Spectrum Computing

So far most of the submitted games look pretty straightforward when it comes to scoring. But yeah, we can decide individually should a trickier one appear.

I'll try to get the first round ready for Sunday. Anybody can still submit more games - so far there were 17 entries.

I'd like to see Grand Prix 2, Edge Grinder, and Stagger.

Edge Grinder is a ZX-Evo only.
Maybe it's better to stick to the games for standard Spectrum 48/128k models for now.

Here are my suggestions:

1. Dan Dare (obviously)
1. Manic Miner
2. Dynamite Dan II
3. Parsec

Pegaz wrote: ↑Fri Jul 17, 2020 11:07 am Edge Grinder is a ZX-Evo only. Maybe it's better to stick to the games for standard Spectrum 48/128k models for now.

If it can't be (easily) emulated then yes, it'd be a bit too limiting.

As far as I remember, only the Russian Unreal Speccy emulator, supports this game properly and the emulation is not exactly a walk through the park...
ZX-Evo is a kind of Russian Spectrum Next, with advanced graphics modes and this game is one of its exclusives.
Otherwise, there are other games for these most powerful machines (ATM, Evo, Next), which use improved hardware capabilities, but they are more like PC, than Spectrum games.

Edge Grinder supports Pentagon 2.666LE from the beginning.
There also exists a version for ATM2, but it's slower.

Alone Coder wrote: ↑Sat Jul 18, 2020 9:44 am Edge Grinder supports Pentagon 2.666LE from the beginning.
There also exists a version for ATM2, but it's slower.

I’ve never had a decent speed for Edge Grinder with UnrealSpeccy, on anything but ZX-Evo emulation.
Can you send an uneral.ini file for that Pentagon configuration you mention, I'd like to give it a try.

Here it is: http://nedoos.ru/svn/listing.php?repnam ... 45fb4bfe18
Pentagon 2.666LE isn't emulated anywhere AFAIK.

My 5:

1 - Parsec
2 - Gryzor
3 - Hunchback
4 - Flappy Bird ZX
5 - Motos

Alone Coder wrote: ↑Sat Jul 18, 2020 2:19 pm Here it is: http://nedoos.ru/svn/listing.php?repnam ... 45fb4bfe18
Pentagon 2.666LE isn't emulated anywhere AFAIK.

Yes, in the ini file, emulation is set for ZX-Evo (ATM3 with 4096Kb and zx-evo rom).
Like I said, Edge Grinder is running at full speed on that configuration, unfortunatelly it's not the Pentagon you mentioned.
btw, my Panda AV, has instantly deleted this UnrealSpeccy (emul.exe) file of yours, as a virus.
Probably false positive, but I have various versions of the US emulator and this is the first time I have virus detection.
I just replaced it with my US v3.9 exe file and it works well, like ZX-Evo model, of course.
But, never mind, we better not offtopic this thread...

My final top five in no particular order:

1. PSSST
2. Bomb Jack
3. Firebirds from Softek
4. Deathchase
5. Solomon's Key
6. Rainbow Islands

Pegaz wrote: ↑Fri Jul 17, 2020 11:07 am Maybe it's better to stick to the games for standard Spectrum 48/128k models for now.

I agree, lets stick to standard Spectrum games for this one. I'm all for a ZX-Evo competition though in the future.

When I have some time to dedicate to the ol' Spectrum, I spend it making games rather than playing them

However, if I have to pick a bunch of games, I would right now mention these:

- Cobra
- Cop-Out
- Ant Attack
- Worse Things Happen At Sea
- Split Personalities
- Hunchback
- Quazatron
- Ranarama
- International Karate Plus
- Lunar Jetman
- Karnov
- Green Beret
- Intensity
- Thundercats
- Renegade
- Exploding Fist
- Exploding Fist Plus
- Sai Combat
- Zzoom
- BC Bill

Alessandro wrote: ↑Sat Jul 18, 2020 5:14 pm When I have some time to dedicate to the ol' Spectrum, I spend it making games rather than playing them

However, if I have to pick a bunch of games, I would right now mention these:

- Cobra
- Cop-Out
- Ant Attack
- Worse Things Happen At Sea
- Split Personalities
- Hunchback
- Quazatron
- Ranarama
- International Karate Plus
- Lunar Jetman
- Karnov
- Green Beret
- Intensity
- Thundercats
- Renegade
- Exploding Fist
- Exploding Fist Plus
- Sai Combat
- Zzoom
- BC Bill

Lunar Jetman ?
Don't be so cruel, please...

On the other hand, Ranarama is a great choice.

Actually Lunar Jetman is an old favorite of mine, I managed to reach as far as level 12 if I remember correctly.

Glad to see you share my appreciation for Ranarama

Edit: Coming to think of it, my all-time favorite Laser Squad gives a score upon ending a game. I heartily suggest it as well

Other titles coming out of the top of my head and that have not yet been mentioned:
- Deactivators
- Travel With Trashman
- Horace Goes Skiing
- Star Raiders II
- Beach Head
- Spy Hunter
- Krakatoa
- Spy Vs Spy
- How To Be A Complete Bas**rd
- Death Wish 3

Ranarama is a great game, also I like Dandy, which is done in a similar fashion.
But, Lunar Jetman ... Level 12 ??
Man, if I last 12 seconds, that is already an achievement.

If I'm not too late:

Atic Atac
Exolon
Arkanoid 2
Starquake
Bubble Bobble

1. Nebulus
2. Target Renegade
3. R-Type
4. Stop the express
5. Bomb Jack

Nohzdyve
3D Deathchase
Commando
Penetrator
Bomb Jack

1. Chuckie Egg
2. The Pyramid
3. Kosmic Kanga
4. Pssst!
5. Cookie

Oh yeah, and Cannonball. But only because I seem to have the high score! (that can’t last)

Okay, so Round 1 is now live. Do your worst!

The games pool after submissions from this thread is now 49 strong. Each round I will randomly nominate two of them. The pool is now closed, we have more than enough for the whole season.

There were some duplicates in submissions, so some of you folks can nominate extra games to make up the 5-each choice quota, if you wish. As follows:

[mention]PeterJ[/mention] - 1 extra game (for Bomb Jack & PSSST!, you had 6 entries thou)
[mention]R-Tape[/mention] - 1 extra game (for Parsec)
[mention]DouglasReynholm[/mention] - 1 extra game (for Arkanoid 2, because Arkanoid has already been nominated...)
[mention]Freespirit[/mention] - 2 extra games (for Target Renegade & Bomb Jack)
[mention]Juan F. Ramirez[/mention] - 2 extra games (for Deathchase & Bomb Jack)
[mention]clebin[/mention] - 1 extra game (for PSSST!)

[mention]Alessandro[/mention] - you have submitted a huge list of games so I picked the first 5 for now. Feel free to refine it and whittle it down to 5 favourites if you want. And please include Laser Squad! (or I will...also my fave ZX game) ...the idea of playing it for points is exhilirating

This season will have 10 rounds x 2 games each = 20 games, so of course not all of our choices will feature. So, pray to the RNG god!

Ta for organising akeley.

Choices, choices. I'll take Midnight Resistance for my fifth game.

Hi [mention]akeley[/mention], do you mean you picked:

- Cobra
- Cop-Out
- Ant Attack
- Worse Things Happen At Sea
- Split Personalities

and I can suggest 5 games more?

So I say:

- Terra Cresta
- Tapper

Alessandro wrote: ↑Sun Jul 19, 2020 4:59 pm Hi @akeley, do you mean you picked:

- Cobra
- Cop-Out
- Ant Attack
- Worse Things Happen At Sea
- Split Personalities

and I can suggest 5 games more?

Yes, I picked these, but meant that if you'd like to change this selection to some other games from your list you still can (everybody has 5 games quota)