Electron User


Jet Power Jack

Author: Phil Tayler
Publisher: Micro Power
Machine: Acorn Electron

 
Published in Electron User 2.05

A couple of months ago I player this game's BBC version on the big brother machine and found it fascinating. It is one of those annoyingly addictive games with Micro Power have the knack of producing.

I was delighted on receiving the Electron version to find that it is incidental - no scaled down sound or fewer features, but the full implementation with no perceptible change, not even in speed.

Perhaps I should add that I find the game a little too fast, as I prefer to achieve some degree of success straight away, and my young son also enjoys trying the games out. But we both found the initial action too speedy.

Jet Power Jack

I have tried the BBC version on the Electron and found I was able to accumulate a decent score and develop a strategy.

There are five screens, which may be accessed separately from the menu. If screen 1 is chosen, and you are a better player than I, the other screens are encountered in order.

On each the basic format is the same, with a spaceship on the left needing to be refuelled with fuel which is on the right. Shades of JET PAC, perhaps, which I enjoyed greatly in my misspent youth on a Sp*ctr*m.

Jet Power Jack

The man is moved across the screen by careful use of the left/right controls, and the hover motor.

There are safe platforms to rest on briefly, but nearly everything else is quite lethal to Jack. Each screen has different problems, with elements of other games appearing, such as the vertically moving monsters which have the same effect as the lifts in Corporate Climber.

The graphics are good, the smoothness of the movement superb. Sound is fair, and can be turned off if required. The key response is quick, precise and accurate.

I just wish my reactions were!

Phil Tayler

Other Acorn Electron Game Reviews By Phil Tayler


  • Graphics System Front Cover
    Graphics System
  • Mexico '86 Front Cover
    Mexico '86
  • Map Rally Front Cover
    Map Rally
  • Talkback Front Cover
    Talkback
  • Gamemaker 2 Front Cover
    Gamemaker 2
  • Happy Numbers Front Cover
    Happy Numbers
  • Diamond Mine II Front Cover
    Diamond Mine II
  • Word Games With The Mr. Men Front Cover
    Word Games With The Mr. Men
  • Playbox Front Cover
    Playbox
  • Happy Letters Front Cover
    Happy Letters