Four Play - Fast Food Dizzy - 8-bit Computer Comparison

In this episode of Four Play we compare the home versions of the classic Codemasters Dizzy spin-off Fast Food. But which version is the best - Sinclair ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64, Amstrad CPC or Commodore Plus/4? You decide!

#commodore64 #zxspectrum #amstradcpc

[thelairdslair]

My thoughts: I have enormous nostalgia for the ZX Spectrum version of Fast Food having played it to death as a kid, so this was a really enjoyable video for me to make personally. That said I can't give the win to the Spectrum version this time, because the Amstrad CPC version is almost exactly the same just more colourful, so that ranks in first place. The I will go ZX Spectrum followed by the slightly simplified Commodore 64 port. I am not sure why they made small changes to the C64 port, but they are detrimental to the game making it less challenging and less interesting. The muddy graphics are also a bit of a downer, with sprites often blending into the background. In last place is the homebrew Commodore Plus/4 version, which has been changed quite significantly and is far too hard and really annoying for it. I did love the music in this version however. So my final ranking Amstrad CPC > ZX Spectrum > C64 > Plus/4

[robsmall]

Classic game on Amstrad along with Kwik Snax and Sgt Seymour Robot Cop ( also from Codemasters )

[IsaacKuo]

C64 first, with smoothest motion and a pleasant palette.

ZX Spectrum second, with pretty smooth motion albeit with some flicker. And of course, the usual color clash and performance issues. Colors are garish, but at least you could dial down the saturation on a TV (not an option for the CPC monitor).

CPC third, with chunky motion and garish colors. It's like looking through a red or orange filter. However, it is the only version where the pixel art of the food makes it clear what each food item is.

Plus/4 last, since it doesn't even have an 11x11 maze and the food doesn't move. Dizzy doesn't even face different directions when walking. The enemies are all the same color. It's not even remotely the same game.

[talideon]

I've got to say that the choice of music for the +4 homebrew version is hilarious! It feels so wrong to have music written for a shoot 'em up attached to Fast Food of all things!

[kenwheeler]

I concur with the rankings as well. The CPC, although a bit slow, looks and sounds great. The ZX port has better speed but the sound and appearance is slightly lower, then the C64 being even more below that. The Plus4 one looks horribly frustrating to the point of being damn near unplayable.

[GCSoundArtifacts]

The homebrew in Commodore Plus/4 really did wonders with the sound of the system. However, for this particular game, I think the Amstrad CPC made its particular Heaven in graphics and sounds, in spite of its eventual slowdowns. It feels like home in its aesthetics. But C64 and ZX Spectrum ones aren't letdowns at all. To me, it goes like this: CPC > ZX Spectrum > C64 > C16/+4