The Register® — Biting the hand that feeds IT

Feeds

Agentless Backup is Not a Myth

Knight Lore

Reg Hardware retro numbers

Having just finished the Diablo III beta only to be left gagging for more, Knight Lore is a compelling 8-bit memory. This 3D isometric dungeon crawler sees me play Saberman, a "werewulf" looking to be released from my lupine curse by a kindly wizard Melkhior who dwells in Knight Lore castle. Navigating the castles rooms, I loved this game's cutesy RPG graphics. With only 40 days and nights to complete my task before becoming a werewulf forever, I speedily collect charms while trying to avoid being impaled on a spiked ball or spooked by a malevolent apparition. The intricately designed puzzles and levels make this game an 8-bit wonder and really set the standard for fantasy games to come.

Knight Lore
Released 1984
Developers Tim and Chris Stamper
Publisher Ultimate Play The Game
Platforms Sinclair Spectrum
More Info Strategy Wiki's Knight Lore page

Manic Miner

Reg Hardware retro numbers

Created by Matthew Smith and released by Bug-Byte Software, this suitably named jittery platformer is teeth-grindingly addictive because of its simplicity. Miner Willy has his hands full retrieving flashing objects from 20 technicolored caverns before his oxygen runs out, all the while avoiding vicious penguins, flapping toilets, evil performing seals and my all-time favorite floating head, Eugene. This game has real character even though created from the most basic animations. It was funny and frustrating. Precision timing is needed to avoid death by a misjudged millimetre! Manic Miner's ear bleedingly constant in-game music haunts my dreams like the squark of a data cassette loading hideously coloured levels of vexation.

Manic Miner
Released 1983
Developer Matthew Smith
Publisher Bug-Byte Software
Platforms Sinclair Spectrum
More Info Antique Code Show: Manic Miner

Customer Success Testimonial: Recovery is Everything

Next page: Phantom Slayer

Jeff Minter

Strangely missing from the list unless I've overlooked something?...

9
0

Elite was incredible. I lost months of my childhood to that game. I still play the updated Oolite today.

9
0

Getting in on the titles-you-didn't-pick wagon...

Chaos? Xeno? Bruce Lee? Stop the Express? Nebulus? Driller? Exolon? Target: Renegade? Thrust? Splat? Turrican? Dan Dare? Wizball?

I'm confident those were all very good.

7
0

More from The Register

 breaking news
Curtain drops on Apple Store ahead of WWDC: What lies behind?
Steve Jobs watching from on high. No pressure, lads
 breaking news
Cold, dead hands of Steve Jobs slip from iPhones: The Cult of Ive is upon us
Billionaire biz baron's death clears way for uber-shiny iOS 7
Airbus imagines suitcases that find themselves
Point your mobe at your smalls to track their every move
First look: iOS 7 for iPad
No, Apple hasn't released it yet, but that doesn't stop intrepid devs
Surprise! Intel smartphone trounces ARM in power trials
Tests show equal performance while sipping significantly less juice
Apple said to be 'exploring' 5.7-inch iPhone
Who's the copycat this time, Mr. Cook?
Review: Belkin Thunderbolt Express Dock
Missing Mac ports reunited, for a price
 breaking news
Australian 'Apple tax' repealed for MacBook Air
But the new MacPro is priced at a premium