The Last V8

Last updated
The Last V8
The Last V8.jpg
Developer(s) David Darling
Publisher(s) Mastertronic
Composer(s) Rob Hubbard
Platform(s) Commodore 64 / 128, Atari 8-bit, Amstrad CPC
Release1985
Genre(s) Racing

The Last V8 is a racing game published by Mastertronic on their M.A.D. label. It was released in 1985 for the Commodore 64, Commodore 128, Atari 8-bit family, and Amstrad CPC. [1] The player controls a futuristic car in an uninhabited post-apocalyptic scenario. The title echoes a plot point from the Mad Max series of movies [2] The design was done by Richard Darling and the programming by David Darling. The graphics are by Jim Wilson and music by Rob Hubbard. [3]

Contents

Plot

It is 2008 and the world has been devastated a few years earlier by a great nuclear war that left few survivors. The protagonist has survived for years in an underground military research bunker, where he has been working on the design of a special car, "the ultimate V8" to which the title refers. Based on an old car from the 1980s, it has a radiation shield, is computerised and remotely linked to the base, and can reach speeds of up to 410km/h. The V8 has now been authorised to explore the surface in search of survivors to contact, but on his maiden run he has to quickly return to the safety of the bunker, because there are still nuclear warheads that explode periodically.

The Commodore 128 version changes the scenario a bit: the starting base is a colony on Mars, spared by the war, and the V8 is sent to Earth with the same mission of contacting survivors.

Gameplay

Gameplay screenshot (Amstrad CPC) The last v8.png
Gameplay screenshot (Amstrad CPC)

The aim of the game is to guide the V8 to the bunker, avoiding crashing into obstacles or running out of fuel or the radiation shield, which starts to wear out after a certain amount of time when an explosive device goes off. The action always begins with an unclear digitised voice saying "V8, return to base immediately".

The screen is divided horizontally into two parts and in the top half the actual action takes place, with a top-down view and scrolling in all directions. The bottom half shows the dashboard with numerous indicators, including a small computer screen that indicates the distance to the base and warns of the rise of radiation.

If the player hits any of the obstacles, the V8 is destroyed, and they have to start the level all over again.

Commodore 128 version

The Last V8 is one of the few commercial games to run in native mode on the Commodore 128. The 128 version has more levels (three instead of only two levels). The first level, the one missing in the 64 version, has more complex mission objectives. [4]

Reception

The Last V8 received a mixed response. While the graphics and music were praised, the controls were difficult and the game was considered unplayable by some reviewers. [5] Despite this, the game still reached number 5 in the video game charts. [6]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Commodore 64</span> 8-bit home computer introduced in 1982

The Commodore 64, also known as the C64, is an 8-bit home computer introduced in January 1982 by Commodore International. It has been listed in the Guinness World Records as the highest-selling single computer model of all time, with independent estimates placing the number sold between 12.5 and 17 million units. Volume production started in early 1982, marketing in August for US$595. Preceded by the VIC-20 and Commodore PET, the C64 took its name from its 64 kilobytes(65,536 bytes) of RAM. With support for multicolor sprites and a custom chip for waveform generation, the C64 could create superior visuals and audio compared to systems without such custom hardware.

<i>Silent Service</i> (video game) 1985 video game

Silent Service is a submarine simulator video game designed by Sid Meier and published by MicroProse for various 8-bit home computers in 1985 and for 16-bit systems like the Amiga in 1987. A Nintendo Entertainment System version developed by Rare was published in 1989 by Konami in Europe and by Konami's Ultra Games subsidiary in North America. Silent Service II was released in 1990. Tommo purchased the rights to this game and published it online through its Retroism brand in 2015.

<i>Star Wars</i> (1983 video game) 1983 video game

Star Wars is a first-person rail shooter designed by Mike Hally and released as an arcade video game in 1983 by Atari, Inc. It uses 3D color vector graphics to simulate the assault on the Death Star from the 1977 film Star Wars. There are three connected gameplay sequences: combat against TIE fighters in space, flying across the surface of the Death Star, and the final trench run. The sequence repeats with added complications and the Death Star regenerating for each. The player's X-Wing fighter has a shield which only protects against damage a certain number of times, then the next hit ends the game. Speech synthesis emulates actors from the film.

<i>Exile</i> (1988 video game) Single-player action-adventure video game first published in 1988

Exile is a single-player action-adventure video game originally published for the BBC Micro and Acorn Electron in 1988 by Superior Software and later ported to the Commodore 64, Amiga, CD32 and Atari ST, all published by Audiogenic. The game was designed and programmed by Peter Irvin and Jeremy Smith. It is often cited as one of the earliest examples of a Metroidvania game and featured "realistic gravity, inertia and object mass years before players understood the concept of a physics engine... an astounding level of AI, stealth-based gameplay, a logical ecosystem governing the world's creatures and a teleportation mechanic that feels startlingly like a predecessor to Portal".

<i>Lords of Chaos</i> (video game) 1990 video game

Lords of Chaos is a turn-based tactics tactical role-playing game published by Blade Software in 1990. It is the sequel to Chaos and an ancestor of the popular X-COM series of games, also written by Julian Gollop. In Lords of Chaos each player controls a wizard who can cast various magic spells. The spells have various effects, for example summoning other creatures, or damaging opposing creatures and wizards. The game can be played against a computer-controlled opponent or by up to four human players.

<i>Last Ninja</i> Series of video games

Last Ninja is a series of video games published by System 3. The first game in the series titled The Last Ninja, was released in 1987 for the Commodore 64 and was one of the most successful games for the system. In 1988, System 3 released Last Ninja 2, and in 1991 the third game in the series, Last Ninja 3. In 1990, Last Ninja Remix was released for 8-bit systems. This was Last Ninja 2 with new music, a new introductory sequence, slightly changed graphics and fixed bugs. Confusingly, the 16-bit versions of the original The Last Ninja game were also released in 1990 as Ninja Remix.

<i>Raid over Moscow</i> 1984 video game

Raid Over Moscow is a computer game by Access Software published in Europe by U.S. Gold for the Commodore 64 in 1984 and other microcomputers in 1985-1986.

<i>Koronis Rift</i> 1985 video game

Koronis Rift is a 1985 computer game from Lucasfilm Games. It was produced and designed by Noah Falstein. Originally developed for the Atari 8-bit family and the Commodore 64, Koronis Rift was ported to the Amstrad CPC, Apple II, MSX2, Tandy Color Computer 3, and ZX Spectrum.

<i>Stellar 7</i> 1983 video game

Stellar 7 is a first-person shooter tank simulation video game based on the arcade game Battlezone in which the player assumes the role of a futuristic tank pilot. The game was originally created by Damon Slye for the Apple II and Commodore 64 in 1983. It was followed by three sequels: Arcticfox (1986), Nova 9: The Return of Gir Draxon (1991), and Stellar 7: Draxon's Revenge (1993). It was remade in the early 1990s for the 16-bit computers.

<i>Gladiator</i> (video game) 1986 video game

Gladiator, known in Japan as Ougon no Shiro, is an arcade video game developed by Allumer and published in 1986 by Taito. It was followed by a sequel titled Blandia. Home ports of Gladiator were released for the ZX Spectrum, Amstrad CPC and Commodore 64 as Great Gurianos; the Spectrum version was intentionally made unwinnable.

<i>Cybernoid</i> 1988 video game

Cybernoid: The Fighting Machine is a shoot 'em up developed and published in 1988 by Hewson Consultants for the ZX Spectrum. It was ported to the Amstrad CPC, Atari ST, Commodore 64, Amiga, and Nintendo Entertainment System. It was programmed by Raffaele Cecco. The ZX Spectrum, Amstrad, and Atari ST versions have a main theme by Dave Rogers, while the Commodore C64 version has a different theme by Jeroen Tel.

<i>Alien 3</i> (video game) 1992 video game

Alien 3 is a run and gun game based on the 1992 film of the same name. It was released for the Genesis and Amiga in 1992, then for the Commodore 64, Game Boy, Game Gear, Nintendo Entertainment System, Super Nintendo Entertainment System, and Master System.

<i>Hard Drivin</i> 1989 arcade game

Hard Drivin' is a driving simulation video game developed by Atari Games in 1989. It invites players to test drive a sports car on courses that emphasize stunts and speed. The game features one of the first 3D polygon driving environments via a simulator cabinet with a force feedback steering wheel and a custom rendering architecture.

<i>Warhawk</i> (1986 video game) 1986 video game

Warhawk is a vertically scrolling shooter published in 1986 by Firebird software. It was released for the Commodore 64, Atari 8-bit family, Amstrad CPC, and Atari ST.

<i>Beach Head II: The Dictator Strikes Back</i> 1985 video game

Beach Head II: The Dictator Strikes Back is a 1985 video game for the Commodore 64, a sequel to Beach Head, developed and published by Access Software. It was designed by Bruce Carver and his brother, Roger, and was released for the Amstrad CPC, Apple II, Atari 8-bit family, Commodore 64, and ZX Spectrum.

<i>Spitfire Ace</i> 1982 video game

Spitfire Ace is a combat flight simulator video game created and published by MicroProse shortly after it was founded. It was one of the first video games designed and programmed by Sid Meier, originally developed for Atari 8-bit family (1982) and ported to the Commodore 64 and IBM PC compatibles in 1984. The game followed on the heel's of Meier's Hellcat Ace, also from 1982 and for the Atari 8-bit computers.

<i>Panther</i> (1986 video game) 1986 video game

Panther is a Commodore 64 game designed and implemented by Peter Adams and published by Mastertronic in 1986. An Atari 8-bit family version followed in 1987, then a ZX Spectrum port in 1989. The player pilots a strange-looking aircraft, fighting off hordes of invading flying saucers and rescuing people by landing the craft and waiting for them to board. The game uses a diagonally scrolling isometric view, much like Zaxxon and Blue Max, using shadows to show the height of flying objects. Adams previously worked ports of both of those games.

<i>Pink Panther</i> (video game) 1988 video game

Pink Panther is a 1988 video game based on the character of the same name. It was developed by German company Magic Bytes and published by Gremlin Graphics. It was released in Europe for Amiga, Amstrad CPC, Atari ST, Commodore 64, and ZX Spectrum. Pink Panther was criticized for its control and difficulty, although the Amiga and Atari ST versions received praise for their graphics.

<i>Pastfinder</i> 1984 video game

Pastfinder is a vertically scrolling shooter designed by David Lubar and published by Activision in 1984 for the Atari 8-bit, Commodore 64 and MSX home computers.

<i>Stealth</i> (1984 video game) 1984 video game

Stealth is a pseudo-3D rail shooter designed by Tracy Lagrone and Richard Sansom. The game was published in 1984 by Broderbund for the Atari 8-bit and Commodore 64 home computers.

References

  1. MobyGames
  2. "Mad Max References".
  3. Gamebase
  4. Moby Games
  5. "The Last V8". ZZap. No. 64. 1985. p. 21. Retrieved 11 May 2022.
  6. "Charts". Popular Computing Weekly. No. 18. Sunshine Publications. 1 May 1986. p. 46. Retrieved 11 May 2022.