I transcribed the BASIC code of plander from the ZX Spectrum version to ZX81 using the EightyOne emulator. Then I adjusted the code to account for the limitations of the ZX81. I have to say, it made me see that I could have done the code a little better. I have been watching YouTube videos on writing BASIC code on retro computers and I've heard comments like the limitations of these machines make you a better coder. I think that's a fair assessment.
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| Starting Screen |
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| Game Screen |
This was the first project where I coded on the ZX81. It took me a bit to get used to the keyboard layout of commands, but when I did everything was fine. To be unable to use the colon to put more than one command on a line was a bit of a bummer. I made extensive use of GOSUB command and had more subroutines than in the ZX Spectrum version. I was also a little bummed out with INPUT as it would not have a print option in the command and I had to pair a PRINT command with it which forced me to make a subroutine just for aesthetics.
I hadn't played many games with the ZX81, just Monster Maze. So, when it was time to play plander, I forgot how slow the refresh rate of the screen was. But it was all good as the game was turn-based and the screen rate didn't affect gameplay at all. The anxiety of crashing was still there. And it worked as expected. I'm happy with how it came out.
I provided 2 image files that have the BASIC code in them. You can use them to type in the game if you wish to have the experience or even modify the game as you wish.
The game is available in the following link for free under the ZX81 folder.
