Spectrum Computing

Okay, there are maybe two or three games here. Not many to choose from. There you go, should be easy to pick, the poll concludes at 22:15ish (UK time) Mon 22nd October. Get going!

Saboteur by Durell


Saboteur II by Durell


Sabre Wulf by Ultimate


Sacred Armour of Antiriad, The by Palace Software


Salamander by Konami


Samurai Warrior by Firebird


Sanxion by Thalamus


Savage by Firebird


SAS Combat Simulator by Code Masters


Scapeghost by Level 9 Computing


Sceptre of Bagdad by Atlantis Software


Scooby Doo by Elite


Scuba Dive by Durell


Seabase Delta by Firebird


Sergeant Seymour Robot Cop by Code Masters


Seymour Goes to Hollywood by Code Masters


Shadow Dancer by US Gold


Shadowfire by Beyond Software


Shadow of the Beast by Gremlin


Shadow Warriors by Ocean


Shao-Lin's Road by The Edge[/url]


Sherlock by Melbourne House


Shinobi by Virgin Games


Shockway Rider by Faster Than Light


Short Circuit by Ocean


Show Jumping by Alligata Software


Side Arms by Go!


Sidewalk by Infogrames


Silkworm by Virgin Games


Sim City by Infogrames


Sir Fred by Made In Spain/Mikro Gen


Sir Lancelot by Melbourne House


Skate Crazy by Gremlin


Skool Daze by Microsphere


Slightly Magic by Code Masters


Sly Spy: Secret Agent by Ocean


Smash TV by Ocean


Software House by Cult Games


Software Star by Addictive Games


Soldier of Fortune by Firebird Software


Soldier of Light by ACE Software


Solomon's Key by US Gold


Southern Belle by Hewson


Space Crusade by Gremlin


Space Harrier by Elite


Spawn Of Evil by DK'Tronics


Spellbound by Mastertronic Added Dimension


Spellbound Dizzy by Code Masters


Spindizzy by Electric Dreams


Splat! by Incentive


Split Personalities by Domark


Spy Hunter by US Gold


Spy vs Spy by Beyond


Spy vs Spy II: The Island Caper by Databyte


Spy vs Spy III: Arctic Antics by Databyte


Starglider by Rainbird


Starglider 2 by Rainbird


Starquake by Bubble Bus Software


Star Raiders II by Electric Dreams


Star Wars by Domark


Steve Davis Snooker by CDS Microsystems


Stifflip & Co by Palace Software


St. Dragon by Storm


Stop the Express by Sinclair Research


Stormbringer by Mastertronic Added Dimension


Stormlord by Hewson


Stormlord II: Deliverance by Hewson


Strider by US Gold


Strider II by US Gold


Strike Force Cobra by Piranha


Summer Games by US Gold


Summer Games II by US Gold


Super Hang-On by Electric Dreams


Super Stuntman by Code Masters


Sweevo's Whirled by Gargoyle Games


Sweevo's World by Gargoyle Games


Switchblade by Gremlin


SWIV by Storm

This is a tricky one. There are a lot of very good games in the list, and you could spend ages agonising over the vote. If any of you are finding it difficult to decide, my advice would be just to go on the shininess of the inlay.

Sabre Wulf for me. One of the classics (well, not a good argument, as there are lots of classics in the list to vote! ) that I played a lot and still play a lot. I love it.

Incomplete list.

These were suggested and are missing:

3D Starstrike by Realtime Games Software



Starstrike II by Realtime Games Software

Rorthron wrote: ↑Tue Oct 16, 2018 5:59 am This is a tricky one. There are a lot of very good games in the list, and you could spend ages agonising over the vote. If any of you are finding it difficult to decide, my advice would be just to go on the shininess of the inlay.

It's great innit. There can't be many games that manage to make the off the peg release feel as special as a limited edition.

Metalbrain wrote: ↑Tue Oct 16, 2018 10:48 am Incomplete list.

I think we're stuck with it—it's not possible for mods or users to edit polls.

Another fine list, replete with classics. These stand out to me:

Stormlord
Spellbound
Starquake
Splat
Sir Lancelot
Shinobi
Sabre Wulf

And especially Saboteur. I spent ages playing this BITD, largely because they shunned the usual tradition of making it impossibly difficult from the off.

That said, my vote has to go to Skool Daze. It's an inventive masterpiece, and a classic that everyone remembers.

For me it was between:

Sabre Wulf
Scuba Dive
Sherlock
Sir Fred
Splat
Spindizzy
Skool Daze
Starquake

All of which I played lots and really enjoyed.

After a lot of deliberation I'm going for Skool Daze. Just for its impressive originality and sense of humour. Quite an achievement to beat Starquake on this occasion, which I rate extremely highly.

A lot of good games.

There are probably better games here but my vote will go to... Sceptre of Bagdad

Nobody else will probably vote for it so at least my vote will make some justice. It's a very nice adventure game with good graphics and all right difficulty. I spend quite a lot of nice moments with it, so it's mostly about personal memories.

There are a lot of really high quality titles in that list but I've gone for Split Personalities/Splitting Images. It's one of the best puzzle games ever made IMO, better even than Tetris, and is one I'll always have another go at whenever I fire up an emulator, despite completing it dozens of times.

Special mention to Stormbringer 128K which has one of the best AY tunes of all time.

I think Skooldaze will romp this poll though.

Lots of great games, though I had to go for Skooldaze. Sheer brilliance in design, innovation and fun. Also, the way it was developed is pretty impressive as well.

Ersh wrote: ↑Tue Oct 16, 2018 3:49 pm Also, the way it was developed is pretty insane as well.

Fixed.

I'm referring to David writing the machine code on paper and Helen inputting it, but yep—it's still impressive

It's interesting that the graphics were done by a friend with a background in graphic design, but no familiarity with the Spectrum (that's the impression I have anyway). I wonder if that's what gave it the fresh cartoon style that stands out from most other 1984 releases.

What if I voted Salamander...

R-Tape wrote: ↑Tue Oct 16, 2018 4:47 pm Fixed.

I'm referring to David writing the machine code on paper and Helen inputting it, but yep—it's still impressive

It's interesting that the graphics were done by a friend with a background in graphic design, but no familiarity with the Spectrum (that's the impression I have anyway). I wonder if that's what gave it the fresh cartoon style that stands out from most other 1984 releases.

Pretty much! It's hard to wrap my head around the patience and dedication needed for that sort of development. Doing it all on paper then getting it into the computer byte by byte, Zen mastery required surely.

Yeah, love the graphics in the Microsphere trilogy, instantly recognisable and charming as hell.

The good point of Skool Daze is its originality (I don't think it was coded a similar game before for any computer/console) and that you could act in the game as you was those days, a student (and do things you can't usually do! )

This is waaaaaaaaay too hard to pick only one. Many classics here, many with awesome gameplay, many that i can still play today and sometimes do! I thought it would be easy to choose Starquake but how can i not choose Skool Daze. Sabre Wulf is a true classic, and that octopus in Scuba Dive...

I've gone for Skool Daze but i feel really bad as Starquake has probably had more playtime from me.
Toughest letter yet. Think it should be split into two halves to be honest so we can pick two

I voted for Starglider.
I loved the game on my shiny new Atari ST and was so pissed off that it was better on the Spectrum.

Metalbrain wrote: ↑Tue Oct 16, 2018 10:48 am Incomplete list.

These were suggested and are missing:

3D Starstrike by Realtime Games Software



Starstrike II by Realtime Games Software

Ah, now Starstrike II I don't remember seeing. Genuine mistake. However, 3D Starstrike does not fit this list (nor does 3D Seiddab Attack), as it's going to the numeric poll I'll carry out, just after Z.

R-Tape wrote: ↑Tue Oct 16, 2018 11:36 am

Metalbrain wrote: ↑Tue Oct 16, 2018 10:48 am Incomplete list.

I think we're stuck with it—it's not possible for mods or users to edit polls.

Yeah, that's one of the failings of phpBB. I'd like to go back and add in Starstrike II.

When I was compiling the list and putting in all the url and img tags, Sim City really leapt out at me. I spent months playing that game in the twilight years of my Spectrum's life. Offered almost the same experience as the 16-bit versions. Absolutely immersive.

I hit the submit button, I gave the list a look and I had to go for the first thing listed on it, no question - Saboteur! That's fantastic, another immersive game with lots of explore. I think it's better than Sim City.

Silkworm was pretty good; I too really enjoyed the fairly unknown budget gem Sceptre of Bagdad (really pleased it's got a following here) and the game that's absolutely way out in front - Skool Daze - is highly commendable indeed.

Don't mind any of them lot winning. Looks like Skool Daze has got it.

Fantastic job pulling all those screens out [mention]PeteProdge[/mention]. A real labour of love!

Ralf wrote: ↑Tue Oct 16, 2018 2:30 pm A lot of good games.

There are probably better games here but my vote will go to... Sceptre of Bagdad

Nobody else will probably vote for it so at least my vote will make some justice.

I voted for it too!

Love Sherlock, Slightly Magic, Stop the Express and Spellbound too.

PeterJ wrote: ↑Tue Oct 16, 2018 8:28 pm Fantastic job pulling all those screens out PeteProdge. A real labour of love!

I thought R would be the peak, with 45 titles. Nope, this one was 78!

Next letter is going to be T. That's also gonna be chocka.

WIWC wrote: ↑Tue Oct 16, 2018 5:41 pm What if I voted Salamander...

...It will finish with one vote..

Not if I register with a second account or more.

WIWC wrote: ↑Tue Oct 16, 2018 10:10 pm Not if I register with a second account or more.

You're an evil man, definitely!