[{"TitleName":"Boulder Dash","Publisher":"Front Runner","Author":"Chris Gray, Dalali Software Ltd, Peter Liepa, Steinar Lund","YearOfRelease":"1984","ZxDbId":"0000639","Reviews":[{"Issue":{"Name":"Crash Issue 12, Jan 1985","Price":"£1.25","ReleaseDate":"1984-12-13","Editor":"Roger Kean","TotalPages":196,"HasCoverTape":false,"FlannelPanel":"Editor: Roger Kean\r\nConsultant Editor: Franco Frey\r\nAssistant Editor: Kevin Foster\r\nProduction Designer: David Western\r\nArt Editor: Oliver Frey\r\nAdventure Editor: Derek Brewster\r\nStaff Writer: Lloyd Mangram\r\nContributing Writers: Matthew Uffindel, Chris Passey, Robin Candy\r\nClient Liaison: John Edwards\r\nSubscription Manager: Denise Roberts\r\n\r\n©1984 Newsfield Limited.\r\nCrash Micro is published monthly by Newsfield Ltd. [redacted]\r\n\r\nGeneral correspondence to: [redacted]\r\n\r\nTelephone numbers\r\nGeneral office [redacted]\r\nEditorial/studio [redacted]\r\nAdvertising [redacted]\r\nHot Line [redacted]\r\n\r\nNo material may be reproduced in whole or in part without written consent from the copyright holders.\r\n\r\nPhotosetting by SIOS [redacted]\r\nColour origination by Scan Studios, [redacted]\r\nPrinted in England by Carlisle Web Offset Ltd (Member of the BPCC Group), [redacted].\r\nDistribution by COMAG, [redacted]\r\n\r\nSubscriptions: 12 issues £10.50 (UK Mainland post free)\r\nEurope: 12 issues £17.50 (post free).\r\n\r\nWe cannot undertake to return any written or photographic material sent to CRASH Magazine unless accompanied by a stamped addressed envelope.\r\n\r\nCover by Oliver Frey"},"MainText":"Producer: Front Runner\r\nMemory Required: 48K\r\nRetail Price: £7.95\r\nLanguage: Machine code\r\n\r\nFront Runner, the software marketing organisation of K-Tel, has here released an American program which has been converted for the Spectrum. It was originally a big hit in the States for First Star for the Atari. It is also a very unusual game, that relies on a simple concept with complex ramifications.\r\n\r\nYou play the starring role of Rockford, a gem collector in a series of 16 underground caverns, lettered A to P. You can elect to play from caves A, E, I or M on difficulty levels 1 to 3, or from A only on levels 4 and 5. Difficulty reflects on the number of jewels to be collected and the time limit allowed.\r\n\r\nThe basic game play is not unlike those 'Digger' games where you burrow through the earth dropping boulders on nasties, but that puts it all too simply. There are a great many combinations available between all the screens which uses elements of boulders, earth which can be removed, gems and several types of nasty which chase you. Removing the earth from under a boulder will cause it to fall down, but one boulder stacked on top of another will also topple off, so you must take great care, and of course this immediately adds a strategic element to the game. On one screen you have to create space for an amoeba to grow, then release a load of butterflies from a lower portion of the cave which turn to gem stones when they meet the amoebae - the problem being that the butterflies kill Rockford. This gives a simple example of what the game is like.\r\n\r\nEach cave is several times larger than the screen playing area and the screen automatically scrolls to keep pace with Rockford as he moves about, shovelling earth and moving boulders. Additionally there are four short interactive puzzles which you are entitled to play after completing caves D, H, L and P.\r\n\r\nCOMMENTS\r\n\r\nControl keys: E, O/F, K up/down, M, X/SYM, C left/right, N, V or B to fire, or use the cursors and 0\r\nJoystick: Kempston, Sinclair 2, Protek, AGF, Fuller\r\nKeyboard play: responsive, plenty of options\r\nUse of colour: excellent, very unusual combinations\r\nGraphics: unusual, generally excellent\r\nSound: excellent\r\nSkill levels: 5\r\nLives: 3\r\nScreens: 16","ReviewerComments":["What a strange game this is at first, with no obvious connection to anything else I've ever seen. The idea is totally and completely original - a weird sense of strategy, forward planning and arcade skill are the qualities needed to play this game. If you don't possess one of these skills, then forget it. I found Boulder Dash immensely enjoyable, not because of its originality and weird sense of humour, but because of its compulsive playing ideas. It's a long time since I've played a game as absorbing as this. You tend to get obsessed with it. Graphics are different, to say the least, bright and detailed. Sound is continuous, with plenty of spot effects. An incredibly addictive game and well worth buying. Brill!\r\r\nUnknown","Boulder Dash is aptly named! At first sight it looks like a number of other digging games and the graphics don't immediately strike you as extra special. Playing the game convinces otherwise. Within minutes I was sucked into it and hours went by. Boulder Dash is a brilliant program with a mean streak a mile wide in it. There is one particular room (\"I\" I think) which had me working for almost two hours without a break to beat its cruel sense of humour. Basically you release a piece of earth from a hole on top of a large chamber and for the next few seconds gems and boulders cascade down in a very realistic fashion. It is then a case of picking your way round to get at the gems without being squashed by a boulder. Very clever, amazingly, dangerously addictive, Boulder Dash should keep everyone going for ages and ages.\r\r\nUnknown","This amazing game is so simple, it's ridiculous! Yet once started it's impossible to leave it. Rockford is amusingly animated, tapping his foot in boredom if you keep him standing still for too long, eyes flicking nervously, as well they might with all that weight of stone above his head! The movement of boulders and gems is so logical, when huge stacks of them fall that it can be a joy to watch. With the five skill levels and 16 screens to play through, this game represents value even for the slightly high price, and I can recommend it to anyone. It's excellent and tremendously compelling to play.\r\nUnknown"],"OverallSummary":"General rating: Highly addictive and playable, original and good value, highly recommended.","Page":"74,75","Denied":false,"Award":"Crash Smash","Reviewers":[{"Name":"Unknown","Score":"","ScoreSuffix":""},{"Name":"Unknown","Score":"","ScoreSuffix":""},{"Name":"Unknown","Score":"","ScoreSuffix":""}],"ScreenshotText":[{"Text":"Rockford makes bold dash!"},{"Text":"Rocks and Rocks for Rockford."}],"BlurbText":[],"TranscriptBy":"Chris Bourne","ReviewScores":[{"Header":"Use of Computer","Score":"91%","Text":""},{"Header":"Graphics","Score":"90%","Text":""},{"Header":"Playability","Score":"98%","Text":""},{"Header":"Getting Started","Score":"89%","Text":""},{"Header":"Addictive Qualities","Score":"98%","Text":""},{"Header":"Value For Money","Score":"90%","Text":""},{"Header":"Overall","Score":"93%","Text":""}],"CompilationReviewScores":[]},{"Issue":{"Name":"Your Sinclair Issue 22, Oct 1987","Price":"£1.5","ReleaseDate":"1987-09-10","Editor":"Teresa Maughan","TotalPages":108,"HasCoverTape":false,"FlannelPanel":"Editor: Teresa Maughan\r\nArt Editor: Peter George\r\nActing Production Editor: John Leach\r\nTechnical Editor: Phil South\r\nSoftware Editor: Marcus Berkmann\r\nDesigner: Darrell King\r\nEditorial Assistant: Angela Eager\r\nContributors: Richard Blaine, Audrey & Owen Bishop, Chris Donald, Mike Gerrard, Gwyn Hughes, ZZKJ, Tony Lee, Rick Robson, Peter Shaw, Rachael Smith, Mischa Welsh, Tony Worrall\r\nAdvertisement Manager: Mark Salmon\r\nAdvertisement Executive: Julian Harriott\r\nProduction Manager: Sonia Hunt\r\nManaging Editor: Kevin Cox\r\nPublisher: Roger Munford\r\nPublishing Director: Stephen England\r\n\r\nPublished by Dennis Publishing Ltd, [redacted] Company registered in England.\r\nTypesetters: Carlinpoint [redacted]\r\nReproduction: Graphic Ideas, London\r\nPrinters: Chase Web Offset [redacted]\r\nDistribution: Seymour Press [redacted]\r\n\r\nAll material in Your Sinclair ©1987 Felden Productions, and may not be reproduced in whole or in part without the written consent of the publishers. Your Sinclair is a monthly publication."},"MainText":"BOULDERDASH AND BOULDERDASH II\nPrism\n£2.99 each\nReviewer: Marcus Berkmann\n\nTime can be cruel to even the most innovative of games (look at Knight Lore or Sabre Wulf!), but not in the case of these marvellous First Star boulderamas. The idea's simple, the execution's brilliant. Move Rockford around the grid collecting diamonds and avoid being crushed by boulders that attempt to splatter you as you pass. You'll also have to block growing amoebas, transform butterflies and outmanoeuvre fireflies. Terminally addictive.","ReviewerComments":[],"OverallSummary":"","Page":"75","Denied":false,"Award":"Not Awarded","Reviewers":[{"Name":"Marcus Berkmann","Score":"8","ScoreSuffix":"/10"}],"ScreenshotText":[],"BlurbText":[],"TranscriptBy":"Chris Bourne","ReviewScores":[{"Header":"Overall","Score":"8/10","Text":""}],"CompilationReviewScores":[]},{"Issue":{"Name":"Your Sinclair Issue 84, Dec 1992","Price":"£2.5","ReleaseDate":"1992-11-05","Editor":"Linda Barker","TotalPages":52,"HasCoverTape":false,"FlannelPanel":"YOUR SINCLAIR\r\nABC 40,648\r\n\r\nEditor: Linda Barker\r\nArt Editor: Andy Ounsted\r\nStaff Writer: Jon Pillar\r\nEditorial Contributors: Craig Broadbent, Dave Golder, Tim Kemp, Simon Cooke\r\nArt Contributor: Nick Davies\r\nCover Artwork: Paul Kidby\r\nSenior Sales Executive: Jackie Garford\r\nSales Executive: Audrey Smith\r\nProduction Co-ordinator: Lisa Read\r\nProduction Technicians: Chris Stocker\r\nScanning: Simon Windsor, Jon Moore, Simon Chittenden\r\nPublisher: Colin Campbell\r\nPromotions Manager: Michelle Harris\r\nPromotions Assistant: Tamara Ward\r\nGroup Publisher: Greg Ingham\r\nCirculation Director: Sue Hartley\r\n\r\nYour Sinclair, Future Publishing [redacted]\r\n\r\nManaging Director Chris Anderson\r\n\r\nPrinters: Riverside Press [redacted]\r\nSubscriptions: Future Publishing Ltd. [redacted]\r\n\r\n©Future Publishing 1992. No part of this magazine may be reproduced without the signed permission of Richard and David Darling.\r\n\r\nISSN 0269 6983\r\n\r\nYour Sinclair wobbles but it doesn't fall down with Commodore Format, Amstrad Action, Amiga Format, PCW Plus, PC Answers, Mega, Super Play, PC Plus, Sega Power, Amiga Power, Amiga Shopper, Classic CD, Needlecraft, Cycling Plus, Photo Plus, Mountain Biking UK, PC Format, Public Domain, ST Format, Total! and Today's Vegetarian\r\n\r\nToday's decoration - paper carnations... Fold some pink toilet paper in half and cut along the folded edge. Fold the tissue backwards and forwards like a concertina. Slide a hairgrip into the middle of the concertina. Fluff out the tissue above the hairgrip. This is the carnation. Honest."},"MainText":"Prism\r\n£3.99 cassette\r\n[redacted]\r\nReviewer: Jon Pillar\r\n\r\nA classic in every sense of the word except 'large grazing mammal of the lower Azures' because that's wrong. Boulder Dash is one of the very few home 'puter games to make it into the arcades. First Star, the American company behind the game, released at least three sequels, but I do believe I'm right in saying only Boulder Dash and Boulder Dash 4 made it onto the Speccy. You play Rockford, a thieving spelunker out to scour sixteen of valuable diamonds. Pitted against you a score of mutant butterflies, two score of mutant fireflies, a massively hugely enormously gargantuan wibblingly big number of amoebae and Isaac Newton's baby. (He means gravity. Ed)\r\n\r\nOkay, the graphics are basic (He means crap. Ed) and admittedly the sound is uninspired (Crap! Ed) but the gameplay is magnificent. (Curses. Ed) The scrolling caves are about sixteen screens square (Alliteration! Ed) and packed with incident. (Wheee! Ed) Excuse me a moment. (Help! I've been imprisoned in some curly brackets. Ed}\r\n\r\nThat's better. Anyway, it's a very mentally taxing game, requiring a fine grasp of physics to determine exactly whether you'll be able to nip into this area, set off a controlled rockfall and expose those diamonds without getting caught by the patrolling firefly. Nastily, it's also a very fast game - once those butterflies get on your trail they'll hound you mercilessly, and it's entirely possible to run faster than the scrolling, and so flounder in the dark while the screen catches up with you. And there's a time limit. Yikes! if you don't mind dated graphics and like your puzzle games very tough indeed, I'd recommend this 'un wholeheartedly. It doesn't push the Speccy in terms of machine use, but you'll be hard-pressed to find a game with more playability per inch. And it's educational as well! (Sort of.)","ReviewerComments":[],"OverallSummary":"","Page":"11","Denied":false,"Award":"Not Awarded","Reviewers":[{"Name":"Jon Pillar","Score":"86","ScoreSuffix":"%"}],"ScreenshotText":[{"Text":"The point-packed outcome of a very trickY bit of manoeuvring. Those fireflies never knew what hit 'em."},{"Text":"This is a brilliantly fun level. You simply knock out the plug of earth and wait for the diamonds to spill out."}],"BlurbText":[{"Text":"Some games are terrible, and the software houses know it (which is why we were never sent review copies). Some (like footy management games) are guaranteed bestsellers anyway, and some are just so obscure they've passed us by completely. That, basically, is why you'll occasionally come across games in the shops that haven't been reviewed in YS. So, In an attempt to redress the balance, we've been hunting around Bath for the best (and worst) of the ones we missed. Better late than never, eh?\r\n\r\nOn this page are two of the better games, turn to page 14 for a couple of the worst!"}],"TranscriptBy":"Chris Bourne","ReviewScores":[{"Header":"Overall","Score":"86%","Text":""}],"CompilationReviewScores":[]},{"Issue":{"Name":"Crash Issue 38, Mar 1987","Price":"£1","ReleaseDate":"1987-02-26","Editor":"Graeme Kidd","TotalPages":124,"HasCoverTape":false,"FlannelPanel":"Publishers: Roger Kean, Oliver Frey, Franco Frey\r\nPublishing Executive/Editor: Graeme Kidd\r\nSub Editor: Ciaran Brennan\r\nStaff Writers: Lloyd Mangram, Lee Paddon, Hannah Smith\r\nAdventure Editor: Derek Brewster\r\nStrategy Editor: Philippa Irving\r\nTech Tipster: Simon Goodwin\r\nContributing Writers: Jon Bates, Brendon Kavanagh, John Minson\r\nProduction Controller: David Western\r\nArt Director: Gordon Druce\r\nIllustrators: Oliver Frey\r\nProduction: Seb Clare, Tim Croton, Mark Kendrick, Tony Lorton, Nick Orchard, Michael Parkinson, Cameron Pound, Jonathan Rignall, Matthew Uffindell\r\nAdvertisement Manager: Roger Bennett\r\nAdvertisement Assistant: Nick Wild\r\nSubscriptions: Denise Roberts\r\nMail Order: Carol Kinsey\r\n\r\nEditorial and Production: [redacted]\r\n\r\nMail Order and Subscriptions: [redacted]\r\n\r\nADVERTISING\r\nBookings [redacted]\r\n\r\nPrinted in England by Carlisle Web Offset, [redacted] - member of the BPCC Group.\r\n\r\nDistributed by COMAG, [redacted]\r\n\r\nNo material may be reproduced whole or in part without written consent of the copyright holders. We cannot undertake to return any written material sent to CRASH Magazine unless accompanied by a suitably stamped addressed envelope. Unsolicited written or photo material which may be used in the magazine is paid for at our current rates.\r\n\r\n©1987 Newsfield Limited\r\n\r\nCover by Oliver Frey"},"MainText":"Use of Computer: 91%\r\r\nGraphics: 90%\r\r\nPlayability: 98%\r\r\nGetting Started: 89%\r\r\nAddictive Qualities: 98%\r\r\nValue for Money: 90%\r\r\nOverall: 93%\r\r\n\r\r\nCute hero Rockford tunnels around 16 different underground mazes collecting gems as he goes. Boulders lie around, and problems are caused when the earth that supports them is tunnelled away - they tumble on Rockford unless he's quick. Nasties chase the hero, and they can only be killed by falling boulders.\r\r\n\r\r\nTHEN\r\r\nThis amazing game is so simple it's ridiculous! Yet once started it's impossible to leave it. Rockford is amusingly animated, tapping his foot in boredom if you keep him standing still for too long, eyes flicking nervously - as well they might, with all that weight of stone above his head! The movement of boulder's and gems is so logical, when huge stacks of them fall it can be a joy to watch. With the five skill levels and 16 screens to play through, this game represents good value even for the slightly high price, and I can recommend it to anyone. It's excellent and tremendously compelling to play.\r\r\n\r\r\nNOW\r\r\nWhen Boulder Dash first appeared in my games collection I couldn't play it enough: solving the puzzles contained in each screen was sometimes infuriating but always great fun. Originality and humour were probably its main points - never before had a game as funny as this been seen on the Spectrum. Today it is still just as compelling and playable, but seems to have lost a lot of its originality over the years. The ratings at the time were justified in being so high. Now, however, I think that they should all be put down by ten or fifteen percent.","ReviewerComments":[],"OverallSummary":"","Page":"75","Denied":false,"Award":"Not Awarded","Reviewers":[{"Name":"Ben Stone","Score":"","ScoreSuffix":""}],"ScreenshotText":[{"Text":"Rocky romps through the underground caverns in search of gems..."}],"BlurbText":[],"TranscriptBy":"Chris Bourne","ReviewScores":null,"CompilationReviewScores":[]},{"Issue":{"Name":"Sinclair User Issue 35, Feb 1985","Price":"£0.95","ReleaseDate":"1985-01-17","Editor":"Bill Scolding","TotalPages":148,"HasCoverTape":false,"FlannelPanel":"Editor: Bill Scolding\r\nDeputy Editor: John Gilbert\r\nConsultant Editor: Mike Johnston\r\nStaff Writer: Chris Bourne, Clare Edgeley\r\nIllustrator/Designer: Craig Kennedy\r\nAdvertisement Manager: Rob Cameron\r\nDeputy Advertisement Manager: Louise Fanthorpe\r\nAdvertisement Sales Executive: Kathy McLennan\r\nProduction Assistant: James McClure\r\nAdvertisement Secretary: Claudia Viertel\r\nEditorial Assistant: Colette McDermott\r\nSubscriptions Manager: Carl Dunne\r\nAssistant Publisher: Neil Wood\r\n\r\nSinclair User is published monthly by EMAP Business & Computer Publications\r\n\r\n96,271 Jan-June 1984\r\n\r\nTelephone\r\nEditorial and advertising departments\r\n[redacted]\r\n\r\nIf you would like to contribute to Sinclair User please send programs or articles:\r\nSinclair User\r\nEMAP Business & Computer Publications\r\n[redacted]\r\n\r\nOriginal programs should be on cassette and articles should be typed. We cannot undertake to return them unless a stamped-addressed envelope is included.\r\n\r\nWe pay £20 for the copyright of each program published and £50 for star programs.\r\n\r\nAll subscription enquiries to\r\nMagazine Services,\r\nEMAP Business & Computer Publications\r\n[redacted]\r\n\r\n©Copyright 1985\r\nSinclair User\r\nISSN NO. 0262-5458\r\n\r\nTypeset by Saffron Graphics Ltd, [redacted]\r\n\r\nPrinted by Peterboro' Web, [redacted]\r\n\r\nDistributed by EMAP Publications Ltd."},"MainText":"BOULDERDASH\r\nFront Runner\r\nMemory: 48K\r\nPrice: £7.95\r\nJoystick: Kempston, Protek, AGF, Sinclair\r\n\r\nMutant diamonds, bone-crunching boulders, and deadly amoeba are just some of the ingredients which make up Boulder Dash.\r\n\r\nYou play the part of Rockford, an intrepid explorer who has just got lost in a string of underground caverns. Suddenly he notices something glinting in the darkness. Rushing over he picks it up and a boulder crashes down from above. Splat!\r\n\r\nThe idea is to guide Rockford through each of the caverns, collecting all the diamonds, in a set time limit which will gain him entry to the next cave. It can be tricky as each diamond lurks beneath a precariously balanced boulder - so look out.\r\n\r\nIn each successive cavern, the time limit is shorter and the tasks harder, diamonds when released will turn into poisonous butterflies, deadly amoeba has to be contained by dislodging boulders to form dams and you have to work out how to get past the fireflies, guardians of the jewels.\r\n\r\nBoulder Dash was originally released in the States by First Star for the Atari 800. It was an instant hit and has been converted to the Commodore 64 and the licence bought by an arcade manufacturer.\r\n\r\nAccording to Front Runner, Boulder Dash has been described as \"one of the finest examples of Spectrum programming ever\". Balderdash! Slow and jerky movement dog Rockford's every step making it difficult to pass through each cave within the time limit specified.\r\n\r\nAlthough there are many features in the game including four interactive puzzles and five difficulty levels to each of the 16 caves your excitement can quickly turn to frustration when time and time again, Rockford is bombarded by boulders.","ReviewerComments":[],"OverallSummary":"","Page":"23","Denied":false,"Award":"Not Awarded","Reviewers":[{"Name":"Clare Edgeley","Score":"5","ScoreSuffix":"/10"}],"ScreenshotText":[],"BlurbText":[],"TranscriptBy":"Chris Bourne","ReviewScores":[{"Header":"Gilbert Factor","Score":"5/10","Text":""}],"CompilationReviewScores":[]},{"Issue":{"Name":"C&VG (Computer & Video Games) Issue 40, Feb 1985","Price":"£0.95","ReleaseDate":"1985-01-16","Editor":"Tim Metcalfe","TotalPages":132,"HasCoverTape":false,"FlannelPanel":"Editor: Tim Metcalfe\r\nDeputy Editor: Wendie Pearson\r\nEditorial Assistant: Lesley Walker\r\nStaff Writer/Reader Services: Seamus St. John\r\nArt Editor: Linda Freeman\r\nDesigner: Ian Noble\r\nProduction Editor: Mary Morton\r\nAdvertisement Manager: Louise Matthews\r\nAdvertising Executives: Bernard Dugdale, Sean Brennan, Phil Godsell\r\nProduction Assistant: Melanie Paulo\r\nPublisher: Rita Lewis\r\n\r\nEditorial and Advertisement Offices: [redacted]\r\n\r\nCOMPUTER AND VIDEO GAMES POSTAL SUBSCRIPTION SERVICE. By using the special Postal Subscription Service, copies of COMPUTER AND VIDEO GAMES can be mailed direct from our offices each month to any address throughout the world. All subscription applications should be sent for processing to COMPUTER AND VIDEO GAMES (Subscription Department), [redacted]. All orders should include the appropriate remittance made payable to COMPUTER AND VIDEO GAMES. Annual subscription rates (12 issues): UK and Eire: £15. Additional service information including individual overseas airmail rates available upon request. Circulation Department: EMAP National Publications. Published and distributed by EMAP National Publications Ltd.\r\n\r\nPrinted by Severn Valley Press. Typeset by In-Step Ltd.\r\n\r\nCover: Bob Wakelin"},"MainText":"MACHINE: Spectrum/keyboard or joystick\r\nSUPPLIER: Front Runner\r\nPRICE: £7.95\r\n\r\nWe've already gone into fits of ecstasy about Boulder Dash on the 64. Now we're about to do the same for the Spectrum version is great game from Front Runner, the Storm Warrior people.\r\n\r\nThe Spectrum version features Rockford in all his glory. It has the 16 Boulder Dash caves, packed with boulders, gems and other nasties. Each cave has five difficulty levels making Boulder Dash not just one game but about 80!\r\n\r\nThe object of the game is to help Rockford search through the caves in search of gems. Each cave has a fixed target of gems for Rockford to find and there's a time limit on his search too.\r\n\r\nOnce he's collected the required number of gems, Rockford has to find the exit to the next cave - which only appears once he's reached the target number of jewels. Each cave is different and features odd things like amoeba, butterflies, fireflies and other obstacles.\r\n\r\nYou have master the \"physics\" of the game - discovering just how those rocks roll and fall - to collect the gems. You also have to be good at working out patterns and strategies to be in the right place at the right time.\r\n\r\nThe programmer has made a brave attempt at converting the sounds of the original, music, falling rocks and jewels. The graphics are adequate - but the game is spoiled somewhat by the slow screen scrolling. Rockford can dash off the screen while the rest of the graphics are trying to catch up!\r\n\r\nThis is annoying - but doesn't detract from the incredible playability of this game. Boulder Dash is terribly addictive - don't start playing if you've got anything else to do that day. If it's not a number one hit I'll eat my joystick! Rush out and get it, you won't regret it.","ReviewerComments":[],"OverallSummary":"","Page":"42","Denied":false,"Award":"Not Awarded","Reviewers":[],"ScreenshotText":[],"BlurbText":[],"TranscriptBy":"Chris Bourne","ReviewScores":[{"Header":"Graphics","Score":"8/10","Text":""},{"Header":"Sound","Score":"7/10","Text":""},{"Header":"Value","Score":"9/10","Text":""},{"Header":"Playability","Score":"10/10","Text":""}],"CompilationReviewScores":[]},{"Issue":{"Name":"Big K Issue 11, Feb 1985","Price":"£0.85","ReleaseDate":"1985-01-20","Editor":"Tony Tyler","TotalPages":84,"HasCoverTape":false,"FlannelPanel":"Editor: Tony Tyler\r\nAssisted By: Richard Burton\r\nArt Editor: Ian Stead\r\nFeatures: Nicky Xikluna\r\nSoftware: Fin Fahey\r\nContributors: Steve Keaton; Kim Aldis; John Conquest; Bill Bennett; Gary Liddon; Sean Cox; Richard Taylor; Alex Boitz; Richard Cook; Andy Green; Tony Takoushi\r\nCartoonists: Tony Benyon; Steve Way; Rogers Wade Walker\r\nAdvertisement Manager: Erica Vickers [redacted]\r\nAdvertising Executive: Gareth Cooper\r\nGroup Advertising Controller: Luis Bartlett\r\nPublisher: Barry Leverett\r\nPublishing Director: John Purdie\r\n\r\nAddress: [redacted]\r\n\r\nPublished approximately on the 20th of each month by IPC Magazines Ltd. [redacted]. Monotone and colour origination by G.M. Litho Ltd [redacted]. Printed in England by Chase Web Offset, Cornwall. Sole Agents: Australia and New Zealand, Gordon& Gotch (A/sia) Ltd.; South Africa, Central News Agency Ltd. BIG K is sold subject to the following conditions, namely that it shall not, without the written consent of the Publishers first given, be lent, resold, hired out or otherwise disposed of by way of trade at more than the recommended selling price shown on the cover, and that it shall not be lent, resold or hired out or otherwise disposed of in a mutilated constitute or any unauthorised cover by way of trade or affixed to as part of any publication or advertising, literary or pictorial matter whatsoever. © IPC MAGAZINES 1985."},"MainText":"A CRUSHER\r\n\r\nMAKER: Front Runner\r\nFORMAT: cassette\r\nPRICE: £7.95\r\n\r\nAn ex-friend of mine has a Commodore 64 and the only thing I miss about not being his friend is that I can't play Boulder Dash no more. Well that's all changed. No, ex-friend hasn't become friend again but Boulder Dash has become a Spectrum game. My initial reaction was pure joy but then I thought of what the 64 could do and then what the Spectrum couldn't do. I'm surprised I even bothered to load it in. You see Boulder Dash heavily relies on quick scrolling, lots of pretty colours and neato music all of which the Spectrum isn't really known for. Well the game loaded and is was all there. Boy, was I shocked.\r\n\r\nA few of you out there may be confused. You may not have heard of Boulder Dash. In that case you've probably lived in a shoebox the last six months. Still, for all you hermits here's a scenario description. Rockford has to run about various caves to collect jewels so he can move onto the next cave. It's not really as simple as that since there are boulders all over the gaff supported by gunge which Rockford can obliterate. It's all very difficult to explain but much easier to play. Having eighty possible levels is nice on any game but since what you have to accomplish on each screen is so varied the only way you'd be able to appreciate it is to play it.\r\n\r\nWhat makes Boulder Dash such a hit for me is that it's so addictive. In all honesty I can say this is the best game, to date, for the Spectrum. Which isn't bad going since a week ago I would've said it was really Spectrum fodder.\r\n\r\nBoulder Dash is a definite must if you use a Spectrum so I'm afraid it's fork out the money time again folks.","ReviewerComments":[],"OverallSummary":"","Page":"23","Denied":false,"Award":"Not Awarded","Reviewers":[{"Name":"Gary Liddon","Score":"3","ScoreSuffix":"/3"}],"ScreenshotText":[],"BlurbText":[],"TranscriptBy":"Chris Bourne","ReviewScores":[{"Header":"Graphics","Score":"3/3","Text":""},{"Header":"Playability","Score":"3/3","Text":""},{"Header":"Addictiveness","Score":"3/3","Text":""},{"Header":"Overall","Score":"3/3","Text":""}],"CompilationReviewScores":[]}]}]