Your Sinclair


Yabba Dabba Doo!

Author: Luke C
Publisher: Quicksilva
Machine: Spectrum 48K

 
Published in Your Sinclair #4

Yabba Dabba Doo!

The trouble with games based on cartoons is that everyone already has a pretty good idea of what the graphics should be like. And, to be honest, the graphics in Yabba Dabba Doo! won't get Hanna Barbera hot under the collar - they're crude, the have attribute problems and as for the colour - dull or what.

But that aside, I liked the game. You have to guide Fred Flintstone around the prehistoric landscape that'll one day become the mighty metropolis of Bedrock. Fred has to pick up all the small rocks on the site of his house and dump them in the local tip. Once done, he has to investigate the surrounding area for large rocks, pick them up and use them to build his own house.

There's no shortage of large rocks... indeed, hang around too long and you'll find out where they come from - a pterodactyl will fly over and drop one right on Fred's head. Other creatures that hinder Fred's progress are ankle-biting turtles, prehistoric kangeroos and 'Dino' dogs. Something else to watch out for are the rolling rocks - easy to manoeuvre around in the early stages of the game, but tricky later on as Fred's neighbours start building their own homes.

Yabba Dabba Doo

Fred can walk up and down, left and right, and moving from street to street involves a combination of two controls. But, with luck, you'll come across the cave-car that allows Fred to zip about speedily in true arcade style.

The size of the game is deceptive - there are a lot more screens to investigate than are apparent from first attempts to get to grips with it. Fred can earn money at the local quarry to hire a dinosaur to build the roof and, when his energy is at an all time low, he can hang out at the drive-in movie or burger bar and get a hug or two from his true-love Wilma. The game ends when Fred manages to pursuade Wilma to follow him home...

Much to my surprise, Yabba Dabba Doo! is a very addictive game once you get the idea of what you're supposed to do. The game is a lot less manic than I would have liked but, apart from the graphics, it has all the qualities needed to reduce your mind to rubble. If you're a Flintstone freak, it's an essential purchase... if not, then check out the TV re-runs and then buy it!

Luke C

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