ZXSpectrum

GAMER
ISSUE 1 • OCT 2011

IN THIS ISSUE
TRASHMAN
DISCS OF
DEATH
KILLER
KONG

OLLI &
LISSA

MORE EXCITING THAN A TIN OF SPAM AT THE OPERA

 ZXS p e c
ZX Spectrum Gamer

WELCO ME darn great?

e Speccy so
Why is th .
I have a theory
MAN pany nowadays.

6
IE W : T R A S H
POSTV is concept to a big game com
Try selling th
I dare you.

10
THE GA LLERYat some classic
takes a look
Tony Hart sp bout them.
outs off a
covers and
Speccy game
F D E ATH

12
: DI S C S O
POSTVIsEpW
erformers get
really angry
er.
Where circu g their props at each oth
and start tossin
T H

14
F TH E M O N
CAKE OFrench Fancy comes under s.
The Yellow h gaming re commendation
it
the spotlight, w

15
LOADla"nc"e at some of the better rary.
A quick g s from the Speccy’s lib
loading s cre en
K O NG g

16
: K IL L E R
POSTVIEgW
ely familiar, can this Donkey Ko
n
Looking stran rcade original justice?
clone do the a
ND LI S S A

18
L L I A
: O stle, this cute
POSTVInEteW
d Scottish ca patience).
Set in a hau ts my gaming skills (and
platformer tes
OSE

20
PAR S O N S N
THE r look back into a year of
Our regula s and magazines.
gam ing, movie

2
 r u m
ct GAMER Issue 1
OCT 201 1
.co.uk /gamer
www.pcengin
paul@pcengin
e
e.co.uk
Issue 1

-chums,
Greetings, Spec
of
to the first issue er, a
am
ZX Spectrum G d in
ake
magazine so so uld take
lg ia tha t it w o
nosta T hanatos
er y brea th o f
the fi
out.
himself to dry it
s th e b e g in n in g of home
wa
The Spectrum e o p le , opening up
m an y p
gaming for o s s ib ilit ie s that were
a n d p
new worlds in a b le , and I hope to
n im a g
previously u f th o s e fin e memories.
e o
bring back som
ta c t th e m a g a zine to
on
If you want to c r suggestions, or if you
o
offer comments b le m y o u ’d like clearing
lp ro
have a persona w a n t to d raw me a
ju s t
up, or perhaps w e rs o r s o m ething,
fl o
picture of some ail at the address above.
m
then drop me a
ill b e a v a ila ble when I
w
The next issue a lit tle la te r than that if
a p s
write it, or perh one. Boing.
is
nobody reads th
sunteam_paul

ZX Spectrum Gamer is a free, non-profit, fan produced digital magazine aimed to spread the love of the good old Speccy.
All images/screenshots/artwork used in this publication are copyright their respective
owners/creators/companies and are used here for the purpose of comment, review and parody.
All written text and design is copyright Paul Weller, or the original author if stated, and is not to be reproduced without prior permission.
Many thanks to World of Spectrum (www.worldofspectrum.org) for permission to use images from their site.

3
 WELCOME
ZX Spectrum Gamer

“Imagination will often carry us to worlds that never

were. But without it we go nowhere.” Carl Sagan
Let’s face it, it takes a lot of I love going back to them. With
imagination to play Speccy games, today’s games we are spoonfed with
but that’s the beauty of them. complete, realistic worlds. There is
While flying around in something no room for the imagination any
like Starglider, you may see a few more, because the designers have
yellow lines and dots jerking across done all the hard work for us. While
the screen, but inside your head much has been gained in the last 30
the brain is creating a vast and years, it can also be said that some
futuristic landscape. The simple, things have been lost. The brain is a
blocky artwork of Valhalla manages wonderful organ, and can fill in the
to inspire images of magnificent blanks with not just imagery, but
Norse castles and ancient warriors. with emotion.
The backgrounds in Marsport are
amplified in your mind, forming a I’m not one of these angry retro
living, breathing and exciting science guys that thinks all games were
fiction universe for you to play in. better back then. In fact, you’ll find
most of them simplistic, poorly
That’s just one of the reasons that designed, overly

4
 Issue 1

HOW THE MIND

difficult and ugly. But they deserve
to be remembered, not least for the
creativity of the people that made
them; there is no other platform WORKS
on which you will find the sheer This should have been a picture of
diversity of game concepts than on a brain, but I mistyped it in Google.
our rubber keyed friend. Sorry.

I grew up with a ZX Spectrum. It was IMAGINATION PROCESSING

my first proper gaming machine and
moulded much of what I am today,
and there is still something about
the games that captures the mind.
It’s great to exercise my imagination
as I used to when I was a child, and
there’s nothing more irresistible than
pure nostalgia.

This is why I love the Spectrum.

VISUAL STIMULUS
This is the reason for this magazine. COLLECTORS

I hope you enjoy it.

sunteam_paul

Strangeloop, Starglider, Valhalla,

Tau Ceti and Marsport.

Blackadder II ©1986 BBC

5
ZX Spectrum Gamer

TRASHMAN
PUBLISHER: NEW GENERATION SOFTWARE • YEAR: 1984 • MEMORY: 48K

“I hereby announce the

annual board meeting
of New Generation
Software. Gentlemen, we
are here to discuss ideas
for our forthcoming
games. What was that
Jenkins? Chartered
Accountancy Simulator?
Yes, that sounds very
interesting but we
need something with
a little more pep to it.
Yes Smith? Ah, Super
Sewage Maintenance Brothers... It’s either
that’s quite exciting but don’t you a moment of madness or sheer
think we need something a little genius when someone decides
more, you know, above ground? that emptying people’s bins is the
Hang on, what’s that noise outside? perfect theme for a computer game,
That damn trashman again...wait a especially when you could be off
minute...” exploring strange alien worlds and
murdering exotic creatures
instead. Well it might sound
about as exciting as a maths
exam, but bear with me.

The whole premise of Trashman

is pretty obvious. You have
a series of levels, cunningly
disguised as ‘streets’ in which
you have to empty the bins
of every house in the allotted
One bite from the pooch and your resulting limp will slow you down.

6
 Issue 1

down and once it reaches zero, it’s

the dole queue for you. Add to that
the speeding cars, lunatic cyclists
on the pavement and angry dogs
that really don’t like it when you step
on the grass and you have quite a
challenge ahead of you.

But it’s not all bad. Sometimes

Careful when walking behind bushes, as your timer will
the residents will pop open their
rocket down without you noticing. front doors and invite you in for a
bit of nookie (that’s what I like to
time. Sounds easy enough, but
think anyway) giving you a boost
there are many obstacles to contend
to your bonus timer and making
with. First, your dustcart driver is an
life a lot easier. These little bonuses
impatient fellow, and keeps moving
are essential as without them, your
the van up the road. Second, your
time will be running out faster than
bonus timer is constantly counting
Charlie Sheen’s career.

THINGS PEOPLE SAY

The residents have a lot to say for themselves when inviting you in. They might not
exactly be the pinnacle of wit these days, but it was a pretty neat touch when the
game was released.
Do you think I’m a megalomaniac?
Just give me a ZX81 and I’ll control the world.
Take this thing away. My son is obsessed with it.
No one will ever believe I’ve picked up a Spectrum.
Come and see the computer my Auntie gave me.
Oh good! I thought I might need a licence for it.
Could you look at my T.V.?
I meant mend it, not watch it.
Can you help with an anagram? It’s I, ENIGMA.
I’m no good at anagrams. I can’t even imagine the answer.
Do you want a copy of 3D Monster Maze?
What on earth did you expect? An original?
Do you want a tip?
That’s got Trashman worried. I’m his tax inspector.

7
ZX Spectrum Gamer

against the clock with frogger-style

TOP TEN FAMOUS gameplay and a bit of humour (some

TRASHMEN of the comments householders

make will bring a smile), it all gels
1. Charlie Sheen together nicely. The graphics are
2. Emilio Estevez pretty appealing, with a convincing
3. Lonnie Donegan’s Old Man semi-3D effect making good use of
3. Erm...that’s it. BRIGHT settings. Animation is simple,
but effective enough, even though
trashman looks like he’s doing some
strange penguin waddle when
he walks. The game successfully
captures the atmosphere of a nice
residential area and it’s only lacking
the sounds of tweeting birds and
children playing to complete the
Golf clap. illusion. Speaking of sound, there
isn’t much of it. There is only the
Trashman is a typical example of a occasional blip when you pick up a
game concept that just shouldn’t bin, open a gate and so on, but that’s
work, but does. It’s actually quite a only to be expected of a title this old.
clever game design - mixing a race

Navigating the traffic

can be a tricky business.
Make sure your path is
clear because one hit
and it’s Game Over for
good - no retries.

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 Issue 1

Walk carefully around grass verges. A shortcut might look tempting but you can say bye bye bonus if you do.

It’s not an easy game, and you have Now, with years of gaming under
to aim for perfection to make real my belt, I’ve, erm, really not got
progress. Back in the day, I barely that much better at it (curse those
used to be able to make it to the speeding motorists!). But do I care?
third street, but that never really Not a jot, because the life of a
bothered me because I just had fun Trashman is fun, and that’s all that
playing. really matters. SP

VERDICT: it might be trash but it’s

certainly not garbage, har.

9
ZX Spectrum Gamer

A L L E R Y
THE G featuring Tony Hart

A wonderful image
here from David
in Gloucester.
A strong central
composition using
a carefully chosen
palette of colours.
One can almost
feel the sense of movement, and the lithe , well muscled
figure is very elegant and almost sensual in its nature ,
captured by a thousand hands that caress it, rubbing
against the smooth flesh in a sort of dance of ecstasy, the
beat of your heart pulsating and throbbing, throbbing,
excitement builds until you are encompassed in a
heady delirium of pleasure and feel flowing from you
the - *ahem* well , it ’s a nice picture David , well
done ..

10
 Issue 1

This is from Michael in

Bolton . What a pile of
crap. Poorly conceived
and badly drawn , this
picture actually makes
me physically sick . You
stink , Michael .

Amanda in Chipshop sent

this in . I like the cute little
tortoise . Or is it a turtle?
You know, I can never tell
the difference , except turtle
has a slightly richer flavour
and is not as stringy. But
you get more meat on a
tortoise . I love to scoop it
out with a spoon!

11
ZX Spectrum Gamer

DISCS OF DEATH
PUBLISHER: ARTIC COMPUTING LTD • YEAR: 1985 • MEMORY: 48K

I’ve set myself a challenge here. I’m First impressions are mixed. The
going to write this review without a graphics are somewhat bland,
single mention of Tron. consisting of a simple square pattern
and faux-vector platforms, and the
Oh, bugger. game uses the default Spectrum
font, which is always the sign of
Well, the plot of this game has low production values. The joystick
obviously nothing to do with Tron controls are also somewhat counter
as you have to play in an arena and intuitive as well - to move your
become a Disc Warrior Champion. aiming target (which slides along
You battle to the death in an un- the back wall of the arena) you have
Tronlike way while throwing discs to constantly fumble with the fire
which are completely different
to the ones in Tron and
jumping from platform to
platform with only your barrier
skill to protect you (which I
might add bears absolutely
no resemblance to the one in
the Discs of Tron arcade game,
honest).

So there you have it. Discs of

Death (or Disks of Death if
Raise your hands by pushing down. Makes perfect sense.
you believe the title screen) is
probably one of the least subtle rip- button as each press changes its
offs of the classic Discs of Tron arcade direction. Keyboard control is only a
game. Now, I quite like the arcade little more sensible as it allows you
game so the prospect of a Speccy different buttons to move the target
version is not something that I find left and right, but the keys are all
completely unpleasant. grouped along the number row and
are not redefinable.

12
 Issue 1

This game is
actually quite
addictive. Sure,
it’s frustratingly
unfair sometimes
(particularly the
homing shots that
cannot be deflected
and kill you even
after you have
zapped the other
guy). It might be a
goofy, messed up
(and somewhat
The duellers engage in a spot of ungraceful synchronised leaping.
repetitive) version
So I was pretty much ready to write of Discs of Tron, but I’d actually say
this one off. It looks a bit cheap, is it’s worth a few rounds, but only a
fiddly to control and has constant few. SP
sound effects that make you feel
like you’re being attacked by a WANNA GO BACK
TO MY PLACE FNAR
swarm of angry bees. But strangely, AND DE-FRAG?
I discovered that I’d been playing for
quite some time, determined to get
to the next level and finding much
satisfaction in seeing my opponent
disintegrating each round.

VERDICT: A bit rough round the

edges but give it a shot.

13
ZX Spectrum
PC Engine Gamer
Gamer

Cake of the Month

YUMMY YUMMY YUMMY, I’VE GOT CAKE IN MY TUMMY
This month’s cake is a much loved warned however, that you should
after-school classic, the Yellow French not try to enjoy the Yellow French
Fancy. This particular little delight is Fancy while playing the pseudo-
a rare beast as it is often the first to sequel Zombie Zombie. This game is
be snatched up after the packet is best played in conjunction with the
opened, leading to many a tearful Brown French Fancy.
retreat from the kitchen. The whole
concept of the French Fancy is truly Those of a more emotional nature
remarkable: a soft sponge square and passionate disposition will find
coated in delicious lemon icing. But that the Yellow French Fancy works
the true stroke of genius lies in the extremely well during intense bouts
nipple-like blob of buttercream that of Sam Fox’s Strip Poker, due to the
sits hidden on the top like a baby aforementioned nipular nature of
about to pop forth from a lemony the cake. The inclusion of two in
flavoured expectant mother. every pack also provides an exquisite
symmetry to the game itself.

If you have exhausted your supply,

you may still be able to alleviate your
desire for French Fancies somewhat
by watching Sophie Marceau in The
World is Not Enough.

The Yellow French Fancy is the Do you

perfect accompaniment to many like pink?
games. The more logical and
mathematical mind will enjoy this
treat most whilst playing Ant Attack. I’m RATHER
The isometric nature of the Yellow PARTIAL TO
French Fancy works exceedingly THE BROWN,
ACTUALLY
well with the style of the game itself,
bringing out the true flavour. Be

14
LOAD " "
Issue 1

Rambo: First Blood Part II : Ocean Software Ltd : 1985

Bosconian ‘87 : Mastertronic : 1987

15
ZX Spectrum Gamer

KILLER KONG
PUBLISHER: BLABY COMPUTER GAMES • YEAR: 1983 • MEMORY: 48K

There’s one thing I really want to shed (goodness knows what he was
know. Who is the person shipping all doing in there), the poor chap runs
these gorillas in from Africa and then about looking like he has two broken
letting them loose on construction legs (probably done while trying
sites? I mean, there has to be to fit himself into his tiny shed).
someone doing it, but I just can’t Through a series of girders, ladders
figure out why. And how come the and the occasional lift, he has to
barrel storage department is always make his way to the top of the screen
on the top floor? If they just stored and rescue his lady.
pillows up there, half these problems
just wouldn’t arise.

Anyway, you might have guessed by

now that Killer Kong is another one
of those Donkey Kong clones that
we all love so much. Our hero (that
would be you) is a curious sort of
fellow. Emerging from a very small
PUT YOUR PAWS A rare screenshot taken of the barrels not flickering.
ALL OVER ME, YOU
DIRTY LITTLE APE. She’s a fickle kind of girl, because
rather than her heart swelling with
joy as you approach, her love for you
is counting down the whole time. So
presumably, even though you may
take all your effort to get her away
from the sweaty ape, she’s going to
dump you anyway.

Speaking of the ape, this sucker is

mad. Really mad. So mad in fact that
he slides back and forth (presumably

16
 Issue 1

he’s wearing roller skates) and

occasionally lobs a barrel at you.
These barrels come thick and fast
at you at all times, but it’s lucky that
despite your oddly bendy legs you
are actually pretty good at jumping.
Maybe they work like springs or
something.
Getting captured time after time, you begin to suspect
your girl has a thing for apes.

the programmers had to take some

short cuts: the girders are all straight
and not slanted like the original and
instead of a cool hammerin’ hammer,
you just get rather unappetising
green hamburgers that do nothing
but provide some bonus points.
Don’t jump off the lift from too high or it’s splatto.

Killer Kong might actually be pretty Stupidly, when you hit Game Over,
good if it didn’t play like a magazine the game chooses to start up again
type-in. The movement is really without pause or a return to a
jerky - character square movement title screen - it just assumes you’re
instead of pixel precision, and the having another go immediately. This
barrels tend to flicker enough to is quite presumptuous, especially
make things really tricky, particularly considering that after 3 or 4 goes,
at times when they are coming at you’re likely to switch it off and play
you from all directions. It’s obvious something a little more polished. SP

VERDICT: Jerky gameplay and

flickery sprites make Kong mad.

17
ZX Spectrum Gamer

OLLI & LISSA

PUBLISHER: FIREBIRD SOFTWARE LTD • YEAR: 1986 • MEMORY: 48K

Ghosts generally get a bad rep in the required doobries. ‘Only eight
games, so it’s nice that Olli and Lissa screens?’ I hear you cry. Well there are
has you helping Sir Humphrey, the two reasons for this. The first is that
ghost of Shilmore Castle. You see, the it was originally a budget release.
castle has been purchased by some The second is that is it harder than
chap with a whole pile of cash, and winning the 100 metres sprint with
is due to be shipped from Scotland no arms or legs. Or torso.
to America. Sir Humphrey is a little
narked about this because he’s a Olli and Lissa is not just hard. It’s
ghost that you can see, and nobody stupid hard. Some games are difficult
is afraid of those any more. So he in a reasonable and understandable
needs eight ingredients to brew up a way. This is just bad, bad design.
potion that will make him invisible. I can’t count the number of times
that I’ve been killed jumping over
What is all boils down to is an eight- the VERY FIRST enemy. You have to
screen platform game that has you be pixel perfect with every jump,
avoiding monsters and jumping something that is far more difficult in
over dangerous rivers to collect this game than in something like Jet
Set Willy. At one point I was
having flashbacks to Jack
and the Beanstalk, which
still haunts me to this day.

This is a pity as there is

much to like about old Ol’
and Lis’. The graphics are
very colourful and really
well drawn, especially
the cartoony sprites.
Presentation is great as well
- when you Game Over, Sir
It’s the first screen and the collision detection is already beginning Humphrey comes along
to wind me up.

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 Issue 1

OSTS
and bashes you over a head with
his broom for being such a loser
(although after the 23rd time this
POPULAR GH
Ghosts of The
does begin to grate a little). The
Motley Hall
sound effects are decent enough
I’m too young to
and the music is good, but none
remember this.
of this can save it from what is
Um, honest.
essentially an overly frustrating
experience that just isn’t any fun to
Rentaghost
play. Olli and Lissa is like a really cute
looking puppy that you take home, Hands up if you
d to give
only to find out it’s actually an angry wante
badger with a weak bladder who Mr Claypole a
only eats eggy-bread and demands good slap in
to go for a walk at 2am every the face.
morning. Or something. SP Steve Jobs
Hands up if
you wanted to
give Steve Jobs
a good slap in
the face.

Stage 2 is even harder than Stage 1. Which is probably

why I’ve never got to Stage 3.

VERDICT: It may look fresh,

but it’s all mouldy on the inside.

19
ZX Spectrum Gamer

THE

PARSON’S NOSE
The unpopular fleshy arse end of the magazine

1982
MOVIES
Due to be released later this year is a
new movie by Muppets creator Jim
THE WAR Henson. It’s called The Dark Crystal
It’s early days in the war, but the and is a fantasy adventure about
Commode 64 is already showing its some elves or something. Because
true colours - or not (har har). The Jim Henson is involved, I’m sure it
visual extravaganza that is Choplifter will be a laugh-a-minute comedy,
is a fine example of utter graphical and I’m expecting some cameo
dullness. A bland white chopper with appearances from everybody’s
favourite green frog. I can’t wait.

If this were on the Speccy, it would look super-cool.

a boring grey floor. Hell, even the
red looks like it’s faded in the sun.
They’ll have to come up with better
than this to hold a candle to the That’s rather a strange looking pussy.
Speccy, but I doubt they will as I am
going to construct a massive shrine Also due for release is another
to Uncle Clive which will generate fantasy adventure called Conan
huge amounts of SPECtral energy the Barbarian. Unfortunately they
to deconvert all those brainwashed couldn’t afford a famous actor to
by that ugly beige box. I urge you star, so they just got this Austrian
all to do the same if we are to be bodybuilder with a funny name. I
victorious. expect it will be a flop.

20
 Issue 1

ARCADES
New in arcades is ‘Kram’ by Taito. You
play a red blob with eyes who has to
collect all the bonus points on the
map while avoiding the evil floating
skulls. You can place walls to block
their path, but there are also nasty
little diggers that chop down your
barriers and let the skulls loose.

You need lighting fast reactions to win in Pengo.

MAGAZINES
Exciting news for Spectrum owners..
It’s not Horace, it’s Kram - the new game from Taito.
April this year sees a brand new
It’s a pretty tricky game, but it could magazine called Sinclair User.
make a great conversion for the Available for only 60p, this promises
Speccy. I hope someone picks it up. ‘pages and pages of programs’.
Hopefully the mag will be great and
‘Pengo’ by Sega is another cute game not turn into a
that deserves a conversion. You are a self-important
penguin who is stuck in a maze and unfunny rag
must avoid the green slimes that are with awful
after him. You have no weapons, but reviews and
you can push ice blocks to slide and editors that
crush your enemies. love to slap
‘exclusive’
I found this game very difficult and over
it will require a lot of practice to everything.
master, but it looks great and has But I’m sure
some excellent sound - there’s even that won’t
music while you play! happen.

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w w w. p c e n g i n e. c o. u k / s u n t e a m