Colin The Cleaner - Bug FIXED - ZX Spectrum
A downloadable game
NOTE! Turbo Edition 100% machine code rewrite of this game is now available here:
https://retrotechtive.itch.io/colin-the-cleaner-turbo-edition
The versions below are now for historical preservation only.
---
Now available: the original levels and graphics from Ralph On Alpha 2!
Colin the Cleaner is a game from 1987. More info on the original release here:
https://worldofspectrum.net/item/0001007/
The original game had a show-stopping bug in it that prevented completion if you happened to collect items in a certain way, i.e. if you moved up a block AND collected an item while moving.
The latest V7 release fixes:
- the main show-stopping bug mentioned above
- a bug on the Natural History level (the fish!) where you could "collect" a teleporter and break the level
- a bug whereby standing where the EXIT appears while collecting the final item would not activate it, and would erase it when you moved, breaking the level
- a bug where if you went down a ladder that led directly to an EXIT, that EXIT would be overwritten and the level broken
- a bug where if you wend down a ladder that led to a collectible, that collectible would be overwritten and the level broken
- a really obscure bug that would only ever happen the first time you loaded the game, where one wall on level 1 would be shown as an unusable ladder!
- Assembly language accelerated platform and ladders rendering
- It also adds the ablity to press a key to skip the death music (an odd rendition of Chariots of Fire ;))
Note, this is NOT my game - I simply fixed the most egregious bugs in it! I may fix more if people actually want me to... Either way, please enjoy!
Notes about Ralph version: This is running in the same bug-fixed version of the game I've updated for Colin. Note: BASIC stuff like the title screen, TIME counter/label, etc. is still mostly from Colin, but the levels and graphics are from the original Ralph On Alpha 2 game. Preserved at last!
(Info on the original Ralph 80s release here: https://worldofspectrum.net/item/0016728/)
Download
Install instructions
The file provided is in TAP form. I have tested loading it in FUSE and also on the Spectrum Next via the browser. It should in theory work on any other ZX Spectrum that lets you load TAP images (but let me know if not!)
Development log
- The Prodigal Ralph Returns...Apr 15, 2024
- A pox on ye, ladders! (i.e. another bug fixed!)Apr 10, 2024
- Squishing more bugs!!Apr 08, 2024
- Moah Speed! pt.2 - laddersApr 08, 2024
- Another bug fix and Credits correctionApr 07, 2024
- Moah Speed! (for Platforms)Apr 07, 2024
- .TAP file version of Colin The Cleaner uploadedApr 06, 2024
- Fixing a 1987 ZX Spectrum game I didn't writeApr 04, 2024
Comments
Log in with itch.io to leave a comment.
Good job!
Thanks! :)
Not all heroes wear capes. These fixes have transformed the game, it's a much better playing experience Thank you so much 🤩🤩🤩
Hehe, no problem! 😁
Hi, thanks for doing this. However, could you please supply the updated game as a .tap file (like the original)? Unfortunately, a snapshot is the least desirable distribution format in many ways. People can easily make their own snapshot from a .tap file if they want to, but they can't do the reverse at all easily. A .tap would be best for both widespread compatibility and archival purposes. Thanks.
I couldn't get the .tap to work on all formats, which is why I used the .sna - but I didn't give it too much of an attempt to correct, so I'll see if I can do that. I certainly think it would be better for transparency of the code, if nothing else.
Added the .tap version - seems to work on everything I've tried so far :)
Fantastic! Thanks very much indeed – and yes, it seems fine.