I pre-ordered theA500 mini as soon as I heard about it. The Amiga was one of my favourite systems of all time. With its tangled ownership and copyright history, I was surprised it was possible. So that got me thinking of my other favourite systems and which one would i like to be made next. The one that sprung straight into my mind was the Dreamcast. So this is my list of the games I would like on a Dreamcast mini. But I would really like to know what would be on your list?
Note I’ve played mainly retro and Nintendo Switch games this year.
Super Mario Odyssey (Switch)
Astral Chain (Switch)
Uncharted (PS3)
Planescape Torment (IPAD)
Mario Kart 8 (Switch)
I’d not played these game before apart from Planescape Torment, which I played when it first came out on PC
Special mention for Super Mario Odyssey, I absolutely loved playing this. Mario’s ability to possess other creatures, and the clever puzzles made for really fun varied gameplay.
I’m hoping to do full reviews of these games in the new year.
So I hope everyone has a happy New Year, and really good 2021.
Let me know in the comments the best game you’ve played this year.
To go along with the Pixel Art post thought I’d post this C64 pixel art image from the Memento Mori demo by Genesis Project, which finished 1st place at Function 2020.
I love pixel art, so I’m going to do a sequence of quick posts with examples of impressive art on the 8 bits. I’m starting with the Amstrad, in my opinion the Amstrad often had the most vibrant colours.
Hillsfar, one of the many RPG available for the c64.
One of the most frequent criticisms I hear of the C64Â is that the games were mainly arcade games. While its true that the hardware sprites and scrolling on the C64 lent its self to arcade conversions, there were many other genres of games available.
I’m going to take this opportunity to list 25 here. These aren’t necessarily the best of the best, there is plenty of games I haven’t played, although they are all good games in their own right. I am trying to include different genres, excluding text adventures and I’m not including Elite as it’s too obvious. Finally the list isn’t in order of greatness.
There’s probably loads of games I’ve missed, so please comment if you think a game needs including and I’ll see what I can do. I’ll try and keep this updated.
1) Hillsfar
D&D based RPG with action elements.
2) Bards Tale
Classic first person RPG
3) Wizardry
Role playing / Adventure game with action elements.
4) Football Manager
Early graphical football management game.
5) Maniac Mansion
Classic point and click adventure with multiple playable characters.
6) Pirates!
Cinematic pirate themed strategy game, with some action elements.
7) North & South
American civil war strategy game, with cartoon like graphics and some action elements.
8) Laser Squad
Turn based tactical game.
9) Zak McKracken
Comedy point and click graphical adventure.
10) Ultima V
Expansive fantasy RPG.
11) Eternal Dagger
Tactical RPG.
12) Might and Magic 2
Party based RPG.
13) Law of The West
Location based natative adventure game, contains some shooting action elements.
14) Defender of the Crown
Cinematic medieval strategy / adventure game with some action mini games.
15) Little Computer People
Sim / virtual pet type game, with a little person living in a house to look after.
16) Black Gold
Business sim.
17) Times of Lore
Top down RPG.
18) Supremecy
Strategy game.
19) Crearures 2
Static screen puzzle game with platform elements.
20) Space Rogue
Space trading game with ultima style RPG elements.
21) Prince of Persia
Atmospheric, adventure game with platform elements. The game is timed.
22) Last Ninja
Adventure / Ninja em up with great graphics.
23) Psi 5 Trading Company
Adventure / space captain simulator with space trading, strategy and RPG elements.
24) Wasteland
Classic futuristic, post apocalyptic RPG which was the inspiration for Fallout
25) Forbidden Forest
Archery based Adventure game.
Don’t worry there is going to be some love for the Spectrum soon, I’m working on a best of list…
I’ve had a few comments from people on my last list pointing out some glaring omissions. A few of these like Lemmings and Secret of Monkey Island I didn’t include because I associate them more with the Amiga. Which is probably not the best way to do a To 10, so I’ve decided to to a quick updated Top 10.
Another World
Secret of Monkey Island
Mega Lo Mania
Sensible Soccer
Prince of Persia
Dungeon Master
Chaos Engine
Cannon Fodder
Speedball 2
Honourable mentions to Blood Money, Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade, Sim City, Substation, Starball (PD), Gods and Defender of The Crown
The Acorn Electron was my first computer. When thinking about games for this list I had to make sure I wasn’t getting confused with games I played on the C64.
It’s also worth noting this isn’t the best Electron games of all time, just the games I played most, although some are rightly considered to be the best.
So here goes, buckle up…
Zorak the Conqueror
So a slightly obscure game to start but one I probably played the most. I have a bit of soft spot for strategy games, and this was one of the first strategy games I played. You moved around a map recruiting soldiers and fighting other armies.
Elite
This game needs no introduction, a space trading game, the scope of this was amazing considering the technological limitations.
Exile
Snapper
The Electrons version of classic game Pacman.
Arcardians
Bears a remarkable resemblance to Galaxians.
Chuckie Egg
Classic platform game, aged better than many of its contemporaries.
Repton
Probably my most played game after Zorak. Repton is moved around an underground cavern, collecting diamonds while avoiding getting trapped or flattened by falling rocks. Very much a puzzle game with similarities to Boulder dash, but in my opinion a better experience.
Twin Kingdom Valley
Big fan of the text adventure genre, this was the first one I played that also had graphics, which seemed amazing at the time
Arabian Nights
Never really understood what was going on in this game, but I enjoyed playing it.
Imogen
Confession time, I never played this game on my real Electron. Some one reccomended this game to me recently and I love it. Reminds me a little of Lost Vikings, it’s a puzzle strategy, in which the protagonist can change into creatures each with a unique special ability. Each level poses a puzzle that will require combining abilities to complete.
Guru Meditation 