Cobra
Release Date  1986
Original Publisher  Ocean Software Ltd (UK)
Min. Hardware  ZX-Spectrum 48K
Language  English
Genre  Arcade Game: Platform
Max. Players  1
Original Price  £7.95
Features  Dynamic Loading Screen
Graphical Views  Side-view 2D Graphics
Controls  Cursor, Interface 2 (right), Kempston Joystick, Redefineable keys
Screen Movements  Horizontal Scrolling
Tie-in Licences  Cobra (Movie) from Warner Brothers Inc (USA)
Other Platforms  Amstrad CPC, Commodore 64
Average mag. score  75.00% (5 reviews)
Martijn's WoS score  83.4% (120 votes)

Re-releases
     #1 - Erbe Software S.A. (Spain)(1986)
     #2 - IBSA (Spain)(1986)
     #3 - The Hit Squad (UK)(1989)as "MOVIE COLLECTION 02: Cobra"
     * Release price: £2.99

Authors/Contributors
     Jonathan M. Smith (UK) - ?
     Steve Cain (UK) - ?
     Martin Galway (UK) - ?
     John Alvin - Inlay/Poster Art

Annual Awards
     2nd Best Advertisement - 1986 Crash Readers Awards.
     2nd Best Music - 1986 Crash Readers Awards.
     2nd Best Sound FX - 1986 Crash Readers Awards.
     3rd Best Platform Game - 1986 Crash Readers Awards.

Review Awards
     "Crash Smash"at Crashissue v.1 #35 - 1986/Decpage 140
     "ZX Computing Globella"at ZX Computingissue #35 - 1987/Marpage 44

Known Errors
     Bugfix provided by Bandit:
  • Killing the Night Slasher when you have the invincibility power-up causes the game to never end. In this case, you are left to endlessly stroll around the level without any enemies. Fixed using the following patch:
          org $9490       ; 38032
          jp $aef0        ; 195 240 174

          org $aef0       ; 44784
          cp 7            ; 254 7
          jp z,$9566      ; 202 102 149
          jp $956a        ; 195 106 149

Bugfix provided by zxbruno, jp, and Einar Saukas:
  • The original release synchronized with video display by reading IN $FF port, however this routine was incompatible with +2A/+3 due to hardware differences, causing the game to freeze in an infinite loop:
    95fe: ld bc,$3f28
    9601: ld a,c
    9602: in a,($ff)      ; register 'A' always set to $FF in +2A/+3
    9604: cp b
    9605: jr nc,$9601     ; repeat forever!
    9607: ret
    The Hit Squad re-release solved this problem by replacing this routine with a fixed loop:
    95fe: ld bc,$0300
    9601: dec bc
    9602: ld a,b
    9603: or c
    9604: nop
    9605: jr nz,$9601
    9607: ret

Modified "BUGFIX" files provided by Einar Saukas (edited TAP image) and jp (Alkatraz loader patch for the original TZX image).

Compilations
     Full version inChartbustersby Ocean Software Ltd (UK)
     Full version inThe Magnificent Seven(1987)by Ocean Software Ltd (UK)

Main File Downloads
     FilenameReleaseMachineSchemeLanguageComments
 Cobra(different).tzx.zipOriginalZX-Spectrum 48K(Alkatraz Protection System)English - (different)
Cobra.tap.zipOriginalZX-Spectrum 48K(???)English
 Cobra.tzx.zipOriginalZX-Spectrum 48K(Alkatraz Protection System)English
Cobra(BUGFIX).tap.zipOriginalZX-Spectrum 48K(???)English
Cobra(BUGFIX).tzx.zipOriginalZX-Spectrum 48K(???)English
 Cobra(MediumCase)(ErbeSoftwareS.A.).tzx.zip#1ZX-Spectrum 48K(Unspecified custom loader)English - (Medium Case)
 Cobra(SmallCase)(ErbeSoftwareS.A.).tzx.zip#1ZX-Spectrum 48K(Unspecified custom loader)English - (Small Case)
 Cobra(IBSA).tzx.zip#2ZX-Spectrum 48K(Unspecified custom loader)English
 Cobra(TheHitSquad).tzx.zip#3ZX-Spectrum 48K(SpeedLock 7)English

Additional File Downloads
     FilenameSizeReleaseTypeLanguageComments
     Cobra.scr6,912OriginalLoading screen
     Cobra.gif6,803OriginalRunning screen
     Cobra.jpg746,974OriginalInlay - Front
     Cobra_Back.jpg722,546OriginalInlay - Back
     Cobra_Tape.jpg71,815OriginalMedia scan
     Cobra_Tape_2.jpg81,445OriginalMedia scan
     Cobra.ay.zip1,912OriginalRipped in-game/theme music in AY format
     Cobra.mp3.zip1,357,663OriginalSampled in-game/theme music in MP3 format
     COBRA.TXT4,144OriginalInstructions - Docs & Cheats (from games database)
     cobra.txt1,933OriginalInstructions
     Cobra.txt2,836OriginalInstructionsEnglish
     Cobra.jpg269,091OriginalGame map
     Cobra_2.jpg314,416OriginalGame map
     Cobra_3.jpg86,042OriginalGame map
     Cobra_4.png26,099OriginalGame map
     Cobra.jpg157,627OriginalAdvertisement
     cobra.rzx0OriginalRZX playback file - Recorded by Daren (with rollback)
     Cobra (1986)(Ocean Software).pok155OriginalPOK pokes file
     Cobra(ErbeSoftwareS.A.).jpg34,841#1Inlay - Front
     Cobra(ErbeSoftwareS.A.)_2.jpg206,926#1Inlay - Front
     Cobra(ErbeSoftwareS.A.).pdf27,130#1InstructionsSpanish
     Cobra(IBSA).jpg84,036#2Inlay - Front
     Cobra(HitSquad).jpg392,438#3Inlay - Front
     Cobra(HitSquad)_Back.jpg345,125#3Inlay - Back
     Cobra(MOVIECOLLECTION02-Cobra)(HitSquad)_Tape.jpg77,366#3Media scan
     Cobra(MOVIECOLLECTION02-Cobra)(HitSquad)_Tape_2.jpg71,805#3Media scan
     Cobra_HitSquad_Instructions.pdf218,978#3Instructions

Magazine Reviews
     C&VG (Computer & Video Games)issue #63-1987/Janpage 33- Review
     C&VG (Computer & Video Games)issue #96-1989/Novpage 79- Review: 68%
     Computer Gamerissue #22-1987/Janpage 29- Review
     Crashissue v.1 #35-1986/Decpage 140- Review: 93%
     MicroHobbyissue #107-1986/Decpage 16- Review - Nuevo
     Popular Computing Weeklyissue v.5 #47-1986/Nov/20 special "week#3"page 53- Review
     Sinclair Userissue #58-1987/Janpage 31- Review: 3/5
     Your Sinclairissue #14-1987/Febpage 43- Review: 8/10
     Your Sinclairissue #49-1990/Janpage 52- Review: 74%
     Your Sinclairissue #78-1992/Junpage 55- Review - Your Sinclair - Article Re-review
     ZX Computingissue #35-1987/Marpage 44- Review

Magazine References
     Crashissue v.1 #36-1987/Jan special "Christmas Special 1986/87"page 121- Feature - Reviewers Challenge
     Crashissue v.1 #37-1987/Febpage 63- Hack/Poke
     Crashissue v.1 #38-1987/Marpage 60- Map
     Crashissue v.1 #40-1987/Maypage 85- Hack/Poke
     Crashissue v.1 #40-1987/Maypage 85- Tips
     Crashissue v.1 #41-1987/Junpage 49- Hack/Poke
     Crashissue v.1 #43-1987/Augpage 60- Hack/Poke
     Crashissue v.1 #45-1987/Octpage 61- Tips
     Crashissue v.1 #46-1987/Novpage 44- Tips
     Crashissue v.1 #59-1988/Decpage 44- Hack/Poke
     Crashissue v.1 #74-1990/Marpage 30- Tips
     Crashissue v.1 #91-1991/Augpage 49- Tips
     Die Speccy CDissue 1996/Janpage 0- Tips
     MicroHobbyissue #107-1986/Decpage 17- Tips - Consejos
     MicroHobbyissue #113-1987/Janpage 31- Tips - Tokes
     MicroHobbyissue #122-1987/Marpage 11- Feature - Justicieros
     MicroHobbyissue #143-1987/Seppage 29- Tips - Tokes
     MicroHobbyissue #158-1987/Decpage 37- Tips - Tokes
     MicroHobbyissue #166-1988/Marpage 69- Tips - Tokes
     MicroHobbyissue #168-1988/Aprpage 70- Tips - Tokes
     SSD-IIissue 1999/Seppage 0- Information
     Sinclair Userissue #56-1986/Novpage 69- Feature - Micros In The Movies
     Sinclair Userissue #56-1986/Novpage 111- Preview
     Sinclair Userissue #60-1987/Mar supplement "Good Map Guide 1987"page 10- Map
     Sinclair Userissue #60-1987/Marpage 16- Tips
     Sinclair Userissue #113-1991/Julpage 16- Tips
     YS Smash Tipsissue 1988/Augpage 10- Hack/Poke
     Your Computerissue v.6 #10-1986/Octpage 19- News/Note
     Your Sinclairissue #13-1987/Janpage 33- Feature - Carry On Screening
     Your Sinclairissue #15-1987/Marpage 39- Tips
     Your Sinclairissue #15-1987/Marpage 81- Hack/Poke
     Your Sinclairissue #17-1987/Maypage 25- Map

Magazine Advertisements
     C&VG (Computer & Video Games)issue #62-1986/Decpage 113- Full-page ad
     C&VG (Computer & Video Games)issue #63-1987/Janpage 81- Full-page ad
     C&VG (Computer & Video Games)issue #64-1987/Febpage 84- Full-page ad
     C&VG (Computer & Video Games)issue #94-1989/Seppage 54- Advert - The Hit Squad advert
     Computer Gamerissue #21-1986/Decpage 99- Full-page ad
     Computer Gamerissue #24-1987/Marpage 60- Full-page ad
     Crashissue v.1 #35-1986/Decpage 2- Full-page ad
     Crashissue v.1 #36-1987/Jan special "Christmas Special 1986/87"page 195- Full-page ad
     Crashissue v.1 #68-1989/Seppage 4- Advert - The Hit Squad advert
     Crashissue v.1 #69-1989/Octpage 23- Advert - The Hit Squad advert
     Sinclair Userissue #57-1986/Decpage 106- Full-page ad
     Sinclair Userissue #58-1987/Janpage 78- Full-page ad
     Sinclair Userissue #59-1987/Febpage 26- Full-page ad
     Sinclair Userissue #90-1989/Seppage 49- Advert - The Hit Squad advert
     Sinclair Userissue #91-1989/Octpage 69- Advert - The Hit Squad advert
     Your Sinclairissue #12-1986/Decpage 122- Full-page ad
     Your Sinclairissue #13-1987/Janpage 60- Full-page ad
     Your Sinclairissue #45-1989/Seppage 69- Advert - The Hit Squad advert
     Your Sinclairissue #46-1989/Octpage 66- Advert - The Hit Squad advert
     ZX Computingissue #32-1986/Decpage 92- Full-page ad

Related Magazine Reviews
     ACE (Advanced Computer Entertainment)issue #4-1988/Janpage 97- Review (The Magnificent Seven)
     Crashissue v.1 #48-1988/Jan special "Christmas Special 1987/88"page 34- Review - Crash - Compilation (The Magnificent Seven)

Related Magazine References
     ACE (Advanced Computer Entertainment)issue #4-1988/Janpage 95- Feature - Christmas Crackers (The Magnificent Seven)
     C&VG (Computer & Video Games)issue #75-1988/Janpage 8- News/Note (The Magnificent Seven)
     Crashissue v.1 #48-1988/Jan special "Christmas Special 1987/88"page 34- Feature - Christmas Compilations (The Magnificent Seven)

Related Magazine Advertisements
     ACE (Advanced Computer Entertainment)issue #5-1988/Febpage 64- Full-page ad (The Magnificent Seven)
     ACE (Advanced Computer Entertainment)issue #10-1988/Julpage 58- Advert (The Magnificent Seven)
     C&VG (Computer & Video Games)issue #74-1987/Decpage 186- Full-page ad (The Magnificent Seven)
     C&VG (Computer & Video Games)issue #75-1988/Janpage 138- Full-page ad (The Magnificent Seven)
     C&VG (Computer & Video Games)issue #76-1988/Febpage 29- Full-page ad (The Magnificent Seven)
     C&VG (Computer & Video Games)issue #78-1988/Aprpage 71- Advert (The Magnificent Seven)
     C&VG (Computer & Video Games)issue #80-1988/Junpage 13- Advert (The Magnificent Seven)
     C&VG (Computer & Video Games)issue #82-1988/Augpage 71- Full-page ad (The Magnificent Seven)
     C&VG (Computer & Video Games)issue #83-1988/Seppage 34- Advert (The Magnificent Seven)
     Crashissue v.1 #47-1987/Decpage 33- Full-page ad (The Magnificent Seven)
     Crashissue v.1 #48-1988/Jan special "Christmas Special 1987/88"page 195- Full-page ad (The Magnificent Seven)
     Crashissue v.1 #50-1988/Marpage 115- Full-page ad (The Magnificent Seven)
     Crashissue v.1 #52-1988/Maypage 38- Advert (The Magnificent Seven)
     Crashissue v.1 #56-1988/Seppage 122- Advert (The Magnificent Seven)
     Sinclair Userissue #70-1988/Janpage 72- Full-page ad (The Magnificent Seven)
     Sinclair Userissue #73-1988/Aprpage 91- Advert (The Magnificent Seven)
     Sinclair Userissue #76-1988/Julpage 33- Advert (The Magnificent Seven)
     Sinclair Userissue #77-1988/Augpage 52- Full-page ad (The Magnificent Seven)
     The Games Machineissue #2-1987/Decpage 93- Full-page ad (The Magnificent Seven)
     The Games Machineissue #3-1988/Febpage 92- Full-page ad (The Magnificent Seven)
     The Games Machineissue #5-1988/Aprpage 36- Advert (The Magnificent Seven)
     The Games Machineissue #7-1988/Junpage 22- Advert (The Magnificent Seven)
     The Games Machineissue #9-1988/Augpage 6- Full-page ad (The Magnificent Seven)
     Your Sinclairissue #25-1988/Janpage 36- Full-page ad (The Magnificent Seven)
     Your Sinclairissue #28-1988/Aprpage 105- Advert (The Magnificent Seven)
     Your Sinclairissue #30-1988/Junpage 100- Advert (The Magnificent Seven)

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