Last Updated 5th May 2019
The BBC Games Archive - digital memories
Acornsoft
Probably the original BBC Software company, this was a software arm of Acorn itself. In my mind, and many others, it is recognised as one of the best. It was particularly good at converting the arcade games of the time (Asteroids, Space Invaders, etc) and it also did a few text adventures which were also good. It is probably best known for the discovery of Elite, and Revs, Geoff Crammonds' first in a long line of succesful racing games.
Superior Software eventually came in and bought the whole of Acornsoft's back catalogue in 1986 and from then on some of the games were re-released on the Play It Again Sam, and Acornsoft Hits collections. After five years in the ring it was still the unbeaten champion, and you can imagine why, Acorn had all the knowledge about the beeb, everything which it was capable of, and how to do it in the best way possible, which is why most of their games are extremely well programmed.
Acornsoft also produced a lot of software on ROM, not to mention business and educational packages.
Please contact me if you have any additional information about the company or its games!
Gateway To Karos
Released:
Author: Derek Haslam
Play
A text adventure game, the story goes that you were allowed into the Manor of Karoway, and in the Library you find a book with an old scrap of paper inside. The paper tells you that at Summer Solstice there is a mystical gateway into the Land of Karos. Of course, it just happens to be summer solstice at dusk, so you travel back to the Land Of Karos. To get back to your own land, you have to find the Talisman of Khronoz. I think this one is excellent, and has loads of great puzzles.
Go
Released:
Author: Unknown
Play
A conversion of the old board game, this is very boring, and the graphics aren't up to much, the board game doesn't exactly look good anyway. It is not really deserving of a conversion to the Beeb, hardly a classic game anyway, but it was one of their earliest attempts.
Hellforce
Released: 1983
Author: D.J Hoskins
Play
A classic shoot-em-up, this is really good fun. Instead of scrolling, this is a single screen game, with you being able only to move up and down the screen, you are in the left of the screen, and have to shoot the aliens which appear on the right, shooting madly at you, so you have to dodge the bullets very carefully so you don't get hit. The graphics are good, and if this game was put in an arcade style cabinet, you could bet that it would be one of the most popular ones in the arcade.
Hopper
Released: 1983
Author: Lee Raine
Play
A true classic, this one is a clone (brilliantly done I must say) of the original Frogger. It is really good fun guiding that old frog under the wheels of the cars! Seriously though, this is one you should play. The graphics are excellent, and the whole thing moves at just the right pace so that you always feel as if you are progressing.
JCB Digger
Released:
Author: Jonathan Griffiths
Play
Another original idea from Acornsoft (back in '82 there was room for new ideas in gaming!) this one you have to drive a JCB Digger around, eating the monsters that inhabit the small islands which make up the levels. Strangely, on a real BBC, it makes the speaker hiss a lot, and the graphics do mess up occasionally, but nevertheless it is a great fun game.
Kingdom Of Hamil
Released:
Author: Jonathan Partington
Play
A hugely entertaining game in a medieval setting. There are some ingenious puzzles and about 4 mazes, one of which has to be played to be believed, the frustration factor on it is sky high. Its another (slightly trimmed) version of a game of the same name on the Phoenix Mainframe (see Acheton) written by J.R Partington and converted by Peter Killworth for the Beeb. The parser is only a simple two-word, but it packs a lot of locations and puzzles into the limited memory. Definitely worth playing and seriously addictive fun.
Labyrinth
Released: 1984
Author: Unknown
Play
Widely considered to be amongst their best games, this is a nicely designed shoot-em-up come adventure game, with high-resolution graphics and fluid animation. You basically have to find your way out of the labyrinth, solving puzzles to open doors whilst keeping the monsters at bay with the trusty laser. An ingenious game for the time, and well deserving of its cult status.
Magic Mushrooms
Released:
Author: Unknown
Play
A one-screen platform game, this has all the hallmarks of being a true classic. You have to go around the levels collecting the mushrooms, and avoiding the monsters. To obstruct you there are one-way ladders, convery belts, trampolines and more, and you really have to thing about the path you are taking. The graphics are low-res, but very crisp and clear, making them look much better. The game also has a screen designer built in, so that you can design your own levels!
Maze
Released: 1984
Author: Unknown
Play
The classic maze game, set in a first person perspective 3d view. You have to find the treasure in the maze, whilst watching out for the baddies also inside. One of the best things is that you can hear the footsteps of the baddies, whilst they are still far off, and the atmosphere is much improved with this. The graphics are well drawn, and the only problem is that the game does not move as quickly as it possibly could.
Meteor Mission
Released: 1983
Author: Unknown
Play
Another classic from the arcade conversion masters. This time you have the task of rescuing three spacemen trapped on the moon during a meteor shower. You start in the mother ship, and have to launch from it, then you move out into space, dodging the meteors, and finding the way through them. To make it even harder, there are comets and alien ships which kill on contact. The graphics are good, and it is very addictive and entertaining.
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