Gaming News — ZX Spectrum

It’s about time we returned to some retro titles, as the list keeps getting longer, especially for February. Well, it’s not the most jam-packed time of the year for releases. We’re still looking at some major releases for our AAA siblings, so it’s safe to say we’re looking at the same for retro.

This week we’re looking at a remake in a couple of brand-new games that are guaranteed to tickle your fancy, and no, it’s not all intense action. There’s a bit of something for everyone. Let’s go.

AMBERMOON ADVANCED

When it comes to old-school gaming, Ambermoon is a name that usually pops into the conversation. It’s had a fair share of rereleases, from the updated Amiga version to the open-source PC remake. It’s pure 90s’ satisfaction that many players miss and long for even today. Now, if you’re a longtime fan of the game, you are lucky because Ambermoon Advanced by Pyrdacor might scratch that couple of decades-long.

Both episodes, one and two, have come to the PC and Amiga, which looks great. Ambermoon Advanced is in your usual remake. Aside from enhancing the original game, you’ll get some added features, like a new companion, new doors to open, new monsters, new items, and some new places to explore.

It’s retro gaming action at its core and is out right now! So if you enjoy Dangerous Dungeons and a good story split into two episodes, then you might want to check out Ambermoon Advanced.

VRADARK'S REVENGE

Now we’re moving on to RPG territory, a massive franchise of different games that’s been alive and kicking since the beginning. Whether it’s tabletop or video games, you can’t deny how influential RPGs have been to gamers everywhere. That’s why a brand new game, Vradark’s Revenge, is a welcome addition to the PC and ZX spectrum next. Sanchez Crew’s latest release has players exploring dark ancient tombs to find and hopefully defeat Vradark face-to-face.

There’s a lot of magic and mystery involved here, so if you’re into that, brace yourself. In terms of mechanics, you’re treated to a fantasy action RPPG genre with lots of demon-slaying action. As a wizard, it’s your goal to explore each level, find the boss demon, and destroy all the magic you can find while boosting your abilities.

A PIG QUEST

Lastly, we got an excellent action-packed side-scrolling platformer for the Commodore 64 and 128. A Pig Quest by Antonio Savona, Mauricet, Aldo Chiummo, and Gaetano Chiummo, is finally here, and it’s looking pretty good. Thank medieval fantasy action, but with a bit more pork in your diet. Yes, I know it sounded weird, but right now, A Pig Quests showcases a lot of action platform mechanics in its gameplay.

It features 200 screens across 5 worlds filled with gorgeous C64 details and dynamic weather effects. Something we all can appreciate. It not only looks good but sounds great too. We get a brilliant 36 situational SID soundtrack, collectible items, and countless dangerous enemies. You’ll explore secret areas, and detailed backdrops and enjoy cinematic cut scenes fit for your sweet old Commodore.

So if you want to pick out the action, this might be for you. Just make sure not to hog the controller.

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If you've been a follower of our Retro News series, you know we do our best to find the most action-packed, riveting, and awe-inspiring classic titles this side of the retro-sphere. 

This week, of course, is no different. It's how we run things, after all. So, we've got three games that'll pique the interest of possibly any gamer who enjoys a quicker pace in their gameplay. They’re not all run-and-gun, but you won’t sit still for hours. And it’s about time we checked ’em out!

CAIM

Speaking of classics, good ol' Haplo just dropped a sweet Commodore64 port for the brand new game, 'Caim- a top-down action-adventure title that's available to download right now. We get a top-down action-adventure game tailor-made for the Commodore64 It features action, exploration, and puzzles with an intriguing story to boot.

As the main character, you take on the role of an unnamed amnesiac hero who wakes up in a strange place for reasons unknown. It's up to you to explore the facility, avoid danger and uncover the mystery behind your history. Good stuff!

As you learn more about the place, the world, and yourself, you get closer to putting together all the clues and reaching the exit. So, if you want to uncover these mysteries and have a good time while at it, Caim might be worth the time.

Super Bomberman 2 Remix

We're moving on to an explosive classic! Bomberman, or Dynablaster in Europe, is a game first released way back in 1983 by Hudson Soft, which was eventually published by industry juggernaut Konami. In terms of fun and gameplay, it was and still is an awesome title that can still be played on a variety of modern consoles right now.

That being said, it looks like we're getting something new in the Bomberman Universe as Super Bomberman 2 Remix, a remake of the original is coming to the ever-reliable ZX Spectrum 128k. According to Alexey Khaydukov, who’s in charge of the remake, development is nearing its conclusion with a few loose ends to clean up.

A few more things were implemented to keep things interesting but won't take away from the overall feeling of the classic. With music written by the notorious n1k-O and graphics completely redrawn by Joe Vondayl. It's no wonder people are hyped. Friends, rejoice. It looks like we can relive our collection childhood the best way we can, blowing things up just for funsies.

Agonman

Last but not least, we have an Amiga announcement featuring a much-awaited original game, Agonman by Pixorra Games, based on an older game named Agony, which was a clear inspiration. As players were put in the boots of Johnny, an absolute badass who's forced to battle dangerous monsters in a dangerous land, all to protect the earth and find his way home.

Pixorra Games tells us more. Confirming Agonman is a platform game that combines a variety of elements. Graphics, get some more modern touch alongside the gameplay. In terms of system requirements. Make sure you're packing a 68020 and 2MB RAM for the game. Of course, anything more than that would guarantee a better experience.

Agonman needs to find his way home. So if you're the kind of player who can help a man out best to download the game and save the world.

Check the video here:

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Once again, we're getting a whole truckload of retro games to satisfy your old-school cravings focusing on the Commodore 64 and ZX Spectrum, our good game devs have been hard at work, mastering their craft and cranking out some quality titles

If you think about it, endless runners are always great-fast-paced and action-packed, but then again, so are sweet metroidvanias bringing all the mechanics that require the best tactics. Yeah, you know what I'm talking about. 

NICO'S RUN

First, we got one of the best endless runner games we've seen in a long while. Nico's Run by OldSkoolCoder is a brand new C64 game based on the Chrome Easter Egg Game T-Rex! and it's currently been entered into the Phaze101's Retro Programmers inside Group or RPI Game Jam.

The original game was that fun little Easter Egg on Chrome featuring a T-Rex dinosaur: Having no wifi was, at least, bearable. This game, however, doesn't just feature obstacles like before but is also themed around the creator's two dogs "Nico" and "Aston".

According to OldskoolCoder, it's also thanks to the viewers who helped chime in, building a brand new game about the good of Nico trying to run away from his brother Aston-who just won't leave him alone. Sounds relatable. We always love a good story, and given how it all started, Nico's Run looks quite promising

LESTER

This time we're looking at an upcoming C64 title courtesy of KnifeGrinder that's a tribute to the classic game, Bounder, an old-school title that came out in 1985, developed by Gremlin Graphics. Lester is a high-quality metroidvania for the C64 that puts you in control of the AR2020, a robot sent to liberate a space station taken over by you guessed it, an evil Al. 

The creator says "Lester takes inspiration from modern MSX Metroidvanias like Ghost and Minighost, and the old Kanami's productions like The maze of Galious. It originally started as a Hello World project, filling with the TRSE tutorial. Within three years, it became a graphic adventure engine, a Zelda-like engine, a single-screen platform engine, an attempt to convert mini ghosts, and then a standalone game." The game features an entire space station to explore over 60 rooms of Metroidvania action, special powers, 11 tracks of music, and so much more.

If you happen to have a Commodore 64 just lying around, then Lester might be right for you. 

RAMIRO EL VAMPIRO IV

The Amstrad CPC and ZX Spectrum have a new title in town and it brings all the sides scrolling. Goodness, you could want in an adventure. The Mojon twins just dropped the Amstrad CPC and ZX Spectrum game of Ramiro El Vampiro IV, A game that puts you in control of Ramiro the Vampire.

On a quest to collect some ancient scripture from an ancient pyramid. We're getting a game that features high-quality music and well-designed levels set with an Egyptian theme. It features multiple enemy types, such as bats and skeletons, moving platforms, deadly traps, and challenging gameplay.

That's sure to bring out the side. Scrolling badass in every game room. So if you wanna help out Ramiro El Vampiro in beating up a Pharaoh, then this might be a game you'd wanna dive into. See you at the catacombs!

Check the video here:

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