BBC Micro
Hardware, storefront and ecosystem news for BBC Micro.
Latest coverage
Snapman 20 - A rather nice Pac-Man clone for the Commodore VIC-20
Beamrider has released Snapman 20, a faithful Pac-Man clone for the Commodore VIC-20, coded entirely in machine assembly. The game preserves the original arcade's ghost patterns and intermissions, requiring a VIC-20 with 35K RAM expansion. This homebrew title bridges 80s UK computer heritage with arcade fun.
Knight Lore - Ultimate Play the Game classic arrives on the Commodore VIC-20
The classic isometric adventure game Knight Lore, originally by Ultimate Play the Game, has been ported to the Commodore VIC-20 with a 35K RAM expansion. This follows previous conversions to other 8-bit systems like the Commodore 64. The game challenges players to collect items and brew a cure for a werewolf curse within forty days, navigating deadly obstacles in its signature viewpoint.
Games Inbox: Will single-player video games go extinct?
This article discusses the current sales trends of single-player games, with readers expressing concern over their perceived decline in popularity compared to multiplayer titles. The piece also touches on the future of VR gaming, the potential for reboots of classic games like Elite, and the rising costs of GPUs and consoles.
The Spectrum White Edition interview: ‘it smells the same as Christmas Day 1984'
Retro Games CTO Chris Smith discusses the company's mission to recreate classic 8-bit computers like the ZX Spectrum and Commodore 64 with modern hardware. The Spectrum White Edition aims to capture the original experience, including programming capabilities, while offering modern conveniences like HDMI output and save states. Smith highlights the challenges of hardware replication and the importance of preserving gaming history for both nostalgic adults and curious younger generations.
Bounce 2 is a sequel to an Atari "PONG killer" that I'm pretty sure never existed
Bounce 2, a PC game available on Steam, is presented as a sequel to the obscure 1983 Atari 2600 game Bounce, which was intended to be a 'PONG killer' but released during the video game crash. The article suggests the backstory of the original Bounce may be a marketing tactic, as evidence for its existence and impact is scarce. Bounce 2 itself is a multiplayer game inspired by PONG, featuring characters that can jump, kick, and dash, with mechanics for attacking opponents and swinging arms to hit the ball harder.
The lost online world that came before the Internet and the World Wide Web
Prestel, a British online service launched in 1979, offered early versions of email, chat rooms, and online games using teletext graphics and dial-up modems. Despite failing as a mass-market platform due to cost and accessibility issues, it served as a significant cultural preview of the internet, demonstrating the potential for online communities and social interaction.
Barbarian - HOT NEWS as Barbarian: The Ultimate Warrior" arrives on the Atari XL/XE
Team Vega has released a new port of the 1980s fighting game Barbarian: The Ultimate Warrior specifically for the Atari XL and XE line of computers. This version features updated graphics from the Amstrad CPC, digitized voice samples from the Amiga, and optimized code inspired by the BBC Micro port. The game requires 64KB of RAM and tasks players with defeating eight opponents before facing a final boss.
Games Inbox: Are live service games becoming less popular?
Readers discuss the declining popularity of live service games, with some hoping for a return to 'proper' games. The discussion touches on the financial model of free-to-play games, the impact of upcoming titles like Grand Theft Auto 6, and the potential for AI upscaling in future consoles. Other topics include the viability of dedicated handhelds, the emotional impact of certain game narratives, and the pricing of game DLC.
