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Mastertronic
Mastertronic was originally a publisher and distributor of low-cost computer game software founded in 1983. Their first games were distributed in mid-1984. At its peak the label was one of the largest software publishers in the UK, achieved by selling cassette-based software at £1.99. As well as supplying leading retailers such as Woolworth's and Toys "R" Us, Mastertronic sold software in outlets such as newsagents which had not been previously associated with the software market. Their range of budget games were incredibly successful during the 1980's, with titles such as '' Kikstart'', ''Action Biker'', ''Finders Keepers'', ''Chiller'' and ''Flash Gordon'' (released under the M.A.D. Label). Later diversification included the setting up of US operations to source and distribute their software, as well as an unsuccessful arcade games division (Arcadia Systems). However, it was their decision to market the Sega Master System in the UK that ultimately proved most successful. ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Arcadia Systems
Mastertronic was originally a publisher and distributor of low-cost computer game software founded in 1983. Their first games were distributed in mid-1984. At its peak the label was one of the largest software publishers in the UK, achieved by selling cassette-based software at £1.99. As well as supplying leading retailers such as Woolworth's and Toys "R" Us, Mastertronic sold software in outlets such as newsagents which had not been previously associated with the software market. Their range of budget games were incredibly successful during the 1980's, with titles such as '' Kikstart'', ''Action Biker'', ''Finders Keepers'', ''Chiller'' and ''Flash Gordon'' (released under the M.A.D. Label). Later diversification included the setting up of US operations to source and distribute their software, as well as an unsuccessful arcade games division (Arcadia Systems). However, it was their decision to market the Sega Master System in the UK that ultimately proved most successful. I ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
David Whittaker (video Game Composer)
David Whittaker (born 24 April 1957 in Bury, England) is known for numerous video game music which he wrote in most of the 1980s and early 1990s, for many different formats. Career He is known for some of the work he produced in the late 1980s/early 1990s. While making music, he often programmed music directly, instead of using any music composition tools, using just a "machine code monitor"—and then an 'assembler' system/program—including SuperSoft's and then Commodore's tools. Commodore 64 was the format that he composed for most frequently. He was more impressed with the Amiga's more developed technical sound capabilities, but used a few of the same instrument sounds, in several of his works, for Amiga. These days, he works mostly in the field of computer game sound effects and voices rather than music. Although he does not compose much at present, he is still involved in the implementation of music, ambiences, sound FX and his admitted forte, dialogue (hence, his curren ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Mastertronic Group
Mastertronic Group Limited was a software publisher formed as a result of a merger between The Producers and Sold Out Sales & Marketing in 2004. Frank Herman, one of the founders of the original Mastertronic and former chairman of Sega Europe, was involved in negotiations to buy back the name from Sega in 2003. Frank Herman died in 2009 and the company was run by MD Andy Payne and Garry Williams. Mastertronic Group licensed, published and distributed value PC software under the Sold Out, M.A.D. and PC Gamer Presents labels. They also owned the Everyone Can Play and Great Indie Games labels. Mastertronic closed in November 2015. History Mastertronic Group Limited was formed in 2004 out of a merger between The Producers Limited and Sold Out Sales & Marketing Limited. The 'Sold Out' label was retained and used to sell software at the £5 (frequently "3-for-£10") price-point. The company also distributed software under the original 'M.A.D.' imprint, as well as another label assoc ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Virgin Interactive
Virgin Interactive Entertainment (later renamed Avalon Interactive) was the video game publishing division of British conglomerate the Virgin Group. It developed and published games for major platforms and employed developers, including Westwood Studios co-founder Brett Sperry and ''Earthworm Jim'' creators David Perry and Doug TenNapel. Others include video game composer Tommy Tallarico and animators Bill Kroyer and Andy Luckey. Formed as Virgin Games in 1983, and built around a small development team called the Gang of Five, the company grew significantly after purchasing budget label Mastertronic in 1987. As Virgin's video game division grew into a multimedia powerhouse, it crossed over to other industries from toys to film to education. To highlight its focus beyond video games and on multimedia, the publisher was renamed Virgin Interactive Entertainment in 1993. As result of a growing trend throughout the 1990s of media companies, movie studios and telecom firms invest ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Sega Master System
The is an 8-bit third-generation home video game console manufactured by Sega. It was originally a remodeled export version of the Sega Mark III, the third iteration of the SG-1000 series of consoles, which was released in Japan in 1985 and featured enhanced graphical capabilities over its predecessors. The Master System launched in North America in 1986, followed by Europe in 1987, and then in Brazil and Korea in 1989. A Japanese version of the Master System was also launched in 1987, which features a few enhancements over the export models (and by proxy the original Mark III): a built-in FM audio chip, a rapid-fire switch, and a dedicated port for the 3D glasses. The Master System II, a cheaper model, was released in 1990 in North America, Australasia and Europe. The original Master System models use both cartridges and a credit card-sized format known as Sega Cards. Accessories for the consoles include a light gun and 3D glasses that work with a range of specially desig ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Finders Keepers (1985 Video Game)
''Finders Keepers'' is a video game written by David Jones and the first game in the Magic Knight series. It was published on the Mastertronic label for the ZX Spectrum, Amstrad CPC, MSX, Commodore 64, and Commodore 16 in 1985. Published in the United Kingdom at the budget price of £1.99. ''Finders Keepers'' is a platform game with some maze sections. On the ZX Spectrum it sold more than 117,000 copies and across all 8-bit formats more than 330,000 copies, making it Mastertronic's second best-selling original game after ''BMX Racers''. Plot Magic Knight has been sent to the Castle of Spriteland by the King of Ibsisima in order to find a special present for Princess Germintrude. If Magic Knight is successful in his quest, he may have proved himself worthy of joining the famous "Polygon Table", a reference to the mythical Round Table from the legends of King Arthur. Gameplay The hero starts in the King's throne room and is transported, via a teleporter, to the castle. The cast ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Action Biker
''Action Biker'' (also known as ''KP Skips Action Biker with Clumsy Colin'' in the United Kingdom, UK) is a 1985 game for the Atari 8-bit family, Commodore 64, and ZX Spectrum released by Mastertronic. The game was a tie-in with snack food Skips (snack), KP Skips, whose mascot was "Clumsy Colin" who featured in television adverts for Skips at around the time the game was published. Although marketed under the same title, the ZX Spectrum version of ''Action Biker'' differs significantly from the Atari and C64 versions, to the extent that ''Retro Gamer'' magazine featured it in their "Same Name, Different Game" column. The music was composed by Rob Hubbard. Gameplay The player controls the protagonist Clumsy Colin who rides a motorbike and has to navigate a landscape to extra equipment to improve the bike. Once all forty pieces are collected the player performs a final drag race. There is a time limit, and the player also has a limited number of lives reduced by crashing into ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Knight Tyme
''Knight Tyme'' is a computer game released for the ZX Spectrum, Amstrad CPC, Commodore 64 and MSX compatibles in 1986. It was published by Mastertronic as part of their Mastertronic Added Dimension label. Two versions of the ZX Spectrum release were published: a full version for the 128K Spectrum (which was published first) and a cut-down version for the 48K Spectrum that removed the music, some graphics and some locations (which was published later). It was programmed by David Jones and is the third game in the '' Magic Knight'' series. The in-game music was written by David Whittaker on the C64 version and Rob Hubbard on the Spectrum and Amstrad versions. Graphics were by Ray Owen. Plot Having rescued his friend Gimbal the wizard from a self-inflicted white-out spell, the Magic Knight finds himself transported into the far future aboard the starship USS ''Pisces''. Magic Knight must find a way back to his own time, with the help of the Tyme Guardians, before he is apprehend ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Flash Gordon (video Game)
''Flash Gordon'' is a video game based on a comic strip character of the same name. The game was published in 1986 by Mastertronic for the Amstrad CPC, Commodore 64, ZX Spectrum The ZX Spectrum () is an 8-bit home computer that was developed by Sinclair Research. It was released in the United Kingdom on 23 April 1982, and became Britain's best-selling microcomputer. Referred to during development as the ''ZX81 Colou ..., and MSX personal computers. It features three individual levels. The first is set on the jungle world of Arboria in which Flash Gordon has to traverse through the jungle like maze to escape. The second level is a beat'em up style game in which Flash fights Prince Barin. The final level is a 3D style shooter which has Flash flying a rocket cycle in pursuit of Ming the Merciless. Reception ''Zzap!64'' praised the Commodore 64 version of the game. Reviewers appreciated the gameplay variety offered by the three different sections of the game, and the ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
The Last V8
''The Last V8'' is a racing game published by Mastertronic on their M.A.D. label. It was released in 1985 for the Commodore 64, Commodore 128, Atari 8-bit family, and Amstrad CPC. The player controls a futuristic car in an uninhabited post-apocalyptic scenario. The title echoes a plot point from the Mad Max series of movies The design was done by Richard Darling and the programming by David Darling. The graphics are by Jim Wilson and music by Rob Hubbard. Plot It is 2008 and the world has been devastated a few years earlier by a great nuclear war that left few survivors. The protagonist has survived for years in an underground military research bunker, where he has been working on the design of a special car, "the ultimate V8" to which the title refers. Based on an old car from the 1980s, it has a radiation shield, is computerised and remotely linked to the base, and can reach speeds of up to 410km/h. The V8 has now been authorised to explore the surface in search of survivors ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Rob Hubbard
Rob Hubbard (born 1955 in Kingston upon Hull, England) is a British composer best known for his musical and programming work for microcomputers of the 1980s, such as the Commodore 64. Early life Hubbard first started playing music at age seven. Whilst at school he played in bands. After leaving school he went to music college. Early career In the late seventies, before scoring games, he was a professional studio musician. He decided to teach himself BASIC and machine code for the Commodore 64. Music on the Commodore 64 He approached Gremlin Graphics in 1985 to promote a few demos and a music-education program he had written, but Gremlin was more interested in his music than his software. He was asked to create the soundtrack for '' Thing on a Spring'', a platform game. Hubbard subsequently wrote or converted music for a variety of publishers on over 75 games between 1985 and 1989 such as '' Monty on the Run'', ''Crazy Comets'', ''Master of Magic'' and ''Commando''. Some of ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
180 (video Game)
''180'' is a darts video game released for the ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64, Amstrad CPC, Atari 8-bit family in 1986 and MSX in 1987. Gameplay The player competes in 501 darts against other darts players waiting in a championship tournament with normal darts rules applying, subtracting your score from 501 to zero whilst finishing on a double. Beginning at the quarter finals, the player must win a best of three match to advance through the tournament. Win another match in the semi final stage to advance to the final and face the World Champion Jammy Jim. In the final match however, the player needs to win just one leg against him to win the tournament. Players can also compete against another human player or play Round the Clock, throwing darts around the dartboard from 20 to 1 within a time limit. Opponents There are a total of eight computer-controlled opponents in the game. Before the start of the match, the computer randomly selects an opponent, though Jammy Jim can only ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
