and gentlemeeeeennnnn! Children of all ages! The Greatest Show on Earth proudly presents... Circus Games! As a tiger trainer, you will have to put the tiger's through their various tracks. You have to do various stunts, like corkscrews and somersaults, on the trapeze. As a tight rope walker, you need to go from one side to the other, doing handstands and somersaults along the way. There is also a lady daredevil that you do stunts with from the back of a horse. If you do the international competition, you will have to do certain tricks for the trapeze, tight rope walker, horse trick-rider and make the tigers go through all the tricks in their routine.

Climb-It

Climb-It

Amstrad CPC - Released - 1984

Climb-It is based on the arcade game Donkey Kong. As in the original game, the player controls a young man trying to rescue his girlfriend from a giant gorilla. The game consists of three different screens, with the goal in each being simply to reach the top. The levels are based only loosely on the original game. They consist of platforms, ladders and lifts to help the player upwards. There are various hazards on the route including rolling barrels and invisible fireballs that must be jumped over or avoided - there is no hammer to destroy them as in Donkey Kong. Items can be collected on the way for bonus points. Unlike in other versions, the villainous gorilla is never actually seen.

Climb-It

Climb-It

Commodore Plus 4 - Released - 1984

Climb-It is based on the arcade game Donkey Kong. As in the original game, the player controls a young man trying to rescue his girlfriend from a giant gorilla. The game consists of three different screens, with the goal in each being simply to reach the top. The levels are based only loosely on the original game. They consist of platforms, ladders and lifts to help the player upwards. There are various hazards on the route including rolling barrels and invisible fireballs that must be jumped over or avoided - there is no hammer to destroy them as in Donkey Kong. Items can be collected on the way for bonus points. Unlike in other versions, the villainous gorilla is never actually seen.

Commonwealth Games

Commonwealth Games

BBC Microcomputer System - Released - 1986

Commonwealth Games was released for the BBC Microcomputer and Acorn Electron. It was also published for the Commodore and MSX home computers with the title European Games. The number and types of disciplines varied according to the platform. The BBC Micro/Electron version contained 8; Cycling, Hammer, Long Jump, Rowing, Running, Steeple Chase, Swimming and Weight Lifting.

Cresta Run

Microsoft MSX - Released - 1986

Standalone event from the Winter Olympics Game. Every event from the game has it's own release.

Custard Pie Factory

Custard Pie Factory

Amstrad CPC - Released - 1985

You have returned to the factory after your holidays to fine a big flap on. The factory is in chaos, nothing seems to be working and there's an order due out. As the factory handy man, it is your job to see that the order is delivered on time. But what to do first? There is so much to do. The generator has run out of fuel, the milk vats and custard powder hoppers are empty and the sugar levels are low. But of course as the boss said "I don't want it finished in any hurry, yesterday will do," nice man that. As far as you are concerned you'll be glad when all of your work is done and you can climb into the cab of the works van and deliver the pies. Good luck and don't worry, it's just your job that's at stake.

Cylon Invasion

Cylon Invasion

BBC Microcomputer System - Released - 1986

As commander of a space station, your mission is to destroy the ships of the invading Cylon fleet before their lithium missiles can hit the earth. The Cylons attack in waves of fifty. Hitting a ship will also destroy it's missile. If your phasers overheat then they will momentarily cut out (OUT will flash in place of ACTIVE). Cylon Invasion is a re-release of the 1984 game Space Station Alpha by Icon.

Darksyde

Darksyde

Commodore 64 - Released - 1988

A horizontally scrolling shooter created by Kevin Franklin and released in the "Four Great Games Volumen 3" compilation and on the MicroValue "Mega Collection".

Demon Blue

Demon Blue

Commodore 64 - Released - 1992

In the game, you are a small shaggy blue demon finding himself in a dungeon full of fallen angels, gargoyles, wasps, etc. Walking through them loses you energy, which is your life. So you have to run and jump avoiding them, collecting gems, blood drops, energy vials, and some sort of friend-demons such as eyes and tongues. On each level you have to find the keys to open a door to a magical cauldron guarded by a beautiful elf. Levels are decorated with statues of beautiful women, old men, dragons, swords, or eye walls. "Demon Blues" -- C64 title

Equinox

Equinox

Commodore 64 - Released - 1986

Sury Ani 7 has been a source of mined resources for many a year, but now that it is contaminated, the only way to harvest its bounty is to do so remotely. Worse still, the security system of defence droids is active, and primed to damage anything which attempts to penetrate the surface. As such, you are in control of a Dedicated Disposal Droid in, which must eventually shut down the security system and clear the area of radioactive material. This is done by throwing it down the disposal chute on each of the 8 levels, but you only have limited time before they explode. Fuel is limited and must be found within the complex, with the retro-thrust move using it up particularly quickly. To reach the next level you must find the appropriate pass.

European Games

European Games

Amstrad CPC - 1986

Like so many other "Games" games, European Games is primarily a joystick-waggler, with some precision elements thrown in. Taking place over five or six disciplines, depending on platform, you generally go left to right (or hit the right keys) with your joystick on those judged on speed, while pressing the fire button once a metre reaches its top (as in golf games) is the general method for disciplines. Throwing is handled by releasing your hammer when the power bar is at the top, with additional rotation control on the Commodore. Swimming involves more joystick action, but you also need to keep an eye on your air supply. Going up for air slows you down, though. The long jump involves yet more joystick action, until you reach the touchboard. Then you need to press the jump button at the right time, optionally choosing jump angle. Rowing is like swimming, but without air. Weight lifting involves more power bar pushing, keeping the bar high constantly and lifting the weight before the time runs out.

European Games

European Games

Commodore 64 - Released - 1986

Like so many other "Games" games, European Games is primarily a joystick-waggler, with some precision elements thrown in. Taking place over five or six disciplines, depending on platform, you generally go left to right (or hit the right keys) with your joystick on those judged on speed, while pressing the fire button once a metre reaches its top (as in golf games) is the general method for disciplines. Throwing is handled by releasing your hammer when the power bar is at the top, with additional rotation control on the Commodore. Swimming involves more joystick action, but you also need to keep an eye on your air supply. Going up for air slows you down, though. The long jump involves yet more joystick action, until you reach the touchboard. Then you need to press the jump button at the right time, optionally choosing jump angle. Rowing is like swimming, but without air. Weight lifting involves more power bar pushing, keeping the bar high constantly and lifting the weight before the time runs out.

European Games

European Games

Microsoft MSX - Released - 1987

Like so many other "Games" games, European Games is primarily a joystick-waggler, with some precision elements thrown in. Taking place over five or six disciplines, depending on platform, you generally go left to right (or hit the right keys) with your joystick on those judged on speed, while pressing the fire button once a metre reaches its top (as in golf games) is the general method for disciplines. Throwing is handled by releasing your hammer when the power bar is at the top, with additional rotation control on the Commodore. Swimming involves more joystick action, but you also need to keep an eye on your air supply. Going up for air slows you down, though. The long jump involves yet more joystick action, until you reach the touchboard. Then you need to press the jump button at the right time, optionally choosing jump angle. Weight lifting involves more power bar pushing, keeping the bar high constantly and lifting the weight before the time runs out.

European Super Soccer

European Super Soccer

Atari 800 - Released

Fireman Fred

Fireman Fred

Sinclair ZX Spectrum - Released - 1984

Fireman Fred is the hero of the Fire Service. Every day Fred leaves home for work at the Fire Station. When the fire bells ring, fearless Fred then swings into action with his ladders in an attempt to save lives from the perils. Fireman Fred gets many different calls for help, rescuing people and animals in danger at home and work. Fred must be very alert as there are many dangers around him - fires, balls of smoke, poisonous spiders, exploding light bulbs and bouncing balls, to name just a few. Your job is to guide Fireman Fred up the ladders and along the floors. To make his job harder, some floors have been burnt or broken away so Fred has to jump the gaps, and any other hazards that might get in his way. You must help Fred to rescue the people and the animals, get them down the ladders safely before sending them to hospital in the waiting ambulance. When you have succeeded on one screen you will go to the next until you have cleared all 20 screens.

Future Shock

Future Shock

BBC Microcomputer System - Released - 1986

Future Shock was programmed by Jason Sobell and Kevin Blake and published by Tynesoft for the BBC Microcomputer in 1986.

Goal!

Goal!

BBC Microcomputer System - Released - 1987

Goal! is a simple football game with a perspective similar to Commodore's International Soccer although without scrolling. It only features single matches between two unnamed teams, one with red kits, the other in white. The game is for a single player only and the only option before starting out is the division of the computer controlled team: division 1 or 2? Division 2 is the beginner's level with the difficulty at a minimum throughout the game. When choosing Division 1 the computer will play at various levels of skill depending on the standing in the match. The game can be only be controlled with the keyboard and in addition to four movement keys all actions are made with the return key. When in position of the ball it is used to kick it and when not it's used to select the footballer that is closest to the ball. When the opponent shoots it is also used to make a save attempt by the goalkeeper.

Goal!

Goal!

Acorn Electron - Released - 1987

Goal! is a simple football game with a perspective similar to Commodore's International Soccer although without scrolling. It only features single matches between two unnamed teams, one with red kits, the other in white. The game is for a single player only and the only option before starting out is the division of the computer controlled team: division 1 or 2? Division 2 is the beginner's level with the difficulty at a minimum throughout the game. When choosing Division 1 the computer will play at various levels of skill depending on the standing in the match. The game can be only be controlled with the keyboard and in addition to four movement keys all actions are made with the return key. When in position of the ball it is used to kick it and when not it's used to select the footballer that is closest to the ball. When the opponent shoots it is also used to make a save attempt by the goalkeeper.

Ground Zero

Ground Zero

Amstrad CPC - Released - 1986

In a bid to show the horrors of a nuclear war to the world a group of American scientists have constructed a bomb. The bomb has been fitted with a short delay fuse and carefully hidden somewhere in the town of Foggly. On hearing of this the Government has despatched a Bomb Disposal Expert to find and defuse the device. The town has already been evacuated so the officer can move around the shops and house freely with the knowledge that there is only 30 minutes left to detonation and devastation. Due to his sudden call up he finds he is a few tools short to complete his job so even if he does find the bomb, he must have the tools to remove the detonator to render it harmless. Can he find it in time?

Gunslinger

Gunslinger

Commodore Plus 4 - Released - 1984

You are Jesse James and you are hunting outlaws in a frontier town to make yourself $10 for every Outlaw killed to make your fortune. The game is a flick-screen game viewed from a 3rd person perspective behind Jesse, with the town in the back of the screen. The town is made up of five screens, and arrows pointing to the left and the right at the top of the screen flash to show which direction to move to the next Outlaw. Once you find an outlaw, you must face him in line and move your gun up or down to kill him before he kills you. Your gun has seven bullets in it and to get more bullets for your gun you receive one bullet for shooting an outlaw or you move to the far right screen and reload all seven by touching your horse. If you are shot by an outlaw, then you lose one of three lives, but your gun is reloaded. After losing all three lives, it is game over, but your total money received stays for the next games. The game was also published by both Tynesoft and Quellesoft in Germany under the name Waffenslinger.

Gunsmoke

Gunsmoke

BBC Microcomputer System - Released - March 1, 1985

Gunsmoke is a gallery shooter set in the Wild West. You are a gunslinger ridding the town of bandits. You have to aim and shoot them while dodging their bullets. After having shot a certain number of bandits you move on to the next, harder level, where more bandits appear at the same time.

Gunsmoke

Gunsmoke

Acorn Electron - Released - March 1, 1985

Gunsmoke is a gallery shooter set in the Wild West. You are a gunslinger ridding the town of bandits. You have to aim and shoot them while dodging their bullets. After having shot a certain number of bandits you move on to the next, harder level, where more bandits appear at the same time.

I Aint Got Nobody

I Aint Got Nobody

Sinclair ZX Spectrum - Released - 1985

Ian Botham's Test Match

Ian Botham's Test Match

Commodore 64 - Released - 1984

Ian Botham's Test Match is a one or two player cricketing game that can be played using a keyboard or a joystick. There are three game modes, a limited over game, a one day match or a test match, each option taking progressively longer to complete. The player can choose between the 'armchair cricket' mode where the game supplies names for all team members, or the 'personal team selection' mode where the player enters their own teams names. At the start of the game the player is presented a cricket pitch, on which the bowler, the wicket keeper together and two opposing batsmen are already positioned. The player then positions nine fielders around the pitch ready for the first over. Fielders are placed by moving the fielder icon around the pitch with the arrow keys and pressing 'Fire' when the player is in the correct position. Bowling: Before any over commences the player selects the type of bowler, this can be fast, medium, spin, or bouncer. Once this is done the player presses the 'Fire' key and the game positions the bowler behind the wicket, he takes a run up and delivers a ball. This is repeated until the over is complete. Batting: In a single player game the computer will start as the batting team. When the player is batting they must select where they wish to hit the ball that's just been bowled. This is done by holding down the 'Fire' key while pressing the numeric keys to select a direction. Directions can be changed at will right up until the time the 'Fire' key is released. The ball should be struck at the last possible moment for maximum strength. Fielding: Once the ball has been batted the player has the chance to select a fielder to chase the ball to try to prevent it reaching the boundary. If the ball touches the running fielder or any of the stationary fielders, it is either caught or thrown at the wicket to attempt to run the batsman out. Fielders may be repositioned at the start of each over. Dismissal appeals for, say leg-before-wicket (LBW), is not automatic as appeals may be rejected by the umpire.

Ian Botham's Test Match

Ian Botham's Test Match

Acorn Electron - Released - July 1, 1986

Experience a thrilling and challenging game of cricket from the comfort of your armchair. Three different Matches available: 1. Limited Overs, 2. One Day Match, 3. Test Match Full Pitch visible at all times Placement of Fielders and type of ball bowled controlled by the player

Ian Botham's Test Match

Ian Botham's Test Match

Amstrad CPC - Released - 1985

Ian Botham's Test Match is a one or two player cricketing game that can be played using a keyboard or a joystick. There are three game modes, a limited over game, a one day match or a test match, each option taking progressively longer to complete. The player can choose between the 'armchair cricket' mode where the game supplies names for all team members, or the 'personal team selection' mode where the player enters their own teams names. At the start of the game the player is presented a cricket pitch, on which the bowler, the wicket keeper together and two opposing batsmen are already positioned. The player then positions nine fielders around the pitch ready for the first over. Fielders are placed by moving the fielder icon around the pitch with the arrow keys and pressing 'Fire' when the player is in the correct position. Bowling: Before any over commences the player selects the type of bowler, this can be fast, medium, spin, or bouncer. Once this is done the player presses the 'Fire' key and the game positions the bowler behind the wicket, he takes a run up and delivers a ball. This is repeated until the over is complete. Batting: In a single player game the computer will start as the batting team. When the player is batting they must select where they wish to hit the ball that's just been bowled. This is done by holding down the 'Fire' key while pressing the numeric keys to select a direction. Directions can be changed at will right up until the time the 'Fire' key is released. The ball should be struck at the last possible moment for maximum strength. Fielding: Once the ball has been batted the player has the chance to select a fielder to chase the ball to try to prevent it reaching the boundary. If the ball touches the running fielder or any of the stationary fielders, it is either caught or thrown at the wicket to attempt to run the batsman out. Fielders may be repositioned at the start of each over. Dismissal appeals for, say leg-before-wicket (LBW), is not automatic as appeals may be rejected by the umpire.

Ian Botham's Test Match

Ian Botham's Test Match

Sinclair ZX Spectrum - Released - 1985

Ian Botham's Test Match is a one or two player cricketing game that can be played using a keyboard or a joystick. There are three game modes, a limited over game, a one day match or a test match, each option taking progressively longer to complete. The player can choose between the 'armchair cricket' mode where the game supplies names for all team members, or the 'personal team selection' mode where the player enters their own teams names. At the start of the game the player is presented a cricket pitch, on which the bowler, the wicket keeper together and two opposing batsmen are already positioned. The player then positions nine fielders around the pitch ready for the first over. Fielders are placed by moving the fielder icon around the pitch with the arrow keys and pressing 'Fire' when the player is in the correct position.

Ian Botham's Test Match

Ian Botham's Test Match

BBC Microcomputer System - Released - 1986

A cricket simulation for 1 or 2 players. The game also featured on Micro Value Gold (Two Classic Games) with Jet-Set Willy.

Indoor Sports

Indoor Sports

Acorn Electron - Released - June 1, 1988

Four Indoor Sports are compiled in this entry to DesignStar's SportTime line of recreations. Ten-Pin Bowling, Air Hockey (not on the Commodore 16), Darts and Ping Pong (not on the European Commodore 64 releases) are featured. The menus and options screens have the same feel as Clubhouse Sports. Each game has computer opponents at multiple skill levels plus human-versus-human and demo modes, and matches can consist of varying numbers of rounds, with other options depending on the game. Ten-pin bowling is played from a side-on view, although once the shot has been taken you see the results unfold from the bowler's view. There are three stages to taking a shot. Move the player up and down to line up his run-up, pressing fire to set the position. Then, do the same to set the angle of the shot. Finally, after pressing fire to start the run-up, press it again to time the release of the ball, as close to the line as possible. Darts has 4 skill and 3 speed levels, and players can play to 301, 501 or 701, to vary game length or provide a handicapping system. You can also set whether scoring must start or end with a double. Viewed from behind the board, you must first line up the dart, then set the dart's curvature and power by stopping a curved gauge on the right, then a rising power bar on the left. The view then changes twice - first a behind-the-player view to show the dart's approach, then a close-up of the board to show where it landed. Air Hockey plays for five minutes, or until someone has scored 12 points. The view is above the pitch but angled so as to emphasize the goal at the top. Ping-Pong features a handicapping system - six ability areas can be graded from 1-5, to ensure a closely-matched game. Again the view is from behind one court. To impart direction onto a shot, the angle must be pressed at the same time as the fire button.

Indoor Sports

Indoor Sports

BBC Microcomputer System - Released - 1988

Four Indoor Sports are compiled in this entry to DesignStar's SportTime (ported by Art Crew Productions on the BBC Micro and Electron) line of recreations. Ten-Pin Bowling, Air Hockey (not on the Commodore 16), Darts and Ping Pong (not on the European Commodore 64 releases) are featured. The menus and options screens have the same feel as Clubhouse Sports. Each game has computer opponents at multiple skill levels plus human-versus-human and demo modes, and matches can consist of varying numbers of rounds, with other options depending on the game. Ten-pin bowling is played from a side-on view, although once the shot has been taken, you see the results unfold from the bowler's view. There are three stages to taking a shot. Move the player up and down to line up his run-up, pressing fire to set the position. Then, do the same to set the angle of the shot. Finally, after pressing fire to start the run-up, press it again to time the release of the ball, as close to the line as possible. Darts has 4 skill and 3 speed levels, and players can play to 301, 501 or 701, to vary game length or provide a handicapping system. You can also set whether scoring must start or end with a double. Viewed from behind the board, you must first line up the dart, then set the dart's curvature and power by stopping a curved gauge on the right, then a rising power bar on the left. The view then changes twice - first a behind-the-player view to show the dart's approach, then a close-up of the board to show where it landed. Air Hockey plays for five minutes, or until someone has scored 12 points. The view is above the pitch, but angled to emphasize the goal at the top. Ping-Pong features a handicapping system - six ability areas can be graded from 1-5, to ensure a closely-matched game. Again, the view is from behind one court. To impart direction onto a shot, the angle must be pressed at the same time as the fire button.

Jet Set Willy

Jet Set Willy

Atari 800 - Released - 1986

Cult hero Matthew Smith followed up Manic Miner with a seminal platform game. Having struck it lucky in the first game, Willy now owns a lavish mansion with over 60 rooms linked together, and must tidy it all before his housekeeper will let him sleep. Unlike in Manic Miner, here all the rooms can be freely traversed from the start. Each room has its own hazards, such as spikes, guardians (ranging from demonic heads to giant penknives), and ropes which can be climbed and grasped in mid-air. Touching a monster or a stationary hazard, or falling a great distance, causes instant loss of a life and places Willy back at the room entrance. The route through the house must be navigated carefully, due to the multiple entrances to some rooms - this is perhaps the first action game where mapping is an advantage. Another innovation, to the chagrin of players everywhere, is manual protection - a sheet of colour-coded numbers.

Jet Set Willy

Jet Set Willy

Acorn Electron - Released - June 1, 1986

Cult hero Matthew Smith followed up Manic Miner with a seminal platform game. Having struck it lucky in the first game, Willy now owns a lavish mansion with over 60 rooms linked in a 3D plane, and must tidy it all before his housekeeper will let him sleep. Each room has its own hazards, such as spikes, revolving razors and ropes. The route through the house must be navigated carefully, due to the multiple entrances to some rooms - this is perhaps the first action game where mapping is an advantage. Another innovation, to the chagrin of players everywhere, is manual protection - a sheet of colour-coded numbers.

Jet Set Willy

Jet Set Willy

BBC Microcomputer System - Released - 1984

Written by Matthew Smith and developed by Software Projects. It was released for the BBC Microcomputer by Tynesoft. Willy owns a lavish mansion with over 60 rooms linked in a 3D plane, and must tidy it all before his housekeeper will let him sleep. Each room has its own hazards, such as spikes, revolving razors and ropes. The route through the house must be navigated carefully, due to the multiple entrances to some rooms - this is perhaps the first action game where mapping is an advantage. Another innovation, to the chagrin of players everywhere, is manual protection - a sheet of colour-coded numbers.

Jet Set Willy II

Jet Set Willy II

BBC Microcomputer System - Released - 1986

Jet Set Willy II (aka Jet Set Willy II: The Final Frontier) is the sequel to Jet Set Willy. Once more each room has its own hazards, such as spikes, revolving razors and ropes. The route through the house must be navigated carefully, due to the multiple entrances to some rooms - this is perhaps the first action game where mapping is an advantage. Another innovation, to the chagrin of players everywhere, is manual protection - a sheet of colour-coded numbers.

Jet Set Willy II

Jet Set Willy II

Acorn Electron - Released - March 1, 1987

This platform game is the sequel of Jet Set Willy and basically just an extension of the previous game, adding 40 rooms to the existing 64 rooms of its predecessor. Each room its own hazards, such as spikes, revolving razors and ropes. The route through the house must be navigated carefully, due to the multiple entrances to some rooms - this is perhaps the first action game where mapping is an advantage. Another innovation, to the chagrin of players everywhere, is manual protection - a sheet of colour-coded numbers. When the game was loaded the user was given a reference to the sheet and had to enter the four colours shown there.

Kingdom of Speldome

Kingdom of Speldome

Amstrad CPC - Released - 1985

You are Prince Falstaff, and you have been tasked with retrieving the Sword of Battles. However, that is only the beginning of your mission, and you will need to travel through the Kingdom of Speldome (also spelt Spelldome), search for other objects, and give them to the beings who are looking for them. That’s really all there is to this text adventure, which was created using GAC. If you encounter someone and you have the correct item, it is taken from you and you can continue; if you don’t have it, you will be killed and the game ends. There are pictures to accompany the majority of locations, which are fairly good by the standards of GAC, but may be best suited for new players.

Lawn Tennis

Lawn Tennis

Commodore Plus 4 - Released - 1985

Lawn Tennis allows you to have a game of tennis against the computer or another player over five sets. The game is viewed from behind your player at an elevated angle. The normal of rules of tennis apply and the winner is the player who wins the best of five sets.

Mayday Squad

Mayday Squad

MS-DOS - Released - 1989

In Mayday Squad, the Lutonian Embassy has been taken over by the Red Legion terror organisation and the ambassador's daughter has been kidnapped. The player takes the role of a group of three special agents which have to save her within a time limit. The player has to choose between nine soldiers which are divided into three categories: leader (shooting), demolition (grenades) and communication (opening locks and picking up items). The soldiers within the same category also have different advantages and weaknesses. Also chosen before starting the mission is the difficulty level and hit points of the team members. During the game itself, one member is controlled by the player and the others by the AI. However, to perform special actions it is possible to instantly switch between them. This is needed because there are a lot of options how to proceed in the maze-like embassy, e.g. players may choose to open a lock or shoot it open. While a large portion of the game is dedicated to finding the way and searching for clues which hint to the daughter's location, there are also strong action elements: When meeting enemies and controlling the leader, the cursor has to be quickly moved over the opponents to shoot them before they can damage the team. Resources like ammo are limited.

Mayday Squad Heroes

Mayday Squad Heroes

Commodore Amiga - Released - 1989

In Mayday Squad, the Lutonian Embassy has been taken over by the Red Legion terror organisation and the ambassador's daughter has been kidnapped. The player takes the role of a group of three special agents which have to save her within a time limit. The player has to choose between nine soldiers which are divided into three categories: leader (shooting), demolition (grenades) and communication (opening locks and picking up items). The soldiers within the same category also have different advantages and weaknesses. Also chosen before starting the mission is the difficulty level and hit points of the team members. During the game itself, one member is controlled by the player and the others by the AI. However, to perform special actions it is possible to instantly switch between them. This is needed because there are a lot of options how to proceed in the maze-like embassy, e.g. players may choose to open a lock or shoot it open. While a large portion of the game is dedicated to finding the way and searching for clues which hint to the daughter's location, there are also strong action elements: When meeting enemies and controlling the leader, the cursor has to be quickly moved over the opponents to shoot them before they can damage the team. Resources like ammo are limited.

Mayday Squad Heroes

Mayday Squad Heroes

Commodore 64 - Released - 1989

The "Red Legion" terrorist organization took possession of the Lutheran embassy, ​​but without capturing the ambassador's daughter who managed to hide somewhere inside. The terrorists threaten to blow up the entire embassy if their unacceptable requests are not satisfied within a certain time. Three members of the " Mayday team", formed by experienced fighters, infiltrate the building with the mission of rescuing the girl and eliminating the leaders of the Red Legion before it is too late.

Mayday Squad Heroes

Mayday Squad Heroes

Atari ST - Released - 1989

In Mayday Squad Heroes, the Lutonian Embassy has been taken over by the Red Legion terror organisation and the ambassador's daughter has been kidnapped. The player takes the role of a group of three special agents which have to save her within a time limit. The player has to choose between nine soldiers which are divided into three categories: leader (shooting), demolition (grenades) and communication (opening locks and picking up items). The soldiers within the same category also have different advantages and weaknesses. Also chosen before starting the mission is the difficulty level and hit points of the team members. During the game itself, one member is controlled by the player and the others by the AI. However, to perform special actions it is possible to instantly switch between them. This is needed because there are a lot of options how to proceed in the maze-like embassy, e.g. players may choose to open a lock or shoot it open. While a large portion of the game is dedicated to finding the way and searching for clues which hint to the daughter's location, there are also strong action elements: When meeting enemies and controlling the leader, the cursor has to be quickly moved over the opponents to shoot them before they can damage the team. Resources like ammo are limited.

Mega Force

Mega Force

BBC Microcomputer System - Released - 1987

Mega Force is a shoot'em up in which you have to destroy alien forces with your spacecraft. You can also get bonus points by destroying "B" ships and get more firepower by destroying orbs that look like basketballs. You fly through sectors named after Greek letters and after each 5th sector you get a bonus ship.

Microvalue Gold

Microvalue Gold

BBC Microcomputer System - Released - 1986

A compilation cassette consisting of two games which were originally released in 1986 as stand-alone titles by Tynesoft. Ian Botham's Test Match is a cricket simulation by David Croft for up to 2 players. Jet Set Willy is a single player platformer written by Matthew Smith and Dave Mann (aka Chris Robson).

Mind Your Head

Mind Your Head

Sinclair ZX Spectrum - Released - 1986

Mirax Force

Mirax Force

Atari 800 - Released - 1987

Uridium is the obvious influence on this shooter, viewed from above and scrolling both left and right. As a member of the Mirax Force attack team, you and your Star Quest spaceship are crucial to your planet's survival. Fly Star Quest over an enemy mothership, destroying as many bays and circuits as possible, and ultimately the Main Reactor itself. You will be chased by enemy fighter ships, and have to avoid protective gun bays. The background colour changes every time you lose a life, and the game includes sampled speech (performed by the programmer).

Mouse Quest

Mouse Quest

Commodore 64 - Released - 1987

This platform game challenges you to guide a mouse around a screen collecting goodies - varying from cheese to cakes to balloons. You will have to jump over flowers, dodge bouncing balls, dinosaurs and dinosaurs amongst other things - contact with any of these loses a life. Movement is achieved along ledges, via clouds, moving platforms and up ladders. Short falls can be withstood, but larger ones (or heavy landings from jumps) are fatal. Once they have all been collected you must reach the door, doing all of this within the time limit, depicted by a picture of a diffusing bomb. Released in the, "Four Great Games Volumen 3" compilation.

Mouse Trap

Mouse Trap

BBC Microcomputer System - Released - 1986

Mouse Trap is a platform game developed by Chris Robson and published by Tynesoft for the BBC Microcomputer and Acorn Electron in 1986.

Mouse Trap

Mouse Trap

Acorn Electron - Released - June 1, 1986

This platform game challenges the player to guide a mouse around a screen collecting goodies - varying from cheese to cakes to balloons. Once they have all been collected you must reach the door, doing all of this within the time limit, depicted by a picture of a diffusing bomb. The player will have to jump over flowers, dodge bouncing balls and dinosaurs amongst other things - contact with any of these loses a life. Movement is achieved along ledges, via clouds, moving platforms and up ladders. Short falls can be withstood, but larger ones (or heavy landings from jumps) are fatal.

Munch-it

Munch-it

Amstrad CPC - Released - 1985

Munch-it is based on the arcade game Pac-Man where you have to move around a top view single screen maze and eat all the dots. While your eating the dots, there are three ghosts moving around the maze looking to kill you. If you touch a ghost, then you lose one of three lives. In the four corners of the maze are power-pills, and when eaten allow you to chase and eat the ghosts for a short time. Before the game starts, you can select a skill level (1-4).

One for the Road / Mutations

One for the Road / Mutations

Sinclair ZX Spectrum - Released - 1986

A compilation of the two following games: One for the Road - a clone of Pac-Man, where the player drives a car around the maze picking up the Cat's Eye's, avoiding the hostile road signs. The road signs become temporarily harmless after collecting an oil can. Mutations - a clone of Spawn of Evil, where the player, as a patrol unit, must seek and destroy the enemy mutants, cloners, asteroids and battlecars.

Oxbridge

Oxbridge

Acorn Electron - Released - 1988

Oxbridge takes a light-hearted look at the world of higher education. The Cursor Keys move you about a beautifully illustrated landscape to meet various brain-teaser type problems. If you like puzzle books, you'll love this game. This is no marathon science-fiction epic taking hours to get into. You may progress within minutes and, as you play, you absorb the atmosphere and folklore of the world's most famous University. Can you escape from the College, get served in the Pub, learn how to Punt, get cash from your Bank, locate an obscure book, find your way through the "Botanical Garden" Maze? The challenge of student life awaits you!! Features include HELP facility, mobile talking characters (some famous personalities), single operation load, fully integrated graphics. Nothing like it has ever been produced for a 32K machine!

Oxbridge

Oxbridge

BBC Microcomputer System - Released - 1986

An illustrated adventure by Colin Jack set in the fictional university town of Oxbridge. Oxbridge takes a light-hearted look at the world of higher education. The Cursor Keys move you about a beautifully illustrated landscape to meet various brain-teaser type problems. If you like puzzle books, you'll love this game. This is no marathon science-fiction epic taking hours to get into. You may progress within minutes and, as you play, you absorb the atmosphere and folklore of the world's most famous University. Can you escape from the College, get served in the Pub, learn how to Punt, get cash from your Bank, locate an obscure book, find your way through the "Botanical Garden" Maze? The challenge of student life awaits you!! Features include HELP facility, mobile talking characters (some famous personalities), single operation load, fully integrated graphics

Personal Nightmare

Personal Nightmare

Commodore Amiga - Released - 1989

A horror adventure from Horrosoft. Your father is the pastor of your village. A strange letter from him made you decide to return to your village, only to find out your father is no where to be found, and everyone is being hostile and strange. After a while you will find out evil forces have taken over the people of the village and your job is to find out how to kill some devil creatures ( like a vampire ) and figure out what truly is going on.

Phantom

Phantom

BBC Microcomputer System - Released - 1987

Inspired by the game Gauntlet, Phantom is a top view maze game where the screen scrolls left or right when you move. You are a Professor of Astro-Physics, and with an interest in Psychic Phenomena, you have been sent to investigate four buildings to remove any evil that resides there. You have discovered that each building contains ghosts, monsters and transporters (apparitions that are a gateway to Hell), so with your high powered laser, you must clear four floors of each building. Touching any of the evil decrease an energy counter and when this reaches zero then it is game over but you can find food to increase it. Use of your laser decreases a gauge but you can find fuel to keep it topped up and there are different types which speed up and make your laser more powerful. As you explore each floor you will find locked doors so keys are needed to open them and there are other items to help you like bombs, radio-immobiliser to stun ghosts and glucose pills to speed up. Once you have cleared a floor then you can use stairs to take you to the next floor.

Phantom

Phantom

Atari 800 - Released - 1987

Inspired by the game Gauntlet, Phantom is a top view maze game where the screen scrolls left or right when you move. You are a Professor of Astro-Physics, and with an interest in Psychic Phenomena, you have been sent to investigate four buildings to remove any evil that resides there. You have discovered that each building contains ghosts, monsters and transporters (apparitions that are a gateway to Hell), so with your high powered laser, you must clear four floors of each building. Touching any of the evil decrease an energy counter and when this reaches zero then it is game over but you can find food to increase it. Use of your laser decreases a gauge but you can find fuel to keep it topped up and there are different types which speed up and make your laser more powerful. As you explore each floor you will find locked doors so keys are needed to open them and there are other items to help you like bombs, radio-immobiliser to stun ghosts and glucose pills to speed up. Once you have cleared a floor then you can use stairs to take you to the next floor.

Phantom

Phantom

Commodore Plus 4 - Released - 1987

Inspired by the game Gauntlet, Phantom is a top view maze game where the screen scrolls left or right when you move. You are a Professor of Astro-Physics, and with an interest in Psychic Phenomena, you have been sent to investigate four buildings to remove any evil that resides there. You have discovered that each building contains ghosts, monsters and transporters (apparitions that are a gateway to Hell), so with your high powered laser, you must clear four floors of each building. Touching any of the evil decrease an energy counter and when this reaches zero then it is game over but you can find food to increase it. Use of your laser decreases a gauge but you can find fuel to keep it topped up and there are different types which speed up and make your laser more powerful. As you explore each floor you will find locked doors so keys are needed to open them and there are other items to help you like bombs, radio-immobiliser to stun ghosts and glucose pills to speed up. Once you have cleared a floor then you can use stairs to take you to the next floor.

Phantom (Tynesoft Computer Software)

Phantom (Tynesoft Computer Software)

Commodore 64 - Released - 1987

Inspired by the game Gauntlet, Phantom is a top view maze game where the screen scrolls left or right when you move. You are a Professor of Astro-Physics, and with an interest in Psychic Phenomena, you have been sent to investigate four buildings to remove any evil that resides there. You have discovered that each building contains ghosts, monsters and transporters (apparitions that are a gateway to Hell), so with your high powered laser, you must clear four floors of each building. Touching any of the evil decrease an energy counter and when this reaches zero then it is game over but you can find food to increase it. Use of your laser decreases a gauge but you can find fuel to keep it topped up and there are different types which speed up and make your laser more powerful. As you explore each floor you will find locked doors so keys are needed to open them and there are other items to help you like bombs, radio-immobiliser to stun ghosts and glucose pills to speed up. Once you have cleared a floor then you can use stairs to take you to the next floor. Also released as part of the "Four Great Games" compilation in in Italy in Alga Soft n.19a.

Plazma Ball

Commodore 64 - Released - 1990

Plazma Ball is a tactical, turn-based American Football game. Each team has 16 athletes (eleven on the field) and in each round, the player may move between zero and all of them. Other options are blocking another athlete or setting up a ball throw (if it is in possession). Before the match starts, both players also have the opportunity to set up their teams within an 50 yards radius. The outcomes of throwing attempts and fights between athletes are calculated from their statistics. The game is played within a league of four divisions (four teams each) and up to two players can take control over one team each.

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