Trailblazer (video game)

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Not to be confused with Trailblazers (video game).

Trailblazer
Commodore 64/128 cover art
DeveloperMr. Chip Software
PublishersGremlin Graphics
Mindscape
DesignerShaun Southern
ProgrammersCommodore 64
Shaun Southern
Ports
Shaun Hollingworth
Peter M. Harrap
Chris Kerry
Colin Dooley
PlatformsCommodore 64, C16 / Plus/4, Atari 8-bit, Amstrad CPC, Atari ST, MSX, ZX Spectrum, Gizmondo, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Portable, Vita
Release1986
GenreRacing
ModeSingle-player

Trailblazer is a 1986 racing video game developed by Mr. Chip Software and published by Gremlin Graphics for the ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64, Atari 8-bit computers, Amstrad CPC, Commodore 16 and Plus/4, followed by an Atari ST port a year later.

A sequel, Cosmic Causeway: Trailblazer II, was released in 1987. A remake for the Gizmondo was released in 2005[1] and followed by an adaptation for the PlayStation 3, PlayStation Portable and PlayStation Vita in 2011 as part of the PlayStation mini series.

Gameplay

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The ball gets thrown out of a hole between some green speedup squares; blue jump squares lie ahead.

Trailblazer is a racing game which players control a football along a series of suspended passages. The game can be played either in time trial or arcade mode and four track. The races usually last between 15 and 45 seconds. Special fields on the track let the ball jump (blue), slow down (red), speed up (green) or warp speed the ball (white), invert the controls (cyan/light blue), bounce it backwards (purple) or are holes (black).

Development

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Trailblazer was heavily inspired by the arcade video game Metrocross.[2]

Reception

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Zzap!64's reviewers thought the game was "an excellent variation on the race game theme". The overall rating given was 93%, qualifying the C64 version for the magazine's Sizzler award.[4] Steve Panak, reviewing the Atari 8-bit version for ANALOG Computing, concluded that "the game is the most original arcade action wristbuster to come down the pike in a long time, and one of the best two-player competition games I've seen".[6] Avery Score for GameSpot said that the game was one of the more unique and enjoyable of the launch games they seen.[7] It received a Your Sinclair Megagame award.[8]

References

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  1. ^ Grannell, Craig (May 2010). "The Making Of... Trailblazer and Cosmic Causeway". Retro Gamer. No. 76. Imagine Publishing. pp. 86–89.
  2. ^ Retro Gamer Team (27 August 2008). "Trailblazer". Retro Gamer. Retrieved 25 May 2023.
  3. ^ Lesser, Hartley; Lesser, Patricia; Lesser, Kirk (June 1990). "The Role of Computers". Dragon. No. 158. TSR. pp. 47–54. ISSN 0279-6848.
  4. ^ a b Eddy, Richard; Penn, Gary; Rignall, Julian (December 1986). "Zzap! Test: Trailblazer". Zzap!64. No. 20. Newsfield Publications. pp. 172–173. ISSN 0954-867X.
  5. ^ Smith, Rachael. "Trailblazer". Your Sinclair. Archived from the original on 26 October 2005.
  6. ^ Panak, Steve (April 1988). "Panak Strikes!". ANALOG Computing. No. 59. L.F.P. pp. 56–57. ISSN 0744-9917.
  7. ^ Score, Avery (17 May 2006). "Trailblazer Hands-On". GameSpot. Retrieved 25 May 2023.
  8. ^ Your Sinclair magazine, Reviews section, issue 12, page 55
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