Zapped to the Past

As a final farewell to 1986, we look back over the year and the games from the issues of Zzap from January to December 1986, selecting some of the titles we have played for our prestigious Zapped to the Past awards. Which game will be heralded as having the ‘Best Visuals’ or win the ‘Best Music’ or the ‘Sunday Best Award?’ There is only one way to find out! The running order of the awards: Introduction + Review of 1986 Best Visuals Award Best Sound FX Award Sunday Best (Worst Game) Award Best Music Award Craziest Concept Award Best Game 1986 Award Best Crapvert 1986 Award  Listener Awards Other things... Awards Look ahead to 1987 Find us here: https://zappedtothepast.com/ All game nominations here: https://zappedtothepast.com/the-games/ Golden Breadbin awards page https://zappedtothepast.com/zapped-to-the-past-golden-breadbin-awards-page/ Please visit the website of David Hearne Writer - our amazing show sponsor: https://www.davidhearnewriter.com/ If you would like to help us out and join our Patreon, find it here: https://www.patreon.com/zappedtothepast

In the month of December 1986, many games were released for the Commodore 64. In episode forty of Zapped to the Past, we conclude our look at some of those games, including the foreboding Fist II: The Legend Continues, the diabolical Dante’s Inferno and the twitch-speed Trailblazer, and wonder… How far would your beard reach by the time you completed all 10,000 levels of The Sentinel? Games covered in this episode: Fist II The Legend Continues Trapdoor Street Surfer Dante’s Inferno Highway Encounter The Sentinel Ace of Aces Red Max Strike Force Cobra Mad Nurse Movie Monster Orpheus in the Underworld Trailblazer Find us here: https://zappedtothepast.com/ Find this week’s Crapverts here: https://zappedtothepast.com/classic-crapverts/ Please visit the website of David Hearne Writer - our amazing show sponsor: https://www.davidhearnewriter.com/

In the month of December 1986, many games were released for the Commodore 64. In episode thirty-nine of Zapped to the Past, we explore some of those games, including the unmistakable Uchi Mata, the eye rolling Bobby Bearing and the sumptuous Sacred Armour of Antiriad, and wonder... where can you get to play a decent game of Bagatelle these days?    Games covered in this episode: Boulderdash Construction Kit Montezuma’s Revenge Robobolt Marble Madness Glider Rider Soldier One Bobby Bearing Uchi Mata 180 Pub Games BMX Simulator Captain Kelly The Sacred Armour of Antiriad Find us here: https://zappedtothepast.com/ Find this week’s Crapverts here: https://zappedtothepast.com/classic-crapverts/ Please visit the website of David Hearne Writer - our amazing show sponsor: https://www.davidhearnewriter.com/ Additional links mentioned in the Podcast: https://bullseyecontestants.tumblr.com/

November 1986 brings a wave of memorable games for the Commodore 64. Listeners dive into the chaotic world of 'Sanxion,' a side-scrolling shooter, and are entertained by the whimsical gameplay of the jeep-based adventure. The hosts humorously lament the underwhelming 'Ninja,' while reminiscing about the lighthearted charm of 'Clean Up Time.' They also celebrate television's 50th anniversary, reflect on classic films like 'Big Trouble in Little China,' and hilariously critique poorly designed game ads. A nostalgic romp through gaming history awaits!

In the month of November 1986, many games were released for the Commodore 64. In episode thirty-seven of Zapped to the Past, we explore some of those games, including the wonderful World Games, the japesome Jack the Nipper, and the daring Dan Dare, and wonder... How did the game ‘Craps’ ever become a thing? Games covered in this episode: World Games Room Ten Miami Dice Jack The Nipper Dan Dare The Legend of Sinbad Velocipede 2 Strike Force Harrier Fungus Find us here: https://zappedtothepast.com/ Find this week’s Crapverts here: https://zappedtothepast.com/classic-crapverts/ Please visit the website of David Hearne Writer - our amazing show sponsor: https://www.davidhearnewriter.com/

In the month of October 1986, many games were released for the Commodore 64. In episode thirty-six of Zapped to the Past, we conclude our look at some of those games, including the speedy Super Cycle, the cataclysmic Knight Rider, and the baroque Beyond the Forbidden Forest, and wonder… could Syd Little and Eddie Large have played the UK version of Crockett and Tubbs in a possible ‘Blackpool Vice’ TV series? Games covered in this episode: Super Cycle Miami Vice Knight Rider Hot Wheels Hacker II Hollywood or Bust Collapse Arcana Beyond the Forbidden Forest Find us here: https://zappedtothepast.com/ Find this week’s Crapverts here: https://zappedtothepast.com/classic-crapverts/ Please visit the website of David Hearne Writer - our amazing show sponsor: https://www.davidhearnewriter.com/

In the month of October 1986, many games were released for the Commodore 64. In episode thirty-five of Zapped to the Past, we explore some of those games, including the impenetrable Iridis Alpha, the perplexing Parallax and the dreamy Druid, and wonder...  is ‘who did voodone?’ the correct past tense of ‘hoodoo voodoo’? Games covered in this episode: Iridis Alpha Spiky Harold W.A.R. Hoodoo Voodoo Equinox Parallax Hole In One Two On Two BasketBall Druid Find us here: https://zappedtothepast.com/ Find this week’s Crapverts here: https://zappedtothepast.com/classic-crapverts/ Please visit the website of David Hearne Writer - our amazing show sponsor: https://www.davidhearnewriter.com/

In the month of September 1986, many games were released for the Commodore 64. In episode thirty-four of Zapped to the Past, we conclude our look at some of those games, including the dull Dragon’s Lair, the woeful Way of the Tiger and the torturous Trap, and wonder… are there a bunch of princesses stuck in rescue limbo because the local knights were not daring enough to fight dragons and such? Games covered in this episode: Dragon’s Lair Wing Commander Split Personalities Mission Elevator Necromancer Freaky Factory Hercules Way of the Tiger Droids Trap Formula One Simulator Video Poker Find us here: https://zappedtothepast.com/ Find this week’s Crapverts here: https://zappedtothepast.com/classic-crapverts/ Please visit the website of David Hearne Writer - our amazing show sponsor: https://www.davidhearnewriter.com/

In the month of September 1986, many games were released for the Commodore 64. In episode thirty-three of Zapped to the Past, we explore some of those games, including the ghoulish Ghosts ‘n Goblins, the atypical Arac and the knockabout Knight Games, and wonder...  How many other evil villains hide their secrets in their household and office furniture?  Games covered in this episode: Ghosts ‘n Goblins Mission AD Caverns of Eriban Knight Games Ninja Master Jet Strike Mission Floyd the Droid Arac Danger Mouse in Double Trouble Warhawk Galaxibirds Night Walker Beer Belly Burt’s Brew Biz Find us here: https://zappedtothepast.com/ Find this week’s Crapverts here: https://zappedtothepast.com/classic-crapverts/ Please visit the website of David Hearne Writer - our amazing show sponsor: https://www.davidhearnewriter.com/ Additional web links mentioned in the Podcast: High pitched voice theory for Neanderthals: https://youtu.be/o589CAu73UM

In the month of August 1986, many games were released for the Commodore 64. In episode thirty-two of Zapped to the Past, we conclude our look at some of those games, including the impressive Infiltrator, the spectrum-esque Saboteur and the laborious Legend of the Amazon women, and wonder… Do ninjas use black coloured toilet paper? Games covered in this episode: Tau Ceti ICUPS Ollo 1 & Ollo 2 Legend of the Amazon Women Infiltrator Nexus Time Trax Saboteur Murder on the Mississippi Find us here: https://zappedtothepast.com/ Find this week’s Crapverts here: https://zappedtothepast.com/classic-crapverts/ Please visit the website of David Hearne Writer - our amazing show sponsor: https://www.davidhearnewriter.com/