Spectrum zone :: Old news

Finally, the moment of RanaRemake release has come. The awaited remake of Ranarama, the classic created by Steve Turner and published by Hewson, is the first Pagantipaco's game published by our videogames label.

A multiplatform remake, with great deal of care in each detail, and wich will set people talking a lot.

Where to get it? In its card on the CEZ GS page... Where else?

Test it, play it, and don't doubt to comment your impressions on our forum.

While we are waiting for the most expected release of the moment,  Ranarama Remake (tomorrow!), we've added two games and three game cards to our database. Don't hesitate in order to comment the games in their cards (registration it's not required).

-Eagle (inlay, scanned and typed manual, two reviews and screenshots)
-Indoor Race (Spectrum version, inlay, typed manual, two reviews and screenshots)
-Ormuz (Amstrad version, inlay, scanned and typed manual, review and screenshots)

We continue uploading inlays. With these ones there are 557... And we have a bunch of them yet...

-Capitán Trueno (Spectrum -IBSA-)
-Desperado 2 (Amstrad CPC)
-Emilio Sánchez Vicario Grand Slam (Spectrum)
-Gonzzalezz (Amstrad CPC)
-Guillermo Tell (Spectrum and Amstrad CPC cassette)
-Michel Futbol Master (Spectrum and Amstrad)
-Mithos (Spectrum, Amstrad CPC and Amstrad PCW)
-Mutan Zone (Amstrad CPC and Amstrad PCW)
-Perico Delgado Maillot Amarillo (Amstrad CPC)
-Poli Diaz Boxing (Spectrum cassette and Amstrad CPC disk)
-Poogaboo (Amstrad CPC)
-Rock 'n' Roller (Amstrad CPC)
-Simulador Profesional de Tenis (Spectrum IBSA)
-Sito Pons 500 c.c. Grand Prix (Spectrum -Erbe Especial 8 bits-)
-Solo (Amstrad CPC)
-Soviet (Spectrum and Amstrad CPC disk)
-Stardust (Spectrum -Serie Leyenda- and Amstrad CPC)
-Trigger (Spectrum and Amstrad CPC cassette)
-Ulises (Amstrad CPC)

We continue adding coverscans to the database. We have to mention two more sites: Amstrad ESP and CPC Zone. They provided some of the covers we've uploaded today. Enjoy them.

Abu Simbel Profanation (Spectrum, Amstrad -box and normal- and MSX), Afteroids (Amstrad), Arkos (Amstrad), Bestial Warrior (Spectrum and Amstrad), Blackbeard (Amstrad), Capitán Sevilla (Spectrum and Amstrad), Cobra's Arc (Spectrum and Amstrad), Comando Quatro (Spectrum and Amstrad cassette), Colosseum (Amstrad), Cosmic Sheriff (Amstrad), Curro Jiménez (Amstrad), Desperado (Amstrad and MSX), Dustin (Amstrad and MSX), Comando Tracer (Spectrum cassette, Amstrad), Cosa Nostra (Amstrad), Hundra (Amstrad), Nonamed (Spectrum naranja), El Poder Oscuro (Amstrad and MSX), Rescate Atlántida (Spectrum cassette and Amstrad), Score 3020 (Amstrad), Senda Salvaje (Portugal), Sir Fred (Spectrum cassette and Amstrad), Spirits (Amstrad), Survivor (Amstrad), Triple Comando (Spectrum), Tuareg (Amstrad), Wells & Fargo (Amstrad) and West Bank (Spectrum box and Amstrad).

We've finished uploading all the previous available coverscans.
Now it's the moment for uploading all of them we have and we couldn't upload yet, due to technical reasons. A lot of them will be available thanks to WOS and SPA2 (Spectrum), MSX Archive (MSX), Lemon 64 (C64) and a lot of personal providers.
While we're waiting for the RanaRemake release, we updated the site wiht those ones:

-Army Moves (spanish version) -> 3 Spectrum (box, box -MicroHobby edition, normal and orange), 1 Amstrad (normal), 1 MSX (normal)
-Army Moves (european version) -> 2 Spectrum (Imagine french and italian, Summit), 2 C64 (disk, Summit)
-Astro Marine Corps (spanish version) -> 1 Spectrum (+3)
-Aspar GP Master (spanish version) -> 1 Spectrum (IBSA)
-Aventura Original, La -> 1 Spectrum (IBSA)
-Aventura Espacial, La -> 1 Spectrum (IBSA)
-Megaphoenix -> Front
-Mot -> Back, 1 Spectrum (Portugal)
-Narco Police -> Back, 2 Spectrum (IBSA, GBH)
-Navy Moves (spanish version) -> 1 Spectrum (orange)
-Navy Moves (versión UK) -> 1 Spectrum (The Hit Squad)
-Satan (spanish version) -> 1 Spectrum (IBSA)
-Satan (versión UK) -> 2 Amiga (budget, front and back)
-Viaje al Centro de La Tierra -> 1 Spectrum (Portugal)

After nearly 3 years of development soon we'll be able to enjoy a "remake" highly anticipated by CEZ regular visitors.

It all dates back to 1987, when Hewson Consultants published "RanaRama" a game produced by Graftgold Ltd. and programmed by Steve Turner on the platforms Amstrad CPC, Atari ST, Commodore 64 and ZX Spectrum. Perhaps it went unnoticed by many because it had a somehow confusing gameplay, incorporating elements of Gauntlet and a bit of RPG in terms of the evolution and improvement of the main character.

The remake resembles the original in terms of basic gameplay but reinterprets not only graphics and sound, but also other elements to enhance it. In general there are many changes and some surprises.

On the technical side we must mention the importance of checking the requirements of the computer. This is a game programmed in Java, therefore needs the JRE (Java Runtime Environment) preinstalled. This, although it might be a problem for some, results in the advantage of the program being multiplatform without changes, and therefore will work on Windows PCs, Linux and Mac in their 32-bit versions (64-bit OSes aren't supported). In advance to the installation of the game, we invite you to go check and prepare the environment with the procedure shown at the end of the article.

We won't tell more details at the moment and until the day of publication, enjoy the pictures, the original game in any of its versions and we also invite you to participate in our forum.

REFERENCES:
-----------
World of Spectrum
Wikipedia


SET-UP:
------------------------
+ Check that JVM is installed:
    - Open a commandline tool.
    - Write the command "java - version" without quotation marks and followed by ENTER.
    - Check the response:
      - Program not found or so: you need to install Java.
      - A response like this:

            java version "1.6.0_05"
            Java(TM) SE Runtime Environment (build 1.6.0_05-b13)
            Java HotSpot(TM) Client VM (build 10.0-b19, mixed mode, sharing)

       Check that version 1.5.11 or newer.
       Check that the client brand is "Java HotSpot", others are not supported.

+ Getting JRE (Java Runtime Environment):
   - Open an internet navigator and access this link.
   - Choose the option "Java Runtime Environment (JRE)" and the button labeled "Download".
   - In the next page, choose platform and language, check the checkbox "I agree..." and click "Continue".
   - In the next page, choose the way to download and install.

+ Updating Java (only if you have a version lower than 1.5.11):
   - Normally JRE updates automatically, if it doesn't you need to get and install a new JRE as above.

From now you can make comments on the game cards. We've added a new tab in which you can leave your views on the games, without having to register (as opposed to the forums).
Time has come to say if you are in agreement with our views, if we have committed any mistake or if you have some material not yet available on the card in question.

You can read the last comments at the games stats page. We are waiting for you.

Today is time for a Spectrum update:

-Krypton Raiders (manual transcrito)
-Evaristo el Punky (mapa)
-Manollo el Cavernícola (2 mapas)
-Yenght (mapa y solución)

We've added the following material:

-Livingstone Supongo II
(manual and advert)
-Lorna
(advert)
-Oberon 69
(manual)
-París-Dakar
(manual)
-Viaje al Centro de La Tierra
(adverts)

Now, you can enjoy  iLogicAll, the new  CEZGS production. By the moment, on Spectrum 128k, but you'll can play it too in your CPC or C64 very soon.

Help Maribip in her hard mission, and become to hive's Queen. A 100 level challenge, only for Picross lovers.

Play it, and tell us about it in theforum

We've added the following extra content:

Adverts:
-After the War (UK version)
-Army Moves (UK version)
-La Aventura Espacial
-Mot (two adverts)

Map:
-Gremlins 2

And here we go, with another update. We've added MicroHobby reviews of La Abadía del Crimen, and Camelot Warriors.

And, in the case of La Abadía del Crimen, we have a little surprise as well: A 25 page .pdf file with original sketches from development, scanned and packed by Juan Delcán, original graphist of the game, who send it us when we interviewed him.

A new set of the factory CEZ GS ahead.
After the successful and no less awaited Phantomas Saga 0: Uprising, ILogicAll arrives, an intelligence game where you take the role of Maribee, a bee somewhat misguided in the conquest of the throne of The Beehive, after the decision of the Queen Mother to doesn't continue her reign.

A fun picross-style game, wich will drive you mad, or, better said, ilogical. 100 different levels to never ending amusement, and, in order to take your personal touch, a complete level editor to redesign every one of them.

Will you be able to wait? Coming soon on your Spectrum (Amstrad CPC and C64 versions in development).

Alx makes his debut as Computer Emuzone reviewer with the cards (game included) of three of the programs listed at MicroHobby Cassette #13. Welcome Alxinho.

-El Castillo Embrujado
-Tick (aka Tick-Land)
-Patufet

Finally. Waiting is over. You can now enjoy on your PC one of the most awaited games in the last years: Phantomas Saga #0: Uprising.

The Definitive Game to every Phantomas lover, and, also, the genesis of this peculiar heroe history.

¿Where? Of course, here at CEZGS. If you have any problem in order to view the game card using IE6, you'll have success through the CEZ card.

You can, also, tell us your opinion about the game at the forum, here.

We've added the following extras to these game cards:

-Game Over II (french and british adverts, map)
-Livingstone Supongo (pdf and typed manual)
-Mad Mix Game: The Pepsi Challenge (typed manual, advert)
-Toi Acid Game (typed manual, advert, maps)

Today we've added the two only games published by ABC Soft, both for Spectrum and MSX. The reviews are written by The Punisher.

-Faraon
(cover, manual, review Microhobby, review CEZ and screenshots)
-Trans-Europe Rally
(cover, review Microhobby, review CEZ and screenshots

We also added the following:
-Amoto's Puf (scanned and typed manual)
-Bloody (scanned and typed manual, map)
-El Mundo Perdido (typed manual)
-Rocky (advertising)
-Underground (map)

Four new games and eleven game cards added...

-Alicia (Microhobby)
(coverscan, review -Karnevi- and screenshot)
-Ares
(game, coverscan, scanned and typed manual, reviews -The Punisher and Karnevi- and screenshots)
-Aterrizaje en Saturno
(coverscan, review -Karnevi- and screenshot)
-Chinos
(game, coverscan, review -The Punisher- and screenshot)
-Chinos, Los
(coverscan, typed manual, review -Karnevi- and screenshot)
-Cómeme
(review -NeilParsons-, capturas and mapa)
-Crazy Climber / Jump
(reviews -The Punisher and Karnevi- and screenshot)
-Don Cosme
(game, coverscan, review -The Punisher- and screenshot)
-Silver Gun (The Bang Bank)
(coverscan, scanned and typed manual, reviews -Karnevi and The Punisher- and screenshot)
-Tapón
(coverscan, reviews -Karnevi and The Punisher- and screenshot)

The weekend begins and it's necessary to rest a bit. Nevertheless, here you have a little update, with three gave adverts.

-Aspar GP Master
-Cozumel, La Diosa de
-Gremlins 2: The New Batch

More tomorrow.

Today we bring to you a new interview with one of the best Spanish musicians for videogames.
We are talking about Gominolas, creathor of the most known compositions from Topo soft.

You can click here to access the interview, sadly in Spanish only for the moment.