Zoids, the 1980s clockwork robotic dinosaurs, feature in a 1986 strategic shoot ’em up called Zoids: The Battle Begins. This game is the focus of the new edition of FREEZE64.
Produced by Vinny Mainolfi, FREEZE64 is incredibly on its 77th edition — not bad for a magazine conceived just NINE years ago! I’ve been watching Vinny’s posts online over the years and not only is he clearly an absolute retro enthusiast, who really loves the C64, he’s some sort of human publishing machine, too!
After all, as well as FREEZE64, he’s launched FREEZE-ZX!
What is Zoids: The Battle Begins?
A quick refresh for the uninitiated: Zoids was a line of Japanese toys in the late 1980s, essentially clockwork robotic dinosaurs, birds, and wild animals. But they also had little cockpits for tiny figures to “drive” them.
Arguably the best thing about Zoids was the adverts… I seem to recall a short-lived comic strip series from Marvel UK, and possibly a cartoon, but while these toys were quite customizable (you could strip them down to the basic clockwork wind up), they made better ornaments.
FREEZE64 #77 includes Vinny’s first play of Zoids: The Battle Begins, as well as an in-depth interview with its developer, Paul Norris.
Other features in FREEZE64 #77
Also in FREEZE64 #77:
HIDDEN HARMONIES
Back for another helping of Commodore 64 musical delights is maestro Warren Pilkington, who shares up another helping of cool C64 Hidden Harmonies that may have passed you by. It includes a favourite from FREEZE64 issue 14.
JULIAN RIGNALL’S CCRAPBACK!
Our Julian dives into yet another swamp of slimy stinkers in CCRAPBACK, revisiting the low-rated games featured in ZZAP!64 issue 18 from October 1986. Among the dishonourable mentions are the disappointing Knight Rider and the lamentable Miami Vice. Ocean Software’s releases that month leave us scratching our heads – what were they thinking?!
SECRET SQUIRREL INVESTIGATES
Our nut-cracking rodent shares another batch of secret case files, which includes: Invasion Anarchy, Freaky Fish, and Crime and Punishment. How on *earth* does he find all those hidden gems!
IN PICTURES: PAUL NORRIS
We have a cool centre-fold of photos celebrating the early game development years of our guest for this issue, Paul Norris.
THE DEVELOPERS’ DEN: PAUL NORRIS
In this extended 12-page interview, we chat with the great man himself, Paul Norris, about developing Commodore 64 games for Creative Sparks, Palace Software, and Martech. We find out about the making of his lesser-known titles, Ice Palace, Stifflip & Co, and Wicked – definitely our favourites here at FREEZE Towers.
OUT OF THE ‘MOULDY CUPBOARD’
Sometimes we pick good’uns, and sometimes we pick real stinkers. This time around we pluck out a quirky, little game that may or may not be appropriate for FREEZE64 old’uns. But I’m still intrigued to give it a play and find out if BMX Number Jump is worth keeping out or shoving back in the infamous cupboard.
DIARY OF A GAME – OPERATION VOSTOKA
It’s time for part 6 of Chris Stanley’s incredibly stimulating Operation Vostoka game development diary, where the Megastyle team is making great progress. It’s going to be a CORKER of a game!
You can order your copy of FREEZE64 issue 77 at freeze64.com/freeze64-issue-77
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Christian Cawley is a writer and editor who covers consumer electronics, IT, and entertainment media. He has written for publications such as Computer Weekly, Linux Format, MakeUseOf.com, and Tech Radar.
He also produces podcasts, has a cigar box guitar, and of course, loves retro gaming.