Yantra Games

Home :: Gaming :: Articles :: Miscellaneous

Spectrum

.: Game Reviews
.: Emulation

~* 256 colour emulation*~

Spec256 were the first ones to come up with a 256 colour format that could be overlaid over the graphics of normal spectrum games. Unfortunately, there was little or no documentation and tools to develop games in this format with the end result that Spec256 ended up doing all of the 256 colour games themselves. Eventually, they too stopped making 256 colour games and stopped development on the emulator. The baton has now been taken up by the excellent Emuzwin emulator and 256 colour games are back in business thanks to community participation.

On this page you will find the 256 colour games developed by the Spec256 team. You can play these games on both Spec256 as well as Emuzwin.

~* 256 colour games*~

Game: Army Moves I Publisher: Dinamic Author(s): Jon Ritman & Bernie Drummond Recolouring by: Spec256
As a member of the Special Operations Corps, Derdhal has to make his way through seven levels traversing enemy territory in a jeep, a helicopter and on foot, fighting his way through opposition to steal information from a safe. Make no mistake, it's bloody tough!
Game: Abu Simbel - Profanation Publisher: Dinamic Author(s): Raffaele Cecco Recolouring by: Spec256
Platform jumping action that is difficult to the extreme. Plot? Don't bother with it!
Game: Cybernoid Publisher: Hewson Author(s): Raffaele Cecco Recolouring by: Spec256
Blast your way through treacherous caverns in this all out action game by the legendary Raffaele Cecco.
Game: Jet Pac Publisher: Ultimate Author(s): Stamper bros. Recolouring by: Spec256
A very addictive game from Ultimate in which you have to first assemble your rocket, fuel it and collect special items for extra points, while all the time you are dodging some very tasty looking aliens!
Game: Knightlore Publisher: Ultimate Author(s): Stamper bros. Recolouring by: Spec256
The first isometric game ever on the Spectrum! This is the game that spawned an entire genre and made Ultimate really famous (if they weren't already). Must try!
Game: Phantis Publisher: Dinamic Author(s): Recolouring by: Spec256
An average side scrolling shoot-em up from Dinamic.The 256 colour just about makes it bearable methinks. Ok, so maybe not.
Game: Sabrewulf Publisher: Ultimate Author(s): Stamper bros. Recolouring by: Spec256
If you remember the original Sabrewulf with all its cute graphics and brilliant colours, you would be impressed by this 256 colour version which tries to better and it, and perhaps succeeds!
Game: Solomon's Key Publisher: Author(s): Recolouring by: Spec256
Complete each screen by collecting the golden key to open the gate. A arcade puzzle platformer that can be addictively infuriating at times.
Game: Underwurlde Publisher: Ultimate Author(s): Stamper bros. Recolouring by: Spec256
A game that plays similar to Attic Attac, except that the view is side-on instead of overhead.

Notes:
1) Ultimate and Codemasters games are denied for distribution. The files for these games you download from here are only the graphics files required for 256 colour support. You'll have to look elsewhere for the actual snapshots of the files. Also, please note that 256 colour mode currently works ONLY with .SNA and .Z80 file formats.

2) If you can't get a 256 colour game to work despite having all the graphic and snapshot files, makes sure that the filename for the snapshot matches that of the .GFX file. Eg, ManicMiner.sna should correspond to the associated graphics file ManicMiner.GFX. Rename the snapshot if you have to.

Some files may be in the .EZX (Emuzwin) format), which encapsulates the entire game and the 256 colour graphics - in which case the the .Z80/.SNA snapshots are not required to play the game.