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| E.T.X. the Extra-Terrestrial Xargon E.T.X. Extra-Terrestrial Xargon | |
|---|---|
| Developer(s) | Abbex Electronics Ltd (UK) |
| Publisher(s) | Abbex |
| Programmer(s) | David M. Webb |
| Engine | Cassette tape |
| Platform(s) | ZX Spectrum 16K/48K |
| Release |
|
| Genre(s) | Action |
| Mode(s) | single-player (Kempston joystick) |
E.T.X. the Extra-Terrestrial Xargon is a ZX Spectrum port of Atari's game E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. The game is based around the eponymous Xargon (pronounced ZAR-gon) who must gather pieces of a telephone to create a "phonehome", while avoiding enemies.
Development edit
The game was developed, over the course of 3 months, by Abbex Electronics, a Bedford game developer that generally published clones of popular games like Asteroids (Asteroids) and Pac-Man (Spookyman).
Aspects of the game were changed for the UK. Instead of being pursued by the FBI, MI5 is involved. Reese's Pieces, which were not sold in the UK at the time, are replaced by fruit pieces.
Names were also changed. Elliot was renamed Ernie and ET is named as Xargon.
Speech (with a North London accent) is included and can be heard in several places in the game, usually when Xargon collides with obstacles.[1] There is also a difficulty setting screen, from 1, where Xargon only encounters Ernie; to 4, where Ernie, the Professor and MI5 can be encountered. Xargon can fall into wells (holes) in the ground and take damage, though he is able to leave them by wiggling his finger and transporting up, avoiding the damage.
Availability edit
The game originally retailed for ₤5.95 (equivalent to ₤25 in 2023), on a double-sided cassette tape. Although physical copies are scarce, ROM copies can be found online (TAP, TZX).
Reviews edit
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Crash | Neutral[2] |
| Home Computing Weekly |  [3] |
| Popular Computing Weekly | Favorable.[4] |
References edit
- ^ JO (Aug 1984). "ETX—phone home". Micro Adventurer (10): 24–25.
- ^ "Maze Games". Crash (1): 50. Feb 1984.
- ^ R.E. (21 June 1983). "Reaction games—across the spectrum". Home Computing Weekly (16): 15.
instructions 85% playability 90% graphics 100% value for money 100%
- ^ "It's ET!". Popular Computing Weekly. v.2 (22): 50. 2–8 June 1983.
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: date format (link)
External links edit
- E.T.X. the Extra-Terrestrial Xargon at Giant Bomb
- E.T.X. at SpectrumComputing.co.uk
- The ZX Spectrum version of E.T.X. - The Extra-Terrestrial Xargon can be played for free in the browser at the Internet Archive
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