Dynamic Games for the ZX Spectrum

ZX Computing

Paul Cain

LOOKING FOR SOMETHING TO COMPLEMENT YOUR BOOKSHELVES FOR CHRISTMAS? PATRICK CAIN TAKES A LOOK AT A SELECTION OF THE LATEST TITLES... Dynamic Games For The Spectrum by Tim Hartnell is typical of many books of this kind. Whether it will appeal to you depends on how many games you already have in your collection and your opinion of the twenty here. On comparison, they stand up well. Tim Hartnell is undoubtedly the foremost Sinclair author, and he has compiled a good variety of programs in this book. The games subdivide into four categories: arcade games, board games, adventure/ simulation games and 'improve your mind' games - though I'm afraid none of them are very original. Each program is supported by introductory text, which details the highlights and programming techniques employed. Learning this way can be both fun and profitable. There are some great games, but games such as 'Checkers', '3D Drive' and 'Death Race 2000' are more typical, although well suited in their degree of complexity to this type of learning. Books of this nature are useful programming aids, but at a price of £5.95 there may well be others that serve the same purpose more economically. Dynamic Games For The ZX Spectrum is compiled by Tim Hartnell and published by Interface. ISBN 0 946195 137

Personal Computer News

Trevor Jones

'Dynamic Games for the ZX Spectrum' by Tim Hartnell, published by John Wiley & Sons at £5.95 (paperback, 186 pages). Many books bombard you with listing upon listing for your favourite computer, but although they may be a cheap source of games - if you can stand the finger-bashing - they usually offer little of educational value. Dynamic Games for the Spectrum takes a similar approach but has the bonus that each game is given an introduction which takes you through the programs line by line. The tricks used are explained and various modifications are suggested. The programs are mainly for games which fall into four categories: arcade, board, adventure and simulation. The usual games such as Tic Tac Toe, Chess and Checkers can be found but there are some originals. This book is fairly well written and the text is easy to read. Some programs also include a diagram of a screen shot which gives an idea of what the game should look like before you begin to key it in. The listings vary in readability, however, and some are only just legible. The final chapter in the book contains hints and tips about improving your programs, and there is the usual machine code renumber given in the appendix.