Lunar Jetman (1983)

by Christopher
written by Christopher 6 minutes read

Summary

Lunar Jetman: A Retro Shooter Classic

Released in 1983 for the ZX Spectrum, Lunar Jetman is a side-scrolling shooter game developed and published by Ultimate Play the Game. It is the second installment in the Jetman series, following Jetpac (1983), and was one of the first games to support the Currah Microspeech peripheral.

Lunar Jetman is set in a futuristic world where the player controls Jetman, a spaceman who must defend Earth from an alien invasion. The game is played across a series of levels, each with its own unique challenges. Jetman must use his jetpack to fly around the levels, shooting aliens and avoiding obstacles. He can also collect power-ups to help him in his mission, such as extra lives, shields, and weapons.

Lunar Jetman was a critical and commercial success, and is considered to be one of the best ZX Spectrum games of all time. It was praised for its addictive gameplay, colorful graphics, and innovative use of sound. The game was later ported to the BBC Micro and included in Rare’s 2015 Xbox One retrospective compilation, Rare Replay.

Gameplay

Lunar Jetman is a side-scrolling shooter game in which the player controls Jetman, a spaceman who must defend Earth from an alien invasion. The game is played across a series of levels, each with its own unique challenges. Jetman must use his jetpack to fly around the levels, shooting aliens and avoiding obstacles. He can also collect power-ups to help him in his mission, such as extra lives, shields, and weapons.

The game’s controls are simple and easy to learn. Jetman can be moved left and right using the arrow keys, and he can fly up and down using the up and down arrow keys. He can shoot aliens by pressing the fire button. Jetman can also collect power-ups by flying over them. Power-ups include extra lives, shields, and weapons.

Lunar Jetman is a challenging game, but it is also very rewarding. The game’s levels are well-designed and offer a variety of challenges. The aliens are varied and challenging, and the power-ups are helpful and well-placed. The game’s graphics are colorful and detailed, and the sound effects are excellent.

Development

Lunar Jetman was developed by Chris Stamper and Tim Stamper, the founders of Ultimate Play the Game. The game was written by Chris Stamper, and the graphics were designed by Tim Stamper. The game was developed using the Ultimate Play the Game engine, which was also used to develop Jetpac and other Ultimate Play the Game titles.

Lunar Jetman was one of the first games to support the Currah Microspeech peripheral. The Currah Microspeech was a speech synthesizer that allowed the ZX Spectrum to produce digitized speech. Lunar Jetman uses the Currah Microspeech to provide voice samples for the game’s aliens.

Lunar Jetman was released in 1983 for the ZX Spectrum. The game was later ported to the BBC Micro in 1984. The BBC Micro version of the game is very similar to the ZX Spectrum version, but it features some minor graphical improvements.

Reception

Lunar Jetman was a critical and commercial success. The game was praised for its addictive gameplay, colorful graphics, and innovative use of sound. The game was also a commercial success, selling over 100,000 copies worldwide.

Lunar Jetman has been included in several lists of the best ZX Spectrum games of all time. In 2004, the game was ranked number 10 in Retro Gamer magazine’s list of the top 100 ZX Spectrum games. In 2009, the game was ranked number 14 in IGN’s list of the top 100 ZX Spectrum games.

Lunar Jetman is still enjoyed by retro gaming fans today. The game is available to play on a variety of platforms, including the ZX Spectrum, BBC Micro, and PC.

Legacy

Lunar Jetman is a classic ZX Spectrum game that helped to define the genre. The game’s addictive gameplay, colorful graphics, and innovative use of sound made it a critical and commercial success. Lunar Jetman has been included in several lists of the best ZX Spectrum games of all time, and it is still enjoyed by retro gaming fans today.

The game’s success led to the development of two sequels, Solar Jetman (1990) and Super Jetman (1993). Solar Jetman was released for the NES, and Super Jetman was released for the SNES. Both games were critical and commercial successes, and they helped to cement the Jetman series as one of the most popular shooter series on the ZX Spectrum.

Review Score

9/10

Art

Cover Art

Screenshots

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Christopher has carved a niche for himself as an authority on retro pre-2000 computer games. With a passion that borders on reverence, Christopher delves deep into the pixelated past of gaming, unearthing gems and sharing insights that resonate with both nostalgic players and curious newcomers. His articles serve as a time machine, transporting readers back to an era where gameplay and creativity often trumped graphical fidelity. Cristopher's expertise isn't just in cataloging these classics; he analyzes their design, the context of their creation, and their impact on the gaming landscape, offering a comprehensive look at the evolution of digital entertainment. Beyond mere retrospectives, Christopher champions the relevance of these retro games in today's high-definition world. He skillfully draws parallels between the foundational mechanics of yesteryear's titles and the modern gaming innovations they inspired. His work goes beyond mere preservation; it's an ongoing dialogue between the past and present of gaming. Christopher's content educates, entertains, and ignites discussions within the gaming community. His dedication not only keeps the legacy of pre-2000 games alive but also highlights their importance in shaping the future of video gaming.

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