Throbbing Headache

Break SpaceBreak Space Ace

Dave Sloane

THROBBING HEADACHE DX KTB Productions PWYW / $2 Sloany's Review Back when the Simpsons was good, there was an episode where Homer was fed doughnuts for all eternity as an ironic punishment. As the machine runs out of donuts Homer screams 'more!' in the face of an exasperated demon. That dear reader, is how I feel about single screen arcade games, especially if they are on the ZX Spectrum, I just cannot get enough of them. Throbbing Headache DX (THDX to its friends) by relative newcomer on the Speccy homebrew scheme, 'Rrwm' is one such game. THDX follows on from both the original version of the game (which was coded in an astonishing 2 days) and the special Valentine's Edition (Throbbing Heartache). The DX version expands the virus infused nightmare that Robby, the game's protagonist, suffered in the original, with improved graphics and sound and more levels. Well, Robby's misery is our gain as that just means there's more of this game to get stuck into. Right out of the blocks THDX is an assault on your senses as it hits you with its disorienting intro menu full of pulsating brains and bonkers font. Then you're right into it, you know the drill, MacGuffins to collect, nasties to avoid and exits to trigger. One of the first things you'll notice is that the jumping mechanic takes a bit of getting used to, with our hero only being able to pull off funky long sideways or upwards jumps. There is nothing for fans of diagonal jumps here, my friend. This lends a puzzle-like element to proceedings as you have to strategically work out the best order in which to collect the pills and clear the screen. It's unusual and frustrating at first and will result in many lives lost and copious swearing. Once you've played it a few times and clear a few levels however, you get used to its strange ways and it provides that game with a bit of a USP to help it stand out among its many, many peers. It's a tough old game, but with a sensible, if somewhat steep difficulty curve. The levels are very well designed with a real fiendish, almost sadistic edge. Thankfully there's no time limit or fall damage or the game would be just too plain evil to have fun with. Personally, I think a few more than 3 lives wouldn't go amiss however, especially if you are to see anything approaching the 24 levels the game has to offer but I'm told that that's what save states are for. Not that I use them myself obviously! (Fourth-wall-breaking eyebrows wiggle to camera). The music and sound effects suit the game nicely and the graphics are great, with the main character looking cute as hell in his rather funky baseball cap. There is a ULA+ mode, but I don't think that adds too much really and personally I prefer the original vibrant hues of a classic Speccy. I had a lot of fun with this one, there's a real satisfaction to reaching the exit on each screen. I am totally on board with the author's sense of humour too, which shines through every aspect of this game from the psychedelic intro right through to the Matthew Smith referencing big foot and game over message at the end. I genuinely think I've found a kindred Speccy spirit here and I'm already looking forward to seeing what they come up with next. Right, fire up that donut machine. I need another hit.

"I have one heart, one bosom, and one truth" Roberta's got you beat, Bard. 22 of the blighters here!

"You get used to its strange ways"

Need a good poke on Valentine's Day. Naturally. x Lives: POKE 29616,x Infinite Lives: POKE 29666,0

Some pokes to prevent migraines: x Lives: POKE 27683,x Infinite Lives: Poke 27787,0

That's a lot of pills, Robby. Careful, now!

TAKE 3 WITH MEALS? Sometimes games can take years between sequels, but not here! Throbbing Headache released on Jan 19. The was followed rapidly by Throbby Heartache in time for Valentine's Dayin February, with the upgraded Throbbing Headache DX arriving on Feb 24. Rumour has it there's another game planned in the series this year. No rest for the Throbby!