Zzap! Editorials 1990
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INTO THE NINETIES The dawn of a new decade sees the quality of C64 programming stronger than ever before, with games such as Turbo Out Run, Stunt Car Racer, and Retrograde pushing the technical boundaries ever further. ZZAP! is committed to bringing you all the latest news, previews and reviews on the c64 scene - not neglecting the Amiga, of course - in the new decade. Sadly, the cost of paper, unlike RAM chips, tends to always be rising rather than falling. As the Xmas issue went to print the increase was finally confirmed, raising the price 25p. Not the best of Xmas presents, but further rises in paper costs are unlikely for another two years and the management's currently looking at ways of increasing the number of pages - fingers crossed for that. In the meantime, I hope you like the first ZZAP! of the 90s. With a bit of luck all the games we've been chasing will have been caught in time for review. So until next month, Happy New Year from everyone at the Towers. Stuart Wynne |
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BE ADVENTURUS The Christmas avalanche of games continues to bury the ZZAP! team under coin-op conversions this month; the number of game review pages is the highest it's been for ages. But some of the most exciting games won't have Phil, Robin or myself pulling our usual faces over them. They're games like Future Wars, Drakkhen, and Dragon Wars. Distinguished by brilliant graphics, some excellent animation, and amazing playabitity they're the sort of programs we might - in quieter months - have classed as 'normal' games and reviewed ourselves. The rapid decline in text-only adventures in favour of games such as Indy: The Adventure Game, which often have arcade sections, has blurred the whole definition of what an adventure is. The highest scoring 'normal' game this month is Space Rogue; from RPG adventure specialists Origin it combines a RPG game with an Elite-style space game. But however difficult classifications are, this month's Lab Report is packed with first-class games with plenty of appeal for all but the most committed arcade fan. Stuart Wynne |
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No editorial. |
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ZZAP! EDITOR IS ZZAPPED! Tonight the readers of that amazingly happenin' mag, ZZAP!, paid their respects at the funeral of Editor, Stuart Wynne, who was sliced in half by an alien laser bolt. The fact the terminally ill, Mr Wynne, 83, has not quite snuffed it yet didn't put off the mourners, who were determined to 'have a good time grieving'. The circumstances of Wynne's death ... er, fatal injury, are still very vague, but he remembers seeing a strange bluey whiteness which bore an amazing resemblance to his mother's toilet bowl. This claim is supported by nurses at the hospital who said that Mr Wynne's underwear was remarkably clean for the victim of such a worrying accident. Police have given out a detailed description of Mr Wynne's assailant. He is a bio-mechanical extraterrestrial about 6 feet 4 inches tall (without his reinforced leather boots on), and about 300 pounds in weight (without his combined hand drill and household detergent utility belt). His hair and eye colour are unknown as his head is completely hidden by the respirator helmet which he always wears (even in the shower). The only other clue is a '5p off' Vim coupon which he dropped upon leaving the scene of the crime. A one-legged Albanian dwarf arm-wrestler is helping the police with their inquiries. Detective Inspector Bert Fascist-Pigg stated, 'We think we've got our man.' |
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SICK ED SEWN UP Amazing microsurgery by famed surgeon, Prof N Nutz, has been performed on the bisected body of ZZAP! Editor, Stuart Wynne. The success or failure of the operation is still in doubt, especially as the Geek was helping out with his grandmother's thimble and whalebone needle. In the meantime the Scorelord - who is totally and absolutely innocent of the Ed's attempted murder - is so enjoying writing reviews he may well continue. But what will the readers think? |
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ESCAPE! After five years toiling in the bowels of Newsfield, harassing and abusing the reviewers while treating the editors with absolute contempt, the David Bailey of computer games has finally escaped. Cameron Pound (AKA Cameroon), made his bid for freedom shortly after the finish of the last issue, and is now enjoying life beyond the stalag gates. According to notes smuggled to inmates he plans to make a luxurious living as an overpaid, underworked techie setting up computers and teaching people how to use them. A lot of people are going to be very insulted! |
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WANT TO BE A REVIEWER? Can you write clear and interesting prose? Are you a dab hand at computer games? Are you an amusing person? Do you look uncannily like a famous person in history (eg Hitler or Quasimodo)? Well, ZZAP! is on the lookout for young talent (and someone to make the tea). To be considered, you must be over 16 (preferably over 18). We'd like a CV detailing your age, qualifications, work experience (especially tea-making), interests, etc. Two referees (not Kick Off ones, but perhaps a teacher or a previous employer!) would also be useful. Most importantly, though, we'd like you to send us an example of your writing: a ZZAP!-style review of any C64/Amiga game, comprising an unbiased intro and critical comment. Reckon you fit the bill? Then send your application as soon as possible to Staff Writer Applications, Stuart Wynne, ZZAP! 64/Amiga, Newsfield, The Case Mills, Tameside, Ludlow, Shropshire SY8 1JW. All applications will be acknowledged on receipt, and some candidates will be contacted later for expenses-paid interviews. |
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This month sees the end of an era with Oli Frey, whose paintings have graced all 63 of the previous
issues, taking time off to spend more time administering the Newsfield empire. But from now on the ZZAP! covers will be painted by a variety of artists, with Ron Smith making his Newsfield debut on Issue 64 of ZZAP! 64. Ron has had a long and distinguished career, working on the first UK Marvel comics in 1974, drawing Judge Dredd for eight years and even doing the Green Cross Code Man! He's also painted covers for Iron Maiden, Sigue Sputnik and most recently Rock Machine. While still contributing to 2000AD, he's found time to immortalize professor Potts for this issue. |
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TIN METALS Of late there seems to have been a little confusion in several software houses, with them mistakenly assuming some of their games won Sizzlers. Firstly, Domark put a Sizzler logo on the packaging for Amiga Cyberball (the actual mark was 72%), then Sales Curve advertised for programmers with the claim that Ninja Warriors achieved 92% (actual marks: 79%/82%) and finally System 3 put a Sizzler on their Flibo's Quest ads although the game has yet to be reviewed. It seems nowadays the only way to be sure an award is real is to regularly read the reviews in Oscar-winning ZZAP! FULLY STAFFED Due to 'internal restructuring' at the Newsfield Empire, ZZAP! is back up to full reviewing strength with a new stuff writter joining us next issue. We'd like to thank all the people who applied for this job - the response was absolutely tremendous - and we'll be keeping the best applications on file for any future vacancies. In the meantime we hope to make ZZAP! an even more exciting read (and finally get some holidays!) |
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A BLOCKBUSTER ISSUE! One hundred pages, a massive Megatape with three games and a demo, a new reviewer, a completely new design, loads of features but still no space for an editorial. Well, not a big one anyway! In brief I'm back, the Scorelord has gone on his summer hols, and our next issue is going to be even better. (Is it possible?) Stuart Wynne ZZAP!'S NEW REVIEWER Warren (Wozza) Lapworth hails from Northfield in Birmingham, although he's been 'living' in Ludlow for over two years. Prior to ZZAP! he's mostly been writing reviews for Newsfield's multi-format mag, THE GAMES MACHINE, but also in the horror, fantasy and sci-fi worlds of FEAR. Becoming our latest reviewer is something of a homecoming for Warrer because in his early days at Newsfield he helped out with ZZAP! reviews He's owned a Commodore 64 for nearly six years and his favourite games include Wizball ('not that I've ever understood the colour-mixing method'), Ghosts 'N' Goblins ('a brilliant conversion and awesomely playable'), Bruce Lee ('the first game I played to death') and Mega Apocalypse ('psycho shoot-'em-up at its best'). He doesn't own an Amiga but expresses a preference for Wicked ('a Gothic blaster! weird!') Venus The Flytrap ('highly addictive, Venus is a classic sprite') and Xenon II ('a real rad shmup - ah yeah!). Apart from alcohol, Warren spends most of his 'spare' (ie FEAR's - Ed) cash on comics and graphic novels - he reviews a selection of them for Graphic Detail, his comics column in FEAR. His favourite titles include Daredevil, Akira, Excalibur, the Plastic Forks limited series, She-Hulk and the various Dark Horse Comics Aliens titles. Warren has been trying to play guitar for years but hasn't succeeded. His favourite bands include The Icicle Works, Joy Division, Depeche Mode, Clan Of Xymox, Dead Can Dance and Win ('but not Wynne!'). |
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No editorial. |
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HAPPY XMAS! Yes ZZAP! brings you Xmas before any other mag!! It's a bit early perhaps, but with such a game-packed Xmas why wait? Numerous Sizzlers and a Gold Medal make this the most award-laden ZZAP! in ages. Cartridges have finally arrived with the glorious C64 SCI, embarrassing even the Amiga with virtually instant access, and promising much for the future. Speaking of which, we've got a look at some spectacular games in development: Robocop II, Wrath Of The Demon, Ninja III, and the awesome Turrican II. All of these except the latter are currently planned for cartridge, so is the C2N finally going to become redundant? Probably not, but one thing's for certain - this is the brightest C64 Xmas in years! WHO WOZZAT? ANOTHER ZZAP! VACANCY! ZZAP! is famed for its quick turnover of stuff over the years, but few have lasted less than Warren 'Wozza' Lapworth. He's decided that ZZAP! is far too exciting for him and has moved onto GMI, Newsfield's own fantasy gaming mag. We wish him the best. Of course, this means that (once again!) there's a Staff Writter position going on ZZAP!. If you feel you could fill Wozza's pixie boots, now is the time to send in your CV and a sample, ZZAP!-style review. You must be over 16 (preferably over 18). All applications sent in last time are being considered. |
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