Thursday, March 17, 2022

Ports of Entry: Beam Software

Unknown lead platform:


Penetrator

First released for TRS-80 and ZX Spectrum in 1982.

Released for Microbee and Timex Sinclair 2068 in 1983.

 

I'd like to assume that British/Australian developer Beam Software favored the quintessentially British ZX Spectrum over the TRS-80, and there's some evidence they did, but not as much as I'd like.

 

Kung-Fu: The Way of the Exploding Fist

Released for Commodore 64 in May 1985

Released for ZX Spectrum in August 1985

Released for BBC Micro in 1985

Ported to Amstrad CPC in 1985

Released for Commodore 16 and Electron in 1986


Being a C64-first game seems likely going by the release dates and the graphics.


Bad Street Brawler

First released for Commodore 64, PC, and ZX Spectrum in 1987.


The graphics for the C64 and PC versions are uncannily similar, but the C64's palette seems more fitting.


Select chronology: 

 
Title Lead platform Date Contemporary ports
Double Breakout
ZX80 1981 1981 port to ZX81
Super ZX80 Invasion
ZX80 1981 1981 port to ZX81
The Hobbit
ZX Spectrum
1982
1983 ports to various computers
Penetrator
??? 1982 Same-year releases on TRS-80 and ZX Spectrum
1983 releases on Microbee and Timex Sinclair 2068
Kung-Fu: The Way of the Exploding Fist
???
1985-5 Same-year releases on BBC Micro, C64, and ZX Spectrum
Same-year port to Amstrad CPC
1986 release on Commodore 16 and Electron
Rock 'n Wrestle
C64 1985 1986 ports to Amstrad CPC, Apple II, and ZX Spectrum
Bad Street Brawler
??? 1987-8 Same-year releases on C64, PC, and ZX Spectrum
Back to the Future
NES 1989-9
Star Wars
NES 1991-11 1992 port to Game Boy
Shadowrun
SNES 1993-5
KKND: Krush Kill 'N Destroy
DOS 1997-7
Le Mans 24 Hours
Dreamcast 10/1/2000
2001 port to PS2

1 comment:

  1. The digital antiquarian continues to deadname Bunten. I refuse to follow him anymore. I prefer your ivory deck to his hall of fame anyway

    ReplyDelete

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