Phantasie + 6 More Games Across Multiple Systems! 💾
Ready for another authentic floppy adventure? Tom's diving into TWO floppies this week packed with games he hasn't touched in decades! From D&D-style RPGs to futuristic sports, this episode showcases what made these games special across different 8-bit systems.
🎮 Why This Episode is Different:
Tom doesn't just show gameplay - he gives you the history, release info, and cross-platform comparisons that make each game unique. Plus, he's still got his 1985 save files for Phantasie!
💾 THE GAME LINEUP:
🏰 Phantasie (1985, SSI)
Tom's childhood D&D obsession! His character Syrinx (named after his BBS sysop handle) is still saved from 1985. The game was designed by Winston Douglas Wood and published by Strategic Simulations in 1985, based on the Isle of Gelnor (not Gilnor), where players try to defeat the evil Black Knights and their sorcerer leader, Nikademus (not Nicodemus). Watch him compare:
Commodore 64: Classic turn-based combat with victory celebrations
Amiga: Mouse-controlled evolution with stunning detail
Atari 800XL: Similar to C64 but missing the victory animations
Apple II: Split-screen design with map/battle combo view
🥷 Avenger (1987)
Gauntlet-style ninja action based on "The Way of the Tiger" gamebook series (published 1985-1987, not 1985 book alone). You play as Avenger, a young monk/ninja on a quest to avenge your foster father's murder and recover stolen scrolls. Key hunting frustration across:
Commodore 64: PAL flickering suggests UK import
ZX Spectrum: Adventure mode showing the full story
Amstrad: Enhanced graphics over Spectrum port
⚽ Hypaball (1986)
German futuristic sports that starts with cheerleaders! Published by Odin Computer Graphics and designed by Marc Dawson. Tom defends this against Zzap! 64's harsh 36% rating:
Commodore 64: Full cheerleader intro and German text
ZX Spectrum: English version, no cheerleaders, different graphics
🥊 Fist II: The Legend Continues (1986)
Tom knew this as "Exploding Fist 3" from his BBS download:
Commodore 64: Tournament mode only on his floppy
ZX Spectrum: Adventure mode through jungles and dojos
🎾 Tournament Tennis (1984)
Not Tom's favorite tennis game (he prefers On Court Tennis), but worth trying once.
🤠 Lone Rider (1984)
Cowboys and Indians action from German company Happy Software. Probably never officially released in the U.S.
👹 Hades
Homebrew game from Dutch competition that spread via BBS networks worldwide. Simple but well-made construction set creation.
🔍 Tom's Authentic Discoveries:
Phantasie Amiga: First time playing, blown away by mouse controls
Save Game Magic: 14-year-old Tom's characters still playable
Magazine Ratings: Defending Hyperball against unfair reviews
BBS Memories: How these games spread through bulletin boards
Cross-Platform Evolution: Seeing how games adapted to different hardware
💭 Personal Connections:
Tom shares memories of playing Hyperball with brother Rich, his D&D gaming background, and the nostalgia of rediscovering games with original save files intact. Plus, connection to his "Me Versus Me" series where he revisits old scores.
🎯 What Makes This Special:
Multiple Systems: 4+ platforms compared for major games
Historical Context: Release years, publishers, regional differences
Honest Reviews: Tom's unbiased takes on gameplay and graphics
Save File Nostalgia: Continuing adventures from 1985
Community Stories: BBS culture and game sharing memories
📊 Cross-Platform Highlights:
Phantasie: Amiga's mouse control revolution vs. joystick originals
Avenger: Adventure vs. tournament modes across systems
Hypaball: German vs. English versions, rating controversies
Graphics Evolution: From Apple II origins to Amiga enhancements
🤔 Discussion Questions:
Do you have any games with save files from decades ago?
Which Phantasie version appeals to you most?
Ever played these obscure European imports?
What's your take on Zzap! 64's harsh Hypaball rating?
Perfect for retro RPG fans, cross-platform enthusiasts, and anyone who loves authentic gaming archaeology with personal stories attached!
💾 Like if you love rediscovering old save files!
🔔 Subscribe for more authentic floppy adventures
💬 Comment: What's the oldest save file you still have?
"It's just so great to have that link to the past to be able to play these awesome games!"
#WhatsOnThatFloppy #Phantasie #SSI #RetroRPG #Commodore64 #Amiga #ZXSpectrum #Atari800XL #AppleII #FloppyDeepDive #BBS #TurnBasedCombat #SaveFiles #1985Gaming #CrossPlatform #VintageGaming!
Chapters
00:00 Introduction
00:44 Phantasie - C64
05:29 Phantasie - Amiga 500
07:42 Phantasie - Atari 800XL
09:08 Phantasie - Apple IIe
10:31 Avenger - C64
12:38 Avenger - ZX Spectrum
13:46 Avenger - Amstrad
14:46 Hypa-Ball C64
17:33 HypaBall ZX Spectrum
18:56 Fist II - The Legend Continues C64
20:01 Fist II - The Legend Continues ZX Spectrum
21:14 Tournament Tennis C64
22:59 Lonely Rider - C64
24:59 Hades - C64
26:27 Outro!
27:00 Shoutout to My Sister Lisa