Sinclair ZX Spectrum

April 23, 2012April 23, 2012

Spectrum30 day -4

So now the end is near etc,

Right I know I said all day, but I’m thinking ‘1982’ day you know when I was at school. So it’s going to be school hours, hence I’ll be clocking off early.

16) Lunar Jetman – 2nd outing on the Spectrum for Jetman. This time with a vehicle. Now I always found this game tricky. I still do!

17) Sabre Wulf – now if this loads I’ll be surprised – as I type it ‘R Tape Loading error’ appears – sounds like a strangled cat (not that I have – just guessing). So I’ll try again. After years of not being used I guess it might be a bit of tape stiffness – a few FF and Rew might fix it. – Failed 🙁 Shame as it my favourite Ultimate game

18) Knight Lore – Sabre man returns, this time part man part wolf. The pioneering isometric game play was revolutionary at the time. Never got too far on the game in ’84, still not got any further!

So that’s your lot*. Actually quite tired considering I was just playing games all day.

* I do plan to post spectrum30 day ‘thoughts’ – so keep an eye out.

April 23, 2012April 23, 2012

Spectrum30 day -3

We’re on a roll with Durell now (other games manufacturers are available), well I think we are…..

12) Turbo Esprit, not the best start as the first side fails. Now trying the other side which is the fast load – same result – bugger – I wanted to play this 🙁 2nd tape now tried and failed. So removed Interface One. It worked. After all that I can’t be bothered with Turbo Esprit. Still had a blast around the city in it. Crashed into a few things.

High Speed

13) Scrabble Redux (no, not a limited edition – but 2nd attempt with the tape/interface one changed) – It loads! And i’ve spent a happy hour or so on it loosing badly.

Still loosing it!

14) Manic Miner (again) – loads now. Played a few levels, come the conclusion Matthew Smith was a genius.

Struggling

15) Jet Set Will (again) – Tape 1 fails on both sides, trying with reserve tape. The reserve works. So Matthew Smith – Genius, well he is. The thought that went in to levels, sprite collision and design are frankly still brilliant nearly 30 years on. One day I’ll sit down and try to complete the game.

Title

Probably about to die!

April 23, 2012April 23, 2012

Spectrum30 day – 2

Next up…

5) Match Day II. An enhancement on the original? Well I’m not too sure, the ‘better’ graphics dont add much to the experience and the diamond deflection system doesn’t really add anything either. If anything the latter seems to add uncertainty to the game. Still a worthy update to the classic.

On me head son

get in there

6) Saboteur. Failed to load 🙁
7) Saboteur II. Failed to load 🙁
8 ) Combat Lynx – Loaded – but then didn’t work 🙁
9) Flight Simulation (Psion), Yay, one works. This brings back memories, I actually did prefer the ZX81 version but today is the Spectrum day so I’ll forget that. It’s a tricky thing attempt to fly something that’s not overly responsive. But a fun little flight sim (yes I crashed).

Approach

10) Harrier Attack! – Tempting fate with another Durell tape! But this one loads! A quick loader as it’s a 16k game, released with the country still celebrating the glorious win that was the Falklands Conflict. It’s a simple game, played the same way as the defender arcade game – but with the UK twist. It’s not a forgiving game, shot down and you’re gone (though you can eject!).

11) Scrabble – loads, then fails 🙁

Right onwards to next post……

April 22, 2012April 23, 2012

So #spectrum30 day is here

Today is the official launch day of the Sinclair Spectrum 30 years ago.

I’ll be posting a fair bit more tomorrow (after I’ve taken the daughter to school), but to get you in the mood – here’s one I did yesterday……

So in a rough form, the running order (I’ll tidy it later):

1) Jet Set Willy – Software Projects – 2 copies of this failed to load.
2) Manic Miner – Bug-Byte Software – Failed to Load

Ultimate saves the day –

3) TranzAm – Can you collect the 8 Cups of Ultimate? Well I managed 2 one my first go (4 on my second go), which isn’t great but at least I tried. Quite a tough little game to be honest. Go too fast and you run out fuel and over heat, go too slow and the ‘Deadly Black Turbos’ will get you.

Good fun and fast paced. Play area is a little squashed. But overall good fun.

TranzAm - Ultimate Play the Game

4) TLL – Tornado Low Level. Basically – fly around and wipe out enemy targets (by just flying over them!) Simple game, made more complex because of a ‘3D’ landscape and the compact screen. I don’t think the RAF will be calling to be honest.

Tornado Low Level