Cover Art by Luis M

Home , Altered Beast, Ultimate Play the Game, Yu Suzuki

Cover art by Luis M

Welcome to Issue 4 an interview with the much Editor / Reviewer - Phil loved YouTuber Karl Watson, Wheatley of TRGN better known as Woodlin37. You’ll learn about his view on Reviewer – Drew Kenaz Hi Troops – welcome back to YouTube and about the another issue of The Retro gaming community in general. Reviewer – Anthony L Luna Games News. We have two features on Special Thanks to Graham This month we have some games that have been written Roberts for proof reading more exclusives for you. The by Homebrewers for 8 bit and editing Stunt Car Racer, first of which is an interview systems and for iOS, and we The Staff of Karnath and with Simon Taylor who was a also have some classic game Thrust. programmer making games in reviews including Stunt Car the early 80s. We also have Racer, Thrust, Altered Beast and more…

To view other available issue, please visit: http://www.theretrogamesnews.com/back-issues

Contents

Welcome...... Page 2 Outrun (Arcade) ...... Page 4 Simon Taylor Interview...... Page 7 LED Racer (IOS) ...... Page 10 Stunt Car Racer (Amiga)...... Page 11 Karl Watson (Woodlin37) Interview ...... Page 13 Thrust (C64)...... Page 17 Shifted (ZX81)...... Page 19 Altered Beast (Sega Master System)...... Page 21 The Staff of Karnath (C64)...... Page 22

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Outrun ( Various Programmer was The Arcade (Original) Versions ) commissioned under Sega Outrun game has a very to develop the next driving individual look and feel to it game. that not many other games Reviewed by Drew Kenaz have managed to reproduce It is common knowledge or get near to. You can tell, Doooo Di Doo Doo Di Doo that he was a big fan of the looking at the car instantly Doooooo, Di Dooo Dooo Di film Cannonball Run and that the graphics have been Do Dummmm, Di Doooo wanted to capture the based of the photos taken Dummm Di Doooo. magic of the film in a race by Yu Suzuki’s team that everyone could achieve although obviously over Nope, it’s just not possible the same feeling. However, drawn to add detail such as to do justice to that tune by when he looked at the lights and making sure the text. “Splash Wave” must American landscape, he Ferrari logo is nice and be one of the most found that there was not a clear (Well you wouldn’t recognisable arcade tunes lot of difference. want anyone thinking you of all time. were cruising in anything other than a Ferrari would you?).

So what does the game give you?

You’re not racing against anyone else. All you have is an open top Red Ferrari with yourself and a girl in your passenger seat. What better way to drive by the ocean and enjoy the views.

In essence, this is what you get. A drive across some To help combat this, Yu great scenery in a cracking Music was just one of the Suzuki Took a hire car car. The pastel shades and elements that made Outrun around Europe, attached a relaxing music set the special. From a technical camcorder to the car and mood. The only enemy you point of view, Outrun also took many stills of the have is time. Don’t we all! provided a few firsts for terrain and the roads etc. as Game development that a guide for how each level So off you go. Driving as paved the way to a new would look. fast as you can to the next generation of game styling, stage, hoping that you can distribution and engine This coupled with searching reach the end to see what development. Developed all over Japan for a Ferrari scenery waits for you there with such passion, that Testarossa so that her with the wind blowing even the Game over music could take photos of the car through your animated hair. adds a sense of melancholy at 5 degree angles meant that makes you feel “Meh! I that he used all the tools he And that is what enthrals want another go.” when you could to make the journey you. You want to see what run out of time. through the game as is next. The drive is realistic as possible. enjoyable, more realistic So what was new? than many predecessors. And now we enter the The lack of cars on the road It all began when Yu Suzuki Gameplay. (The fun bit) at the beginning gives you the now Legendary enough time to accelerate

to top speed. As it should, Here are a few that stand the game gets progressively out. harder. Roads get thinner, more cars appear on the 8 Bit: road. You get steep hills Sega Game Gear: that make you crane your head to see over the top you hit an object hard, you Considering the limited (Like that will make a will crash the car. As it power of the Game Gear difference) and even a gambols into the distance, hardware. I don’t think it choice of route at the end of you and your passenger are does a bad job. You still each stage.

The choice of route was a fantastic idea. The added element of being able to change where you go means that you can change the scenery each time you play. The end goals (After 5 stages) are laid out so “a” (taking the left route every time) is the easiest and “e” (taking the right route every time) is the hardest. After playing a few times, you will find you pick your favourite scenery and will try the same routes time after time left sat in the the ground have the hills, music trying to get to that next wondering what on earth (although very beepy) You stage. happened. Clip the side of feel the sliding around the the car and you spin to a corners and the car is Yu Suzuki even spent time recognisable. Plus you can making sure that the car felt play linked up 2 Player (The right to drive. 2 Gears “Low” only version that ever did and “High” Giving a feeling this). of more control. “Low” stop. Only to be left with the accelerates faster but has a The only amusing part is girl slapping and hitting you. lower high speed, “High” that at times, you can see I take it she wasn’t very accelerates slower but how the cars etc. are put impressed. gives you a Higher top together when sprites speed. disappear and a segment of All in all. Outrun is a very your car momentarily enjoyable game to play. I However, be careful at disappears. have spent many times those top speeds! To add a simply having a quick play bit more realism to the 16 Bit: on various console control, the G’ forces come Atari ST: conversions simply to enjoy into play. A squeal from the the experience. (Often on tires, a bit of smoke and I will always have a soft easy) Just taking it all in as round the corners, you will you do in a nice car out on slide towards the plethora of the freeway. rocks, signs or lampposts etc. at the edge of the road. Speaking of the

conversions...... You can tell Yu Suzuki had a sense of humour too. If

This is the nearest version I mentioned before although have played to the arcade uses a very nice effect for version. the cloud design uses trees to block the clouds from Very smooth, fast and you view as if they want to hide have the original arcade the clouds from you. music. My biggest gripe though is spot for this version of The only issue I found was why oh why change the Outrun as it was the first that the programmers car? version I ever played. Infact obviously had a memory it was the first game I ever issue with sprites. This is PS2, XBox, PS3: played on the Atari ST the apparent with 2nd and 3rd day I opened the box. And stages on the right route as I know this is pushing the Oh the excitement! there is a lack of sprites on retro boundaries a bit but I screen compared to the still feel the latest version is Having played it after the Arcade. worth mentioning. I have Arcade version though, It is seen so many attempts to a little slow and doesn’t Other than that. Worth “Update” old games that fall really make the most of the buying a Gameboy over and fail to grasp at Atari ST hardware. Looking Advance for if you love what made the old games at the sound and graphics, I Outrun. great before super realistic would suggest that it is graphics became available. simply an 8 Bit conversion 64 Bit: However, I feel that Outrun but with 16 Colour graphics. Online Arcade grasps it. However, it was my first PS2: Outrun experience and will Sega Classics Collection. still enjoy playing it.

Megadrive : Hmmmmmm. Not sure about this version. I kind of Some how, this version like it and don’t at the same doesn’t quite have it. time. The graphics are a bit cleaner than the Atari ST I would say that this version version but again, the has been put together on a Forget about the online Megadrive version doesn’t very tight budget. nonsense, If you just play it quite have the arcade feel. The graphics have been as the original Arcade It could be the instruments updated to a primitive 3D game, you get back that used in the sound track that and 2D mixture. The feel of Cruising through spoil the effect or the fact gameplay is very smooth some great terrain. This that in the same way as the and fast but the game has a version is apparently Game Gear version, the feel that the programmers (according to interviews) level graphics are changed didn’t feel confident in the what Yu Suzuki originally from the original arcade end product. The objects, wanted to create. Wonderful version. You expect for while clear are sparse and scenery, a choice of example the 3rd stage to be the Stage 3 Clouds I have Ferraris with a hint of racing the desert level. against rivals but where the

rivals aren’t the main focus. 32 Bit:

Here, he managed to create Game Boy Advance: different car dynamics, Sega Arcade Gallery. depending on what you are

driving, a real sense of speed and a game you can

play just to enjoy it for a couple of goes.

Rating 90%

Interview with Simon Taylor

This month we had the pleasure of interviewing Simon Taylor, who wrote titles for computers as early graphics were very limited used to make a load of as the Commodore Pet and as the PET only had block cassettes, put them in a the Vic 20. His most graphics. I was doing an briefcase and get on the famous game Blitz was a electronics apprenticeship tube up to London. I had big hit, but getting it to at the time, and we had various customers, market was quite different PETs in our office – I was including the new Virgin to how it is done today, as writing stock control store – I even had a cheque you will discover in this very software for them – the signed by Richard Branson interesting interview… company had worked out I (long since cashed). I was the only person in the decided there had to be an TRGN: Blitz for the Vic20 building who really easier way to sell the was actually the first game I understood computers! games rather than ever played in my life. wandering around like a Please tell us how the game TRGN: What was it like to travelling salesman with a came about? work in the gaming industry briefcase full of wares, so I at that time? Any horror contacted Commodore, SIMON: I don’t remember stories or was it fun? asking them for a list of exactly, but I think I saw the SIMON: I wasn’t really in dealers. They responded by game on Commodore PET the gaming industry. “Vic inviting me up to Slough for computer – there was a New York” (which a meeting and signed me version for that, but there Commodore decided would up with a commission deal was no sound, it was be better named “Blitz”) was – I got 50p for every copy monochrome and the written in my bedroom. I sold. No more writing cassettes and photocopying covers, just sit back.

Commodore also sent me the latest computers to port the game onto, the CBM16 and 64 – together with all of the inside information – all the ports, memory locations and so on. All trade secrets, and very exciting!

I started a computer club, and a friend there started a company called Microgen who wrote a lot of Spectrum games, but I never really got involved with them. They had ten or so programmers – that was the

closest I ever got to the gaming industry.

TRGN: What background and experience did you have which lead you to writing games?

SIMON: Well, none really, but I was good at maths and have a problem solving mind. Certainly the latter is useful for writing software, I’ve always believed there are two ways to write software – the theoretical imagined that we would and the broken tops – and a way as is now normally have one device in our fancy character set. Then, it taught in colleges and pocket for making calls, was a case of working universities or the ‘artistic browsing the web, email, through the flow of the way’ – i.e. listening to music and so program, build the scene, write/test/crash/fix in an on. With a touch interface introduce the plane, with the iterative manner. too! variables that track what’s Eventually, you get there. on the screen at the same TRGN: Did you write any time. I also used to spend a lot of other games for the Vic 20 time looking at other or any other systems? TRGN: Were you people’s software, hacking influenced by any other well copy protection schemes, SIMON: Yes, I wrote a few, known programmers at the that sort of thing. some for magazines under time? the pseudonym “Zack TRGN: The industry was Jones”, and “Space Blast” SIMON: No, to be honest, I still very young at that point; for Commodore. Blitz was was in a world of my own! did you envisage the home also converted for the But, my only other contact computing scene would Commodore 16 and 64. The was Andy Lawrie – he’d explode like it did? 64 version “Super Blitz” written a chess game for used sprite graphics to have the ZX-81 and Spectrum SIMON: I was oblivious to a gorilla climbing the which led to the founding of what was going on, it was occasional skyscraper. his company, Microgen. At just a new technology and a computer show, where we was exciting. Much like new TRGN: What was the were selling tapes of his process for writing a chess game, I met Jeff game back then? Minter, who had a picture of me on the back of his stand SIMON: At that time, I with a moustache and was only into BASIC, glasses scribbled on it – he so I simply started had written a “Bomb with the interpreter, I Buenos Aires” game after wasn’t to learn the “Blitz” had been released. magic of 6502 Quite flattering that I’d machine code until a made such an impact, and I couple of years later. I do now have a moustache things now, who knows couldn’t draw, so I got my and glasses! what will be popular in a few friend, Steve Battle to draw years time? Ten years ago, the graphics, different styles we would not have of buildings, the roof lines

TRGN: Did you leave the TRGN: Do you scene completely, and if so, play modern why? computer games, and if so what do SIMON: Kind of. I had done you like to play? an electronics apprenticeship, but while SIMON: I used to, there, I made some test I like Call Of Duty, equipment using but not any more, computers. One, with a I sold the Xbox Sinclair MK14 tested 360 a little while cables. I proudly brought ago, I’m into this rig into the factory (I photography and made it all at home) and playing ukulele showed the foreman. Ten now, so I just minutes later, everyone had don’t have time. walked out of the factory! I’m limited to the odd believed them, but in June They had seen this upstart session of “Angry Birds” last year at the age of 48 I bringing in a machine that now. did just that for the first time could test cables in a in my life! I’m also doing a fraction of the time it took TRGN: What are you up to few reviews for an normally. An operative on these days and what things instrument supplier both the line used to test for do you have on the written and video. continuity and shorts using horizon? a meter, each one took a You can find out more couple of minutes. My rig, SIMON: My day job is in about Simon and his you plugged them in and an electronics, wireless business at the links below, indication was given technologies, mostly well worth a visit. instantly. My first lesson in involved in WiFi and management… Bluetooth Low Energy – the http://www.phooto.co.uk – latter is already on Apple photography TRGN: Do you think games devices and should be have lost their originality coming to Android this year. http://simontaylor.wordpr due to size of the I expect an explosion of ess.com – Simon’s blog development teams? connected devices like lighting, health devices http://www.youtube.com/u SIMON: Not really, now using Bluetooth Low Energy ser/phooto - Youtube there’s enough money to (also called Bluetooth Channel have programmers, artists SMART). and creative people. Working on your own, you I’m also a semi-professional need to be all of these, not photographer, doing very likely attributes in an weddings, commercial individual. photography and press (sports) photography. 10) Are you aware of the Homebrew scene where I started playing ukulele just people are still writing new over a year ago, and love it games for 8 bit computers? – it’s another world for me, away from technology and Sorry no, but I guess I great fun. If someone had should take a look! – I still said to me a year ago that I have a Vic20 and a CBM64 would sing and play solo at in the loft… an acoustic night every week I would never have

LED Racer

Feature by Phil Wheatley

I’m sure you’ve seen the great Outrun feature this month written by Drew Kenaz, Drew who also runs his own multi-media company has not only designed his own 8 bit computer before, but has written an awesome retro addictive, if that can be game which is available on considered a downside; iTunes. bringing a whole to level to the phrase “just one more go”.

If you remember the 3D handheld games from Tomytronic back in the 80s, then you will have an idea what to expect from LED racer. The original game Thundering Turbo which this game is based on, gave For a meagre 69p, this is a the impression of 3D by steal, compared to the projecting the image onto Magnum ice-cream I two separate view finders. recently bought for £1.80!

The advantage though with For more details, go to: LED Racer is you get real https://itunes.apple.com/g 3D by simply wearing a pair b/app/3d-led- of classic blue/red 3D race/id579356889?mt=8 glasses. If you don’t want to play in 3D then the option can be switched off.

As this game is iOS based, you can play this on an iPhone, an iPod Touch or an iPad. This is one of those games where the gameplay is simple, but is an awful lot of fun. The only downside is it is very

Stunt Car Racer (Amiga)

Reviewed by Phil Wheatley

Just about anybody who had an Amiga, Atari ST or Commodore 64 will know of this game; it made quite an impact in 1989 as there hadn’t been a racing game quite as extreme as this before.

In some respects one could draw some parallels between it and Hard Drivin’ (which came out the same year) and possibly Power Drifter(1988), but neither The game is based on a A quick glance at the race had quite the physics and series of races that run over courses would be enough gameplay that this title had. a period of seasons. In for the player to see this each season the player has was going to be quite a Developed by Geoff to race against two other different driving experience Crammond who was known drivers separately, each to other simulations that for his accurate racing competing for promotion to predated it. simulations Revs and the next stage. Revs+, it was obvious that Instead of conventional this game was going to be The player starts off in the courses run at ground level, something special. bottom (fourth) league and the tracks in Stunt Car makes their way to the top - Racer were on a raised The game was released providing they have enough platform and would escalate under Microprose in the UK points at the end of the to dizzying heights in the and MicroPlay in the US. season: Two points for a form of giant humps or loop As well as the Amiga Atari win and one point for the the loops. While this was ST and C64 versions, it was fastest lap. Each division great fun, one false move also available for the has two courses so there and the player would Amstrad CPC, ZX Spectrum are eight death defying plummet off the edge of the and the PC. tracks in total. track making a mess of their car.

The crane would lift the dragster back onto the course but this takes up valuable time. A tap of the joystick button would release the car from the crane’s grip. However, if the player was too eager and did this whilst the car was at too greater height from the track; or indeed, if the car was at the wrong angle it would more than likely topple over the edge

wasting further vital seconds and inevitably damage the car further.

Damage is shown in the form of cracks that form along the top bar of the car’s windscreen; once the cracks make a complete line from left to right the car becomes a complete write- off and the race is over. If the player crashes severely, then holes appear in the car which are permanent, thus making it more susceptible chances of climbing the machines up so two to further damage. If the ranks. This is easier said humans can battle it out. car bites the dust then the than done. For example, it This was a feature quite player loses the race by is easy to clear the giant ahead of its time default. hump back mound without considering the game came the wheels even touching out in 1989. As soon as the game starts, the ground, but go too fast it is easy to tell the and the car will end up nose Thanks to the skills of Geoff mechanics of the game are first at the other end. Crammond, this game feels going to be accurate just by really solid and was a truly the way the car swings as The player also has a turbo original release at the time. the crane drops the car onto boost at their disposal but The graphics may look a bit the track. Thankfully this can only be used for a dated now but I can however, the game is a lot limited time period. One guarantee it still plays as more forgiving than Revs, strategy for effective boost well today as it did in the as it allows the player to deployment is to trail an late eighties. It is therefore take corners at higher opponent and then use the definitely worth trying out or speeds due to the sloping boost to scream past them revisiting. banks of the tracks. in the closing stages of the race. Rating 93% Practising the courses to learn how fast each corner The game is typically a one and obstacle can be player affair, but the Amiga negotiated is the best way and ST versions provide the for a player to increase their opportunity to link two

Interview with Karl Watson (Woodlin37 from YouTube)

Karl is a rare find on Youtube as he is one of those guys who is happy to speak his mind without worrying too much about what others think.

Alongside this, he has a great sense of humour which is lacking in many people’s videos, which makes them more compelling to watch and always have an element of the support from comments fun. from other youtubers letting TRGN: Clearly your kids you know how you are have inherited your sense He is also known as the doing it becomes easier. of humour, were you man who started beer Also, in the earlier days I worried about including your drinking in pickup videos! had a few tips from people daughters on video? We caught up with him for who had been doing it years this exclusive alongside his which helped a lot. KARL: I wasn’t worried at trusty sidekick and daughter all no because I see the Isabella. TRGN: Your videos contain private messages and they

a great element of fun; do don’t, so if a comment or TRGN : What was it that you think some people take response wasn’t favourable, made you decide you things too seriously? It’s me that sees them. wanted to record videos for Overall 99.9% have enjoyed YouTube? my daughters being in the KARL: It’s a funny thing that, because I don’t really videos and my daughters KARL: I stumbled across a watch my videos back too ask to be in them, there’s few video’s on youtube by much and shooting them no way I could tell them no accident really when I was with my daughter can be a as they all love to play just searching for video nightmare for me but people games too. It’s great seeing game related footage, I seem to find it funny. To be them involved in something didn’t even know people fair on the whole I do have I’ve always been into since I showed their collections a good laugh doing them was their age. and pickups on there so I and nothing gets edited out thought I may be able to as I have no clue what to do TRGN: Your youngest is give it a shot. I’m glad I did with editing so everything even doing her own pickups as I’m loving it. you see is raw, overall I now, are you concerned

think the majority of people you’re going to get sacked TRGN: You look pretty in the gaming community from your own channel? comfortable on camera are up for a laugh and enjoy these days, how was it it. There can be serious KARL: Ha ha! Yes I am when you were starting out? topics yes and there may concerned, I seem to be the have heated debates but for sidekick these days, the KARL : It really is a learning me we have to remember idea for her first pickups curve, it’s like your first day why we are there and that’s was for her to do it on her at a new job, it’s nerve for the fun of gaming. own which she was happy racking but after time and

youtubers that had just started out with pickups and such, and at the time there was talk of pickups had become boring and old on people’s channels. I didn’t want this to put new tubers off from trying their hand at pickup videos and getting into the community, so I was thinking to myself how happy everyone would be with a tipple in their mitts, no boredom then! We would all be drunk, merry gamers indeed.

TRGN: Recently you made a very touching video explaining why certain handheld games are very sentimental to you. Which games mean the most to you for those reasons?

KARL: The Nintendo Game and Watch games mean a lot to me as those are the games I played at to do but when it came channel because of my Dad’s at the weekend around to shooting, she constant abuse from ‘trolls’, as my Mum and Dad wanted me to do the talking separated when I was very instead, cold feet I think! I’m a firm believer that if I young. My Dad died when I She’s always gaming, in put content on Youtube, it’s was 11 and I never saw fact she’s on the Wii as I not going to be to those games again, so type this and always takes everyone’s taste and I have recently in various pickup the 3ds to bed, no bed time to sometimes accept some videos I saw people getting stories in my house! negativity from people. Most them and it brought back so of the time it isn’t negativity, many memories that I TRGN: What do you say to it’s people having an wanted to get them again. those who have nothing opinion that differs to mine, A new tuber I have become better to do than leave which is fine. very good mates who I talk negative comments? and text with everyday TRGN: You recently knew my story and his local KARL : Thanks for started a revolution by retro game shop had one watching and thanks for stating people should have and he went and bought it being yourself! Ha ha, well I a beer while doing pickup for me, that’s generosity I must say I haven’t had too videos, where did that idea can’t put into words from much trouble with negativity come about? somebody who has known or from ‘trolls’ which I think me on Youtube for less cause the most trouble I KARL: Ah yes TBIPM (The than a month. believe, I remember a good Beers in Pickups youtuber taking down their Movement) I had recently My most treasured game is subbed to quite a lot of new the one my mate bought me

and that’s the 1983 Mario think I will ever Bros dual screen game, I grow out of it, just had fond memories which is funny playing this game, others I as I was walking had and want to get are down the street Donkey Kong, the other day Bombsweeper, Zelda, with a GAME Super Mario Bros, and bag in hand and Donkey Kong jr. I chap I know said “I thought TRGN : We understand you would have you’ve made some great grown out of friends though your that by now” I channel, can you tell us said hell no! more about that? who puts an age limit on KARL : I should have seen gaming this question before I anyways? Not answered question 8 ha ha, me! Well I keep in contact with a handful of people on TRGN: Do you youtube via PM and a few think collecting have my number, I guess games can become a real TRGN: What has been your there’s certain people you addiction for some people? happiest memories linked to connect with and it’s no Where do you draw the playing or collecting video different I guess to meeting line? games? say an xbox live friend for gaming and a chat KARL: Yes I do for sure, I KARL: I remember my first everyday over xbox live, think it’s the whole “I have video game console that I tubers are the same. I to have that collection of got for Xmas one year when guess we look out for each games” bug, once you get a I was young, it was an Atari other in one way or another, small collection you want 2600 with a box of loose pickup games for each more, this has happened to carts, I woke up that Xmas other and buy and sell from me once in the past with a morning and sneaked each other, I consider Dreamcast collection. I love downstairs to unwrap it myself lucky to call some of that machine and I just before my parents got up, them my mates in fact. wanted to collect for it, this when my mum got up she was many years ago, I was fuming as obviously as TRGN: Do you think we are would buy games I wasn’t a parent would want to see a bit sad recording videos of even going to play, but I the kids open their presents us opening packages and bought them to say I owned after spending all that cash showing what games we them, silly really in my book on them, even though fat git have recently bought? looking back now but each wearing a red suit and white to their own, who am I to beard would get all the credit. She wasn’t happy, KARL: Absolutely not no, say what’s right and wrong but I didn’t understand what gaming has a geeky stigma in game collecting, do what a game console was at the attached to it for some makes you happy I say. The time and I remember just reason, I love seeing what one tip I would say is don’t throwing the carts about the people have got from fellow break the bank, don’t miss room thinking this isn’t the tubers and ebay and such, paying bills, don’t miss A-team van I wanted! When for me its my soap I watch meals just to afford buying it was hooked up and Dig everyday, so it’s the norm games, that’s where the line Dug was loaded, that was it, for me, it’s a hobby its my is for me. I was hooked for life. My hobby and I love it, I don’t best memories are actually

right now playing games with my daughters, nothing beats that.

TRGN: Apart from maybe more wonderful violin playing, what plans do you have for new videos on your channel?

KARL: Ha ha you saw that video then! I do want to do some gameplay videos again that I’ve just started playing on my Gameboy as I’ve just picked up a Gameboy player for the The original came out in game, especially cube so it’s easier to record 1986 for the Beeb and the considering the low price, now. I will be doing footage Electron at the price of but I was wrong to judge it from gaming events like £7.95. Maybe this was a bit so quickly. play expo in Manchester steep for the time, which is this year and basically just possibly why it was more As soon as the game starts, to keep going with what I popular on the C64 at the the player finds themselves am doing. I mean, you have budget price of £1.99. It plummeting to the planet seen the violin playing was released under the surface as a consequence video, that wasn’t planned, Firebird label and this is the of its strong gravitational my eldest daughter came version that most people pull. A quick fumble of the home from school with that remember. controls reveals to the as a loan and an hour later player that the ship handles the video happened, so you As well as the C64 and in a similar way to the one never know with me, I can Speccy versions, the game in Asteroids, but with added be a crazy fool! was also ported to the Commodore 16; TRGN: Thank Karl for a Amstrad CPC; Atari great interview! 2600; Vectrex and the Atari ST. Please support Karl’s Curiously it didn’t channel by visiting and make it to the subscribing at: Amiga. Woodlin37’s Channel One of the first things to hit you with Thrust (C64) the C64 version is the awesome (albeit Reviewed by Phil slightly whacky) Wheatley soundtrack by music legend Rob Most people, me included Hubbard. Although, might think this game made at first glance you its debut on the C64 and ZX could be forgiven for Spectrum. However, it also thinking the graphics had an earlier release on are rather limited. I the BBC Micro and Acorn can remember Electron as a full priced title. lowering my expectations of the

picked up by hovering over a fuel pod and using the tractor beam to absorb it.

The first planet is pretty easy as everything the player needs to negotiate is above ground. However as one progress through the levels, there is a need to explore deeper into each planet’s underground caverns.

Some tunnels are quite a tight squeeze, and occasionally the player would have to shoot control gravity. It also reminded the ship’s transportation buttons to open sliding me of Jupiter Lander cable, it was wise to shoot doors to access the next somewhat. the power station a few cavern. As mentioned times before proceeding before, the visuals were The object of the game with the mission. Overcook basic but it was the physics seemed pretty simple at it though and the player of the game that made it first, the player needed to would have to flee before appealing and addictive. positiontheir ship above an the planet blew up. This orb, activate a tractor beam would result in a much If you completed all 6 levels to pull the orb off its dock lower score and was then you would have to and then transport the orb essentially defeating the repeat the process but with into space. object of the game. the gravity pulling in the opposite direction than it did However, in order to To make things more when playing first time complete the level, the difficult, each planet would around. Complete these player needed to shoot a have its own defence levels and the player would nearby power station a system in the form of gun then have to negotiate sufficient number of times to turrets which would take pot invisible walls, which could cause the planet to explode shots at you. They could only be exposed whilst the soon after their departure however be temporarily ship’s shield was activated. from the surface. disabled by shooting the power station a few times. This is one of those games As the ship became difficult which feels as fresh today to control due to the heavy To aid your situation your as it did back then; the orb swinging at the end of ship was equipped with an gameplay is simple but fun accurate laser and would no doubt lend as well as a itself to a modern device shield (note with tilt control such as a that using the tablet. shield would use up Rating 94% valuable fuel, so it was wise to use it sparingly). Thankfully, fuel could be

Shifted (Revival be purchased in Studios) digital format or you can get

them in physical Feature by Phil Wheatley format complete

with As wonderful as it is to write professional and reminisce about games cover art. of yesteryear, there is

something equally exciting With the recent and endearing about release of their enthusiasts writing brand new game new software for classic ‘Shifted’, we systems. wanted to

publish the The industry known as release material ‘Homebrew’ is something below. that is becoming more

successful and popular in Shifted recent years, there are

even people making a living Shifted is an from it. action puzzle

game that One software house that requires quick thinking and keys (O,P) to move cursor. does this is Revival Studios quick responses. Use up/down (Q,A) to shift run by the owner Martijn columns and use fire (or and is based in the You have to shift columns E/I) to rotate centre row. Netherlands. What makes up and down to make Revival great is they write combinations of gems on Game features : for systems that haven’t the centre row. The higher - Available on Tape and as had new commercial the combination, the more Digital Download material for over 30 years. points you will earn. - Highly Addictive

action/puzzler! On their website you will How long can you keep - Internet Highscore find games for systems shifting? uploading such as the Commodore - Online rewards Pet, ZX81, Colecovision How to play : - Support for AY-sound and more. The games can Use joystick left/right or boards - ZXpand joystick interface support

Internet Highscore uploading : After each game you will be told your highscore and shown a highscore code. This code will allow you to upload your highscores to the internet. Now you can compare your scores with players worldwide!

Make 3 5-combos in one Go to www.revival- game on Cassette Tape and as studios.com/highscores to [bronze] Shifting along - Digital Download. enter your name and code. Score 100 points or more You can 0rder the full game Online rewards: Besides uploading your on cassette tape for: 7,99 Besides getting a high highscores as mentioned euros, or as digital score, there are also above, you will also be able download for: 3,99 euros by rewards to be earned for to update your earned emailing to: sales @ revival- performing specific tasks in rewards online. studios.com the game. This game contains the Rewards are added to any If you buy the tape version, following rewards: rewards achieved at an you will of course get the earlier time, so there is no digital download for free. [bronze] Shift Crazy! - to earn all rewards in a Play 50 games in one single playthrough/session. For more details, visit: session http://www.revival- [gold] Combo artist - Screenshots: studios.com Make 10 4-combos in one game Release info: [silver] High Five - The full game is available

Altered Beast (Sega Master System)

Reviewed by Anthony L Luna

Altered Beast for the Sega Master System is a fairly faithful port of the arcade classic of the same name in a time when Arcade ports were fairly hit and miss. Packed to the rim in 8 bit action and awesome monster transformations, Altered Beast is a joy to occasions did I have to more faithful, but Altered behold. really squint my eyes to tell Beast makes the best of it's Now, it's not all swell and what something was limitations and creates an dandy. Due to certain supposed to be. experience worthy of any limitations of the Sega The music is here is very hardcore Sega fan, if you Master System's hardware nice. It sounds very warm can overcome the hardware there is a significant and summons images of that gamers faced back in decrease in the amount of fantasy. The first thing I those days. It's no Streets frames of animation and the thought of when I heard the of Rage, but it's a still a sprite limitations can cause Music was of old MS DOS beast of a game. some rather disorienting RPG, setting this games sessions. This paired with composers a bit ahead of BIO: Anthony Luna is the the fact that Altered Beast their time. Unfortunately, Creator and writer for runs quite a bit slower than this game also used PCM RetroFiends, the retro game it's arcade port, can cause voice samples which (for reviews website that you to overestimate your the time) were awesome delivers you content position in comparison to but nowadays are kind of detailing history and the enemies. obnoxious and distorted. commentary on the best With a large variety of But as far as master system (and the worst) from video enemies, and a few very voice samples go they are game industry history. Strap different monster forms you tolerable; my ears weren't on your nostalgia goggles can take (hence the name bleeding or anything. and visit RetroFiends at Altered Beast) the game However, the voice actor of Retrofiends Retro Game seldom feels stale and is the main player character Reviews today! highly replayable. seems more than just a little Depending on how you play out of place. The player you may or may not run into character is supposed to situations you ran into the be manly, yet has this last time, such as a certain wimpish voice and boss fight. screams like a little girl Hardware limitations when he's been killed. considered, the graphics Ultimately, Altered Beast are very nice. Perhaps one on the Sega Master of the better games to use System is one of the larger sprites on the best arcade conversions system. The setting is to bless the console. It's clearly identifiable and the not perfect, by a long shot. sprite work here is Heck, some home charming. Only on a few conversions were ever

The Staff of Karath (C64)

Reviewed by Phil Wheatley

In the first half of the 80s, Ultimate Play the Game made a huge impact on the Spectrum scene. Despite their games costing around three British pounds more than their competitors, they were cleaning up with games like Jetpac, one could rest assured that Sabrewulf and Knightlore. it would be up to scratch? As the inlay stated, “Many After all, the brand had to millions of years ago before Their games had interesting protect its reputation. man and his descendants, titles, great gameplay and there lived a very different unique packaging that The main coding was done kind of creature. These somehow unified them; you by a programmer called creatures were known as felt like you had to have the Dave Thomas whilst his Sarnathians, originating whole collection. However, brother Bob Thomas took from a long dead planet and could the Stamper Brothers care of the graphics. coming to Earth when their repeat their success on the Obviously, it had quite a planet was on the verge of Commodore 64? different look to Spectrum destruction.” games but took full I can remember the advantage of the "These evil creatures used excitement of seeing the Commodore’s colourful and an Orb from their planet to advert for The Staff of chunky sprites. wreak havoc and assist in Karnath in a computer their plans to control the magazine, with its familiar Whilst the game loaded, the universe. However, the orb artwork and associated player was presented with a became too powerful to mystique. In a departure faithful reproduction of the control and banished these from the norm, the game game cover, followed by a creatures into the would be written by decent ditty to keep them stratosphere, destroying freelancers outside of the entertained whilst they their planet. Ultimate camp, but surely perused the instructions. Centuries pass and the player is transported to the exact day the Orb is reaching its critical power level. It is 6 o’clock and our hero Sir Arthur Pendragon has until midnight to destroy the Orb before it destroys time and space as we know it.

To achieve this Sir Arthur must find 16 pieces of a pentagram which have been hidden around a castle in order to gain

access to the Obelisk. The castle is presented as a Contained within is the Staff three dimensional cutaway of Karnath which must be and the screen scrolls destroyed in order to smoothly as the player complete the game. moves from room to room. The attacks from the Finding the hidden pieces creatures are pretty would already be hard relentless which can make enough but the player’s the game a bit frustrating at progress is hindered further times, but also challenging. by the presence of creatures roaming around This game was a great first the castle. For the best part outing on the C64 for of the game, avoidance is Ultimate, but whether the the best strategy, but spells quality would be consistent can also be collected which in the next few titles would will remove the remain to be seen… aforementioned fiends. The Staff of Karnath is a When the player has great game which was well collected one of the received at the time and is pieces,they must place it in still very playable to this the chamber before they day. can move onto the next one. As there is not a save Rating 89% function, all tasks must be completed in one sitting - this is no mean feat.

Next Issue

Next time there will the usual awesome retro reviews such as Nodes of Yesod and Target Renegade, and we will be interviewing YouTuber Interghost!

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Phil

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