Breakout

ZX Computing

Nick Pearce

SOFT OPTIONS FOR YOUR ZX81 Puzzled by Dr. Nowotnik, after a glass of wine Nick Pearce settles down to checking out some of the software commercially available for your ZX81. GAMESTAPE 6, BREAKOUT - J.K. Greye J. K. Greye are well-known for good quality software for the ZX81, and this fast 1K game is no exception. The three bat angles in this version, with full screen display and the fast smooth action, make it a treat to play. It is written in machine code, and the speed (choice of fast, medium and slow), and the bat size (large or small) can be varied using POKE commands. Although written in 1K, this game can also be played on a ZX81 with 16K RAM pack (by POKEing RAMTOP before LOADing the program - full instructions are given). Nothing as straightforward as the usual Breakout wall of bricks on this one either. The wall is built up of pound signs which convert to dollars when hit. Ten balls are available and a maximum score of $240 can be achieved (but not by me!). The instructions state that bat movement is effected by using the cursor keys 5 to 8; on the review copy, however, any key in the top row from 1 to 5 moved the bat to the left, keys from 8 to 0 moving it right. An excellent version of Breakout, and good value for money. That it runs on an unexpanded 1K ZX81 is a commendable achievement. 'Breakout' costs £1.95 and is available by mail order from J. K. Greye, [redacted], or from branches of W.H. Smith and other stores.

Sinclair User

Phil Garrett

GREYE DEFENDER IS ANOTHER 3D WINNER If you are the type who goes to the seaside to spend hours - and pounds - in amusement arcades, there is a new crop of ZX-81 action games to tempt you to stay at home. J K Greye, famous for its remarkable 3D Monster Maze, has scored again with 3D Defender. This all-machine-code game for 16K ZX-81s has the player steering the last surviving craft of a once noble battle fleet into action against marauding invaders. Using the keyboard like a joystick, you can climb, dive and bank, watch the stars wheel about and the ground slip past, but keep an eye open for the bad guys and their plasma bolts. The game requires quick reactions and good coordination - a minimum of five fingers are in action - and takes a good deal of practice before any score is achieved. Amazing graphics effects are created as the enemy draws closer, more and more detail appearing as the flying saucers loom in your forward scanner. Another winner for £3.95. If you have spent the money you had saved for your RAM pack on your holidays instead, J K Greye offers arcade-game action in just 1K. Its full-screen Breakout, written in an incredible 500 bytes of machine code, has all the capabilities of the bigger versions. The bricks are inverse 52 signs, which turn into 3 signs when hit, and then disappear altogether when hit again. The game has adjustable bat size and speed, plus on-screen scoring and variable rebound angle. All for £1.95 from J K Greye Software, [redacted].