ZX Spectrum +

[Harrison]

Have you tried your project on the Amstrad CPC?

I've recently been reminiscing about my CPC464 and have always wanted a CPC6128. And the later Plus models intrigued me. Although with emulation I don't really have a need. Maybe later. Never personally wanted to own a Spectrum though. The hardware and software abilities have always seemed a little too basic for me. Especially when most games got a direct CPC port anyway, and they don't suffer colour clash.

Equally as you mentioned many of the game's were also on MSX and that was definitely the superior hardware of the era. Shame it never really made it to the UK at the time. I've never used one other than emulation. That's a system that interests me.

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[Buleste]

I should imagine Arduitape will work on the CPC. It's more if we can get it to play files without the need for converting to .WAV that's the hard part.

[Ghost]

I only find the MSX interesting for its own original library.
The Spectrum conversions of games feel kinda cheap to be honest. I know there was no budget for the developers to completely redevelop titles for more powerful hardware or make a separate MSX version of a game at the same time, but it gives the feeling that there was little or no interest from Western developers to make titles uniquely for the MSX. Just another platform they could put their games on.

So Buleste, what games are you going to play?

Through this site you might find some interesting new titles: http://www.indieretronews.com/

Sometimes I honestly envy you guys, to you all this retro stuff takes you back to your younger days. Me as a sort of fringe retro fan will probably never understand that feeling.

[Buleste]

TBH It's been running repairs and I've not spent much time playing games. Replacement speaker. Replacing variable resistors for colour control. Replacement keyboard membrane.

However I have tried the Ultimate games, Elite, and the Magic Knight Quadrology. Having never owned a Spectrum it's been interesting to play games that I have played so much on both MSX and C64 (not the Ultimate games though).


The MSX was certainly a flop in Britain and although some games are improved on the MSX over the Spectrum there are also a lot of poor conversions.

Where the MSX truly came in to it's own was the Konami cartridge titles. The ability to improve the sound and add memory made the games expensive but far superior to other 8-bit conversions. The MSX2 and the MSX2+ are really where the machine shone but by the time they were released we were getting in to the 16-bit generation.

The past few months has seen me archiving MSX cassette games in English as they haven't been done in the past so it's been fun trying games that I possibly wouldn't normally have tried.

[Ghost]

However I have tried the Ultimate games, Elite, and the Magic Knight Quadrology. Having never owned a Spectrum it's been interesting to play games that I have played so much on both MSX and C64 (not the Ultimate games though).

I definitely remember Ultima's Jetpac, it is the game that got me into gaming in the first place
Also played some other Ultimate games like Pssst but I never got the hang of Lunar Jetman until I played the remake.
Ultimate was definitely one of the more popular developers for the Spectrum. I do wonder how their games hold up today.

I have heard about the Magic Knight games before but I wonder what kind of games they are. From the screenshots on World of Spectrum I get a sort of 'Dizzy' adventure game vibe.

hmm, Elite, I doubt it will be any different than other ports. Starstrike 3D and Starstrike II are more arcade oriented but perhaps you might like them.

Do please tell us about your experiences after you have played more games.

Where the MSX truly came in to it's own was the Konami cartridge titles. The ability to improve the sound and add memory made the games expensive but far superior to other 8-bit conversions. The MSX2 and the MSX2+ are really where the machine shone but by the time they were released we were getting in to the 16-bit generation.

Definitely, Konami was the king of the MSX, and so many of its games started on it (next to Arcades),
It is a shame a MSX3 was never made as I am honestly curious what games for it had been like. Perhaps Mode 7 like on the SNES.

There are handful of MSX2/MSX2+ games that are still worth to play. Not going to mention the obvious ones but definitely try out some of Konami's less mentioned games such as Circus Charlie or Penguin Adventure.
One game I also really enjoy on the MSX is Psycho World. Decent platformer that also got a Master System/Game Gear conversion, MSX version is the best though.

Wish you lived nearby so I could visit you and also have a go with your Spectrum.

[Buleste]

The differences with the versions of Elite are mostly graphics but there's also the differences in missions and ships. MSX Elite on disk is supposed to be the most complete 8-bit version but it also the most terrible for docking. It has to be played to be seen.

Finders Keepers is in gameplay to Jet Set Willy, Manic Miner etc but it's the follow ups where it all changes. Definitely not Dizzy. Hate all the Dizzy games. Lol

Never heard of Psycho World but I'll have to give it a try now.

http://www.passionmsx.org/modules/my...7&lang=english

[Ghost]

The differences with the versions of Elite...

Not really a fan of Elite. I know it for the important role it played in game design, helping giving rise to the open world games. I am not really a fan of it as I prefer games with that have a narrative and a little more linear and goal oriented.
What is the reputation of the ZX Spectrum version.

Finders Keepers is in gameplay to Jet Set Willy, Manic Miner etc but it's the follow ups where it all changes.

I had a look at the games on Youtube. The first definitely like those games you mentioned while the later ones are more like a graphic adventure game, complete with an over elaborate user interface.
I would most likely not played those games without a walkthrough or hint book at my side as I don't think it would be that friendly for people like me who have never played an adventure game less advanced that the Secret of Monkey Island.

Definitely not Dizzy. Hate all the Dizzy games. Lol

I always found the Dizzy games so nauseating cutesy looking, all the egg people reminded me of the Smurfs.
And what is the deal with the boxing gloves when the character never hits enemies (At least I think he doesn't).

Never heard of Psycho World but I'll have to give it a try now.

I think it is undeserved forgotten. Sure it did not set any new standards for platform games but what did the genre right and was also a little bit of a technical accomplishment on the MSX regarding the scrolling.
Check out Gryzor on the MSX2, going from one screen to another. The same with Castelvania/Vampire Hunter.
Imagine the impact those two games would have had if they had scrolling similar to their NES counterparts.