2002 MiniGame Compo


 The 2002 1K game compo is closed
The 2002 MiniGame 8-bit coding competition is now closed. A grand total of 63 entries were submitted, and only one was rejected (for being 114 bytes over the limit). This leaves us with 62 games to download, play, and rate. The voting page will be made official as soon as all the games have been organized and put into a giant zip file.

All the submittited games are now online. The voting page is almost ready to go.

UPDATES
2002-10-07   The voting is closed, and the results are being calculated. Stay tuned.
2002-10-01   I'm back from Chicago, and I even managed to get almost a full night of sleep. Happy joy. Added a little counter for the number of verified voters.
2002-09-18   The vote pack is out, download it here: minigames2002.zip (167 kB).

I'm hopping on the 06.55 plane to Chicago. I'll be back in Sweden on Monday the 30th. Mail will only be checked sporadically, if at all.

2002-09-16   Added WallDefence, RAD, cybernoid-1k, Bob the Porcupine, Csabo's 1K Adventure, Csabo's 1K Memory, Csabo's 1K Racer, Csabo's 1K Tetris, and froggy, DUAL1024, STAR INVADERS, Splatform, VZ Rocket, Alchemy 1k, and Bombwormie.

Updated Shisen 1k, Invasion of the Color Clashed Graphics, and MultiPong 1K.

The competition is now closed, and voting will begin shortly.

2002-09-15   Added rescue.
2002-09-14   Added BulderJones, Alien Attack, and Invasion of the Color Clashed Graphics.
2002-09-13   Added Diamond Maze 64, snake1k, Hot Seat Harry, Peggy, Yar's Return. Updated spectris.
2002-09-08   Added a new Lynx game, MultiPong 1K.

Added Simon1k.

2002-09-06   Added Blastapede.
2002-09-05   Added PETRIS.

Added rally1k.

2002-09-04   Added Megamania64 1k Version.

Added Laserping.

2002-09-03   Added Formula1k, Block Invasion 1K, The Omegan Trial, and Kiloroid.

Reaction 1K was updated with a new version.

2002-08-16   Added PING the Pingo Pong Clone.

Paolo Ferraris updated Shisen 1K, the screenshot of 1Kanoid, and sent in a new game, spectris.

2002-08-13   Added wild-fire, Zapactris, and Maggot.
2002-08-12   Added an Atari Lynx game, ottelo.
2002-08-09   Clarified rule 5, about external hardware. Minor updates to the web page.

Added a C64 game by Mermaid, astrostorm.

2002-08-08   Added Reaction 1K by Anders Persson and None Shall Pass by Peter Karlsson.
2002-08-06   Anders Carlsson updated viq-bert with a bugfix.

Dominic Morries updated samegame.

2002-08-05   Dominic Morris submitted another game, samegame.

Russell Marks sent in his fifth game, dotathon.

Paolo Ferraris updated his 1Kanoid and added shooting. He also sent in another entry, Shisen 1K. Peter Karlsson submitted Connectris.

2002-07-30   Added a Game Boy Color game by Tomasz Slanina, galaxia.
2002-07-29   Anders Carlsson updated his othello and submitted another VIC-20 game, viq-bert.
2002-07-28   Added three new games: bobsled (C64) by TheFatman, pobble (Spectrum) by Dominic Morris, and elicoph (C64) by Stefano Tognon.
2002-07-22   Added a multiplatform entry by Larry Anderson, hang1k. It runs on most Commodore 8-bit computers, including PET/CBM, 64, 128, VIC-20, B128, P500, Plus/4, C16, and possibly Ultimax w/BASIC cart.

Added a Spectrum entry by Paolo Ferraris, 1Kanoid.

2002-07-19   Added a VIC-20 entry from Anders Carlsson, othello.
2002-07-18   Added yet another game from Russell Marks, easyfrog.
2002-07-17   Added Island, a CPC+ entry by Witek Burkiewicz.
2002-07-11   Added soliyawn, another Spectrum entry by Russell Marks. He also submitted a bugfixed version of ztrack 1k that now works properly on 16K machines.
2002-07-09   Added a ZX81 entry, tetris1k.
2002-07-08   Added a Spectrum entry, ztrack 1k.
2002-07-08   Added an FAQ section clarifying some of the rules.
2002-07-01   Stefano Tognon updated AP with a fixed version.
2002-06-30   Stefano Tognon submitted the first entry, AP. I could only run this with VICE in PAL mode.
Show old news

 Submitted entries (62)
AP ap.zip
AP Author: Stefano Tognon, ice00@libero.it
Platform: C64

You are in the far west some time ago... where only the fastest will survive. You have to duel with a fast killer... because you want to free your A.P. girl... from his hand... So, make an hard practice, otherwise you died... Walk in the desert at moon night and ... the practice begin...

ztrack 1k ztrack1k.zip
ztrack 1k Author: Russell Marks, rus@svgalib.org
Platform: 16/48K Spectrum

ztrack 1k is a crude "3D" driving game. The aim of the game is to keep going for as long as you can without crashing into the other cars.

tetris1k tetris1k.zip
tetris1k Author: Russell Marks, rus@svgalib.org
Platform: 1K/16K ZX81

tetris1k is Yet Another Tetris clone (see last year's entries to see what I mean ;-)). It's nothing special, but since I already had the thing written I thought I might as well enter it, if only to make sure the ZX81 was represented in the competition.

soliyawn soliyawn.zip
soliyawn Author: Russell Marks, rus@svgalib.org
Platform: 16K/48K/128K Spectrum

soliyawn is a version of the Solitaire (or Klondike) single-player card game. It uses the (easier) 1-card draw variant.

Island Island.zip
Island Author: Witek Burkiewicz, witek@wq.pl
Platform: CPC 6128/464+/6128+

Lead the helicopter and transport cargo over isles.

easyfrog easyfrog.zip
easyfrog Author: Russell Marks, rus@svgalib.org
Platform: 16K/48K/128K Spectrum

easyfrog is a minimalistic Frogger clone, which is much too easy (hence the name).

othello othello.zip
othello Author: Anders Carlsson, dal95acn@mds.mdh.se
Platform: VIC-20

Othello plays .. othello, although on a oversized 14x14 board. Use keyboard to position cursor.

hang1k hang1k.zip
hang1k Author: Larry Anderson, larry@portcommodore.com
Platform: Commodore 8-bit BASIC

100% Commodore BASIC game sporting some color and character graphic animation., Try to guess the 20 Commodore BBS related words without getting hanged.

1Kanoid 1Kanoid.zip
1Kanoid Author: Paolo Ferraris, pieffe8@libero.it
Platform: Spectrum

A reduced version of Arkanoid. Can you pass the 16 levels of increasing difficulty?

bobsled bobsled.zip
bobsled Author: TheFatman, fatman1@bigfoot.com
Platform: C64

Grab your sled and head out to the mountains! Try your skills at sledding down a 1000 yd 70 degree slope! Maybe at the end of the day it'll be you in the winner circle holding the trophy and kissing the girl.

pobble pobble.zip
pobble Author: Dominic Morris, dom@rst38.org.uk
Platform: 16K/48K/128K Spectrum

Get 3 in a line against the rising water and then onto the next level.

elicoph elicoph.zip
elicoph Author: Stefano Tognon, ice00@libero.it
Platform: C64

Fly away and destroy the enemy, or die!... The Independence Day is arrived!

galaxia galaxia.zip
galaxia Author: Tomasz Slanina, dox@space.pl
Platform: GameBoy Color

Aim - try to avoid the red obstacles and destroy the green ones.

samegame samegame.zip
samegame Author: Dominic Morris, dom@rst38.org.uk
Platform: 48K/128K Spectrum

Clear all the matching adjacent stones to get the highest score.

dotathon dotathon.zip
dotathon Author: Russell Marks, rus@svgalib.org
Platform: 48K/128K Spectrum

dotathon is a simple tunnel-following game, a bit like the first bonus stage in Tempest 2000.

Shisen 1k shisen1k.zip
Shisen 1k Author: Paolo Ferraris, pieffe8@libero.it
Platform: Spectrum

A game similar to Mahjongg. Remove pairs of tiles that can be connected by at most 3 non-diagonal lines.

Connectris 128 connectris.zip
Connectris 128 Author: Peter Karlsson, peter@softwolves.pp.se
Platform: C128

A game that combines Connect Four and Tetris.

Reaction 1K Reaction1K.zip
Reaction 1K Author: Anders Persson, boray@alfa.telenordia.se
Platform: VIC-20

Measures your reactivity. You can compete with yourself or with your friends to see who would fit to be a gunfighter or test pilot (or a 90-year-old for that matter. ;-) For any VIC20 (unexpanded, expanded, PAL or NTSC). It's 100% Basic and written on a real VIC20.

None Shall Pass noneshallpass.zip
None Shall Pass Author: Peter Karlsson, peter@softwolves.pp.se
Platform: Commodore 8-bit BASIC

A simple "educational" program in which you solve mathematical problems to be allowed to pass.

astrostorm astrostorm.zip
astrostorm Author: Vanja Utne, mermaid_ctr@yahoo.co.uk.
Platform: C64

You are on your way to hacker convention on Mars, when suddenly the auto navigation system crashes - cursed Windows 2098 - and your spaceship heads straight into an asteroid field! The autopilot is lost in bluescreen-land, and it is up to you to control the ship, avoiding the asteroids as they hurl towards you...

ottelo ottelo.zip
ottelo Author: Karri Kaksonen, karri@twins.dna.fi.
Platform: Atari Lynx

Capture the pegs of your opponent by trapping the opponents pegs between your pegs. The game plays with quite good intelligence. You can also see how the computer plans its moves and hear its thoughts. The game uses a 16 by 10 board.

Zapactris zapactris.zip
Zapactris Author: Anders Carlsson, dal95acn@mds.mdh.se
Platform: VIC-20
Zapactris may be the first released VIC-20 implemenation of Tetris. Use the joystick and eliminate those lines again.
Maggot maggot.zip
Maggot Author: Peter Karlsson, peter@softwolves.pp.se
Platform: C128 40 columns

Move the maggot around the playing field and eat all the targets.

spectris spectris.zip
spectris Author: Paolo Ferraris, pieffe8@libero.it
Platform: Spectrum

Yes, another Tetris clone, this time for the Spectrum, with music, sound effects, and levels of difficulty. Spectrum 128k is strongly suggested for AY music.

PING the Pingo Pong Clone ping.zip
PING the Pingo Pong Clone Author: Pingo/Civitas/Dixn Riah, pingo@dixnriah.org
Platform: C64

PING is a C64 BASIC Pong-clone.

Formula1k formula1k.zip
Formula1k Author: Andreas Gustafsson, sdw@lysator.liu.se
Platform: C64

Use joystick in port 2 to control your powerful Formula1k racer and try to keep it on the road. If the car touches the grass/trees it will be damaged, and once it takes to much damage it will explode and it's "Game Over"-time. The faster you drive, the more points you score, but the track will narrow as time goes on, so be careful on when to floor it and when not to!

Block Invasion 1K blockinv.zip
Block Invasion 1K Author: Richard Wilson, rich@bitwise-systems.com
Platform: Amstrad CPC

Space Invaders in 1K with square blocks for Invaders. Designed to run on any Amstrad CPC or emulator with a disk drive.

The Omegan Trial OmeganTrial.zip
The Omegan Trial Author: Anders Persson, boray@alfa.telenordia.se
Platform: VIC-20

The Omegan system is famous for its way of training its warriors using android controlled fighters (code named "Omega Race"). However - first the cadets have to go through the "Omegan Trial".

Kiloroid kiloroid.zip
Kiloroid Author: Richard Wilson, rich@bitwise-systems.com
Platform: Amstrad CPC

Kiloroid is a 1K version of Asteroids for the Amstracd CPC 464/664/6128/464+ or 6128+. Should run on any CPC emulator, but the preferred Windows emulator is WinAPE (http://winape.emuunlim.com).

Megamania64 1k Version megamania1k.zip
Megamania64 1k Version Author: Marco Wienkoop (Lubber of Padua), lubber@padua.org
Platform: C64

Try to kill as many enemies as possible while your energy stream lowers. Contains 6 different enemies and 2 different scrolling styles. The Disk also contains the 3k (!) Fullversion of this game with Sound, Animations and more stuff. The Fullversion was released at the Visionparty August 2002.

Laserping laserping.zip
Laserping Author: Pingo/Civitas/Dixn Riah, pingo@dixnriah.org
Platform: Laser 210

PING is a Laser 210 BASIC Pong-clone. Player one controls his pod with Q (up) and A (down), and player two with O (up) and L (down).

PETRIS petris.zip
PETRIS Author: Curtis F Kaylor, curtis@lostmind.com
Platform: Commodore BASIC

PETRIS is a Tetris clone written in Commodore 8-bit Basic, and thus should run on any and/or all Commodore 8-bit computers. Uses the keyboard: Cursor-Down, Cursor-Up and the Space Bar.

rally1k rally1k.zip
rally1k Author: Fernando M. Barletta, fernab@ciudad.com.ar
Platform: 2K/16K ZX-81

In this game you have to drive thru a medium complex track and complete a whole lap as fast as you can. The game is over when you crash or win. Enjoy it.

Blastapede blastapede.zip
Blastapede Author: Tom Walker, tommowalker@hotmail.com
Platform: C64

Originally intended as a Centipede clone, a lot got cut out to get it into 1k.

MultiPong 1K MultiPong1k.zip
MultiPong 1K Author: Björn Spruck, bjoern.spruck@physik.uni-giessen.remove_this_before_reply.de
Platform: Atari Lynx

Its a PONG Clone where you control four paddles at every side of the screen, so playing against youself. Not easy, because the letters in the middle of the screen will reflect the ball back. Goal: Try to hold the ball inside the screen as long as possible.

Simon1k simon1k.zip
Simon1k Author: Henrik Jansson, iopop@triad.nu
Platform: C64

Simon1k - a 1k version of the old simon game.

Diamond Maze 64 dmaze.zip
Diamond Maze 64 Author: Geir Straume, geir.straume@chello.no
Platform: C64

"Diamond Maze 64" is a 1K MiniGame for the C64. Navigate the maze and collect the diamonds while avoiding the two evil maze protectors. When all 3 diamonds have been collected, you may escape through the maze exit to reach the next level.

snake1k snake1k.zip
snake1k Author: Paolo Ferraris, pieffe8@libero.it
Platform: 48K Spectrum

A clone of Snake Race. Two snakes and a bouncing ball. Can you get all apples and escape from all eight stages?

Hot Seat Harry hotseat.zip
Hot Seat Harry Author: Memblers, memblers@parodius.remove_nospam_.com
Platform: NES

The year is 7250 AD, and the judicial systems of the world have crumbled. Civil and Criminal cases are now settled in an arena-style trial to the death. The Plaintiff and the Defendant are strapped into modified Electric Chairs and forced to use their legs to push the pedal, giving their opponent an electric shock. For one or two players.

Peggy peggy.zip
Peggy Author: Tomasz Slanina, dox@space.pl
Platform: Gameboy Color

The goal is to remove pegs from the board by jumping over each peg with another peg - this removes the "jumped" peg. Only horizontal and vertical jumps are allowed.

Yar's Return yar.zip
Yar's Return Author: Six of DLoC, six@darklordsofchaos.com
Platform: C64

Yar returns in a guided missle dodge-and shoot. Hover over the energy field and shoot at your enemy while dodging it's guided missile.

BulderJones bulderjones.zip
BulderJones Author: Stefano Tognon, ice00@libero.it
Platform: C64

The game is a mix of BulderDash and Lazy Jones, so play it as needed...

Alien Attack alienattack.zip
Alien Attack Author: Ben Yates, byatesiii@att.net
Platform: TI99/4a

Evil aliens are attacking and you must defend Earth!

Invasion of the Color Clashed Graphics invasion.zip
Invasion of the Color Clashed Graphics Author: White Flame, whiteflame52@yahoo.com
Platform: C64

All is peaceful in the land of the Commodore 64. The 4-color double-wide pixel graphics are merrily going about their business when suddenly, from some unknown evil dimension, a horde of vicious 1-bit badly color clashed graphics emerged!

rescue rescue.zip
rescue Author: Tomasz Slanina, dox@space.pl
Platform: GameBoy Color

Don't shot, don't kill, don't eat - rescue ;)

WallDefence WallDefence.zip
WallDefence Author: Ventzislav Tzvetkov, drHirudo@Amigascne.org
Platform: Oric

Defend your fortress from the invasion.

RAD rad.zip
RAD Author: Steve Judd, sjudd@ffd2.com
Platform: C64

LOST CONTACT WITH EXPEDITIONS TO PLANET TARSUS 3. PLANET BELIEVED TO BE UNINHABITED. ENEMY BELIEVED TO BE UNAWARE OF PLANET. PROCEED IMMEDIATELY TO TARSUS 3 AND INVESTIGATE. RESISTANCE, IF ANY, IS TO BE DEALT WITH APPROPRIATELY. COMMAND OUT.

Bob the Porcupine Betabob.zip
Bob the Porcupine Author: Niclas, navub@hotmail.com
Platform: C64

The old poor "Bob the porcupine" need worms to survive, can you help him in this 2-direction platform game?

Csabo's 1K Adventure csabos_1k_advntr.zip
Csabo's 1K Adventure Author: Csabo, plus4@idirect.ca
Platform: C= Plus/4

Your task in this full-blown classic text adventure is to escape from the castle where you have been locked! You wake up on the second floor behind locked doors... Looking out the window you think "How am I ever going to get out?" 14 working commands, several rooms and a few objects... Let the adventuring begin!

Csabo's 1K Memory csabos_1k_memory.zip
Csabo's 1K Memory Author: Csabo, plus4@idirect.ca
Platform: C= Plus/4

The computer plays a sequence of lights and sounds for you. You have to repeat each sequence as it was played. There are 4 distinct sounds and colors. The length of the sequence increases each time you successfully repeat it.

Csabo's 1K Racer csabos_1k_racer.zip
Csabo's 1K Racer Author: Csabo, plus4@idirect.ca
Platform: C= Plus/4

You control a car over a closed course. Your goal is to keep going as long as you can. Don't hit anything! After you reach the starting lines, you receive an extra car for each lap.

Csabo's 1K Tetris csabos_1k_tetris.zip
Csabo's 1K Tetris Author: Csabo, plus4@idirect.ca
Platform: C= Plus/4

This is an implementation of the classic Tetris game for the C16/Plus4. It has a unique feature that allows the player to adjust the width of the "pit".

froggy froggy.zip
froggy Author: rob, rob@robdavnet.freeserve.co.uk
Platform: NES

ultra easy frogger clone for the nes, just avoid the cars and get frog to other side of bank

VZ Rocket Rocket.zip
VZ Rocket Author: Dave, djmaunder@rockdale.com.au
Platform: Laser 210

Control your space ship (or snake) through the asteroid field to the other side.

DUAL 1024 dual1024.zip
DUAL 1024 Author: Darren Hatch, hatch@in.com.au
Platform: C64

DUAL 1024, FLY YOUR JET AND MAKE IT TO THE END WITHOUT CRASHING.

STAR INVADERS starinvaders.zip
STAR INVADERS Author: Glenn Rune Gallefoss, glennrunegallefoss@hotmail.com
Platform: C64

Green space ships are trying to take over the world! Only Jimmy Starpox can stop them!

Splatform splatform.zip
Splatform Author: Robin Harbron, macbeth@psw.ca
Platform: C64

Your the head in this game of bounce where jingles acompany you through many levels and phases of living - watch out for falling or you die! Your J and L better hold to the cause while you undermine the fall... ...or turn up the volume as you guide the bouncing head through 9 music-filled levels of smooth scrolling platform action.

Alchemy 1k alchemy1k.zip
Alchemy 1k Author: Adrian Gonzalez, adrianglz@globalpc.net
Platform: C64

Transmute lead into gold and become a Master Alchemist in this addictive puzzle game.

Bombwormie bombwormie.zip
Bombwormie Author: Peter Halin, brite-lite@c64.org
Platform: VIC-20

The task is to disable as many bombs as possible on the screen, by eating them. Only problem is that the bombs explode when eaten, and thus the force of the explosion make your wormie a unit longer. Press fire-button to start playing.

 Rules
The rules for submission are as follows:
  1. The competition is open to games on the Commodore 16/64/128, and VIC-20, ZX Spectrum, Amstrad CPC and Atari 8-bit computers. Other platforms are also welcome as long as its capabilities are similar to the other computers and there is an easy to use emulator available. Contact the organizers for details. Update: Atari 2600, NES, CPC+, and TI99/4A have all been approved..
  2. The maximum size of the executable, including any headers, loaders, basic stubs, and data files, is 1024 bytes. The game should start with RUN from the basic prompt.
  3. The closing date for entries was 16th of September, 12.00 GMT.
  4. Entries should be submitted to minigame@cling.gu.se in a common emulator file format. Update: please also submit a small description of the game that fits on this web page. If you don't want your email address displayed on the page, please let me know.
  5. Entries must not require any external hardware or software (but are welcome to use it if available). Some hardware, such as a joystick and a disk or tape drive, are considered standard peripherals and are excluded from this rule. Common sense applies -- it's almost impossible to play games on some platforms without them.
  6. The author is free to provide any documentation along with the program.
  7. There is no limit to the number of entries from each author. The MiniGame homepage will be regularly updated with new entries, and authors may ask for their entries to be updated or removed at any time up to the competition deadline.
  8. Entries may use all the capabilities of the computer. This includes access to all memory, sound chips, ROM routines, and use of compressors (providing that the decompressor is contained within the code).
These rules should be considered final, but if anything needs to be changed or clarified, it will be added above in red.

The rules for voting will be announced later, but new this year is that voting for all games on all platforms will not be mandatory.

FAQ

  • Q: Please clarify rule 2, about starting with RUN.

    The general idea is that the game should be started in the standard way for the platform, whatever that may be. On a Commodore machine, it's LOAD followed by RUN, on a Spectrum it's LOAD or RUN depending on the model, on a CP/M machine you'd just type the name of the executable on the commandline. So no loaders (they count toward the size), the user shouldn't have to type any special commands to start (like SYSxxxx on a C=), and so on. Autostarting executables are OK.

  • Q: My platform has a big header and is at a disadvantage.

    Most platforms have some dead weight in the executable. The competition will never be "fair". The computers are so different in their capabilities that it's impossible to create a perfectly level playfield. The computers have different strengths, and different weaknesses. Be creative, use nasty tricks, and make as good a game as you can in 1K.

  • Q: I'd like to make an Atari 2600 VCS game, but the minimum cartridge size is 2K.

    Use the first 1024 bytes of the cartridge, fill the rest with 0s, and don't use the 0s as data (or code, but I don't know what a lot of BRK would be good for).

  • Q: I'd like to write a game for a 16-bit platform, such as the TI99/4a, but it says the competition is for 8-bit computers.

    As long as the computer's capabilities are on par with the other, the "bitness" doesn't matter. You'll most likely just be at a disadvantage with a larger architecture, so it's up to you.

  • Q: Can I submit previously written stuff?

    Yes, as long as you've written everything yourself. You are for obvious reasons not allowed to use other people's material without their express permission.

 Relevant stuff
Some links that could be considered relevant:
2001 Minigame Competition
Results from last year's competition.
C= Hacking magazine
Issue 21 contains write-ups of some of last year's C64 entries.

 Those responsible
The main organizer of this competition is Per Olofsson, MagerValp@cling.gu.se.
Nich Campbell is helping out with the Amstrad CPC.

Thanks to Matthew Westcott, who I stole most of the ideas and rules from.