[Editor’s Note: R. Lussier has perhaps more Spectrum programs for his 2068 (with ROMSWITCH) than anyone else we know of…over 300! Therefore, when asked to pick the ten best personal Spectrum favorites of 1985, here is what he came up with…]
SPY HUNTER (Sega): This program follows the arcade original fairly close and is just as addictive. The graphics are very good.
STARION (Melbourne House): This program also has very good graphics. The idea is to zap the aliens, after which the explosion of their ship turns into a letter (character). You have to collect them and spell anagrams, then put them in the right historical time zone. This is a zap-em game and also an educational game all combined into one. Very good and addictive.
MONOPOLY (Leisure Genius): The original version by Parker Bros., but uses British names and streets, ect. The graphics are very good (the dice are 3D…look and roll like real ones). For up to 6 players. This is a must for Monopoly addicts and people who like board games.
BUGGY BLAST: A sophisticated and powerful space/ground attack vehicle fitted with the latest weapons and defence sytems. The graphics are super, and the game is very fast and addictive. A must for the zap-em crowd.
LETASET (Eclipse): This is a utility program which has 18 different font types, which you can use with the printer and your programs. Some styles included are Shadow, Pump Knight and Dragon, ect. This is a very good program in which you may also stretch and squeeze the letters to different sizes.
ASTRONOMY COMPILATION (Skysoft): This new program has 11 sections; such as Starmaps, Constellations, Halley’s Comet, ect. This is one of the more useful Astronomy programs I have used. Good graphics and a COPY feature for the T/S 2040 printer.
RED MOON (Level 9): This is a graphics type adventure game from Level 9, who are very well known for their adventure programs. This has 200 locations, all with graphics and the option to turn the graphics off. One of the top adventures for 1985.
QUIZTIMER (MacMillan): This is a unique multi-feature quiz-type game with “not-so-bad” graphics, and the option for turning them off. Also you can set the time for answering the questions. Has one or two player option. The game has 10 quizzes, each with 100 questions. There is a printer option, and is Microdrive compatible. Very good and educational. Great for adults, and the kids will love watching the graphics being built.
TROPICAL FISH KEEPING (David Foster): This program uses very good graphics to teach the care of Tropical fish. The program is in two parts. In the first, it teaches about the equipment and care of it (setting up the aquarium). The second teaches about foods, disease (types and cures), and a very good section on different types of fish (by name, sizes, and survival levels). This is a must program for people interested in the up-keep of tropical fish.
GLASS (Quicksilva): In this program you have to destroy 3 enemy bases by going through a series of 14 different screens. A very fast and addictive game. The graphic-screens are just fantastic! They have to be some of the best graphics ever done on the Spectrum. This game is rated very high in Britain.
If you are interested in any of the above programs (the prices, addresses of companies that have them, ect.), you can write to me at: [address omitted] (include S.A.S.E.).