Jetpac
1983 · Shooter · ZX Spectrum
Overview
Jetpac (1983) is Ultimate Play the Game's first home computer game: Jetman assembles and fuels a rocket while fighting off aliens, on a 16K ZX Spectrum. It sold over 300,000 copies.
Deep Dive
Jetman, an astronaut with a jetpack, has to put his rocket back together from parts scattered across the screen, then collect fuel for it, all while waves of aliens attack. Once the rocket is fuelled he can board it and fly to the next planet. Falling treasures can be caught for bonus points. Every four levels the rocket is reset and must be assembled again, and the player gains an extra life.
Developer Story
Chris Stamper programmed the game and his brother Tim drew the graphics. Released for the 16K ZX Spectrum in May 1983, with VIC-20 and BBC Micro versions, it was followed by Lunar Jetman the same year and, on the NES, Solar Jetman (1990).
Did You Know?
- It won Game of the Year at the 1983 Golden Joystick Awards.
- Jetpac reappeared as an unlockable minigame inside Donkey Kong 64 (1999), and in Rare Replay (2015).
Sources & further reading
- Jetpac — Wikipedia
- Ultimate Play the Game — Wikipedia
