Game Covers - Arkanoid (Commodore 64)

The era and time of this story is unknown.  After the mothership "Arkanoid" was destroyed, a spacecraft "Vaus" scrambled away, only to be trapped in the void...

You control the Vaus and have to penetrate 32 levels and then confront the "Dimension Changer" whom you must destroy in order to reverse time and resurrect the "Arkanoid".  Frantic action and split-second timing combine to produce the most addictive and compulsive game.

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Tom Thumb

"So Stuart, how did you see in the new year?"

Well, I played and finished Tom Thumb on the Commodore Plus 4 for the umpteenth time and uploaded it on to Youtube! 

Hello 2023

Time to dig out this SID song again.  I really need to write a new one!  Happy new year to my friends and family.  

Well, 2022 was a bit crap to be honest, and I am already wondering what shit is going to be thrown my way for 2023.

One thing is for sure...  there will be plenty of gaming (both retro and new) starting with the Dead Space remake in January, and lots of walks with Millie. 

Onwards and upwards, eh?

Now That's What I Call Stuart's Favourite Music 71 - A-ha - Take On Me

Probably one of the most memorable music videos from the 1980s, and definitely one of the best songs from that decade, Take On Me actually had a troubled start when the first version of the song failed to chart in the UK in 1984.  It failed to generate much attention for a second time when it was released again in a slightly different form in early 1985.  It wasn't until the third release in September of the same year that the song gained popularity and plenty of air time on the radio which resulted in the song reaching an impressive number 2 on the UK singles charts in October.

This song ranks highly in my list of all time favourite songs and hopefully a whole new generation will get to experience the song thanks for its use in the trailer of the new The Last of Us TV series.  Players of the game TLOU Part 2 will know that Ellie finds a guitar whilst exploring a devastated Seattle and plays (and sings) an acoustic version of Take on Me.

Now That's What I Call Stuart's Favourite Music 70 - Joe Jackson - Steppin' Out

This song takes me back.  Released first in the US in August 1982, this track made it to the UK in October of the same year where it peaked at number 6 on the UK Singles Chart.

It's a proper feel-good song that always brings back childhood memories.

Game Covers - Air-Sea War/Battle (Philips G7000)

Air-Sea War

You will need timing and accuracy for this game as you shoot down the enemy craft while dodging its missiles. Score a point for each direct hit on your opponent's craft, and deduct one if you hit a neutral ship.  You have 3 minutes to play.  When the game is over (time = 00:00) the player with the most points wins.

Battle

Battle demands great skill in handling the controls of the tank, especially when turning and firing.  You have 20 rounds.  Score a point for each direct hit.  There are 3 minutes to play : when game is over (time = 00:00 or both players out of ammunition), the player with the most points wins.  Variations of this game are given by : guided missiles (controlled by joystick), minefield (mines marked by a white cross) - your opponent gains a point each mine you hit, and hilly terrain (you cannot fire or move through the barriers).

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