Summary
Zoids: The Battle Begins is a 1986 video game designed by Chris Fayers, developed by the Electric Pencil Company, and published by Martech. and released in Europe for the ZX Spectrum, Amstrad CPC, MSX and Commodore 64 computers. Based on the Zoids toy series, the player controls a human who was fused with one of the robots and has to reclaim parts of a larger mech.
| Zoids: The Battle Begins | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Developer(s) | Electronic Pencil Company |
| Publisher(s) | Martech |
| Producer(s) | David Martin |
| Designer(s) | Chris Fayers |
| Platform(s) | Amstrad CPC, Commodore 64, ZX Spectrum, MSX |
| Release | 1986 |
| Genre(s) | Shoot 'em up |
| Mode(s) | Single-player |
Upon release, Zoids received positive reception from video game critics.
Gameplay edit
Players control a human who has fused with a machine known as a Spiderzoid; this human has been tasked with reclaiming the six parts of a large machine named Zoidzilla. These parts have been captured by the enemy Red Zoids, each part reclaimed will boost the power of the player's Spiderzoid.[1]
Development edit
Zoids: The Battle Begins was published by Martech and developed by the Electric Pencil Company, having previously made The Fourth Protocol in 1985.[2] The game was produced by David Martin, with Chris Fayers being the game designer.[3]
Reception edit
| Publication | Score |
|---|---|
| Amtix | 93%[4] |
| Crash | 96%[5] |
| Computer and Video Games | 31/40[6] |
| Sinclair User |   [1] |
| Your Sinclair | 9/10%[7] |
| Zzap!64 | 96%[8] |
| Computer Gamer | 17/20[9] |
Zoids: The Battle Begins received generally positive reception from video game critics. Reviewers for Amtix praised the game, with one writer considered it to be one of the best on the Amstrad.[4] A writer for Crash gave positive marks for its graphics and gameplay and called it one of the best titles on the ZX Spectrum.[5]
Reviews edit
- Jeux & Stratégie #40[10]
References edit
- ^ a b Edgeley, Claire (March 1986). "Zoids". Sinclair User. No. 48. pp. 36–37.
- ^ "Geoff Capes Meets The Zoids". Computer Gamer. No. 7. October 1985. p. 7.
- ^ Spencer, Jeremy (November 1985). "The Zoids Are Coming, The Zoids Are Coming!". Crash. No. 22. pp. 45–46.
- ^ a b "Zoids". Amtix. No. 8. June 1986. pp. 24–26.
- ^ a b "Zoids". Crash. No. 25. February 1986. pp. 16–18.
- ^ "Software Reviews". Computer and Video Games. No. 53. March 1986. p. 22.
- ^ Hjul, Alison (March 1986). "Battle of the Zoids". Your Sinclair. No. 3. pp. 36–37.
- ^ "Zzap! Test". Zzap!64. No. 12. April 1986. pp. 20–21.
- ^ Hetherington, Tony (March 1986). "Zoids". Computer Gamer. No. 12. pp. 20–22.
- ^ "Jeux & stratégie 40". August 1986.
External links edit
- Zoids: The Battle Begins can be played for free in the browser at the Internet Archive
- Zoids: The Battle Begins at MobyGames
- Zoids: The Battle Begins at SpectrumComputing.co.uk