My Top 85 Games for the BBC Micro

colinhoad · Post by **colinhoad** » Tue Oct 29, 2019 3:03 am

0xC0DE · Post by **0xC0DE** » Tue Oct 29, 2019 7:34 am

I've watched a few, good job!
Couldn't you find another 15 great games to make a top 100?

colinhoad · Post by **colinhoad** » Tue Oct 29, 2019 7:41 am

0xC0DE wrote: ↑Tue Oct 29, 2019 7:34 am I've watched a few, good job!
Couldn't you find another 15 great games to make a top 100?

Thanks!

I did try my best to make it to 100 but realised I'd have to play 15 new games sufficiently to find out where to slot them into the rankings... so in the end I just went with the 85 that I know and love

sbadger · Post by **sbadger** » Wed Oct 30, 2019 2:53 pm

Hi Colin,

Nice series, i'll be following this...

Just the slightest bit of constructive criticism, I feel the aspect ratio of the BBC screen is a little off, a bit stretched vertically.
Though it probably only bothers me being a pedant!

colinhoad · Post by **colinhoad** » Thu Oct 31, 2019 6:03 am

sbadger wrote: ↑Wed Oct 30, 2019 2:53 pm Hi Colin,

Nice series, i'll be following this...

Just the slightest bit of constructive criticism, I feel the aspect ratio of the BBC screen is a little off, a bit stretched vertically.
Though it probably only bothers me being a pedant!

Thanks! All constructive criticism gratefully received. I tend to record the videos in BeebEm's full screen mode, which may be contributing to the vertical stretching as it probably pulls the ratio out slightly. I might try experimenting recording without being in full screen and see what difference it makes.

tricky · Post by **tricky** » Thu Oct 31, 2019 10:30 am

Last time I looked I think beebem used square pixels, which they aren't on a beeb.
Roughly 5*4 pixels on a 4:3 screen.
PS when you have finished, you could take suggestions for 15 honorable mentions.

colinhoad · Post by **colinhoad** » Thu Oct 31, 2019 12:03 pm

tricky wrote: ↑Thu Oct 31, 2019 10:30 am Last time I looked I think beebem used square pixels, which they aren't on a beeb.
Roughly 5*4 pixels on a 4:3 screen.

I tried recording the latest video (which I'm about to upload) with the screen ratio option disabled, and that does seem to have improved the 'stretching' phenomenon - let me know what you think...

tricky wrote: ↑Thu Oct 31, 2019 10:30 am PS when you have finished, you could take suggestions for 15 honorable mentions.

I will definitely do this! I have had one already c/o Gareth Boden from HeadFirst who got in touch to recommend one that I had sadly never played before.

tricky · Post by **tricky** » Thu Oct 31, 2019 7:33 pm

You can also sort bbcmicro.co.UK by popularity for some ideas

Andrew_Waite · Post by **Andrew_Waite** » Fri Nov 01, 2019 3:56 pm

A really nice project, looking forward to future episodes.

colinhoad · Post by **colinhoad** » Thu Nov 07, 2019 5:22 am

Hello! I am hoping for a spot of help from anyone who might be able to offer it...

I have picked "Bombed: The Gate Part 2" for one of my forthcoming BBC Micro game reviews, because it was a game I had as a child and remember enjoying it very much. However, I have no information about who developed it, what the back story was, why it was named "Part 2" (was there a Part 1?) other than what is available on the BBC Micro games archive here: http://bbcmicro.co.uk/game.php?id=1047

It looks like it came with a magazine, possibly on a cover disk or else as a listing to type in. Does anyone here know more about it?

iamaran · Post by **iamaran** » Thu Nov 07, 2019 4:47 pm

The Gate:
http://bbcmicro.co.uk/game.php?id=798

colinhoad · Post by **colinhoad** » Sun Nov 10, 2019 6:51 pm

iamaran wrote: ↑Thu Nov 07, 2019 4:47 pm The Gate:
http://bbcmicro.co.uk/game.php?id=798

Aha! So the first part was just called "The Gate", no wonder I couldn't find "Bombed Part 1"

Thanks for the pointer, this helps

Andrew_Waite · Post by **Andrew_Waite** » Fri Nov 15, 2019 3:15 am

Thank you for making such a nice video on Santa's Sleigh.

The game was originally written on an Acorn Electron and submitted to Electron User magazine, with a small rocket man instead of 'Santa'. EU asked me to add a Christmas theme to the game for the December 1986 issue of the magazine, so the rocket man became Santa and the bouncers became Christmas crackers. One of my motivations for writing Planet Nubium was to make an improved version of the original game with the extra memory of the Master, returning to a rocket man as the main character.

Santa's Sleigh was published in Micro User magazine as well as Electron User, with instructions in Mode 7 instead of Mode 6. The Beeb's speaker is a bit louder than the Elk, in hindsight the volume of the white noise for the rocket engine from sound channel 0 could be a bit lower for the BBC version.

Looking forward to future videos in the series!

Link to video : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F3uq3e9q_W0

colinhoad · Post by **colinhoad** » Fri Nov 15, 2019 4:47 pm

Andrew_Waite wrote: ↑Fri Nov 15, 2019 3:15 am Thank you for making such a nice video on Santa's Sleigh.

I'm so touched that you saw it and enjoyed it, Andrew! Thank you for writing a smashing game, I had hours of fun with this as a child - and I still enjoy playing it now

Andrew_Waite wrote: ↑Fri Nov 15, 2019 3:15 am The game was originally written on an Acorn Electron and submitted to Electron User magazine, with a small rocket man instead of 'Santa'. EU asked me to add a Christmas theme to the game for the December 1986 issue of the magazine, so the rocket man became Santa and the bouncers became Christmas crackers. One of my motivations for writing Planet Nubium was to make an improved version of the original game with the extra memory of the Master, returning to a rocket man as the main character.

That's really interesting, I hadn't made the connection before but I can see it now.

Andrew_Waite wrote: ↑Fri Nov 15, 2019 3:15 am Santa's Sleigh was published in Micro User magazine as well as Electron User, with instructions in Mode 7 instead of Mode 6. The Beeb's speaker is a bit louder than the Elk, in hindsight the volume of the white noise for the rocket engine from sound channel 0 could be a bit lower for the BBC version.

The rocket engine sound isn't so much of an issue when I'm just playing it by myself, I only found it slightly problematic while trying to record my commentary over the top!

Andrew_Waite wrote: ↑Fri Nov 15, 2019 3:15 am Looking forward to future videos in the series!

Thank you for your interest and support! I enjoy making the videos, but it's an extra motivation to know there are people like yourself out there watching along with me.

colinhoad · Post by **colinhoad** » Thu Oct 15, 2020 9:12 am

Just over halfway through now, and the list is updated with links to all videos I've made so far... still plenty of classics and favourites to come!

Bobbi · Post by **Bobbi** » Thu Oct 15, 2020 5:54 pm

A quick Ctrl-F didn't find Elite in your list!! Surely that has to be in everyone's best games list?

colinhoad · Post by **colinhoad** » Fri Oct 16, 2020 9:12 am

Bobbi wrote: ↑Thu Oct 15, 2020 5:54 pm A quick Ctrl-F didn't find Elite in your list!! Surely that has to be in everyone's best games list?

The list is not yet complete

I'm doing a countdown, am at #37 with plenty more to go! Rest assured Elite will be in there... somewhere

colinhoad · Post by **colinhoad** » Tue Oct 24, 2023 1:57 pm

Hello! For those of you who have been following my series (or, indeed, for anyone who might be new to it) the final three entries will be going live over the next three weeks as YouTube premieres, every Thursday at 8pm (UK time). If you've never attended a YouTube premiere, it's essentially the first chance to see the video going live along with a live chat that everyone watching can participate in (and which I will, of course, be present for as well).

The links and dates for the premieres:
Entry #3 - Thursday 26th October at 8pm - https://youtu.be/sCH6KetF9E0
Entry #2 - Thursday 2nd November at 8pm - https://youtu.be/Z0o0-Rk_TTI
Entry #1 - Thursday 9th November at 8pm - https://youtu.be/xVaJ92eUIx4

Hope you can join me then!

Pernod · Post by **Pernod** » Tue Oct 24, 2023 2:23 pm

I can only think of two games that must be in your top 3, though there are others I would've expected to see in the list.

fuzzel · Post by **fuzzel** » Wed Oct 25, 2023 1:16 pm

This is going to be fun working out which ones should be in Colin's top three (although he's already mentioned one of them in this thread). I'll have a ponder...

EDIT: Having quickly considered my own personal faves, there's no mention of Castle Quest, Citadel or Imogen in the list. I wonder which one(s) of these has missed out? Of course, it all depends on Colin actually having played them.

Pernod · Post by **Pernod** » Wed Oct 25, 2023 1:25 pm

fuzzel wrote: ↑Wed Oct 25, 2023 1:16 pm This is going to be fun working out which ones should be in Colin's top three (although he's already mentioned one of them in this thread). I'll have a ponder...

EDIT: Having quickly considered my own personal faves, there's no mention of Castle Quest, Citadel or Imogen in the list. I wonder which one(s) of these has missed out? Of course, it all depends on Colin actually having played them.

He has Citadel at #7, We know Elite is up there and I'd guessed Imogen, and agree Castle Quest must be there too.

Some of the others I would've expected to see are Contraption, Bug Eyes II, Sim.

Venger · Post by **Venger** » Wed Oct 25, 2023 3:06 pm

Pernod wrote: ↑Wed Oct 25, 2023 1:25 pm
fuzzel wrote: ↑Wed Oct 25, 2023 1:16 pm This is going to be fun working out which ones should be in Colin's top three (although he's already mentioned one of them in this thread). I'll have a ponder...

EDIT: Having quickly considered my own personal faves, there's no mention of Castle Quest, Citadel or Imogen in the list. I wonder which one(s) of these has missed out? Of course, it all depends on Colin actually having played them.
He has Citadel at #7, We know Elite is up there and I'd guessed Imogen, and agree Castle Quest must be there too.

Some of the others I would've expected to see are Contraption, Bug Eyes II, Sim.

If, by Sim, you mean SIm City, it's at number 6.

Bugeyes II wasn't a very good game at all (I had it on the Electron) and the connecting animations with the Sinclair C5 wore thin after a very short while. I can't speak for Contraption as I never had it (was it even out on the Electron?).

I agree that Elite has to be up there, and possibly Imogen as it's high up on a lot of lists that I've seen. As to the 3rd, I don't know. I haven't seen Repton mentioned anywhere though and Repton's one of the most iconic games on the Beeb/Electron (not that I'm a huge fan). I haven't really played Castle Quest but it never really looked that impressive to me; Citadel seems so much better. We'll soon find out though

.

Pernod · Post by **Pernod** » Wed Oct 25, 2023 3:29 pm

Venger wrote: ↑Wed Oct 25, 2023 3:06 pm If, by Sim, you mean SIm City, it's at number 6.

Bugeyes II wasn't a very good game at all (I had it on the Electron) and the connecting animations with the Sinclair C5 wore thin after a very short while. I can't speak for Contraption as I never had it (was it even out on the Electron?).

I agree that Elite has to be up there, and possibly Imogen as it's high up on a lot of lists that I've seen. As to the 3rd, I don't know. I haven't seen Repton mentioned anywhere though and Repton's one of the most iconic games on the Beeb/Electron (not that I'm a huge fan). I haven't really played Castle Quest but it never really looked that impressive to me; Citadel seems so much better. We'll soon find out though .

I mean Sim by Viper, a fun (or frustrating) explore and puzzler.

I suspect Castle Quest will be missed in favour of a Repton.

I know it's Colin's list, and this is subjective, but there's probably at least 20 quality games that are missing whilst the likes of Bomber Baron are included.

bob147 · Post by **bob147** » Wed Oct 25, 2023 3:29 pm

See I was feeling pretty confident with Castle Quest, Repton then Elite but now people have mentioned a few others I'm not so sure...

tnash · Post by **tnash** » Wed Oct 25, 2023 3:52 pm

Sadly I'm guessing Spycat won't make the list now despite being one of the most charming games on the system!

Is Galaforce 2 covered by Galaforce above?

Venger · Post by **Venger** » Wed Oct 25, 2023 3:57 pm

Pernod wrote: ↑Wed Oct 25, 2023 3:29 pm
Venger wrote: ↑Wed Oct 25, 2023 3:06 pm If, by Sim, you mean SIm City, it's at number 6.

Bugeyes II wasn't a very good game at all (I had it on the Electron) and the connecting animations with the Sinclair C5 wore thin after a very short while. I can't speak for Contraption as I never had it (was it even out on the Electron?).

I agree that Elite has to be up there, and possibly Imogen as it's high up on a lot of lists that I've seen. As to the 3rd, I don't know. I haven't seen Repton mentioned anywhere though and Repton's one of the most iconic games on the Beeb/Electron (not that I'm a huge fan). I haven't really played Castle Quest but it never really looked that impressive to me; Citadel seems so much better. We'll soon find out though .
I mean Sim by Viper, a fun (or frustrating) explore and puzzler.

I suspect Castle Quest will be missed in favour of a Repton.

I know it's Colin's list, and this is subjective, but there's probably at least 20 quality games that are missing whilst the likes of Bomber Baron are included.

I had to look up Sim on YouTube where it was covered by Highretrogamelord. It also looks like it was out for the Electron too, but it must've slipped past me back in the day as I'd never heard of it. You live and learn

fuzzel · Post by **fuzzel** » Wed Oct 25, 2023 4:27 pm

Pernod wrote: ↑Wed Oct 25, 2023 1:25 pm
fuzzel wrote: ↑Wed Oct 25, 2023 1:16 pm This is going to be fun working out which ones should be in Colin's top three (although he's already mentioned one of them in this thread). I'll have a ponder...

EDIT: Having quickly considered my own personal faves, there's no mention of Castle Quest, Citadel or Imogen in the list. I wonder which one(s) of these has missed out? Of course, it all depends on Colin actually having played them.
He has Citadel at #7, We know Elite is up there and I'd guessed Imogen, and agree Castle Quest must be there too.

Some of the others I would've expected to see are Contraption, Bug Eyes II, Sim.

Unless Colin's a gamer par-excellence I'd be very surprised if he's included Sim in his top 100. I'm still trying to get past the first screen after 40 odd years!
Citadel at #7 - Oops, fat fingers!

colinhoad · Post by **colinhoad** » Thu Oct 26, 2023 7:45 am

Pernod wrote: ↑Wed Oct 25, 2023 3:29 pm ...but there's probably at least 20 quality games that are missing whilst the likes of Bomber Baron are included.

I am very open to suggestions for future reviews, as I intend to do a "ones that got away" series for games I never knew or played back in the day

barbarossa69 · Post by **barbarossa69** » Mon Oct 30, 2023 10:01 am

bob147 wrote: ↑Wed Oct 25, 2023 3:29 pm See I was feeling pretty confident with Castle Quest, Repton then Elite but now people have mentioned a few others I'm not so sure...

I think you're probably right, although I never really got into Castle Quest so I'll be watching that one with great interest!
Elite was one of those games where I could marvel at the brilliance of it without particularly enjoying it (or being any good at it).
The Repton series in my opinion are the best games for the Beeb!

bob147 · Post by **bob147** » Mon Oct 30, 2023 12:51 pm

Thing is, now that others have mentioned it, I know he likes Imogen so poor old Castle Quest might be left out.

I suggest giving it a try though, whilst the arena you play in is small and the game is very short once you've solved the puzzles, it more than makes up for this IMO with smooth scrolling/animation and perhaps more importantly, some really nice emergent behaviour. The enemies don't necessarily stick to standard routes and you can combine things unexpectedly and finish the game in a number of different ways.

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My Top 85 Games for the BBC Micro

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