ElkSD128 - Recommendations
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ElkSD128 - Recommendations
Hi All
I've bought (and waiting for delivery) for the ElkSD128k - it was the last one, and I choose this one as it had the Joystick port as well. (I'm selling loads of Amiga games, hoping for it to be "cost Neutral" so "err indoors" doesn't get on to me about wasting money on old technology ). (Waiting for a Interface 1/2/3 locally and the costs of those devices was also a factor)
Is there any advice that people have on "hints to get started" with the ElkSD (other than looking at the manual ), there is a downloadable "archive" of games on the ElkSD128K page, so I was wondering if anyone has some recommendations on what would be best to look at? I've played the "biggies" on other platforms (eg Elite, Sentinal Thrust etc), but more looking for interesting Electron games, or games that improve on other conversions.
I've bought (and waiting for delivery) for the ElkSD128k - it was the last one, and I choose this one as it had the Joystick port as well. (I'm selling loads of Amiga games, hoping for it to be "cost Neutral" so "err indoors" doesn't get on to me about wasting money on old technology ). (Waiting for a Interface 1/2/3 locally and the costs of those devices was also a factor)
Is there any advice that people have on "hints to get started" with the ElkSD (other than looking at the manual ), there is a downloadable "archive" of games on the ElkSD128K page, so I was wondering if anyone has some recommendations on what would be best to look at? I've played the "biggies" on other platforms (eg Elite, Sentinal Thrust etc), but more looking for interesting Electron games, or games that improve on other conversions.
Last edited by ElectronTubs on Tue Mar 19, 2024 3:03 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Re: ElkSD128 - Reccomendations
0xC0DE
"I program my home computer / Beam myself into the future"
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Visit my YouTube channel featuring my games and demos for Acorn Electron and BBC Micro
"I program my home computer / Beam myself into the future"
Follow me on Twitter
Visit my YouTube channel featuring my games and demos for Acorn Electron and BBC Micro
Re: ElkSD128 - Reccomendations
You probably already know that the pool of Electron games is a subset of those released for the BBC - not everything was possible to convert, but most were. So the approach to finding interesting games is probably to look at what is popular on the BBC and then find out if there is an Electron conversion - and also whether that conversion is a good one.
You will find that anything published by Superior Software in the period 1985-1987 will be a high quality game, and one of the recognised classics. The same applies to the original Acornsoft games. Other notable games which are good on the Electron would be:
- Any modern releases from 0xC0DE (these are identical to the BBC versions)
- Jungle Journey, another modern release.
- Plan B and Plan B2
- Anything by Peter Scott, another programmer who originated his games on the Elk rather than BBC.
Some games proved hard to convert to the Elk, because of its hardware limitations. These might prove disappointing alongside the BBC versions, but it depends on your perspective I guess. Examples include:
- Repton games are slower and have smaller sprites within a scrolling window
- Firetrack is slower, less colourful and a bit flickery
- Exile has fewer colours and is a bit slower.
- Elite is quite slow (and monochrome)
These are all good games in their own right but you can really tell the difference compared to the BBC.
You will find that anything published by Superior Software in the period 1985-1987 will be a high quality game, and one of the recognised classics. The same applies to the original Acornsoft games. Other notable games which are good on the Electron would be:
- Any modern releases from 0xC0DE (these are identical to the BBC versions)
- Jungle Journey, another modern release.
- Plan B and Plan B2
- Anything by Peter Scott, another programmer who originated his games on the Elk rather than BBC.
Some games proved hard to convert to the Elk, because of its hardware limitations. These might prove disappointing alongside the BBC versions, but it depends on your perspective I guess. Examples include:
- Repton games are slower and have smaller sprites within a scrolling window
- Firetrack is slower, less colourful and a bit flickery
- Exile has fewer colours and is a bit slower.
- Elite is quite slow (and monochrome)
These are all good games in their own right but you can really tell the difference compared to the BBC.
Re: ElkSD128 - Reccomendations
Wow, I didn't know about those!0xC0DE wrote: https://github.com/Snuggsy187
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Re: ElkSD128 - Reccomendations
Magic - thanks all - hopefully it'll arrive today so I can mess about with it for an hour or so this evening.
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Re: ElkSD128 - Reccomendations
Bit of an old response but I recently acquired an Electron and bought an ElkSD128 which I think really enhances the retro experience. I've not owned an Electron (or BBC Micro) before, so did a trawl of the games out there and this is what I came across.ElectronTubs wrote: ↑Wed Jun 14, 2023 1:44 pm Magic - thanks all - hopefully it'll arrive today so I can mess about with it for an hour or so this evening.
Ratings and comments are subjective of course! Most of my nostalgia is from the C64 so will probably be swayed by that. Hope this is useful to those out there looking for Electron games. I've added the joystick mapping needed. Quite a few do not map for me - I'm using the default address for the mapping code (&150), not discovered a better option yet.
Code: Select all
Program Joystick config Comments Rating with Joystick
Boulder Dash.ssd Map Joy. Keys: * ? Z X return Great version, esp with joystick A+
Impossible Mission.ssd Map Joy. Keys: * ? Z X return Great version, esp with joystick A+
Chuckie Egg.ssd Map Joy. Keys: A Z < > space Great version with joystick A
Codename Droid.ssd No Joy. Keys needed Cave explore, get stuff. Decent A
Colossus Chess.ssd No Joy. Keys: arrows return Chess, beatable A
Electrobots.ssd No Joy. Keys: * ? Z X return Cave explore, get stuff. Decent A
Imogen.ssd Map Joy. Keys: nop nop Z X shift Explore puzzler genre A
Manic Miner.ssd No Joy. Keys: nop nop Z X return Great version A
Pengi.ssd Map Joy. Keys: * ? Z X space Great version (Pengo) with joystick A
Repton 2.ssd Map Joy. Keys: F C Z X G Maze puzzler genre A
Repton 3.ssd Select joystick mode (f-byte) Maze puzzler genre A
Repton.ssd Map Joy. Keys: F C Z X G Maze puzzler genre A
White Knight Chess.ssd No Joy. Keys: arrows return Chess, beatable A
3D Dotty.ssd Map Joy. Keys: * ? Z X return 3D Pacman type B+
Acornsoft Chess.ssd No Joy. Keys needed Joy mode doesn't work, slow between moves B+
Arcadians.ssd Select joystick mode Galaga type B+
Birdstrike.ssd Map Joy. Keys: nop nop Z X return Galaga-ish, quite addictive B+
Boffin 2.ssd Map Joy. Keys: + > Z X return Manic Miner type B+
Bumble Bee.ssd Map Joy. Keys: * ? Z X return Pacman-ish, quite addictive B+
Camelot.ssd No Joy. Keys needed Dungeon scroller, explore, get genre B+
Cops n Robbers.ssd Map Joy. Keys: * ? Z X space Maze, get stuff game B+
Crack Up.ssd Select joystick mode Breakout with extras. Decent B+
Crypt Capers.ssd Select joystick mode Tutankham type B+
Cybertron Mission.ssd Select joystick mode Shamus clone B+
Cylon Attack.ssd Select joystick mode First person shooter B+
Electron Invaders.ssd Map Joy. Keys: nop nop Z X shift Space Invaders type B+
Frak.ssd Select joystick mode Platform collector genre B+
Frenzy.ssd Select joystick mode, enter FCC0 and 0 Stix paint game B+
Galaforce 2.ssd No Joy. Keys: * ? Z X return Galaga, Phoenix type B+
Galaforce.ssd Map Joy. Keys: * ? Z X return Galaga, Phoenix type B+
Last Ninja 2.ssd No Joy. Keys needed Good version. Not my cup of tea B+
Last Ninja.ssd No Joy. Keys needed Good version. Not my cup of tea B+
Lode Runner.ssd No Joy. Keys: * ? Z X return Good version B+
Meteors.ssd No Joy. Keys needed Asteroids B+
Plan B2.ssd Map Joy. Keys: shift return Z X space Cave explore, get stuff B+
Ravenskull.ssd No Joy. Keys needed Dungeon scroller, explore, get genre B+
Snapper.ssd Select joystick mode Pacman type B+
Thrust.ssd No Joy. Keys needed Jupiter lander type B+
Way of the Exploding Fist.ssd Select joystick mode Good version with joystick B+
Attack on Alpha Centauri.ssd No Joy. Keys: nop nop Z X return Galaga type B
Barbarian 2.ssd No Joy. Keys needed Awkward with keys. Not my cup of tea B
Beach Head.ssd Select joystick mode Ok version, even with joystick B
Blagger.ssd Map Joy. Keys: nop nop Z X return Manic Miner type B
Bonecruncher.ssd No Joy. Keys + > Z X return Repton-ish. Ok B
Bug Eyes 2.ssd Map Joy. Keys: * ? Z X return Cave explore, get stuff B
Citadel.ssd No Joy. Keys needed Dungeon explore, get stuff. Joystick mode is very slow B
Clogger.ssd Map Joy. Keys: * ? Z X nop Repton-ish. Ok B
Crystal Castles.ssd Select joystick mode Collect avoid genre, isometric B
Cyborg Warriors.ssd No Joy. Keys needed Side scrolling shooter B
Drain Mania.ssd No Joy. Keys needed Platform collector genre B
Football Manager.ssd No Joy. Keys needed Football manager but no goal mouth graphics B
Free Fall.ssd Select joystick mode Float around, kill aliens. Fiddly controls (even with joystick) B
Gauntlet.ssd No Joy. Keys needed Defender type. Difficult with keys (no joystick mapping possible) B
Ghouls.ssd No Joy. Keys needed Manic Miner type B
Hopper.ssd Map Joy. Keys: * ? Z X return Frogger type B
Jet Boot Jack.ssd Select joystick mode Platform, get stuff game B
Jet Pac.ssd No Joy. Keys needed Ok version. Difficult with keys (no joystick mapping possible) B
Killer Gorilla.ssd No Joy. Keys needed Donkey Kong type B
Lunar Jetman.ssd No Joy. Keys needed Jet Pac type. Keys are fiddly B
Magic Mushrooms.ssd No Joy. Keys: nop nop Z X return Platform, get stuff game B
Micro Power Chess.ssd No Joy. Keys needed Chess, beatable B
Monsters.ssd Select joystick mode Lode runner, Apple panic type B
Palace of Magic.ssd No Joy. Keys needed Dungeon, explore, get genre B
Pipe Mania.ssd No Joy. Keys needed Build pipeline game B
Pipeline.ssd No Joy. Keys needed Maze puzzler genre B
Planetoid.ssd No Joy. Keys: A Z space shift return Defender type, not bad with joystick B
Predator.ssd No Joy. Keys needed Scroll, shooter game B
Rubble Trouble.ssd Select joystick mode Pengo type B
Sim City.ssd Map Joy. Keys: * ? Z X return Sim city genre. Not my cup of tea B
Skirmish.ssd No Joy. Keys needed Joust type B
Spy vs Spy.ssd Map Joy. Keys: F C Z X G Ok version. Joy mode doesn't work (need to map keys) B
Spycat.ssd No Joy. Keys needed Cave explore, puzzler B
Starship Command.ssd Select joystick mode Asteroids, Omega race type. Bit hard and fiddly B
Strykers Run.ssd No Joy. Keys needed Side scrolling shooter man. Slow B
Swoop.ssd No Joy. Keys needed Galaga type B
Uggies Garden.ssd No Joy. Keys needed Maze puzzler genre. 2 player game B
Volcano.ssd Select joystick mode Choplifter-ish. Difficult B
Xor.ssd Map Joy. Keys: * ? Z X return Maze puzzler genre B
Yie Ar Kung Fu 2.ssd No Joy. Keys: * ? Z X return Karate genre B
Yie Ar Kung Fu.ssd No Joy. Keys: * ? Z X return Karate genre B
Zalaga.ssd No Joy. Keys needed Galaga type. Awkward keys B
Elite.ssd No Joy. Keys needed Great version. Popular but complex game. Not rated U
Exile.ssd No Joy. Keys needed Explore puzzler genre. Popular but complex game. Not rated U
Last edited by raspberrypioneer on Sat Apr 06, 2024 12:41 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Re: ElkSD128 - Reccomendations
I didn't know about these games from snuggsy187.
Only one seemed to work for me though which was jetpac (i'm playing on a real electron not an emulator)
Its a brilliant infuriating conversion. Harder than the speccy one. Runs blistering fast. Thanks for this. amazing to see these games i was jealous of on other systems making it to the electron. So far i only managed to get to level 4
With Blagger I can load it and start a game but cannot move left and right. Only jump works. Has anyone else got that problem?
Also when press break the prompt has turned into an asterisk. Have to power the whole machine off and on.
I persisted with Blagger back in the old days because it was the closest we had to manic miner at the time, it had numerous problems though, wierd collision detection, very slow, could stand on the edge of things that should kill you. i'm very interested to see this version.Wonder why the z and x keys dont work for me ?
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Re: ElkSD128 - Reccomendations
Amusing, I saw this at the top of the list thinking ohh, someone else has got one - then I realised that it was my original post, and I'd spelt Recommendations wrong
Can't help with Blagger I'm afraid. I'll try it in the next few days on mine, and let you know if its the same
Can't help with Blagger I'm afraid. I'll try it in the next few days on mine, and let you know if its the same
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Re: ElkSD128 - Recommendations
The snuggsy187 games worked for me and Blagger works fine too (Blagger wasn't fun for me, too easy to die then start again. Manic Miner is much better). I'm also using an actual Electron with the ElkSD128. Perhaps the version of the programs are the problem - I got the vast majority of games from this site: https://www.everygamegoing.com/landingM ... ype/games/Eleccy wrote: ↑Sun Mar 17, 2024 9:43 pm With Blagger I can load it and start a game but cannot move left and right. Only jump works. Has anyone else got that problem?
Also when press break the prompt has turned into an asterisk. Have to power the whole machine off and on.
I persisted with Blagger back in the old days because it was the closest we had to manic miner at the time, it had numerous problems though, wierd collision detection, very slow, could stand on the edge of things that should kill you. i'm very interested to see this version.Wonder why the z and x keys dont work for me ?
On the ElkSD128 using joystick-keyboard mapping, has anyone successfully tried a different address to the default one ... from the ElkSD128 manual "Pressing return will accept the default location of &150". This works for many of the games but there are some which don't e.g. Manic Miner. I'm not sure how to work out which other addresses will be ok.
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Re: ElkSD128 - Recommendations
Blagger - I've now tried this and it works for me, left and right. Flipping heck it's hard though. The version I have was downloaded for the ElskSD site - there is a whole pack supplied, pretty much with every cracked disk every written for the Electron ...
I've not tried redirecting the joystick, I think as I've got older I've found keys much easier to use
I've not tried redirecting the joystick, I think as I've got older I've found keys much easier to use
Re: ElkSD128 - Recommendations
Hi thanks i didnt realise there might be different versions kicking around. I think i got mine from snugsys github page if i remember right. Link at top of this thread.raspberrypioneer wrote: ↑Sat Apr 06, 2024 12:38 pm
The snuggsy187 games worked for me and Blagger works fine too (Blagger wasn't fun for me, too easy to die then start again. Manic Miner is much better). I'm also using an actual Electron with the ElkSD128. Perhaps the version of the programs are the problem - I got the vast majority of games from this site: https://www.everygamegoing.com/landingM ... ype/games/
Yes that version of blagger from every games going works properly. What an improvement all around. Plays faster and smoother. Nicer sound effects. Much nicer to play than the original.
Same goes for snugsys version of repton 2. I had better success with a few of his games this time. Alpha centuri worked. The every games going version of jetpac had something going on with the banner at the top though. Lunar jetman wasnt quite playable. I couldnt lift off.
Great seeing these new improvements to games. Also noticed a few of 0xCode games i haven't tried yet. Will have to get around to that soon.
Sorry dont know about joysticks. Thanks for the tip where to download
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Re: ElkSD128 - Recommendations
I like improvements to old games, sometimes ironing out problems or making a bit easier / more playable. If you like Boulder Dash and haven't seen this chat viewtopic.php?t=28372, worth checking out. I've got a bit attached to this game and had fun with a few others extending it. Worth a look if you like this kind of game.