Classic Software Review
Maybe if those bods who designed the Spectrum had devoted a touch more memory to the screen display, then we wouldn't have needed innovators like Don Priestly to get around the attribute limitations. But I guess we're just lucky. In stripping down these graphics from the game screens, I just about understood the technique used to send huge colorful sprites lumbering and flying around the dark, damp castle. Just don't ask me to explain it...
The Trap Door was a kids tv show that has now passed through the hole in the wall marked 'CULT'. Roughly translated that means: kids didn't understand or like it and adults think it's neat. It was a riot of colour plasticine animation with a hint of saucy double meanings. And yes, it WAS great! In this arcade adventure it is the aim to feed the monster upstairs various meals which you have to sort out from the various items around you. Despite the full solution being printed in many a magazine, completing this game involves a lot of precision placing and timing (i.e. I haven't managed to finish it yet). The tasks are not that difficult but do become frustrating when you have to start the whole game again because you've cocked up with the eyeball squash.
Most of Don Priestly's games have featured these big colorful sprites including Popeye, the curious Benny Hill's Madcap Chase, and Trap Door's sequel, Through the Trap Door. Go back in time a little more and you unearth some great, if a little off-beat, titles like Minder (a cockney adventure!) and Dictator, which first appeared on the ZX81 and had you running a banana republic. Originality with winsome appeal certainly set him apart from most programmers. It might be worthwhile hunting down all the DK'Tronics and Piranha games for a few more DP obscurities.
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