Action Biker

Although marketed under the same title, the ZX Spectrum version of Action Biker differs significantly from the Atari and C64 versions, to the extent that Retro Gamer magazine featured it in their "Same Name, Different Game" column.

• Title — Action Biker • Developer — Mastertronic • Publisher — Mastertronic • Composer — Rob Hubbard • Released — 1985 • Genre — Action • Modes — Single-player • Platforms — Atari 8-bit, Commodore 64, ZX Spectrum

• Illustration — The isometric view seen in the C64 version. The player controls the protagonist Clumsy Colin who rides a motorbike and has to navigate a landscape to extra equipment to improve the bike. Once all forty pieces are collected the player performs a final drag race. There is a time limit, and the player also has a limited number of lives reduced by crashing into background objects. The Atari and Commodore 64 versions feature an isometric view of the town, which wraps around at the edges. The Spectrum version has a different viewpoint. There are several key areas to the map: the petrol station (where the player can refuel), the lakes (including an island that is initially inaccessible), the rollercoaster (which can be ridden on the C64 and Atari versions) and the building site (which changes shape as the game progresses). Among the extras collected are a new gearbox (allowing the player to switch to low gear for higher acceleration), water-skis or a snorkel (to allow the player to cross water) and a larger fuel tank.

• Illustration — ZX Spectrum screenshot Although the ZX Spectrum version shares the basic gameplay elements of navigating a motorbike around a scrolling city and collecting objects with the Atari and C64 versions, it is otherwise significantly different in both plot and execution. The aim of this version, according to the instructions is to "find [Colin's] friend Marti and take him to the spaceport". Items helping him do this can be found inside houses around the city. However "the alarm is set to go off at 8 o'clock and wake him up", and Colin will also "wake up" if he collides with other vehicles. While it may be implied that the game- including the otherwise incongruous "spaceport" reference- takes place within Colin's dream, the instructions do not explicitly state this. Further, actually picking up Martin in the game gives a message that he should be taken to the "airport", not the spaceport. In addition, Colin's bike has limited fuel, but "he can gain energy by eating Skips or by refueling at a garage."