Conversion CAPERS

How the various home versions of Flying Shark shaped up

ZX SPECTRUM 1987

Probably the worst-looking version, thanks to its yellow and black playfield

(that doesn’t even switch to cyan on the sea stages). It also ends prematurely with no final, fifth stage. Of course, playability is king and thankfully this version plays really well. Good job, Graftgold.

Commodore 64 (europe) 1987

The first C64 version looks good and sounds great (SID tunes play throughout).

Unlike competing versions it also scrolls horizontally as well as vertically, just like the coin-op. Sadly, it’s too damned difficult and dodging enemy shots is often impossible, spoiling a good game.

ATARI ST 1988

This 16-bit version may not resemble the coin-op too closely

(the sprites are too chunky and some of the colour choices are… curious) but it plays like a good ol’ blaster in its own right. A decent in-game soundtrack completes what is a winning release for the ST.

PC 1989

The PC release looks similar to the ST and Amiga versions (in

VGA mode of course), but plays quite a bit worse. Scrolling is smooth but rather slow, and the whole thing doesn’t really feel like Flying Shark. You could be forgiven for thinking that it’s a random shareware shooter.

SHARP X68000 1991

The home of many classic coin-op conversions does not disappoint with its version of Flying

Shark. Devotees of the original will notice a few details missing, and the screen is slightly too stretched, but overall this is a first-rate conversion from Kaneko that’s a joy to play.

AMSTRAD CPC 1987

This quick port of the Spectrum version (handled by Graftgold’s Steve Turner) retains the winning gameplay while adding some extra colour. This makes it easier on the eye, and also easier to see enemies and their shots. The only downside is that it plays quite slowly.

Commodore 64 (US) 1988

The alternative US version is superior – but not by much. It uses the full width of the screen, and the sprites are more detailed, but it too is spoilt by being much too difficult.

Unlike the European version, it does feature the final boss – if by some miracle you get that far.

Amiga 1989

To no one’s surprise this is a lock-stock conversion of the ST version. There are no obvious Amiga embellishments, though some might say it does sound slightly better.

The only noticeable addition is that Amiga owners can choose between ‘easy’ and

‘hard’ mode.

NES 1989

NES owners could have no real complaints with this version. It’s really fast and the sprites hardly flicker, even when the screen is packed. Topping it off is Tim Follin’s amazing in-game music which really showcases the master at work. A very accomplished conversion.

Fm TOWNS 1993

Arriving six years after the coin-op, this was late but so worth the wait. The X68000 version was close but this really is arcade perfect. In fact it’s better, as it features a rearranged

CD audio soundtrack

(the game shipped on disc) as well as host of gametweaking options.