27th June 2013
Shaun reports on some new and remixed Commodore software this week
Retro: Flubble And Squij
The independent 8-bit software publisher Psytronik Software is readying the release of a little-known but rather good 2D platform game Flubble And Squij for the Commodore 64/128, which will include a new loading screen and a fully remixed 2013 version.
It began life in 1994 and tells the story of a dragon whose life was peaceful, until some nasty alien creatures encroach on his world, causing his friends, the common Squij, to run and hide. It is up to you to guide Flubble around his world to collect all of these cute creatures to keep them from harm.
The classic version has an additional loading screen, while the remix includes improved graphics and an all new look for Flubble. It was one of my favourite post-commercial games for the C64, and I'm looking forward to this new version.
More details will be announced through www.psytronik.net or, if you prefer to keep up-to-date via blogs, point your web browser at psytronik.blogspot.co.uk.
Ramire The Vampire
The Spanish-based 8-bit publisher The Mojon Twins (www.mojontwins.com) has released Ramire The Vampire. This is a new 2D explorer platform game for the Sinclair ZX Spectrum.
You are tasked with guiding a 500-year old vampire to complete two missions. In the first of these, you must appease Ramire's daughter, who has stopped him from returning to his coffin. With sunrise fast approaching, you must find Twitch the Witch in order to help you locate the Rapture Treasure, which will make an appropriate present for your daughter to smooth things over. Once this is achieved, though, things go from bad to worse. Ramire's daughter has calmed down a bit but is now kidnapped by Weevil the Evil, a rather unpleasant demon. Now it's up to you to guide Ramire to rescue his daughter, with help provided from Twitch the Witch.
This is a neat arcade adventure from the Mojon Twins and may be downloaded for free from tinyurl.com/RamireTheVampire.
31 For The 20
A Canadian Commodore VIC-20 enthusiast has no less than 31 new games for Commodore's first colour computer. Kurt Jones, the proprietor of GNIN Stuff, has listed all of the independent publisher's titles on one interestingly designed website, many starting from $3 Canadian plus shipping costs.
There simply isn't enough space to report on each title here, but Kurt has highlighted three from the collection. These are Boogieman, Exploria and Korque, covering the well-trodden paths of the 2D maze game, isometric explorer and 2D platform game, all of which have the simplistic graphics and gameplay that you know and love.
To see all of the VIC-20 games from GNJN Stuff, head over to www.softboxmetal.com/aj&kj.html.
