The History of BBC Micro Type-in Games - Episode 14: 1985 (Part 1)

The BBC Micro was well known for its BASIC programming language, which was simple to learn and relatively powerful. Many budding coders cut their teeth in the world of programming by typing in games published in computer magazines.
In this series I’m making my way through the golden years of the Beeb and beyond, looking at type-in games that were published in a variety of magazines over the years, trying to determine whether it was ever actually worth the time it took to type them in.
Episode 14 begins my review of magazine listings from 1985 and features five magazines published between January and May.
#retrogaming #bbcmicro #basicprogramming

[@witchfinder1976]

Content links for this episode:
Super Sharks
Game: bbcmicro.co.uk/game.php?id=736
Mag: archive.org/details/computer-and-videogames-039/mode/2up?view=theater
Hold-up
Game: bbcmicro.co.uk/game.php?id=1268
Mag: archive.org/details/your-computer-magazine-1985-02/mode/2up
Camel Race
Game: bbcmicro.co.uk/game.php?id=3047
Mag: archive.org/details/home-computing-weekly-103
Grand Prix
Game: bbcmicro.co.uk/game.php?id=906
Mag: archive.org/details/your-computer-magazine-1985-04/
Kitchen Capers
Game: bbcmicro.co.uk/game.php?id=480
Mags: archive.org/details/Computer_Gamer_Magazine_Issue_001 & archive.org/details/Computer_Gamer_Magazine_Issue_002

[@lovemadeinjapan]

Nice insight in early BASIC games from magazines. That jump-algoritm of the last game.....

[@witchfinder1976]

It's awful, isn't it? 😆

[@mark-andrews]

I note the narrative intro for the BBC Grand Prix Racer game mentions 'it not being 8:30 on the South circular;' yes the M25 wasn't opened until 1986, and this is 1985 before 'the road to hell,' was opened. Gameplay most like Turbo, much moreso than Enduro, I think.

[@witchfinder1976]

I agree, it's most like Turbo (which I've never played much) but the change of scenery on each stage reminded me of Enduro.

[@andrewduff9178]

Excellent video, thank you for posting these. I think my pick from that would have been 'Hold Up', but I agree the length of these codes would have seriously put me off typing them in.

[@witchfinder1976]

Thanks for watching 🙂 Hold-up wasn't bad, just quite a simple game for the amount of code you had to type in.

[@undeadtotheend6420]

Really enjoy this series!

[@witchfinder1976]

Thanks for watching 😁

[@RickThrelfall]

Awesome video as ever - so love this series! Hopefully you'll find some good stuff on your up-coming retro shopping adventure!

[@witchfinder1976]

Thank you so much for the generous donation - you're too good to me! 🙂 Hopefully I'll find some games to spend some of it on.

[@vauxhalldotnet]

Thanks! Strangely I remember looking at the listing for Kitchen Capers back in the day (I had a c64) and wondering what the hell that game would be like. Its a shame with all that effort they put into developing it they didn't tweak some of the core mechcanics, the jumping alone looked terrible.

[@witchfinder1976]

Thanks for the ongoing support, it's much appreciated 🙂 It would have been quite the effort to type in for what you got. Shame really, as it looked good.

[@ralphybean]

nice video.
thanks for the effot put in.

[@witchfinder1976]

Thanks for watching!

[@javelinXH992]

Great episode as always. Played three of the games today, Hold Up, Grand Prix and Super Sharks. Completely agree with your comments on all!

[@witchfinder1976]

Thanks, good to hear people are giving them a go, even if they aren't often very good 🙂

[@javelinXH992]

@@witchfinder1976 Type ins have a certain nostalgia value for some of us.😉

[@commodore3410]

Great video!

[@witchfinder1976]

Thanks for watching!

[@InTheRedCornerBFC]

Enjoying these videos pal,.I've just subscribed.
Keep it up mate

[@witchfinder1976]

Thanks for watching and subscribing 🙂