Fancy yourself as a stunt rider? The daredevil feat can now be achieved within the safety and comfort of your own home. Eddie Kidd Jump Challenge is a new game for the 48K Spectrum, putting you in the driver's seat of your own motorbike.
You are Eddie Kidd, who we are told is the most naturally gifted motorcycle stuntman in the world and are privileged to take the Jump Challenge to gain a world record.
Initially, before jumping over cars with a motorcycle you have to jump over barrels with a BMX bike. Having successfully done this, you graduate to the motorcycle, with the controls of speed, brakes and position of rider all at hand in order to give you a realistic approach of riding a bike.
When you have left the ramp with enough room for your run up, you can start.
I cannot really say much about this game as it totally relies on the skill of the player in manoeuvring the stunt bike.
Various points need to be considered while attempting a jump, e.g. speed, length of run up, position on bike and the only way to make a successful one is to get a feel for the bike and learn by your mistakes.
I, not a bike rider at heart, did find it quite difficult to complete a successful motorbike jump and correctly judge the above three factors.
The game starts off with eight cars and progresses onwards one car at a time. Unfortunately, you always return to the BMX jump after each crash, whch is a bit annoying as this jump is the only one that is easy to master. It would have been an idea to be able to attempt any level of jump at any time.
The company Martech are also putting on a competition, with BMX bikes, colour TV's, MSX computers (not Spectrum Plus?) for prizes and runners up getting a poster of Eddie Kidd (WOW!). A good idea which should increase sales if not stunt riders.
A skillful game with excellent graphics and realistic sound all add up to a winner.