Trashman

Memory: 48K
Price: £5.95
Joystick: Kempston, Cursor, ZX Interface

It is a tough life working on the bins in the excellent Trashman from New Generation. The arcade game simulates a day in the life of a dustman as he collects the rubbish bins of suburbia and empties them into the dustcart. Unfortunately there is a time limit on each series of jobs, indicated by a decreasing bonus score. When it reaches zero, the residents complain about you and you get the sack.

The screen displays a realistic view of small-town side streets with pretty red-brick houses in 3-D perspective. When you reach the top of the screen the display moves to the next section of road.

The race against time would be difficult enough without all the extra hazards. If you walk on the grass you lose bonus points fast and there is traffic to avoid when you cross the road. The driver has a mind of his own and will not wait if you are slow, but drives on, forcing you to run after him. There are also vicious dogs which leap out to bite your ankles and slow you.

You can increase your bonus by chatting to friendly residents who may give you tips.

A game based on rubbish does not seem an auspicious idea for a best selling program, but Trashman has rapidly established itself as a classic since its launch early in 1984.

You are a dustman collecting suburban dustbins and emptying them in your cart. There is a time limit on each street, and hazards include motor vehicles pavement cyclists and vicious dogs.

Featuring tremendous graphics which won New Generation a French Award, the game was designed with the family in mind, having a domestic non-violent theme and little jokes for spectators to enjoy. For sheer originality Trashman is one of the best; there are few games as much fun to watch as they are to play.

Position 13/50

SOFTWARE SCENE

While some software houses are taking the Spectrum to its limits and beyond others doggedly continue to churn out ever more diabolical pieces of programmed junk. John Gilbert present a personal pick of the bunch, and Chris Bourne take an irreverent look at the dwindling ZX-81 software scene. Their talents are combinedd in listing the Top Ten Turkeys of 1984. Let the reader be warned.

SPECTRUM SOFTWARE

A cynic may argue that development within the software market in 1984 was non-existent. The same type of game appeared as those which took the lead in 1983, the most popular being of the arcade variety. The programs were written in the same style and to please the same type of customers.

That is only a superficial view, however, and if you look at the games market as a whole, dividing it up into sectors such as strategy, arcade and adventure, you will see that substantial and sophisticated changes have taken place. Despite what some pundits have said you will find that the world of computer games is still buzzing with life.

£5.95
New Generation

Trashman became well known for its 3D graphics and is a classic in its own right. The arcade game simulates a day in the life of a dustman as he colleCts the rubbish bins of suburbia and empties them into the dustcart. Unfortunately there is a time limit on each series of jobs, indicated by a decreasing bonus score. When it reaches zero, the residents complain about you and you get the sack.

The screen displays a realistic view of small-town side streets with pretty redbrick houses in 3D perspective. When you reach the top of the screen the display moves to the next section of road.

The race against time would be difficult enough without all the extra hazards. If you walk on the grass you lose bonus points fast and there is traffic to avoid when you cross the road. The driver has a mind of his own and will not wait if you are slow, but drives on, forcing you to run after him. There are also vicious dogs which leap out to bite your ankles and slow you down.