Achieved at : 2025-04-13
Rank : 1
(world record)
Lups : 100
Approved :
Yes
Voting completed : 2025-04-26
| 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 with default settings |
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TGP
Crazy Kong is a Donkey Kong inspired game for the ZX81 with 16K RAM expansion. It was released in 1983 by the author Christoph Zwerschke (who also authored a ZX81 emulator for the Atari ST). I don't know how these games were released to the public, they don't seem to have been sold via a software house.
This version of Donkey Kong for the ZX81 takes a novel approach to the limitations of the systems in-built graphics. Rather than try to cram everything into one screen with tiny characters, it instead goes with much larger graphics and uses a playfield that is several screens high. As you climb up the levels, the screen scrolls to reveal the higher parts. This design decision makes for a more impressive and enjoyable game than any of the single screen variations.
The animations that are achieved this way are quite impressive. Your player, who is seven character blocks high, can run, climb, jump and use the hammers that are scattered about. It is very clear at all times what your character is doing. As you climb the levels you will encounter various hazards, collectibles and hammers with which to bash barrels. There are also lifts, collapsing floors and gaps to navigate. I liked the warning signs that hang from the ceiling as well - they are just decoration, but they add a little more atmosphere to the screen layout. There is no sound, as this is a stock ZX81, with just a 16K RAM expansion.
Your character moves fairly well - key response was often a challenge on the ZX81 and the actual machine, with its touch keyboard, was a real nightmare for fast gaming. I did have a little difficulty at times at the top and bottom of ladders, and there are quite a lot of barrels to negotiate. This makes the game fairly challenging and I never managed to clear the first screen in the time I allowed myself to play the game. I did get progressively higher though, so with a bit more practice I might make it!
The ZX81 was never going to be an amazing games machine, but in the context of its time, this would have been a very well received and welcome addition to the platform in 1983. I enjoyed playing it and I was impressed with what the programmer had achieved - over 40 years before I first played it. Definitely one to look at if you are curious about trying some ZX81 games.
This game was played on the 13th April 2025 using the Pantheon emulator on PC. A one player game was selected and the score achieved was 4,850 points.
Time stamps:
00:30 The end of the previous game, title screen and instructions.
00:37 One player game chosen and game starts.
01:45 First life lost.
03:10 Second life lost.
04:21 Third life lost. Game Over! Final score 4,850 points.
This version of Donkey Kong for the ZX81 takes a novel approach to the limitations of the systems in-built graphics. Rather than try to cram everything into one screen with tiny characters, it instead goes with much larger graphics and uses a playfield that is several screens high. As you climb up the levels, the screen scrolls to reveal the higher parts. This design decision makes for a more impressive and enjoyable game than any of the single screen variations.
The animations that are achieved this way are quite impressive. Your player, who is seven character blocks high, can run, climb, jump and use the hammers that are scattered about. It is very clear at all times what your character is doing. As you climb the levels you will encounter various hazards, collectibles and hammers with which to bash barrels. There are also lifts, collapsing floors and gaps to navigate. I liked the warning signs that hang from the ceiling as well - they are just decoration, but they add a little more atmosphere to the screen layout. There is no sound, as this is a stock ZX81, with just a 16K RAM expansion.
Your character moves fairly well - key response was often a challenge on the ZX81 and the actual machine, with its touch keyboard, was a real nightmare for fast gaming. I did have a little difficulty at times at the top and bottom of ladders, and there are quite a lot of barrels to negotiate. This makes the game fairly challenging and I never managed to clear the first screen in the time I allowed myself to play the game. I did get progressively higher though, so with a bit more practice I might make it!
The ZX81 was never going to be an amazing games machine, but in the context of its time, this would have been a very well received and welcome addition to the platform in 1983. I enjoyed playing it and I was impressed with what the programmer had achieved - over 40 years before I first played it. Definitely one to look at if you are curious about trying some ZX81 games.
This game was played on the 13th April 2025 using the Pantheon emulator on PC. A one player game was selected and the score achieved was 4,850 points.
Time stamps:
00:30 The end of the previous game, title screen and instructions.
00:37 One player game chosen and game starts.
01:45 First life lost.
03:10 Second life lost.
04:21 Third life lost. Game Over! Final score 4,850 points.