Achieved at : 2026-04-12
Rank : 1
(world record)
Lups : t.b.d.
Approved :
No
Vote progress : 80%
| General Rules: |
Play with default settings unless otherwise specified. No use of trainers, cheats, saved game files, auto-fire (when not default present in-game), emulator save states, or other emulator advantages. No use of code modifications that give the player an advantage over other players. 1 player only. No continues. It is discouraged and may lead to voters not accepting your score to - excessively point farm - use glitches or other game exploits |
| Specific Rules: | Play the game in 1 player mode, selecting Level 0 at the beginning. |
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TGP
StratoBomber is an arcade game for the BBC Micro. It was released by IJK in 1982, making it a very early BBC game. The BBC Micro version was written by Barrie Cridland (who also did Leapfrog on the Beeb and Probe 3 on the Oric) - and the graphics are very much in his style. A version was ported to the Electron a few years later, but that version is credited to Tony Latham (who also did IJK's Super Hangman on the BBC).
As a 1982 game it is relatively simple. You control an atmospheric defence vehicle protecting the planet below. Alien forces have sent a large ship (which looks like Star Trek's Enterprise) to destroy the planet. This has now taken up position and is charging up its lasers from its nuclear reactor - once ready they will destroy the planet below. You can shoot down to chip away at the spaceship, eventually exposing the reactor and destroying it - then it is on to the next level which is harder and faster.
Your task is made more difficult by a number of factors. The first is that it takes a few seconds to rearm your weapon. Passing underneath you are a number of other craft. These are harmless but block your shots on the enemy vessel. Of more concern are the satellites above you. These descend from above and if they reach your craft or the blue atmosphere, you lose a life. You can deflect them back into space using the '?' key but they quickly descend again.
The game is colourful, if a little simple. The gameplay itself can be engaging for a little while, as old retro games go. Trying to shoot the enemy starship below you while simultaneously deflecting the satellites above you back into space will keep you occupied - it's a bit like trying to rub your stomach with one arm while patting your head with the other. Being able to select your skill levels from 0 to 14 enables you to keep the challenge going if you want. This original version runs a lot smoother and plays more quickly than the Electron version - this is almost certainly due to the Electron running slower due to its half speed memory access compared to the Beeb. This BBC version is the one to play if you only want to try one of the two variants. It's much more of a game than the Electron and you will enjoy this version more - even though it is the same game!
The controls are responsive enough and it is colourful and suitably noisy. Overall this game is a good example of what you could expect for your money on a BBC Micro in 1982.
This run was made on the 12th April 2026 using the Pantheon emulator on PC. The level selected was 0 (the easiest and default level) and the score reached was 4,223 points.
Time stamps:
00:30 First screen, instructions and starting level selection - 0 chosen, the easiest level.
00:59 Game start.
01:34 Level 0 complete.
02:01 Level 1 complete.
02:39 Level 2 complete.
03:14 First life lost.
03:19 Level 3 complete.
03:49 Level 4 complete.
04:15 Level 5 complete.
04:34 Second life lost.
04:51 Level 6 complete.
05:11 Third life lost.
05:44 Level 7 complete.
06:47 Level 8 complete.
07:03 Fourth life lost.
07:07 Fifth life lost. Game Over. Final score 4,223 points.
As a 1982 game it is relatively simple. You control an atmospheric defence vehicle protecting the planet below. Alien forces have sent a large ship (which looks like Star Trek's Enterprise) to destroy the planet. This has now taken up position and is charging up its lasers from its nuclear reactor - once ready they will destroy the planet below. You can shoot down to chip away at the spaceship, eventually exposing the reactor and destroying it - then it is on to the next level which is harder and faster.
Your task is made more difficult by a number of factors. The first is that it takes a few seconds to rearm your weapon. Passing underneath you are a number of other craft. These are harmless but block your shots on the enemy vessel. Of more concern are the satellites above you. These descend from above and if they reach your craft or the blue atmosphere, you lose a life. You can deflect them back into space using the '?' key but they quickly descend again.
The game is colourful, if a little simple. The gameplay itself can be engaging for a little while, as old retro games go. Trying to shoot the enemy starship below you while simultaneously deflecting the satellites above you back into space will keep you occupied - it's a bit like trying to rub your stomach with one arm while patting your head with the other. Being able to select your skill levels from 0 to 14 enables you to keep the challenge going if you want. This original version runs a lot smoother and plays more quickly than the Electron version - this is almost certainly due to the Electron running slower due to its half speed memory access compared to the Beeb. This BBC version is the one to play if you only want to try one of the two variants. It's much more of a game than the Electron and you will enjoy this version more - even though it is the same game!
The controls are responsive enough and it is colourful and suitably noisy. Overall this game is a good example of what you could expect for your money on a BBC Micro in 1982.
This run was made on the 12th April 2026 using the Pantheon emulator on PC. The level selected was 0 (the easiest and default level) and the score reached was 4,223 points.
Time stamps:
00:30 First screen, instructions and starting level selection - 0 chosen, the easiest level.
00:59 Game start.
01:34 Level 0 complete.
02:01 Level 1 complete.
02:39 Level 2 complete.
03:14 First life lost.
03:19 Level 3 complete.
03:49 Level 4 complete.
04:15 Level 5 complete.
04:34 Second life lost.
04:51 Level 6 complete.
05:11 Third life lost.
05:44 Level 7 complete.
06:47 Level 8 complete.
07:03 Fourth life lost.
07:07 Fifth life lost. Game Over. Final score 4,223 points.