Softography

Below is a brief synopsis of all the games published by Ocean Software, listed in chronological order. Notice how the graphics standards improve over the years. Ocean held good relationships with some of industry's key software houses including Denton Designs and Sensible Software. They also struck deals with makers of arcade games and film franchises, as well as developing their own titles in-house.




Donkey Kong (1983)

Available on: ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64
Developed by: Nintendo, Inc.
Number of Players: 1
Controls: Keyboard, Joystick

Description
"HELP! HELP!" cries the beautiful maiden as she is dragged up a labyrinth of structural beams by the ominous Donkey Kong. "SNORT. SNORT". Foreboding music warns of the eventual doom that awaits the poor girl, lest she somehow be miraculously rescued. "But, wait! Fear not, fair maiden. Little Mario, the carpenter, is in hot pursuit of you in this very moment". Throwing fate to the wind, risking life and limb, or worse, little Mario tries desparately to climb the mighty fortress of steel, to save the lovely lady from the evil Mr. Donkey Kong. Little Mario must dodge all manner of obstacles - fireballs, plummeting beams and a barrage of exploding barrels fired at him by Donkey Kong. Amidst the beautiful girls' constant please for help, your challenge is to manoeuvre little Mario up the steel structure, while helping him to avoid the rapid-fire succession of hazards that come his way. As little Mario gallantly battles his way up the barriers, he is taunted and teased by Donkey Kong, who brazently struts back and forth, beating his chest in joyful exuberance at the prospect of having the beautiful girl all to himself. It is your job to get little Mario to the top. For it is there, and only there, that he can send the mighty Donkey Kong to his mortal doom. Leaving little Mario and the beautiful girl to live happily ever after. "SIGH. SIGH".

Hunchback (1983)

Available on: ZX Spectrum, VIC-20, Commodore 64, Amstrad CPC, Dragon 32/64, MSX, PC
Developed By: Century Electronics
Number of Players: 1
Controls: Keyboard, Joystick

Description
QUASIMODO must rescue the imprisoned Esmerelda from the castle stronghold. Jump along the Ramparts, swing over the fiery pit, dodge the Arrows and Fireballs and remember to keep ahead of the chasing Knight. 15 Screens each one more difficult than the last. A Demonstration Mode is available to view the competed game - GOOD LUCK!

 

Pogo (1983)

Available on: ZX Spectrum
Developed By: R&R Software
Number of Players: 1
Controls: Keyboard, Joystick

Description
Pogo has landed on the Planet of [Steps] and must keep alive by painting all the levels on which he can jump. Unfortunately he has been pursued from his birthplace by his enemies who are out to stop him. The glass ball will try to crush him as it chinks down the steps and the scorpion will sting poor Pogo if he gets too close. His worst enemy however is Hiss the wily snake, intelligent in its movement and deadly. Pogo can make good his escape by enticing the snake to the side of the steps and then leaping off on to the rotating transporter while the snake falls to its slithery end. The transporter will carry Pogo to the top to begin his painting again. When all the steps are coloured bonus points are earned and a more difficult level appears. Good Luck!

 

Royal Birkdale Championship Golf (1983)

Available on: ZX Spectrum
Developed By: Ocean Software Ltd
Number of Players: 1
Controls: Keyboard, Joystick

Description
This famous golf course has hosted championship golf since 1946, including the British Open Championship, which was first held at Royal Birkdale in 1954, the winner being Peter Thompson. In 1963 Tom Watson's memorable fifth triumph in the sunshine is still fresh in the minds of all who witnessed it. Try now to emulate the golfing 'Greats' who have walked Birkdale's links over the years. You will find it tough at first but with perseverance you will begin to produce 'professional' scores.

THE GAME

The Royal Birkdaie Championship Course is as accurately produced as the medium will allow and includes all the natural features of this testing course including ' Arnold Palmers Plaque'. The local wind conditions are also represented. They can be random, or you can set the conditions yourself. 1. Firstly the computer asks you to type in your name. Your name is announced on every tee and your scorecard is automatically signed. 2. The next question refers to wind effects. If you are a beginner it is suggested that you type in 'Y' then wind Direction 0 and Wind Force p. This will mean in effect that there is no wind and your shot will be unaltered by wind effects. If you are feeling more confident, type in 'N', which will initiate full wind effects. It will produce a random wind direction and a wind force. This will slowly change during your round so keep an eye on the arrow indicator and the wind direction in compass degrees above the arrow, and the wind strength which is printed below the arrow. The maximum force is 32 which simulates gale force conditions.

 

Cavelon (1984)

Available on: ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64
Developed By: Jetsoft
Number of Players: 1
Controls: Keyboard, Joystick

Description
-

 

Daley Thompson's Decathlon (1984)

Available on: ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64, Amstrad CPC
Developed By: Ocean Software Ltd
Number of Players: 1
Controls: Keyboard, Joystick

Description
Simulating all ten events in the most gruelling event in the history of the Olympiad you will find the superb full-colour graphics and animation breathtaking enertainment. Ten staggering events for the price of one and great fun for all the family. Daley Thompson's Decathlon simulates all 10 events in this gruelling test of skill and stamina. The game runs on the 48K Sinclair Spectrum and is controlled by the keyboard or a number of joystick options.

 

Hunchback II: Quasimodo's Revenge (1984)

Available on: ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64, Amstrad CPC
Developed By: Century Electronics
Number of Players: 1
Controls: Keyboard, Joystick

Description
QUASIMODO must reach Esmarelda imprisoned in the castle stronghold. During each of the first six screens he must collect bonus bells, or push bells to the top of the rope (screen 6 only), to reach the giant bell in order to go on to the next, more difficult screen which will bring him nearer to achieving his ultimate goal (on screen 7 by collecting all bonus bells), - to rescue the beautiful Esmarelda. The sinister castle stronghold is fraught with danger and menacing creatures such as fireballs, arrows, bats and birds and more! After rescuing Esmarelda you can continue playing from screen one but on an ever increasing level of difficulty but keep you chin up, Quasi can do it if you can!

 

Moon Alert (1984)

Available on: ZX Spectrum
Developed By: Ocean Software Ltd
Number of Players: 1
Controls: Keyboard, Joystick

Description
Emergency! Moon Alert ... Space Fighter 7 is blasted by the alien attackers; your hope for survival rests in reaching the moon-base from the wreckage of your ship. Moon Rova appears undamaged and armed with bilateral photon cannon and perpendicular jet boosters, you set out across the rugged terrain; but the aliens have located your crash site and are even now scouring the planet's surface. Accelerate, brake, jump over canyons, blast rocks, zap the aliens and above all keep a cool nerve ... one false move and it's all over! Good Luck!

 

Mr.Wimpy: The Hamburger Game (1984)

Available on: ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64
Developed By: Ocean Software Ltd
Number of Players: 1
Controls: Keyboard, Joystick

Description
The zaniest, craziest burger battle! Fight Waldo and the rebel ingredients to make your delicious Wimpy burger. 100% machine code and hi-resolution multicolour graphics produce the best from your 48K ZX SPECTRUM. Made in the UK Its program code, graphic representation and artwork are the copyright of Ocean Software Limited and may not be reproduced, stored, hired or broadcast in any form whatsoever without the written permission of O.S.L. All rights reserved. The program runs on the 48 ZX SPECTRUM.

 

Cosmic Wartoad (1985)

Available on: ZX Spectrum
Developed By: Denton Designs
Number of Players: 1
Controls: Keyboard, Joystick

Description
The Queen of the Cosmic Wartoads has been abducted and imprisoned by THE RYGELLIAN SLIME BEASTS, their deadliest foe. Chained beneath the murderous Sludge Saw in the King's chamber and transformed into an apparition of horror to the Wartoads (namely a human female), her fate is measured by the descent of the blade, which unless stopped will slice her in two! The task of rescue has fallen to you, the most heroic Cosmic Wartoad, to traverse the Rygellian Time-Void, reach the Slime King's lair and dismantle the deathly machine with your Cosmic Tool Kit. The eight pieces of the Tool Kit are scattered around the Time- Vacuums of the Void and must be collected en-route to your goal. They are: Intergalactic whisk, Chronosynclastic stanley knife, X-Ray binoculars, Stellar fish, Death-Ray smutt gun, 3 million megawatt light bulb, Cosmic axe and a Zippo lighter. The reward for success is the hand of the Queen and all her Kingdom; the penalty for failure is death!

 

Daley Thompson's Supertest (1985)

Available on: ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64, Amstrad CPC
Developed By: Ocean Software Ltd
Number of Players: 1
Controls: Keyboard, Joystick

Description
Daley Thompson's Supertest is an eight event game divided into two days of competition. The first day's tests are recorded on side one of your data cassette and the second day's on side two. You have three lives and must pit your skills and agility against the computer and the clock. Failure to "qualify" in any of the events will forfeit a life.

 

Frankie Goes to Hollywood (1985)

Available on: ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64
Developed By: Denton Designs
Number of Players: 1
Controls: Keyboard, Joystick

Description
Frankie have sent you over 60 tasks in your journey from Mundanesville through the Pleasure Dome. Tasks ranging from the trivial, to heroic feats of skill and intelligence. Whenever you complete these challenges a bar-chart will show your increase in the various elements of your personality and Pleasure points will be awarded. Your goal is to become a complete person and to achieve this you must reach the top on the Bar Charts (when the letters BANG will appear above the personality factors) and achieve a score of 99,000 Pleasure Points. This combination awards you the minimum requirement (99% a complete person) to search for the Special Door - the Door to the Ultimate Experience - the heart of the Pleasure Dome.

 

Match Day (1985)

Available on: ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64, Amstrad CPC, MSX
Developed By: Ocean Software Ltd
Number of Players: 2
Controls: Keyboard, Joystick

Description
You have control of the player in possession of the ball or that player who is best placed to tackle or intercept the ball. This player is indicated on-screen by his socks turning the colour of the rest of his strip.

 

The Neverending Story (1985)

Available on: ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64, Amstrad CPC, Apple II, Atari 8-bit computers
Developed By: Denton Designs
Number of Players: 1
Controls: Keyboard, Joystick

Description
-

 

Batman (1986)

Available on: ZX Spectrum, Amstrad CPC, MSX
Developed By: Ocean Software Ltd
Number of Players: 1
Controls: Keyboard, Joystick

Description
BAT EQUIPMENT These 4 items must be collected before Batman can begin his task. They are indicated at the bottom right of the playing screen and will automatically be highlighted when collected. BATBOOTS - These will allow Batman to jump. BATBAG - This enables Batman to pick up and carry items around a location - Press Carry again to drop them. (Note: items may not be moved from the location they start in). BAT-THRUSTER - This lets Batman have horizontal control when falling, but has no effect on the speed of his descent. BATBELT - This is a low gravity device which halves the speed of descent. EXTRA POWERS Batman is able to collect extra powers on his journey. These powers are not everlasting but will help Batman do battle with the henchmen. There are four extra powers and a fifth neutralizing power which Batman must try and avoid: EXTRA LIFE - This increases the number of lives. ENERGY - Collecting one of these enables Batman to travel at greatly increased speed for a short time. SHIELDS - These make Batman invulnerable for a short time. JUMP - These enable Batman to jump twice the normal height. NEUTRALIZER - These should be avoided. Collecting one of these will cancel all Batman's extra powers.

 

Cobra (1986)

Available on: ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64, Amstrad CPC
Developed By: Ocean Software Ltd
Number of Players: 1
Controls: Keyboard, Joystick

Description
The Cobra strikes!

As vigilante cop, Marion Cobretti of the 'Zombie Squad', you must rescue top fashion model Ingrid Knutsen from an army of psychotic killers and the evil clutches of 'The Night Slasher'.

 

 

The Great Escape (1986)

Available on: ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64, Amstrad CPC, PC
Developed By: Denton Designs
Number of Players: 1
Controls: Keyboard, Joystick

"Development on The Great Escape was begun before Ocean got into licensing movies, so it was just "inspired" by the original Great Escape movie. The game title was used simply because it best portrayed the game's plot."

Gary Bracey, ex-Ocean employee


Description
The year is 1942, the place Germany. War has broken out and you have been captured and placed in a high security P.O.W. camp. Victory may be far away, so it is your duty to escape, but this will not be easy. It will take careful planning and much patience, culminating in a skilful and resourceful implementation. In the camp you are closely guarded but while you follow the daily routine you will need to slip away unnoticed to reconnoitre the situation and collect tools and materials necessary for your chosen escape route. There are many avenues of escape, some difficult, all certainly dangerous and each one requiring different skills or equipment.

 

Hunchback: The Adventure (1986)

Available on: ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64, Amstrad CPC, PC
Developed By: Ocean Software Ltd
Number of Players: 1
Controls: Keyboard, Joystick

Description
-

 

 

Miami Vice (1986)

Available on: ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64
Developed By: Canvas
Number of Players: 1
Controls: Keyboard, Joystick

Description
Crockett and Tubbs have heard; the word is on the street - a one million dollar contraband shipment is due in town on Thursday morning, for collection by Mr. 'J' - an old fashioned gangster with a respectable new image and some influential friends. These big deals usually go down under the cover of a waterfront warehouse and as of Midnight Sunday that's as much as you know. Just get out there and squeeze the network of dealers; starting with the real low - life, the $10 wrap men who frequent the local bars. If you handle them right you just might get to their suppliers, the next link in the chain and eventually the slick businessmen who operate in the casinos - they should have lots of information if you don't have to shoot them first!

 

N.O.M.A.D. (1986)

Available on: ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64, Amstrad CPC
Developed By: Ocean Software Ltd
Number of Players: 1
Controls: Keyboard, Joystick

Description
Out in the vastness of space lies the heart of an Intergalactic Criminal Network, TALOS, a man-made asteroid slowly spinning through the void, spreading its evil through the Universe. At the head of this seemingly unstoppable force sits one man, the unspeakably vile Cyrus T.Gross. A name spoken only in whispered voices, Gross is the embodiment of all that is criminal. Avoiding any attempt to curtail his ever spreading empire, he has crushed all opposition and seems invincible, ruling his depraved Zealots with a fist of iron and a heart of ice. In a last ditch attempt, the rulers of the Free Worlds have called in the Nemesis organisation, a hardened cadre of humanoid and robotic freebooters who have assigned N.O.M.A.D. 471 (Nemesis Organisation Mobile Attack Droid) to penetrate Gross's heavily armed homeworld and destroy this vile despot once and for all. Your mission is to guide N.O.M.A.D. through the four sections of Capital City towards Gross's inner sanctum. You arrive at the spaceport and must then progress through the slums, into the city centre and penetrate the HQ; "Dun Dentin', before you reach his personal quarters for the final deadly confrontation. Many dangers await you in all sections of Capital City. In true cowardly style, Gross has installed magnotrons, heat-seeking missiles, and an infinity of equally deadly obstacles, all of which must be confronted and conquered.

 

Parallax (1986)

Available on: Commodore 64
Developed By: Sensible Software
Number of Players: 1
Controls: Keyboard, Joystick

Description
-

 

Rambo: First Blood Part II (1986)

Available on: Commodore 64
Developed By: Ocean Software Ltd
Number of Players: 1
Controls: Keyboard, Joystick

Description
THE ACTION is set in the Vietnamese jungle - A reconnaisance mission which turns into a rescue! You are JOHN RAMBO a highly trained jungle fighter whose instructions are to gain entry to a P.O.W. (Prisoner of War), camp and photograph evidence of American war prisoners - but having found them will your conscience let you walk away?

 

Short Circuit (1986)

Available on: ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64
Developed By: Ocean Software Ltd
Number of Players: 1
Controls: Keyboard, Joystick

Description
Number 5 is alive! - a robot in the SAINT (Strategic Artificially Intelligent Nuclear Transport) series has gone haywire. A million to one chance has resulted in a lightning bolt striking the automaton and bringing it consciousness. Now the scientist who put him together wants to take him apart again to find out what went wrong. The President of Nova Robotics wants to capture him before the weapons he is carrying kill millions of civilians - and the security chief wants to blow him up so that he can get home in time for dinner. You are Number five... You are alive and you aim to stay that way!

 

Super Bowl (1986)

Available on: ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64, Amstrad CPC
Developed By: Ocean Software Ltd
Number of Players: 1
Controls: Keyboard, Joystick

Description
The game SUPERBOWL revolves around the two teams who made it to the final of SUPERBOWL XX, played on 26th January, 1986 at the New Orleans stadium. The two finalists were the CHICAGO BEARS and the NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS: the final score was: BEARS 46 PATRIOTS 10 This is your chance to replay that wonderful final in this superb computer simulation. It's up to you, now... AMERICAN FOOTBALL is played in FOUR QUATERS of FIVETEEN MINUTES duration each. Super Bowl shows a display starting at 15 minutes which reduces to 0, but the game clock has been accelerated to last approximately 90 seconds per quater of actual processor time. Naturally the clock does not run whilst you are organising the various strategies. The teams change ends at the end of each quater, and the FIRST and THIRD QUATERS commence each HALF with a KICK OFF. For the purposes of this game, the game clock is stopped on the completion of each play, and is restarted at the SNAP of each successive play. The game is played in two sections, OFFENSE and DEFENSE. Each team is controlled by a series of comprehensive menus, the OFFENSE always being selected first. If you wish to play the game but are a little worried about its complexity, then worry no more, for SUPERBOWL has been designed to allow the total novice to play without understanding it finer points. When faced with the OFFENSE menu, all you need to do is select the PLAY GAME option, at which point, control is transferred to the DEFENCE menu. The person playing DEFENCE (or the computer) can again simply select the PLAY GAME option. The game will then begin when the OFFENSE presses the fire button. Of course, the subsequent game will not be as sophisticated as if the menus has been utilised, but will certainly allow you to become familiar with the concept of this simulation.

 

Top Gun (1986)

Available on: ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64, Amstrad CPC, Atari ST, NES, PC
Developed By: Ocean Software Ltd
Number of Players: 2
Controls: Keyboard, Joystick

Description
The "TOP GUN" game puts you in the pilot's seat of an F-14 jet fighter. 3-D vector graphics and split screen display allow one or two players to combat head to head or against the computer. Your armaments in this nerve- tingling aerial duel are heat seeking missiles and 20mm rapid fire cannon. Many skills have to be brought in to play such as reflexes, manoeuvering ability and accuracy to become the best of the best. "Top Gun" mavericks enter the danger zone!

 

Combat School (1987)

Available on: ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64, PC
Developed By: Konami Industry Co. Ltd
Number of Players: 1
Controls: Keyboard, Joystick

Description
Chin-up! Chest out! You have enlisted with the elite marine corps -the U.S.A.'s finest. A barrage of tough, gruelling, physically demanding events face you if you are to become a crack trooper. Your objective is to graduate, but your mettle will be severely tested as the toughest course of training events are presented to you. It may not end there! If you do graduate, there's a good chance you will be sent on a crucial mission - one that will examine your physical capabilities to the full! To graduate is your ambition, but will you even survive?

 

Double Take (1987)

Available on: ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64
Developed By: Ocean Software Ltd
Number of Players: 1
Controls: Keyboard, Joystick

Fossil did the C64 version in-house with graphics by the incredible Andy Sleigh.


Description
-

 

Head Over Heels (1987)

Available on: ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64, Amstrad CPC, Atari ST, Amiga, Atari 8-bit, MSX
Developed By: Ocean Software Ltd
Number of Players: 1
Controls: Keyboard, Joystick

Description
Head and Heels have been captured, separated and imprisoned in the castle headquaters of Blacktooth. Their cells contain 'keep fit' equipment, including a wall ladder that Head really must learn to climb. Your job is to get them both out of the castle and into the market place so they can join up again. From there, the journey leads to Moonbase Headquaters, where you will have to decide either to try to escape back to Freedom or to be a true hero and teleport to one of the slave planets to search for its lost crown! To overthrow the dictatorship on any of the slave planets would be a major blow to Blacktooth and you could return to Freedom in glory. Of course Blacktooth would probably enslave them again eventually but it would slow down any expansion plans for now. The populace of Blacktooth are so heavily oppressed that they would have to see all four of the slave planets revolt before the Blacktooth crown could cause an uprising. This of course would be the ultimate accolade, and unfortunately, almost certain suicide.

 

 

Match Day II (1987)

Available on: ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64, Amstrad CPC, MSX
Developed By: Ocean Software Ltd
Number of Players: 1
Controls: Keyboard, Joystick

Description
Match Day II is an all action arcade soccer simulation featuring variable strength volleys, lobs, backheels and ground shots, jumping headers, barging, diving keepers, variable tactics and the highly accurate diamond deflection system. You may compete against your friend or against a computer team; alternatively you and your friend may team up against the computer. Match Day II also features a league championship, cup competition, user definable keys and lots, lots more! Match Day II will run on both 48k and 128k Spectrums, and features enhanced sound on the 128k models. The game may be played with keys or the following joysticks: KEMPSTON, FULLER, INTERFACE II and the built-in joysticks on the Spectrum +2 and +3. In addition, any joystick that presses keys may be defined from the keyboard menu.

 

Mutants (1987)

Available on: ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64, Amstrad CPC
Developed By: Denton Designs
Number of Players: 1
Controls: Keyboard, Joystick

Description
The game is set in a distant future, when man has colonised the remote star systems and matter can be manipulated with ease. Unfortunately man's political and moral development has remained stagnant since the second millenium and Inter-stellar War has raged for the last 600 years. You are a member of a thinly spread group of dissenters who are opposed to the weapons research carried out by the Survivor Zero Corporation; have discovered that the weapons used by all sides in the war are supplied by the Corporation, and that they are currently experimenting with a new generation of weapons called Macro-Genetic Mutoids. MGM's are the first scale biological weapons capable of mutating into ever more virulent and robust species, hance the name "Mutants" - your task is to eliminate this deadly system... it will not be easy.

 

 

Platoon (1987)

Available on: ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64, Amstrad CPC, MSX, Apple II, Atari ST, Amiga, NES, PC
Developed By: Ocean Software Ltd
Number of Players: 1
Controls: Keyboard, Joystick

Description
You are a raw young recruit in a Platoon of five, deep in enemy territory. Unprepared for the challenges that lie ahead, realisation dawns that you must not only survive the physical ordeals but retain your sanity amidst the horrors and injustices of war. As the game progresses, you must overcome the hostilities in the different environments presented to you and ultimately survive with your sanity and morale intact. There are six sections in this experience, each presenting you with a more arduous problem. There will be casualties, as in any war, but the first casualty of that naive young soldier will be his innocence.

 

 

Tai-Pan (1987)

Available on: ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64, Amstrad CPC, MSX, Apple II, Atari ST, Amiga, NES, PC
Developed By: Ocean Software Ltd
Number of Players: 1
Controls: Keyboard, Joystick

Description
-

 

Tank (1987)

Available on: ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64, Amstrad CPC
Developed By: SNK Corporation
Number of Players: 1
Controls: Keyboard, Joystick

Description
-

 

 

Where Time Stood Still (1987)

Available on: ZX Spectrum, Atari ST, PC
Developed By: Denton Designs
Number of Players: 1
Controls: Keyboard, Joystick

Description
The plane is descending rapidly, Jarret struggling with the controls, searches anxiously for a possible landing site. Breaking through the clouds, the ground is suddenly upon him, and with one last heave on the joystick he prepares for impact. Out of the wreckage tumble Jarret, the guide and pilot, Clive, a fat and wealthy man, Gloria, his delicate daughter, and Dirk, her newly betrothed. They have found themselves on a strange plateau, nestled between the peaks of the greater Himalaya. The only way out of their predicament is via a high mountain pass somewhere on the other side. As our friends will soon be aware, everything is not quite as it seems. Protected by the mountains from both climatic and other outside influences, this land has remained undisturbed for millennia. When your party is attacked by dinosaurs and harassed by cannibals it becomes apparent that no western man has been here and lived to tell of it. You, who initially control Jarret, must guide your party along tortuous mountain paths, across rivers and bottomless chasms, through swamps and forest, in the increasingly desperate search for the passage home.

 

Wizball (1987)

Available on: ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64, Amstrad CPC, Atari ST, Amiga, PC
Developed By: Sensible Software
Number of Players: 1
Controls: Keyboard, Joystick

Description
For many years, Wiz and his magical cat lived happily in brightly coloured Wizworld. All was not well however as a malevolent force had discovered the vista and intended to stamp out brilliance once and for all. The evil Zark and his horrible sprites have moved in to eliminate the spectrum and render all landscpes drab and grey. So jump in your transporter and with the help of your faithful servant Catelite, restore Wizworld to its former glory. The landscapes in Wizworld are comprised of three colours each. Your task is to restore the original colours by shooting the Red, Green and Blue colour bubbles and then using Cat to collect the droplets of colour as they fall to the ground. Droplets collected will be stored in the cauldron displayed at the bottom of the screen, until such time as you have enough of each colour to make the target colour displayed in the cauldron on the far bottom right of the screen. In the three levels which have aliens on: one has red, one has green and one has blue. It is therefore necessary to move between the three levels using the tunnels to collect all three colours. To complete a level, you must colour in the whole landscape. After each colour is collected there is a bonus stage. After this, Wiz enters Wiz-Lab and is given a Wiz-Perk by his guardian angel. You may select one weapon or control, which will be magically endowed up on all subsequent Wizballs from birth, or opt for the bonus of 1000 points x Wiz-Level number. When certain aliens are killed they will deposit a green pearl which will remain stationary on the screen. If Wizball passes over this pearl and picks it up the first icon on the top of the screen will glow; this indicates that Wiz has the option to select a feature represented on the icon. If you want to select another feature collect more pearls until the icon you want is glowing. Several icons have two possible functions.

 

Daley Thompson's Olympic Challenge (1988)

Available on: ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64, Amstrad CPC, Atari ST, Amiga
Developed By: Ocean Software Ltd
Number of Players: 1
Controls: Keyboard, Joystick

Description
-

 

Eco (1988)

Available on: Atari ST, Amiga
Developed By: Denton Designs (Dentons)
Number of Players: 1
Controls: Keyboard, Joystick

"There was a story going around Ocean about ECO - there was some nasty crash in the ST version that required a remaster and the programmer couldn't make head nor tail of the code because of its development under the "influence". Dunno if it was remotely true - but certainly in the realms of possibility."

Paul Hughes, ex-Ocean employee


Description
-

 

 

 

Firefly (1988)

Available on: ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64
Developed By: Special FX Ltd
Number of Players: 1
Controls: Keyboard, Joystick

Description
Your task as commander of the Firefly is to destroy the mechanoid system framework, developed by the enemy, by removing the vital energy source used to sustain its existance.

The framework is represented on the screen by a system of grids, each one being one of the following: 1. A robot-occupied zone. 2. An unconstructed region. 3. A robot-free "Dead Zone". 4. A planetary sector. 5. The system power source.

The system grid is arranged randomly each turn. You always start in the Dead Zone on the far left, ready to battle your way through the occupied area to the power source. Your movement is restricted to the Dead Zone areas and you can therefore only enter a system which is adjacent to a Dead Zone. You do so by positioning the Firefly on the appropriate square and pressing fire. You cannot enter a system with a planet at its core. These are the main mechanoid colonies and are too well protected against attack. The unconstructed regions are the least protected by the robots. In order to take over one of these you must first override its "intrusion detection" alarm system. This can only be done manually. If you fail to do it correctly in the given time, a chain reaction will occur, causing the robotic system to jumble itself up, forcing you to retreat to the far left of the grid.

ENTERING AN OCCUPIED AREA : The solar system chart will be replaced by a close-up view of the area with one of the Firefly's battleships in the centre. The scanner at the bottom of the display will show the entire area and your battleship, observed from a distance. Your ship is equipped with an ion-thrust drive and plasma disruptor balls which, if used correctly, can get you out of impossible situations! Each area has four main energy points (fast-flashing dots on the scanner) and two teleports (slow-flashing dots). These are protected by a selected number of robots which, because of their size, will not show up on your radar. Once destroyed these robots may deposit some useful items. To take over the area you must destroy all four energy points. You accomplish this by entering each point and trying to overpower them. You can only do this, however, by collecting four excess energy units (yokas) which are constantly being expelled into the playfield by each of the energy points. The teleports can be used to move your ships into inaccessible places or for more economical travel around the playfield. However, these are robotic devices and may be difficult for humans to operate.

 

G.U.T.Z. (1988)

Available on: ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64
Developed By: Special FX Ltd
Number of Players: 1
Controls: Keyboard, Joystick

Description
EAT THE SYSTEM!

The Americans were the first to pick up the transmission. Radio pulses from the vicinity of Jupiter - they had a regular pattern and a very unusual frequency. The object approached our planet and began to orbit it, not a moonlet or captured meteorite, it was an artificial craft, the product of intelligent life.

"Make Contact" they said ...

Have you ever tried communicating with an extremely hungry ten million tonne megabeing the size of a small moon?

 

 

Operation Wolf (1988)

Available on: ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64, Amstrad CPC, Atari ST, Amiga, PC, MSX, Sega Master System, TurboGrafx-16
Developed By: Taito Corporation
Number of Players: 1
Controls: Keyboard, Joystick

Description
Central control to Lone Wolf... parachute into hostile territory... locate enemy concentration camp... release captives interned there... repeat... Operation Wolf; an exciting new concept in computer games, in which the enemy shoot at you from the screen. Gun in hand, you must traverse hostile terrain, seeking your fellow countrymen being held prisoner in a concentration camp.

Make your way through jungle filled with hostile soldiers, destroy any enemy installations and free all townships you encounter, with no food, no water, no chopper cover, not nearly enough ammo and no idea if you are going to make it back... volunteers only!!

 

Rambo III (1988)

Available on: ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64, Amstrad CPC, Atari ST, Amiga, PC, MSX
Developed By: Ocean Software Ltd
Number of Players: 1
Controls: Keyboard, Joystick

Description
-

 

Robocop (1988)

Available on: ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64, Amstrad CPC, Atari ST, Amiga, PC, MSX, Apple II, NES, TRS-80 Coco
Developed By: Ocean Software Ltd and Data East Corporation
Number of Players: 1
Controls: Keyboard, Joystick

Description
Take on the role of avenging angel as you mete out rough justice to the perpetrators of evil and lawlessness. Some of the most exciting scenes ever to fill a computer screen confront you. The future is here and now when you take up this challenge - PART MAN - PART MACHINE - ALL COP

Robocop TM & © Orion Pictures Corp.

Patrolman Murphy was the 32nd cop to be gunned down in Detroit since Security Concepts Inc. took control of the police department. It was the opportunity OCP had been waiting for...They took what was left of Murphy and turned him into a deadly killing machine with a reinforced titanium body, an erased memory and a programmed mind. However they could not completely wipe out the memory of his horrific ordeal and he sets out to track down the gang responsible. In this game you are Robocop! You are the future of law enforcement.

 

 

Batman: The Movie (1989)

Available on: ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64, Amstrad CPC, Atari ST, Amiga, PC, MSX
Developed By: Ocean Software Ltd
Number of Players: 1
Controls: Keyboard, Joystick

Description
BATMAN is a shadow in the darkness, as elusive as a dream. High above the seamy streets of GOTHAM, he is a criminal's nightmare. The only hope for a desperate city...

BATMAN™ - A LEGEND HAS RETURNED

===============================

BRUCE WAYNE™. The multi-millionairre head of the Wayne Foundation is an unassuming, quiet type of guy. However, when night falls and evil stalks the streets, he sheds his daytime persona and becomes the masked vigilante of GOTHAM CITY™ - BATMAN!

Crusading against crime from the rooftops of the sickened city, his objective becomes the elimination of Gus Grissom's criminal empire: in particular, the conquest of JACK NAPIER™, the psychotic second-in-command. Napier was the most cunnning and sadistic force in Gotham anyway, but when an accident befell him, twisting him both physically and mentally, he bacame the ultimate criminal - THE JOKER!™ You control the CAPED CRUSADER™ in five different scenarios as he is pitted against his malevolent nemesis in the life or death struggles that ensue.

THE ULTIMATE MOVIE INSPIRES THE ULTIMATE GAME...PLAY BATMAN.

 

Beach Volley (1989)

Available on: ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64, Amstrad CPC, Atari ST, Amiga
Developed By: Ocean Software Ltd
Number of Players: 1
Controls: Keyboard, Joystick

Description
The 'Acme Interstellar Transport Company' is delivering spaceship kits to various planets in the solar system throughout the Galaxy; and as chief test pilot, all you have to do is assemble the Rockets, and thrust on to your next destination. As you don't often get the chance of a free trip across the Galaxy, this is a great opportunity to get rich! Stop off on several planets on your journey, collect the odd sack of precious gems, elements or gold, and take them back with you.

Sounds simple doesn't it! But before you make yourself the richest person in the whole Universe, remember to refuel your Spaceship - with 6 fuel pods - every time you land on a planet. Any other goodies you collect are yours to keep. Upon landing, you will find yourself equipped with the very latest Hydrovac Jet Pac, which can automatically air lift almost any rocket stage, fuel pod or valuables that you care to land upon, and release them over the rocket ship base. Don't forget your mega- powerful, Quad Photon Laser Phasers can blast any nasty, mean aliens who might object to your visit.

 

 

Chase H.Q. (1989)

Available on: ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64, Amstrad CPC, Atari ST, Amiga, Game Boy, Game Gear, MSX, NES, Sega Master System, TurboGrafx-16
Developed By: Taito Corporation
Number of Players: 1
Controls: Keyboard, Joystick

 

"Chase HQ - Quite how Teque were able to NOT convey the feeling of speed, I really don't know, and the back of the box showed the Amiga version with the helicopter flying, but it never did appear in the game."

Description
The heat is on! The steaming roads beckon your turbo-charged Porsche 928 as the screeching tyres in the distance heralds another crime being committed. "This is Nancy at Chase HQ" - we gotta few perps to catch, Algernon, Looks like you ain't gonna get much sleep tonight" "Gotcha, Nancy baby! We're on our way!"

Details of the perpetrators vehicles flash across your in-car computer screen as you tear away down the busy L.A. streets in search of your quarry. You are the head of SCI (Special Criminal Investigation) and the type of guys you chase don't stop for no-one!

After years of experience, you have discovered that the only way of stopping these people is to ram 'em off the road! Your limited Turbo Chargers help you catch up, but these guys seem to drive the best (and fastest) sports cars on the road, so catchin' em ain't easy.

 

F-29 Retaliator (1989)

Available on: Atari ST, Amiga, PC
Developed By: Digital Image Design
Number of Players: 1
Controls: Keyboard, Joystick

Description
-

 

 

The New Zealand Story (1989)

Available on: ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64, Amstrad CPC, Atari ST, Amiga, PC, Genesis, NES, Sega Master System, TurboGrafx-16
Developed By: Taito Corporation
Number of Players: 1
Controls: Keyboard, Joystick

Description
New Zealand is a peaceful place to live - if you're a KIWI, particularly in the Auckland Zoo - Tiki is as happy as can be... Trouble turns up in the guise of a psychotic walrus who has on enormous appetite for fresh Kiwi and kidnaps Tiki and his relatives to stock the larder! The walrus hides his captives around the island in 20 hazardous locations but our hero escapes and sets about rescuing his buddies.

You control Tiki the Kiwi in his search for the release of his kidnapped friends. Initially, you are armed with just a bow and arrow, but occasionally when you kill an enemy, they may drop an item which you con retrieve and use yourself. There ore many different types of item which you must discover yourself, but they vary from extra weapons to temporary invulnerability pills. Kiwis cannot fly and you are no exception, however, you get around this by knocking/shooting creatures off their balloons, which you can then commandeer and take to the skies! Surprisingly, Kiwis cannot breathe under water either, so you must be careful if you go swimming. Your oxygen level is shown on screen, so make sure you don't drown! Shooting water from your mouth replenishes oxygen and can be used to pot your adversaries. In the earlier levels, you will be shown arrows on the background which indicate the direction you must go to release the captive Kiwi on that level, but beware, on certain stages, releasing your friend alerts the Big Guardian Creature of that level, and you must first find a way of defeating it before progressing to the next level. Because the various lairs of the walrus are so well guarded, we cannot brief you further. Your techniques will develop as you play the game and each new level presents new, frantic and more original challenges! * Note - make sure you do not waste time sightseeing as you have a limited period to complete each level.

 

 

Operation Thunderbolt (1989)

Available on: ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64, Amstrad CPC, Atari ST, Amiga, SNES
Developed By: Taito Corporation
Number of Players: 1
Controls: Keyboard, Joystick

 

Home Computer conversions all done by Choice Software, apart from C64, done by Rick Palmer. Gerald Wetherup did the ZX Spectrum version.

Description
ROY ADAMS IS BACK! The Hi-jack report came from a DC10 leaving Paris for Boston - Arab Guerillas were in control of flight 102 and had turned the aircraft towards Africa ... The plane lands in hostile territory and the terrorists begin their demands A rescue operation is called for and there is only one man to head it up, Roy Adams. Weary from his Operation Wolf mission, he is persuaded to put his crack team into a new sortie to free the hostages.

Bringing you enhanced shoot-em-up action for one or two players, Thunderbolt not only reproduces the horizontally- scrolling gameplay of Wolf but brings 3D action to the scenario, pitting you against swooping jets, helicopters, tanks and many more awesome adversaries! Get the laser sight, or the bulletproof vest, but watch out for those air-to-ground missiles! GOOD LUCK IN YOUR MISSION.

 

Renegade III: The Final Chapter (1989)

Available on: ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64, Amstrad CPC, MSX
Developed By: Imagine
Number of Players: 1
Controls: Keyboard, Joystick

Description
Once again take on the exciting role of "Renegade", the martial arts hero with street cred and rescue your girlfriend being held captive by forces from the future. In a final attempt to thwart you, the captors take their hostage back in time to the era of pre-historic man and the loud of dinosaurs. Now advance through the ages ... ancient Egypt with the living dead, medieval knights and dragons all conspire to impede your progress. To journey through these time zones is a hazardous mission and involves battling with the inhabitants of each era who display their particular weaponry to advantage - but beware ... tarry too long and you'll be trapped in history forever. Renegade faces his toughest task ever battling with opponents he never knew existed and in places he could only read about ... or dream about - join him at your peril!

 

 

Run the Gauntlet (1989)

Available on: ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64, Atari ST, Amiga
Developed By: Impact Software Development Ltd
Number of Players: 1
Controls: Keyboard, Joystick

Description
Compete as one of the teams in the "Run the Gauntlet" contest. THE CHALLENGE The "Run the Gauntlet" challenge is divided into three events, which are picked at random from the many in store. Each event consists of three segments, which can be either on land, water or the hill (assault course). Complete the challenge with the best score and you'll be awarded the "Run the Gauntlet" trophy. The vehicles you will be competing with are fast and exciting.

VEHICLE CHARACTERISTICS

HOVERCRAFT - TRICKY TO HANDLE

SPEEDBOATS - VERY FAST AND MANOEUVRABLE

JET SKIS - FAST WITH VERY TIGHT TURNS

INFLATABLES - MODERATE SPEED

METEORS - VERY FAST 2 MAN BUGGY

BUGGYS - FAST 1 MAN BUGGY

QUADS - FAST 4 WHEEL BIKES

SUPERCATS - AMPHIBIOUS 6 WHEEL ALL-TERRAIN VEHICLE

 

Sly Spy: Secret Agent (1989)

Available on: ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64, Amstrad CPC, Atari ST, Amiga
Developed By: Data East Corporation
Number of Players: 1
Controls: Keyboard, Joystick

Description
Your aim is to progress through 9 levels of play to defeat C.W.D. - The Council for World Domination.

The levels take place in the following scenarios:

SKY DIVING

ON MOTORCYCLE

WALKING

SCUBA DIVE

Along the way you can pick up various icons that will increase your power:-

GOLDEN GUN - Each time this icon is collected a part of the Golden Gun is awarded to you. When you collect five parts the gun is complete. The gun only lasts a short time but it is very powerful.

FLASHING B - This will give you more bullets.

COLA CAN - This will give you more energy.

CLOCK - This will give you more time.

MACHINE GUN - This will change your pistol into a machine gun.

 

 

The Untouchables (1989)

Available on: ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64, Amstrad CPC, Atari ST, Amiga, PC, MSX
Developed By: Astros Productions
Number of Players: 1
Controls: Keyboard, Joystick

Description
TAKE ON THE MOB The ultimate six exciting action sequences put you in control of Elliot Ness's elite squad of crime-busters. Alleyway shootouts, The Border Raid, The Railway Station confrontation and Warehouse bust culminating in the thrilling denouement of a rooftop duel as you re-live the knife edge existence of Ness in his struggle against the retribution of Capone!

THE UNTOUCHABLES - LIVE AN AMERICAN LEGEND

The Untouchables

THRILLING ACTION ON THE STREETS OF CHICAGO

Scenario

Original and diverse arcade-style sections put you in control of Elliot Ness's elite squad of crime busters. The Warehouse Bust, the Border Raid, The Alleyway Shootouts, The Railway Station Confrontation and the final Rooftop Duel enable you to re-live the knife-edge existence of Elliot Ness as you crusade through 1920's Chicago in search of Capone's retribution.

Take on the Mob as you lead the Untouchables on their most exciting and difficult mission! With six levels of explosive action and a thrilling denouement. THE UNTOUCHABLES...LIVE AN AMERICAN LEGEND

 

Voyager (1989)

Available on: Atari ST, Amiga
Developed By: Ocean France
Number of Players: 1
Controls: Keyboard, Joystick

Description
-

 

 

 

Battle Command (1990)

Available on: ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64, Amstrad CPC, Atari ST, Amiga, PC
Developed By: Realtime Games Software Ltd
Number of Players: 1
Controls: Keyboard, Joystick

Description
Set in a near future alternate reality, Battle Command is an arcade/strategy game which allows you to command a single Mauler assault tank in one of a series of scenarios (Missions) in the Ultra War, fought between the two dominant races in the New World.

The latest phase of the North/South war has been going on for over 10 years, with a World War 1 situation eventually developing - a standoff between armies massed over a long duo-in battle front.

Such are the defensive capabilities of each side, full scale attacks are suicidal, so any offensive moves are, by necessity, small "behind the lines" actions performed by elite troops in specially designed vehicles.

The Mauler is the latest such machine - an Armoured Fighting Machine capable of being lifted in and out of hostile territory by a fast Stealth Chopper (the Helicarrier) and armed with the most advanced weaponry science can devise.

Try reading through the Your First Mission section to get the hang of how to play Battle Command. Above all, remember that you're fighting behind enemy lines on your own, with only quick thinking and several millions of Credits worth of military hardware to protect you.

 

Chase H.Q. II: Special Criminal Investigation (1990)

Available on: ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64, Atari ST, Amiga, Sega Master System, TurboGrafx-16
Developed By: Taito Corporation
Number of Players: 1
Controls: Keyboard, Joystick

Description
Truth and Justice are the by-words of the Bureau of Special Criminal Investigations. Now you are to embark on the most important case of your life. The Mayor's daughter has been kidnapped by a band of vicious lawbreakers. She is being held within a warehouse somewhere on the south side. You will have to complete six missions before you can save her.

Each successful mission will provide a new clue that will, eventually, lead you the girl's location.

However it's a race against time because her only company is a time bomb!

 

Clive Barker's Nightbreed: The Action Game (1990)

Available on: ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64, Atari ST, Amiga, PC
Developed By: Impact Software Development Ltd
Number of Players: 1
Controls: Keyboard, Joystick

Description
You are Boone, one of the NIGHTBREED.

You begin your journey at the gates of the Necropolis, a graveyard above an underground labyrinth where the Nightbreed live called Midian. Your task is to save the Nightbreed. a race older than man, of fantastic beings, shape-changers who are being attacked by man's jealousy in the form of the "Sons of the Free", an evil organization which come to destroy them - and you if they can.

 

 

Clive Barker's Nightbreed: The Interactive Movie (1990)

Available on: Atari ST, Amiga, PC
Developed By: Impact Software Development Ltd
Number of Players: 1
Controls: Keyboard, Joystick

Description
-

 

 

Ivanhoe (1990)

Available on: Atari ST, Amiga
Developed By: Ocean France
Number of Players: 1
Controls: Keyboard, Joystick

Description
-

 

 

Lost Patrol (1990)

Available on: Atari ST, Amiga, PC
Developed By: Shadow Development
Number of Players: 1
Controls: Keyboard, Joystick

Description
The 'Acme Interstellar Transport Company' is delivering spaceship kits to various planets in the solar system throughout the Galaxy; and as chief test pilot, all you have to do is assemble the Rockets, and thrust on to your next destination. As you don't often get the chance of a free trip across the Galaxy, this is a great opportunity to get rich! Stop off on several planets on your journey, collect the odd sack of precious gems, elements or gold, and take them back with you.

Sounds simple doesn't it! But before you make yourself the richest person in the whole Universe, remember to refuel your Spaceship - with 6 fuel pods - every time you land on a planet. Any other goodies you collect are yours to keep. Upon landing, you will find yourself equipped with the very latest Hydrovac Jet Pac, which can automatically air lift almost any rocket stage, fuel pod or valuables that you care to land upon, and release them over the rocket ship base. Don't forget your mega- powerful, Quad Photon Laser Phasers can blast any nasty, mean aliens who might object to your visit.

 

 

 

NARC (1990)

Available on: ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64, Amstrad CPC, Atari ST, Amiga, NES
Developed By: Williams Entertainment Inc
Number of Players: 1
Controls: Keyboard, Joystick

Description
NARC - now you have a chance to infiltrate the MR BIG CORPORATION, the scourge of the underworld. Outwit the army of body guards, gangs of charisma- bypass patients in trench coats, the bullet-brain with the build of a rhinoceros and the breath of a dung beetle, packs of vicious canine yappies, the psychotic clown with the evil sense of humour - you'll die, but not laughing! But it's not all bad! You've got a mean shiny street machine, some heavy metal hardware and pretty neat moves. Hit the enemy - and, finally, come up against the baddest, the biggest - Mr Big!

 

Navy SEALs (1990)

Available on: ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64, Amstrad CPC, Atari ST, Amiga
Developed By: Ocean Software Ltd
Number of Players: 1
Controls: Keyboard, Joystick

Description
AMERICA'S TOP SECRET WEAPON Super-charged super-fighters who risk all defending America against the world's deadliest forces. A combat unit of indomitable strength and courage. A rescue team of unparalleled skill and daring.

SCENARIO

The Gulf of Oman -- and a secret location welcomes the arrival of the elite SEAL team. Their objective? To rescue the crew of a recently shot down helicopter. Beirut -- a dangerous stockpile of missiles must be destroyed before terrorists have a chance to use them. Only the SEAL team have the capability to complete the mission. You control the team. You control the action. You hold the fate of innocent lives in your hands.

 

 

Shadow Warriors (1990)

Available on: ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64, Amstrad CPC, Atari ST, Amiga, Game Boy
Developed By: Tecmo Ltd
Number of Players: 1
Controls: Keyboard, Joystick

Description
Handed down since the turmoil of Medievel warring States are five secret Ninjitsu techniques known only to the Shadow Warriors.

In the concrete jungle of an American metropolis chaos has broken loose, an Oriental demon has possessed the strength of the greatest Warrior and has summoned forth a squad of ghoulish assassins who must be stopped.

This duty falls to you, the last in a line of legendary combatants and the only saviour of a threatened city... Shadow Warrior, the hero of the 90's.

 

Pang (1990)

Available on: ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64, Amstrad CPC, Atari ST, Amiga, Game Boy, PC
Developed By: Mitchell Corporation
Number of Players: 1
Controls: Keyboard, Joystick

Description
THE BALLOONS ARE COMING BUT YOU'RE NOT WORRIED - YOU'RE THE FEARLESS PANG! You'll need to use every inch of your arcade skills to guide the interpid adventurer through umpteen countries, shooting balloons as you go. but Watch out: ALTHOUGH SOME CREATURES ARE ONLY TOO WILLING TO HELP YOU, OTHERS MAY GIVE YOU MORE THAN YOU BARGAINED FOR.

Game Play

Guide the fearless Pang through a grand total of COUNTRIES, as he hunts and shoots balloons. Balloons appear in four different sizes. When a balloon is shot it divides itself into half until it reaches its smallest size. When you shoot the smallest balloons they finally disappear. After you have destroyed all the balloons you can move to the next level.

In your travels you will discover different objects such as birds, robots and crabs - but watch out, not all of them will help you. FOR EXAMPLE some of them may stop you from firing. So be careful out there!

 

 

Rainbow Islands (1990)

Available on: ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64, Amstrad CPC, Atari ST, Amiga, Game Boy Colour, NES, Sega Master System, TurboGrafx CD
Developed By: Taito Corporation
Number of Players: 1
Controls: Keyboard, Joystick

Description
Bub and Bob, the heroes from Bubble Bobble, are back! This time negotiating the hazards of the Rainbow Islands. Myriad creatures conspire to impede your progress at every fun-filled level until you face the "Guardian", the ultimate test of advancement....Good Luck

The seven "Rainbow Islands" and their inhabitants.

• Insect Island - caterpillars, spiders, crows

• Combat Island - tanks, planes, helicopters

• Monster Island - bats, werewolves, ghosts

• Toy Island - water-pistols, deadly disks, teddy bears

• Doh's Island - balls, spheres, capsules

• Robot Island - spanners, robots, bolts

• Dragon Island - cyclops, dragons, spirits

 

Robocop 2 (1990)

Available on: ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64, Amstrad CPC, Atari ST, NES
Developed By: Special FX Ltd
Number of Players: 1
Controls: Keyboard, Joystick

Description
Become Robocop and battle your way through seven levels of unique action that will test your reflexes, your brain-power and your co-ordination. Improve your skills in all these fields. Only then, will you stand a chance against your greatest enemy - Robocop 2!

 

Total Recall (1990)

Available on: ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64, Amstrad CPC, Atari ST, NES
Developed By: Ocean Software Ltd
Number of Players: 1
Controls: Keyboard, Joystick

Total Recall deserves a special mention because this was a salvage job in colloboration with Andy & Ivan (they did the driving bits) over the xmas holiday. I think we put this together in about 3 weeks (If memory serves me correctly).

- James Higgins (ex-Ocean employee)

Description
Quaid, after a terrifying visit to "Rekall" and an unsuccessful "memory implant", discovers that his life is a lie. His past is fiction and his true identity is shrouded in mystery. A mystery whose solution lies on the Red Planet of Mars.

LEVEL ONE Quaid must get from his hotel to a phone box on the far side of the city where he will receive further instructions. Along the way he must collect five vital objects to help him in his quest: a briefcase, passport, ticket to Mars, disguise and a surgical instrument for removal of an implanted homing device.

LEVEL TWO Having received his instructions Quaid commandeers a "Johnny Cab" and must make his way to the derelict warehouse area where he can utilise the briefcase-video and learn further information regarding his past.

LEVEL THREE A startling revelation lies within the video-briefcase. It appears that the full answers to his questions lie on Mars. Now he must escape from the warehouse to the Spaceport to begin his journey.

LEVEL FOUR Melina and Quaid meet Benny, a taxi driver who helps them escape from the pursuing forces. They must negotiate a dangerous route through the caverns of Mars until they discover the way to the Rebel hideout.

LEVEL FIVE Their taxi discarded, Melina and Quaid must proceed on foot back through 'Venusville', down into the caverns to meet Kuato the rebel leader. Along the route are switches that must be activated to open the doors into the alien reactor that is the heart of Quaid's dilemma. Finding Kuato, Quaid will be given the key to the core room within the heart of the reactor. Between Quaid and his final confrontation are the last vestiges of Richter's armed forces. Fight your way through, then battle Richter himself on the lift up to the core room. Emerge victorious and within you will find the villain behind your strife, Cohaagen. Here in the core room, he has planted a bomb which will destroy the reactor and Mars' only chance of salvation. Extra energy will be awarded at 50,000 points and every 100,000 points thereafter. If energy is full, ammo will be awarded. You only have one life; once your energy is depleted the game will be over.

 

Darkman (1991)

Available on: ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64, Amstrad CPC, Atari ST, NES, Game Boy
Developed By: Ocean Software Ltd
Number of Players: 1
Controls: Keyboard, Joystick

Description
-

 

 

Elf (1991)

Available on: Atari ST, Amiga, PC
Developed By: Nirvana Systems
Number of Players: 1
Controls: Keyboard, Joystick

Description
-

 

 

Epic (1991)

Available on: Atari ST, Amiga, PC
Developed By: Digital Image Design Ltd
Number of Players: 1
Controls: Keyboard, Joystick

Description
-

 

 

Hudson Hawk (1991)

Available on: Atari ST, Amiga, PC
Developed By: Special FX Ltd
Number of Players: 1
Controls: Keyboard, Joystick

Description
-

 

 

The Simpsons: Bart vs The Space Mutants (1991)

Available on: ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64, Amstrad CPC, Atari ST, Amiga, PC, Game Gear, Genesis, NES, Sega Master System
Developed By: Imagineering Inc
Number of Players: 1
Controls: Keyboard, Joystick

Description
A WORD FROM BART SIMPSON Hello, fellow humans. Bartholomew J. Simpson here with a very important secret:

SPACE MUTANTS ARE INVADING SPRINGFIELD!

That's right, man! A buncha slimy, horrible totally gross and putrid monsters are taking over the bodies of the people who live there and they wanna build a weapon that's gonna take over the entire planet! Pretty cool, huh? Anyway, yours truly is the only one who can see 'em cause of my X-Ray glasses so it's up to me to stop 'em! I've gotta spraypaint things, get radical on my skateboard, use my trusty slingshot and in general, behave like a nuisance, man. Plus, with evil dudes like Nelson the bully and Sideshow Bob getting in my way, it's a good thing I've got the rest of the Simpsons to help me out! So if you're a decent person, a patriot and somebody who cares about this sorry planet, you'll do the right thing.

Save the Earth! PLAY THIS GAME! Thanks, man. .

 

 

Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)

Available on: ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64, Amstrad CPC, Atari ST, Amiga, PC, Game Gear, Genesis, SNES
Developed By: LJN Ltd
Number of Players: 1
Controls: Keyboard, Joystick

Description
It is the near future... battle rages between man and machine. Yet despite the awesome power of the machines the rebels are winning, until Skynet, the computer that controls the machines sends a Terminator through time to destroy the rebel leader's mother, Sarah Connor, who is living in the time '1984'. They failed.

Undaunted, another Terminator was sent back in time to 1994 to strike at John Connor, the future rebel leader, who is still a child at the time. The resistance must protect the child.

Again the rebels were able to send a lone warrior to protect him.

This time they will fight on the enemy's terms. This time a machine will battle one of its kind.

 

WWF Wrestlemania (1991)

Available on: ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64, Amstrad CPC, Atari ST, Amiga, PC
Developed By: Twilight
Number of Players: 1
Controls: Keyboard, Joystick

Description
The thrills and spills of the World Wrestling Federation brought to your screen! Test your strength in this musclebound wrestling extravaganza. Become the undisputed champion as Hulk Hogan, The Ultimate Warrior or the British Bulldog. Battle for survival against Sgt. Slaughter, the Warlord and a host of other WWF stars. Anything goes in this all-action event, and only the toughest survives!

 

 

The Addams Family (1992)

Available on: ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64, Amstrad CPC, Atari ST, Amiga, Game Boy, Game Gear, Genesis, NES, SNES
Developed By: Ocean Software Ltd
Number of Players: 1
Controls: Keyboard, Joystick

Description
Creepy, Kooky, Ooky, Spooky.

The Addams Family has been imprisoned!

Only Gomez can save the day by freeing his wife Morticia, his son Pugsley, his daughter Wednesday, Granny, Lurch and Thing. He must search the Addams Family Mansion, grounds and subterranean vaults and rescue them one by one. Strange creatures and crazy monsters lurk around every corner and in every crevice with only one thought in mind, "Stop Gomez!" Only his innate agility will aid him as he leaps and bounds around the Mansion.

 

Cool World (1992)

Available on: Commodore 64, Atari ST, Amiga, Game Boy, NES, SNES
Developed By: Twilight
Number of Players: 1
Controls: Keyboard, Joystick

Description
-

 

 

Lethal Weapon (1992)

Available on: Commodore 64, Atari ST, Amiga, Game Boy, PC, NES, SNES
Developed By: Ocean Software Ltd
Number of Players: 1
Controls: Keyboard, Joystick

Description
-

 

Eskimo Eddie

Gryzor

Roland's Rat Race

Kong

Kong Strikes Back

Knight Rider

Street Hawk

Mike Webb told me recently that he had nothing to do with the C64 version of Streethawk, the original version started in 1985, but just the Spectrum version.

Does anyone therefore know exactly who was doing the C64 version before Colin Gresty took over in 1986?

Well if it wasn't Mike and it was done inhouse there can only be a few suspects; Dave Collier, Tony Pomfret, Bill Barna. I remember Colin's version - it was one of the first things Dave Collier showed me when I joined.

- Paulie (Paul Hughes, ex-Ocean employee)

Cheers Paul, hopefully those guys might admit to it I'm slightly unsure now if there was indeed a first version or not. I know Martin did the tune first in 1985, then again in 1986 for a second version. Mike told me he did the Spectrum version which was the Joust clone, with Nigel (The one given to Crash subscribers). And that seems to be what Martin may have got confused with. Was their a C64 version of the Joust clone being done too? The two versions screenshots are definately showing two different games too (And certainly nothing resembling the Joust clone). So i'm lost

See what I wrote in the Street Hawk Spectrum thread - it may cast some light...

- Gary (Gary Bracey, ex-Ocean employee)

I forgot to say thanks for the information Gary!... I'll put that down as a possibility. (Even see if he can be tracked down anywhere)
I've asked Colin if he knows who, but Dave Collier has said he had nothing to do with it.
So its Tony, Gary or someone else now
I'll get it in the end!

Had this interesting email from Colin Gresty, shedding some more light on the C64 conversion....
I didn't take over from anyone, I started coding from scratch, steve wahid,
as far as i remember, started the graphics from scratch.
if you look at the screen shots of what is called v1 and v2, the graphics
are the same in both versions.

I am not sure where the idea of a c64 v1 of streethawk came from, but i
never saw one, nor did i use anything else as a basis for my code.

The game was an eight way smooth scrolling top down view of a city scape
with traffic moving intelligently all over the map.

The bottom section of the screen was an instrument display showing bike
status (engine, weapons , turbo etc)

Damage to the bike needed a trip back to the secret base (denoted by an "H"
on top of the building in the scrolling view) before you were caught by the
cops/baddies for repairs and reloading/refueling etc.

There was an automatic analysis computer that brought up a "3D" line drawing
of the bike with markers showing where damage had occured, and the player
had to use the computer to repair the faults.

The games objective was to fight crime and save citizens etc.

Thats more or less it, the game wasn't finished really because I spent too
much time tinkering.


So was there even a first version ever started is the question?.... If not, then why did Martin have a tune done for it in 1985 . Time to don my sherlock holmes cap, and pipe....

hmm I was there when Colin Gresty was working on it,

Col and I shared a roomo in No.1 Central Street for a while, and I dont think he ever really finished the game, he had a major block on it....just did'nt know where to go with it. I remember him climbing under the desk and curling up often seeking inspiration or hiding from Mr Stokes I don't recall there ever being another version of it.

Where is he these days, I got him an interview at Icon design when he "left" Ocean, and he met and married the smashing Ree who was the receptionist. I used to live quite near them in Littleborough, and bumped into him once but we never got together for a natter.
- Brian Beuken (ex-Ocean employee)

 

 

*** ANOTHER THREAD ON STREET HAWK (SPECTRUM VERSION) ***

Whatever happened with Street Hawk on the Spectrum (at least)?
There seem to be 2 versions, one from 1985, one from 1986, which are reportedly different.
Also, there was a Crash Subscribers Edition.

http://www.worldofspectrum.org/infoseek.cgi?regexp=Street+Hawk&pub=Ocean+Software+Ltd

I found an original of the older version while working in a computer shop in the early 90's. Without checking I can't remember who wrote it. Apparently that was rushed out to fulfill catalogue orders after the catalogues themselves started kicking up a fuss about why it was taking so long. Then, realising it was utter crap, 'Ocean' started on a new one (with graphics by Bob Wakelin and programming by Paul Ownes Owens IIRC). It was still utter crap.
You can see the original in one of my piles of old 'Ocean' games in this pic:
http://www.MyPhotosHub.com/is.php?i=7692&img=SpectrumGames1..jpg
3rd one down after 'N.O.M.A.D.'
Oh and I just checked what that 'Crash Subscribers Edition' was and as i thought it's the older, crappier version.

- Mark Jones Junior (Ex-Ocean employee)

Colin Gresty wrote one version on the 64 which never came out (I'm pretty sure I have a copy of it somewhere on a floppy)... I know Frank - dig it out -

- Paulie (Paul Hughes - ex-Ocean employee)

I ordered it from a software place - it took months to get to me, and when it did, it was just a version of Joust with a motorbike. Loaded it once and never again.

- Bill Harbison (Administrator of The Ocean Experience forum)

Let's see what we can work with...
Both Paul Owens and Jonathan Smith said their softographies were correct (after some corrections) when I spoke with them in 2000/2001.
Nigel Alderton was named in one of the magazine previews.
Bob Wakelin was mentioned in this thread (I never knew he did 'digital' graphics, though, could he have been responsible for inlay/advert artwork (i.e. paper) instead?)
F. David Thorpe is mentioned in the 1986 release, on the intro screen.
Paul Owens is listed as programmer for the 1986 release.
Does this help in any way, or am I confusing matters? (as if that's something new ;-) )

Sorry my cock up. It was F.David Thorpe not Bob Wakelin, Sorry

- Mark Jones Junior (ex-Ocean employee)

God, David Thorpe. I'd forgotten about him. He was ...erm... a mature bloke. Did freelance graphics for inhouse Ocean stuff just prior to me joining. I met him a few times as Streethawk was one of the legacies I inherited (along with Knight Rider).
The whole thing was a nightmare. I remember one of the titles (I think it was KR, but it may have been SH) being developed by a company in Brighton. For the life of me, I can't remember what they were called, but I'm sure they would be in the appropriate credits....
As for 2 versions of SH, it may just be that this other company did a parallel game once the first one was finished and reviewed as cack.
This was one of the first of over 100 titles I was involved with while at Ocean. At least I have an excuse for the cloudy memory this time.
- Gary (Gary Bracey, ex-Ocean employee)

...

World of Spectrum (WOS at www.worldofspectrum.org) lists the credits as: Antony R. Lill, Gary Knight, F. David Thorpe

Yes, Garry Knight!
He and his brother (friend?) had a dev company in Brighton and they were comissioned to write Street Hawk on both Spec and C64. I think just before I came on board, Ocean had taken the C64 version from them and brought it in-house.

I might be confusing this with Knight Rider as it was around the same time, but I'm pretty sure this is what happened (with one of those two titles).

I wish I could remember the name of that company in Brighton though... it's bugging me.....

- Gary (Gary Bracey, ex-Ocean employee)

 

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