• Tag Archives Spectrum

  • Advanced Computer Entertainment (January 1990)

    Posted on by Azrael Comment

    Source: Advanced Computer Entertainment (ACE) – Issue Number 28 – January 1990

    ACE (short for Advanced Computer Entertainment) is a computer gaming magazine that was published in the U.K. Or at least it was primarily a computer gaming magazine. It did have some console coverage as well. In 1990 it was covering the Atari ST, Amiga, Commodore 64, Amstrad CPC, Spectrum, PC (DOS), as well as Nintendo and Sega game systems.

    Specials

    • ACE Flashback! – A look at computer gaming throughout the years: In 1980, the Sinclair ZX80 and Acorn Atom were introduced and the Atari 400/800 started being imported to the U.K.; In 1981 the VIC-20 was launched as well as the ZX-81; In 1982 the Sinclair ZX Spectrum was introduced along with the Commodore 64; In 1983 the Acorn Electron, Memotech MTX, IBM PC Jr., and Coleco Adam were all launched; and lots more.
    • Death Chamber – A look into a BattleTech Center which was an immersive experience in which you were able to pilot giant robots, at least in simulation.
    • Out of the Sun – A detailed review of Their Finest Hour: The Battle of Britain, the World War II combat flight simulator for the Atari ST, Amiga and PC (DOS).
    • The Big Chill – A detailed look at Midwinter, an action/strategy game set in a post-apocalyptic winter caused by a meteor strike and volcanic eruptions.
    • Goldcut Games – A look at upcoming releases from US Gold, including Loom, Battle of Britain, Ghouls ‘n’ Ghosts, Black Tiger, Crackdown, Dynasty Wars, and more.
    • Beyond Words – Reader submitted computer artwork.

    Gameplay

    • Screen Test – Reviews of:
      • Hard Drivin’ – Polygonal racing sim for the Atari ST, Amiga, Spectrum, Amstrad, Commodore 64, DOS, and Archimedes.
      • Bruce Lee Lives! – Beat-em-up for the Atari ST, DOS, and Amiga), Wonder Boy III (side-scrolling platformer for the Sega Master System.
      • Ghostbusters – One of the few great movie based games reviewed here for the Sega Master System.
      • Switchblade – Cyberpunk themed adventure game played from an overhead perspective for the Atari ST and Amiga.
      • Onslaught – An action/strategy game for the Amiga ST and Amiga.
      • Future Wars – A sci-fi graphic adventure game for the Atari ST, Amiga, and DOS.
      • Battle Squadron – An overhead shooter for the Amiga.
      • The Third Courier – A Cold War adventure/RPG from Accolade for DOS.
      • Leisure Suit Larry III – The latest in the classic adult themed adventure series from Sierra for DOS.
      • Myth – A side-scrolling adventure game for the Commodore 64 and Spectrum.
      • Turbo Outrun – Classic racing game for the Atari ST, Amiga, Spectrum, Amstrad, and Commodore 64…in this case, the Commodore 64 version may very well have been the best.
      • Ghouls ‘N’ Ghosts – The sequel to Ghosts ‘n’ Goblins for the Atari ST, Amiga, Spectrum, Amstrad, and Commodore 64.
      • Moonwalker – The Michael Jackson game for the Amiga, Atari ST, Spectrum, Amstrad, and Commodore 64.
      • Toobin’ – Conversion of the Atari arcade game for the Atari ST, Amiga, Spectrum, Amstrad, Commodore 64, and DOS.
      • Dragon Spirit – Overhead shooter featuring a dragon for the Atari ST, Amiga, Spectrum, Amstrad, Commodore 64, and DOS.
      • Roller Coaster Rumble – A roller coaster simulator for the Atari ST, Amiga, and Commodore 64.
      • Twinworld – A side-scrolling platform game for the Atari ST and Amiga.
      • Bushido – An excellent beat-em-up for the Commodore 64.
      • Rally Cross Challenge – A Super Sprint clone for the Atari ST, Amiga, Spectrum, Amstrad, Commodore 64, and DOS.
      • Interdictor – A combat flight simulator for the Archimedes.
      • It Came From The Desert! – Classic Cinemaware adventure game for the Atari ST, Amiga and DOS.
      • Ghostbusters II – Based on the movie of the same name for the Amiga, Atari ST, DOS, Spectrum, Amstrad, and Commodore 64. Sadly, it was nowhere near as good as the original.
      • Galaxy Force – Conversion of the arcade 3D shooter for the Atari ST, Amiga, Commodore 64, Spectrum, and Amstrad.
      • Quartz – An overhead shooter for the Amiga and Atari ST.
      • Drakkhen – A fantasy RPG for the Atari ST and Amiga.
      • The Cycles – Motorcycle racing game from Accolade for the Atari ST, Amiga, and DOS.
      • Snare – A fun puzzle game for the Commodore 64.
      • Clown-O-Mania – An arcade style game that looks like a more complex version of Q*Bert for the Amiga and Atari ST.
    • In Arcadia – A look at some of the latest arcade games including Block Hole (Konami), Special Criminal Investigations (Taito), and Exterminator (Gottlieb).
    • Big Bang! – A stock market like look at various game companies based on the average reviews of their games.
    • Tricks ‘N’ Tactics – Tips and tricks for various games including TV Sports Football, Dark Side, XIS, Leonardo, Gemini Wing, Mr. Heli, King of the Beach, Rick Dangerous, First Strike, Road Runner, The Shadow of the Beast, After Burner, Operation Wolf, Forgotten Worlds, and more.

    Regulars

    • News – Announcement of the color version of the Game Boy, Sega systems and games to become available in video rental stores, Computer City Supercentre opens; game compilations released on CD for the Commodore 64, CPC and Spectrum, Budokan for DOS coming soon, The Wizard to be released in movie theaters in November, Pipe Dream coming soon from Lucasfilm for various platforms, and more.
    • Letter Bombs – Letters from readers about Rainbow Islands, playing games with a keyboard and mouse, Barbarian on the Atari ST, the PC Engine, F-16 Combat Pilot for the Amiga, and more.
    • Next Month – Coming next month, a feature on computer wargaming, a profile of John Lasseter, and more.

    …and more!


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  • Your Computer (March 1984)

    Posted on by Azrael Comment

    Source: Your Computer – March 1984

    Your computer is a magazine that was published in the U.K. that covered the popular computers there during the early to mid 1980s. Game coverage was pretty heavy though it was not exclusively a game magazine. The March 1984 issue includes:

    • Editorial and Your Letters -Letters from readers about the Lynx computer, the Dragon and saving machine language files, using the MicroDrive with the Spectrum, auto starting programs on the Spectrum, and more. Plus and editorial about the MSX.
    • News – Apple introduces the Macintosh; Romox introduces reprogrammable cartridges; an add-on that allows the Spectrum to output sound through the TV; Commodore introduces the 264; and more.
    • First Bytes – 32-bit computers vs. 16-bit computers and a look at the Sinclair QL; comparing printers for the Spectrum; and more.
    • Computer Club – A vision of computers in education.
    • Software Shortlist – Reviews of various games including Scuba Dive (Spectrum), Revenge of the Mutant Camels (Commodore 64), Oblivion (BBC B), Defender (VIC-20), Centipede (VIC-20), Dancing Feats (Commodore 64), Air Strike II (Atari 400/800), Astro Fighters (VIC-20), Zalaga (BBC B), and Lost In Space (Oric-1).
    • Quest Corner – A look at new adventure games including Snowball (Atari, Commodore 64), Streets of London (Commodore 64), and Mad Martha II (Spectrum).

    • Atmos – A look at the Oric Atmos, a new computer featuring a 6502A CPU @ 1 MHz, 48K RAM, 16K ROM (including BASIC), and more. This was basically an upgrade to the Oric-1.
    • MSX Invaders – A look at several new MSX computers including he Spectravideo SV-318, Spectravideo SV-328, Mitsubishi ML-8000, Toshiba Pasopia IQ HX-10, National CF-2000, and Yamaha YIS-503.
    • Spectrum Software – A look at some of the best and worst Spectrum software available.
    • Commodore Zagorsk – An adventure game writing tutorial and type-in adventure game for the Commodore 64 called Treasures of Zagorsk.
    • VIC Millipods – A type-in Millipede clone for the VIC-20.
    • ZX Pac-81 Man – A type-in variation of Pac-Man for the ZX-81.
    • Sinclair Clean-Up – How to keep your ZX Printer clean and in good working condition.
    • MTX-500 Start-Up – An introduction to the Memotech MTX-500 computer.
    • VIC CESIL – An introduction to low level programming on the VIC-20.
    • Oric Ape – A type-in program for the Oric called Krazy Ape that looks a lot like Donkey Kong.
    • BBC Sprite Graphics – A type-in sprite creator and animator for the BBC.
    • Dragon Graphics – Creating hi-res color graphics on the Dragon. Includes programming examples.
    • Spectrum Graphics – Creating graphics on the Spectrum.
    • Compander – A type-in text compression routine for the ZX-81.
    • Heartstop – A look at artificial intelligence and how it works. ChatGPT may be new but computers and AI go way back.
    • Review – A look at the supposed chip an computer shortage. Plus a look at some of the best selling and newest PCs including the Spectrum, IBM PCjr, Sinclair QL, and more.
    • ZX-81 Prograid – A type-in program for adding nine new functions to your ZX-81.
    • CBM-64 Asteroid Lander – A type-in game for the Commodore 64 that looks a bit like Lunar Lander.
    • Spectrum Cosmazoigs – An Asteroids-like type-in game for the Spectrum.
    • Cosmic Clash – A type-in game for the BBC that is reminiscent of Star Raiders.
    • Atari Maze Miner – A type-in maze game for Atari 8-bit computers in which you have to disarm mines.
    • Response Frame – Answers to reader questions about converting a type-in game to work with a joystick; the best CPU; upgrading Spectrum RAM; and more.
    • Software File – Short programs submitted by readers.

    …and more!


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  • Personal Computer Games (October 1984)

    Posted on by Azrael Comment

    Source: Personal Computer Games – Issue Number 11 – October 1984

    Personal Computer Games is a magazine dedicated to computer games that was published in the U.K. in the 1980s. This is another magazine we didn’t really have an equivalent to in the U.S., at least in the 8-bit era. It covered computer games for multiple systems, including the Commodore 64, Spectrum, BBC/Electron, VIC-20, MSX and others. It also included type-in games. The October 1984 issue includes:

    Features

    • Commodore 64 – A review of Jeff Minter’s latest game, Ancipital; Jeff Minter gives game play tips on one of his first games, Revenge; and a type-in soccer game from Tony Crowther.
    • Spectrum – Reviews of Frank N Stein, SOS, Dartz, Mad Hatter, On the Oche, Ahhh!!!, Froot Loop, and Gremlins; a type-in game from the creator of Football Manager; and game play tips for tons of games including maps for Lords of Midnight.
    • BBC/Electron – Reviews of Drogna, Wallaby, and Mineshaft plus hints for Frak! from its programmer.
    • VIC-20/Oric – Reviews of Bricks, Starbase, Psycho Shopper, Max, Maze Gold, Squish, Minitron and Luv Bug for the VIC-20 and of Spooky Mansion for the Oric.
    • Games Competition – Win cash by submitting an idea for a game based on the theme of saving energy.
    • Football Manager – A competition to win a copy of Football Manager for the Commodore 64, BBC, Electron, Oric, Dragon, or ZX81.
    • Coin-Op Action – A look at some of the latest arcade games including Mach 3, Hyper Sports, TX-1, and Bomb Jack.
    • Autumn Mega-Games – A look at the contenders for the best game to be released leading up to the Christmas season. Some games previewed include Backpacker’s Guide to the Universe, The Great Space Race, Sherlock, Quo Vadis, Ancipital, Elite, Kokotoni Wilf, Combat Lynx, Doomdark’s Revenge, Cliff Hanger, Travel with Trashman, Underwurlde, Trollie Wallie, Poster Paster, and Seaside Special.
    • MSX Exclusive – A first look at some of the games for the new MSX computer. Games previewed include Circus Charlie, Super Cobra, Monkey Academy, Antarctic Adventure, Hyper Olympics, and others.

    Regulars

    • Notice Board – Random stuff including graphics tips for the C64, news bits, comics and more.
    • Buzz – The latest news including counterfeit cassette software, new game releases including Astrochase, Flip & Flop, Terrahawks, American Football, Battlecars, D-Day, SAS Commander, Paranoid Pete, K-Fighter, Strike Force, and lots more.
    • Byte Back – Letters from readers about liquid damage to a Spectrum, Formula 1, World Cup by Arctic, Spectrum vs. the Atari vCS, and much more.
    • Adventure World – A look at several adventure games including Eye of Bain (Spectrum), Gisburne’s Castle (BBC), Robyn Hode (Spectrum), Crusoe (Spectrum), Return of the Ring (Dragon), and Ruby Runabout (Spectrum).
    • Challenge Chamber – Two contestants face-off in Forbidden Forest for the Commodore 64.
    • The Final Conflict – The ongoing progress of a nationwide war game.

    …and more!


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