Super Cars - A well known classic gets a ZX speccy review

Super Cars is a game that has it all, when it comes to car games at least; cars, racing, power-ups and the ability to earn money, all in one game! 'How can one game manage that?!' I hear you cry? Well, I don't know as I'm not a programmer, but those geniuses at Gremlin Graphics have managed it. No more just playing a car game just to do racing or just to earn money and upgrade; this one has it all. Including missiles.

Mike the Guitar - Could this ZX Spectrum homebrew be as good on the Amstrad CPC?

Mike the guitar? Well, I guess you'll have to if you want to hear it.

Time to get those pedals out - Mike The Guitar is here! If there's one thing better than Mike the Guitar coming out on the Spectrum then it's Mike the Guitar coming out for the Amstrad CPC! Multi format! Yeah! Fresh from the release of MTG on the Spectrum creator Sebastian Braunert has brought everyone's favourite walking guitar (is there another one?) to the home of Alan Sugars' 8 bit behemoth! Created with AGD and with the very talented Andy Green creating the loading screen for this version too, what we have is another great combination and one that worked so well on Speccy original. Let's see what this one has to offer.

Everyone's a Wally Remix previewed!

Everyone is? So it's not just me, then? Phew.

Everyone's favourite Wally is back! Well, almost. For over a year now, Johnathon Cooper has been working on his remake of this Speccy classic and finally, it's almost there. Johnathon has just released version 0.8 of the game which can be downloaded from the games' Facebook page. Here is another remake that has got us all happy at IRN and one member in particular (well, it's me) is over the moon that we are stepping closer and closer to a release of the finished product.

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!

Rampage - A monster smashing ZX Spectrum review by Florinthedwarf

They some ugly looking creatures. Look pretty angry too - something I said? In an age where eating people is generally frowned upon, it's good that games exist where you're rewarded for it. No, this isn't the game conversion of the film 'Alive', it's Rampage of course! If the idea of smashing some buildings, eating a helicopter or two and destroying police cars sounds appealing then this could well be the game for you. I say 'if' but how could these things not be appealing? What's wrong with you, man?

R.I.P. Rick Dickinson, a true icon of British design

RIP Rick Dickinson 1955-2018

Today I learned the awful and sad news that visionary and legendary designer passed away on the 24th April. For those not aware of his work, Rick was behind the design of multiple Sinclair machines including the ZX80, ZX81, ZX Spectrum and Sinclair QL. He also designed the Cambridge Z88 after leaving Sinclair Research and setting up his own company Dickinson Associates back in 1986 and has continued in the industry ever since.

CJ's Elephant Antics - Florinthedwarf is back with another great ZX Spectrum review!

Angry clouds, angry snowman, angry dog, angry guy from Rainbow Islands (I think) - you'd better cut it out with those antics of yours, CJ!

What you get if you cross a globetrotting elephant, angry clouds and peanuts? No, not an elephant who eats peanuts and gets chased by angry clouds around the world - you get CJ's Elephant Antics! Poor old CJ was on his way to England to be taken to a zoo but on the way, his plane experienced some issues and with the craft likely to crash CJ jumped, taking his trusty umbrella with him to aid his descent on to land. Unfortunately for CJ he ended up in France. Poor fellow. Now you must guide him back to his native Africa - all you'll need is some dodging skills, jumping skills and be a dab hand with a peanut.

Impossabubble - A brand new ZX Spectrum game by Dave Clarke, REVIEWED!

An imposter bubble? That's impossabubble!

Everyone loves bubbles, don't they? Whether they're floating around in the air making children happy, or in your beer (making you happy) it's hard to make an argument against them, which conveniently enough brings me onto Impossabubble! Developed in AGD by Dave Clarke with absolutely brilliant music (more on that later) by David Saphier, Impossabubble is aiming to join recent AGD developed games, many featured here on IRN, in being one of the best released in modern times. On the face of it, it looks on course to reach the upper echelons of great Speccy games, not only those composed with AGD but of recent years.

The Tomb of Dracula - The ZX Spectrum gives you something to bite your teeth into

Ooh, the tomb of Dracula! Am I meant to be scared? Well yes, I actually am.

Vampires are not that scary anymore. Too busy making sure their hair looks good rather than looking for their next victim to sink their teeth into. Shame. Remember when vampires were creepy? Just watching the original Nosferatu film will put the willies up you. Argh! The long face, ghastly teeth, long finger nails, those hypnotic staring eyes - you knew that that face would be the last thing you'd see before you died. Now, he's more likely to ask you out for a coffee.

ZXombies Dead Flesh - A BIG ZX Spectrum review with lots of tasty brains!

Mmmm...dead flesh - my favourite

There's only one thing better than a zombie - an zxombie! Are they different to your old generic zombie? Yes, these ones can only be found on a ZX Spectrum so by default it must mean they're better. All too often, poor zombies get a bad reputation - all they want is to eat your brains. Give them a break! Of course, if you don't want to give them a break and would prefer to shoot them with a machine gun until they are dead (again), how about you give ZXombies a play?

Renegade III - Yes seriously, Florinthedwarf has done a BIG review of this Speccy game!

The final chapter, you say? Woo hoo!

Come on now, people. It's not that bad surely? Any takers? Not to start a review negatively, it just seems that when anyone mentions the game that cannot be named, you're either met with groans or laughter. I always thought laughter was good but soon learnt that this is not always the case (mainly in school when teachers were marking my work, but that's for another time).

Bounder is back! - One of the best 80's games is coming to mobile

This is boun-der get you excited!

Not only is it Christmas soon, which is exciting enough, but we also have some other excellent news. Bounder, which was originally released for the ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64, Amstrad CPC and other 8-bits is due to be released for Android and iOS early next year! Yes, everyone's favourite tennis ball-based game is back and is coming for you and your phone!

Super Pipeline II - Filling barrels on the ZX Spectrum! (Review)

Only one thing better than a pipeline and that's a super pipeline! (gasps) and there's two of them!!

It's no great secret that plumbers have a tough job. Some people may think it's just a case of tightening the odd stopcock, replacing washers and replacing taps but who do you think fixes those broken (and usually in mid-use) toilets? The toilet fairy?! Nope. It's the trusty old plumber and given how difficult their job is, imagine how tough it would be being chased by some possessed tools and mutant snails in the process? Very, is the answer, and if you ever wanted to see how difficult it would be without having to deal with broken toilets in person, have a crack a Super Pipeline II!

ZX Vega+ update - A statement from Lee Fogarty

The ZX Vega+

The delay of the Vega+ has been well documented over the last year or so and the man that has been a vocal supporter of Retro Computers Limited - Lee Fogarty - has come under a lot flak due to these delays. As backers have been crying for updates, Lee has tirelessly tried to inform backers of the progress and urging them to keep the faith that the units will be ready to ship and in the hands of the backers on dates stated by the company. Targeted incessantly by the various vicious trolls that have emerged on the back of the Vega+ production, Lee has done well to keep it all together and to try and help to keep the project moving.

Rescue - ZX Spectrum game reviewed by Florinthedwarf!

Saving all the memory for the game, eh? Let's hope so!

Here we have a game which some say is famous for its infamous loading screen or indeed the slight likeness to Harrison Ford on the game's front cover which shows the protagonist of the game. I try not to look at it like that. I like to think of it as the game that you can end in less than ten seconds if you try and take off without fuel. We've all done it, surely? Just me? Surely not! (and yes, I am serious before you ask).

Spectrum35 - A celebration of 35 years of the ZX Spectrum!

It's the Spectrums' 35th year! Almost as old me! Almost.

It's been 35 years since the Spectrum was released in the UK - surely this should be celebrated with some sort of special event? Funny you mention it as yes, there is some sort of special event to celebrate it. Excellent! The Spectrum35 event will be held on Saturday 28th October 2017 at the Centre For Computing History in Cambridge, with the event scheduled to start at 10am. 

Commando - A classic game gets a ZX Spectrum review by Florinthedwarf

I like you, Sully. That's why I'm going to kill you last.

Not to be confused with the awesome Arnie flick of the same name (though equally as awesome) Commando is a 'one man takes on all' shooter (also like the awesome film) whereby it is your mission to kill anything that moves to progress to the next level. Of course, you do have to avoid getting shot yourself - you're not Robocop you know! (That's another film)

Skool Daze Re-Schooled - Reviewed by florinthedwarf!

Skool Daze is back! One of the Speccy greats has finally been given a new lease of life on Android and iOS. That's totally whack! Rad! Cool! Top! Do kids still talk like that? No? I'd better stop then. As you were. I don't know a single person who didn't like Skool Daze on the Spectrum so when I heard a remake was happening, I knew it had to be a damn fine version for die hard fans like myself to appreciate this new take on a Speccy classic. Let's see how it fairs, shall we?

Fred - Florinthedwarf reviews a ZX Spectrum game released way back in 1984!

Who knew that Tutankhamun was into psychedelia?

In a world before Indiana Jones, well right in the middle of his heyday I guess, but you know what I mean, Fred was here to show us the fun and adventure that comes the way of a brave explorer. By fun and adventure, I mean get chased by ghosts, rats, bats and whatever other creatures you may find lurking in the mystic pyramids of Egypt. So, probably not much fun at all when you think about it. But, if you want that ancient treasure to show off in your display cabinet, you had to do the work for it.

Saboteur! - A brilliant ZX Spectrum game gets a florinthedwarf review

The Milk Tray man has certainly upped his game.

Prepare to enter a world of ninjas, secret bunkers, hard as nails security guards, confidential floppy disks (this was the 80's) and the odd angry dog, as this is the world of the Saboteur! No running around, all guns blazing taking out the aforementioned guards (and maybe the odd dog), you'll require stealth, skill and cunning to get out alive.