TWO-FER #27: Fantasy Software Special

1. The Pyramid

Designed and written by Bob Hamilton, with additional graphics by Darren and Ian Hamilton. Originally published for the Sinclair ZX Spectrum by Fantasy Software in 1983.

Converted for the Commodore 64 by John White, and published by Fantasy Software in 1984.

2. Beaky and the Egg Snatchers

Designed and written by Bob Hamilton, and originally published for the Sinclair ZX Spectrum by Fantasy Software in 1984.

Commodore 64 version by Bob Hamilton and John White, and published by Fantasy Software in 1984.

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INTRODUCTION & GAME STATUS, PLURAL

Because the first game comparison for 2025 was so utterly C64-centric, I thought the situation should be balanced out with something that was originally made for another platform. It just so happens, that there were only two games ever published by Fantasy Software, that were available on more than one platform, so I decided we are going to have them both in the same entry. In fact, none of the other games by Fantasy Software were ever ported to any other computer than C64 from the ZX Spectrum, so these two are somewhat special. So, let's see if this attempt at balancing works out.

BMX Kidz (Firebird, 1987)

Designed by Colin Fuidge, Aunty Milton & Captain Creative

Commodore 64 version:
Programming by Jo Bonar and Dave Korn
Graphics by Paul Docherty
Loading screen by Bob Stevenson
Music by Rob Hubbard and Jori Olkkonen
Released by Firebird in 1987

Sinclair ZX Spectrum version:
Programming by Christian Pennycate
Loading screen by Jodie
Released by Firebird in 1988

Amstrad CPC version:
Programming by Christian Pennycate
Graphics by Alex Smith
Released by Silverbird in 1989

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GAME STATUS

To start this year's comparisons on a lighter note, I have chosen one of the earliest Firebird games from my C64 collection, just to feed my nostalgia for a change, but this doesn't mean this is going to be yet another Firebird February here. You can consider as this something like a transition. BMX Kidz is not exactly a game I hear talked about or featured in the Top Insert-A-Number Best C64 Games Lists on the internet, but what it really is, is the closest equivalent to Nintendo's Excitebike that we had for the C64 at the time. And, I suppose, still do, which is an equally good reason to give this game more advertising space.