Slick Willy — A Manic Miner Graphic Improvement Project for the ZX Spectrum

Following the stall of an ambitious project to remake Manic Miner with enhanced graphics, titled Slick Willy, developer Bob Fossil has integrated the new assets into a playable mod that can be downloaded right now. While the original, high-performance engine overhaul by ParadigmShifter stalled in 2024, the updated, though slightly animated, sprites now offer a fresh visual experience for the classic ZX Spectrum title. To coincide with this news, you can check out the latest footage of this new graphics improvement below.

Manic Miner - Classic 80's platformer by Matthew Smith gets an unofficial remake by Langford Productions

We've recently been informed through our emails, that the all time classic of 'Manic Miner' by Matthew Smith, which was originally released way back in 1983, has been re-released as a rather impressive unofficial PC remake by none other than Langford Productions. The same creator behind other cool remakes such as PSSST, Cookie, The Hunch and our personal favourite nostalgic nod of Project ZX. In light of this news, Saberman has done a gameplay video viewable below.

Manic Miner - If you loved this classic from 1983 on the ZX Spectrum, then make sure to check out Deeper and Down!

We've recently been informed through Facebook that the all time classic of 'Manic Miner' by Matthew Smith, which was originally released way back in 1983, has been re-released as Manic Miner: Deeper and Down 1.1 for the ZX Spectrum. A new version of the game which doesn't just feature 20 levels from The Deeper Caverns, but also another 20 from Down, Down, Deeper and Down. To coincide with this news, we've got some new info for the game as well as a long play through by Saberman YT.

Manic Jet Set Willy - A Manic Miner / Jet Set Willy mash up for the ZX Spectrum by Norman Sword!

In 1984, Matthew Smith with publishing rights by Software Projects released the all time classic game ' Jet Set Willy ' for the ZX Spectrum. It was a game that star'd none other than Miner Willy who was tasked by the housekeeper Maria with the cleaning up of items left around the house after a big party. Well if you remember that classic game, and fancy playing a Jet Set Willy/Manic Miner mash up, then it might be worth checking out Norman Sword's latest game of Manic Jet Set Willy for the ZX Spectrum.

Manic Miner: Trick or Treat - A creepy Halloween Mod for the original Matthew Smith classic!

Even more awesome games to get through this week, as we've recently been informed through Facebook that the all time classic of 'Manic Miner' by Matthew Smith, which was originally released way back in 1983, has been re-released as Manic Miner: Trick or Treat for the ZX Spectrum. A brand new Halloween Mod by none other than Highriser. To coincide with this latest news story, Saberman has done a gameplay video showing Miner Willy using a torch in hand to light his rather dangerous surroundings. 

LOST IN MY SPECTRUM - The newest version of a 2012 ZX Spectrum Manic Miner clone

In 1983 Matthew Smith and published by Bug-Byte released the well known classic of Manic Miner for the ZX Spectrum, the first game in the willy series being voted number 25 in the Your Sinclair official top 100 Spectrum games of all time. So why are we mentioning this classic game yet again on Indie Retro News? Alessandro Grussu has turned his attention to the ZX Spectrum, with a new version of LOST IN MY SPECTRUM; a game which could be classed as a Manic Miner clone.

Manic Miner - A great classic as an 8-bit game for the Acorn Electron

In 1983 Matthew Smith and published by Bug-Byte released the well known classic of Manic Miner for the ZX Spectrum. Although it was later released again for systems such as the Amiga, Amstrad CPC, BBC Micro, Commodore 16 and C64, it was the first game in the willy series being voted number 25 in the Your Sinclair official top 100 Spectrum games of all time. So why are we mentioning this classic game yet again on Indie Retro News? 0xC0DE6502 has turned his attention to the Acorn Electron, with a new v0.06b release based on the enhanced version for the BBC Micro by TobyLobster!

Classic 1980's game Manic Miner by Matthew Smith arrives on the Apple II

In 1983 Matthew Smith and published by Bug-Byte released the well known classic of Manic Miner for the ZX Spectrum. Although it was later released again by Software Projects for the C64, it was the first game in the willy series and being voted number 25 in the Your Sinclair official top 100 Spectrum games of all time. So why are we mentioning this classic game yet again and not long after Manic Miner 64DX was released for the C64?

Percy Penguin in the Present Palaver - Feeling festive early in this new ZX Spectrum game

Andy Green Pixel Art

If you just can't wait for Christmas but you're feeling festive even though it's hotting up outside, then you'll be pleased to know John Davies has released his Christmas themed game of 'Percy Penguin in the Present Palaver' for the ZX Spectrum. This game as we said before, is a Jet Set Willy/Manic Miner cloned platformer, except with a playable Penguin on a quest to collect all the gifts in every level before the time runs out and it's Christmas day.

Manic Mixup - A remix of Matthew Smith's classic ZX Spectrum 48K game 'Manic Miner'

In 1983 Matthew Smith and published by Bug-Byte released the well known classic of Manic Miner for the ZX Spectrum. Although it was later released again by Software Projects, it was the first game in the willy series and was inspired by the Atari 800 game 'Miner 2049'. Not only was it voted number 25 in the Your Sinclair official top 100 Spectrum games of all time, but it had in game music, and sound effects, and if you ever remembered Jet Set Willy, a high amount of addictive gameplay. But today's news is something special, as 35 years after the original game , Andy Ford and Ian Rushforth have released their remix of Manic Miner in ' Manic Mixup '.

Manic Miner remake - The first game for the ZX-Dev-MIA-Remakes compo

Possibly the easiest level ever - though, how do you get out?

After the news of a Barbarian remake got us excited here at IRN, you wouldn't believe how excited this dwarf got after learning that due to the latest ZX Spectrum competition ZX-Dev-MIA-Remakes that one entrant, plying his trade under the name of cgonalez, has decided to take on one of the behemoths of the Speccy - Manic Miner!

CIRCUITRY - A Manic Miner inspired game coming to the ZX Spectrum!

Trawling through the Arcade Game Designer forums, I happen to come across a game by John Blythe, that has the style of Manic Miner, but with a touch of electronics that is known as 'CIRCUITRY' for the ZX Spectrum. Currently in a work in progress state, CIRCUITRY puts you in control of Nan O'Bot, that has to clean a Mainframe from all the technical gremlins that have infested the Circuits, hence the name.

Hot News - Manic Miner released for the Atari XL/XE!

In 1983 Matthew Smith and published by Bug-Byte released the well known classic of Manic Miner for the ZX Spectrum. Although it was later released again by Software Projects, it was the first game in the willy series and was inspired by the Atari 800 game 'Miner 2049'. Not only was it voted number 25 in the Your Sinclair official top 100 Spectrum games of all time, but it had in game music, and sound effects, and if you ever remembered Jet Set Willy, a high amount of addictive gameplay. But today's news isn't for the ZX Spectrum, but a developer by the name of Tezz has ported over the original game to the Atari XL/XE!

Abbaye Des Morts - Retro Platformer now available for ZX Spectrum!

It seems as if the C64 is really being out done lately as another new game has surfaced for the ZX Spectrum and that game is Abbaye Des Morts, which is a top notch platformer originally from LOCOMALITO. You'll be pleased to know that this is as every bit as good as the original game, which I originally thought to myself, this looks just like a ZX Spectrum and unbeknownst to me some time later a real ZX Spectrum port would appear. This is a horror style game which is set in an old church and compares very well to games such as Manic Miner and Jet Set Willy. A highly recommended title and you can thank DaRkHoRaCe and his team for the port.