Great compilation. I remember the first time I saw Beach Head on the c64 I was absolutely blown away by the sound effects. I also find Dropzone too finicky to enjoy, but it's better on the Atari 8bits, especially at 60hz. Was wondering if this compilation might have been some kind of Home Computer Club special? The monthly thing where you got a bunch of game very cheap and then had to buy a new game at almost full price every 2 months or so? Think anyone who didn't have those games could definitely be satisfied with that compilation.
I’ve never played Dropzone but… that background story is pretty wild! We’re actually aggressors exploiting the lands of Jupiter, then killing the native defenders! Not the most heroic of games. Tapper I’ve played though, and only the C64 version. I was pretty young and recall it was fun.
I don't mind the Dropzone score of 7. It is difficult, you saw that first hand when I played the Atari 800 version on Archer's own computer at Zzap! Live. I played it a lot years ago, just like Tapper and Spy Hunter. Didn't really play Beach Head. Only played the sequel at a friends house at the time, though I have my own copy these days.
The G P logo at the bottom right of the front cover (and on the cassette itself) refers to Guild Publishing, part of Newtech Publishing, who appeared to licence various games and compilations to be released - they also did this for Starion and The Way of the Exploding Fist by Melbourne House for example. Not sure if this was a mail order type operation as the publishing house also did a couple of C64 programming books for The Times. This also may be why for example it has some of the games on other compilations or didn't get a review, as it was not a standalone US Gold release per se. Out of the games themselves, Beach Head and Tapper are still good to play now, and Dropzone is a total classic - but each to their own, I can appreciate why it didn't float your boat. Talledaga has some nice ideas but poor execution, Ghost Chaser is not very good and Spy Hunter shows its age but still works well as a conversion. Not a bad compilation all told and if you didn't have Beach Head, Tapper or Dropzone, getting those three here woud be a good move.
Great compilation. I remember the first time I saw Beach Head on the c64 I was absolutely blown away by the sound effects. I also find Dropzone too finicky to enjoy, but it's better on the Atari 8bits, especially at 60hz. Was wondering if this compilation might have been some kind of Home Computer Club special? The monthly thing where you got a bunch of game very cheap and then had to buy a new game at almost full price every 2 months or so? Think anyone who didn't have those games could definitely be satisfied with that compilation.
I think you may be right about the origin of this collection - @zawtowers suggested a similar idea that it may have been mail order only.
"Old man in a brown suit... not cool". Sounds like Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.
Haha, it's not that bad... or maybe it is 🤔
I’ve never played Dropzone but… that background story is pretty wild! We’re actually aggressors exploiting the lands of Jupiter, then killing the native defenders! Not the most heroic of games.
Tapper I’ve played though, and only the C64 version. I was pretty young and recall it was fun.
I don't suppose many people bothered reading the back story, but it isn't very nice is it? 😂
I've got that one I think. Came with a C64 I got from a car boot years ago. I miss those days, got a massive box of games, computer for about £8.
Yeah, everyone is too clued up about retro games these days, sadly.
nice collection, Drop Zone Tapper and Beach Head I played them a lot back in the day.
They are all great games for the time 🙂
I don't mind the Dropzone score of 7. It is difficult, you saw that first hand when I played the Atari 800 version on Archer's own computer at Zzap! Live. I played it a lot years ago, just like Tapper and Spy Hunter. Didn't really play Beach Head. Only played the sequel at a friends house at the time, though I have my own copy these days.
It is a tough game, one for the pros like yourself 😁
@@witchfinder1976 I died that many times at Zzap! Live, I don't think I'm professional any more.. maybe when I was a teenager.
The G P logo at the bottom right of the front cover (and on the cassette itself) refers to Guild Publishing, part of Newtech Publishing, who appeared to licence various games and compilations to be released - they also did this for Starion and The Way of the Exploding Fist by Melbourne House for example. Not sure if this was a mail order type operation as the publishing house also did a couple of C64 programming books for The Times.
This also may be why for example it has some of the games on other compilations or didn't get a review, as it was not a standalone US Gold release per se.
Out of the games themselves, Beach Head and Tapper are still good to play now, and Dropzone is a total classic - but each to their own, I can appreciate why it didn't float your boat. Talledaga has some nice ideas but poor execution, Ghost Chaser is not very good and Spy Hunter shows its age but still works well as a conversion. Not a bad compilation all told and if you didn't have Beach Head, Tapper or Dropzone, getting those three here woud be a good move.
Interesting point about the possible origin of the compilation - it would explain a lot. I did wonder what the GP stood for!
I agree with your Dropzone thoughts. It's technically very impressive, one one of the best coders ever...but the gameplay is overrated.
Ghost Chaser is an ugly looking thing, Good selection here especially when it was first released.
It sure is, even by 1984 standards! Overall it's a decent collection though.