Category: -Reviews-

Reviews Archive | Short reviews of retro video games from various vintage systems such as the Amstrad CPC, Atari, Commodore, and Sinclair Spectrum.

Turbo Esprit: Amstrad CPC464 September Review

Posted by  on September 1, 2021

Turbo Esprit: September featured game

Turbo Esprit is a 3D, free roaming, race ‘n’ chase from way back in 1986. Yep, 35 years ago.

Turbo Esprit Amstrad CPC 464Turbo Esprit: All that’s msissing is a radio

I first played Turbo Esprit on my cousin’s 48K ‘Jelly Key’ Spectrum back in 1986 and promptly bought it for my Speccy 128K soon after. I was pleased to see there was an Amstrad version available so I had to give it a shot. I’ll try not to make too many comparisons with the Speccy version, nor attempt to judge it on my previous experience of that version.

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Robocop: Atari 8bit Family August Review

Posted by  on August 1, 2021

Robocop: August featured game

Robocop is known for being somewhat a classic on almost every system of the time. The Atari 8bit is no different… Nah! I’m kidding. It’s the worst version I’ve played.

Robocop Atari 8bit FamilyHello Sir. I’m looking for a grenade, have you seen one?

Oh dear. What to say about this game? I was expecting something along the lines of the ZX Spectrum version but this is nothing like it.

Growing up in the 8bit era I know that although there were some amazing games around there was also some right old tosh. The Atari 8bit family does have some great games, Star Raiders II being a great example of what the machine could produce but Robocop slips firmly into the right old tosh category. Continue reading “Robocop: Atari 8bit Family August Review” →

Street Gang Football: Sinclair ZX Spectrum July Review

Posted by  on July 1, 2021

Street Gang Football: July featured game

Street Gang Football is not your usual computer footy game. There’s no pitch, just cold, hard brick and tarmac, with plenty of virtually grazed kneecaps.

Street Gang Football SpectrumStreet Gang Football

Well, it’s certainly no Sensible Soccer or FIFA but I have to say I took an immediate liking to this game. The idea behind this game is nothing short of brilliant on Code Masters part. It reminds me of playing football with my friends during the school holidays when I was young.

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Dark Chambers: Atari 7800 June Review

Posted by  on June 1, 2021

Dark Chambers: June featured game

It’s June and it’s #AtariMonth so this month’s review is a game described as the spiritual successor to Gauntlet, Dark Chambers, a remake of the 1983 game, Dandy.

Dark Chambers Atari 7800Loading screen

There’s no mistaking this is a form of Gauntlet. The game starts and instantly you recognise the playing field. My first instinct was to brace myself for hordes of enemies… that, apparently, didn’t get an invite. Taking a quick walk around I got the feeling I’d entered this dungeon during a bank holiday, or maybe everyone was Social Distancing? I encountered approximately 10 enemies in the first area, most seemed disinterested in the fact I was roaming their dungeons.

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Hotel Mario: Philips CD-i May Review

Posted by  on May 1, 2021

Hotel Mario: May featured game

Mario’s first outing on the Philips CD-i comes in the shape of Hotel Mario.

Hotel Mario: Philips CD-iHotel Mario: Level 1

I’ve seen Hotel Mario slated on many occasions. As a Mario game I can understand the dislike but I prefer to look at Hotel Mario as an ode to the Golden Age arcade era. If you strip away the Mario-ness of it all and look at Hotel Mario for what it is then there’s a game akin to the likes of Donkey Kong or Burgertime, admittedly 10-15 years too late, but it can still be fun.

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