A feature on the games of the ZX Spectrum
It's almost 25 years to the day since the ZX Spectrum home computer captured our hearts and relinquished us of any social life back in 1982.
This is where it all started for me, my first introduction into the world of gaming and a time in my childhood that was filled with happy gaming memories.
The software came on audio cassette tapes and could be loaded onto practically any cassette tape player. Loading times were excruciatingly long, but there was something exciting about patiently watching the colourful loading screen in anticipation of some of the titles that shaped the future of video games.
In recent years retro gaming has made a huge comeback with many games being ported onto next-gen consoles. If there's ever a better time to pay homage to the mighty spectrum, 25 years later, then this year is it. Now that were used to all the newfangled graphics and game engines, the Spectrum games do appear extremely dull in comparison, but many of these games provided future developers with the ideas and framework for many of the games we see today.
There are dozens of emulators out there allowing you to play almost every Spectrum game that was ever released. I've downloaded one today and look forward to reminiscing with the likes of Manic Minor and Jet Set Willy.
This is a bit self-indulgent on my part, but as a homage to the 25th anniversary of the ZX Spectrum, we're going to take a look at some of my favourite games.
Let us know your favourite memories and games on the ZX Spectrum in the HEXUS.gaming forum.
Atic Atac
Genre – Action/Adventure
As the game begins, you fall through a trapdoor and end up inside an evil castle with only one way to get out of it - find all the pieces of the great ACG key that lets you unlock the main door.
Many problems lie on your way to freedom, however - not only is the castle pretty big and spread out over several floors, it is also littered with enemies that must be avoided or dispensed of. For some doors, you need keys to open them.
This game pioneered in several ways - the mix of fast-paced action and exploration of the large castle with little "puzzles" was innovative at that time, and you got to choose a character class, each one with its own weapon and skills - each class had different secret routes and shortcuts through the castle.
Chuckie Egg
Genre – Action/Platformer
In the game you play Hen House Harry who has to collect 12 (a dozen) eggs from each level, while avoiding the ducklings. The levels each occupy a single screen, and are made up of platforms, ladders and lifts (or elevators), and are thus similar to those in classic platform game Donkey Kong. Corn can also be collected, which stops the time limit from ticking down and also stops the bonus, collected when the level is completed, from decreasing. The ducklings also eat the corn, however.
There are only 8 distinct levels. The ninth level is a copy of level 1, the tenth is a copy of level 2, and so on. However, on the second time around the ducklings that can use the platforms and ladders are replaced by the Mother Duck, who can fly around the level going through the platforms and ladders.
The Guild of Thieves
Genre – Text Adventure
As a beginner and inducted into the "Guild Of Thieves", you must steal your way to the top - the Guildmaster is there to not only help you, but to make your life a living hell. Worst of it all is you're STILL in the land of Kerovnia.....if something makes it look tough to solve, that's nothing for a puzzle - something else will screw it up more.
