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Books > 50 Outstanding Programs for the VIC 20


50 Outstanding Programs for the VIC 20 (GB)
Tim Hartnell
Interface Publications, 1982

Download all programs from this book on one disk:


50 Outstanding Progs.d64

56 programs (100% complete)

Program Author Requirements Files Info
Zombie Island

Pages 9-10.
? Unexpanded zombie island.prg
Screenshot
Your plane has crashed on a remote island populated by zombies. Your only chance is to lure the zombies into the round green swamps.

Controls:
A (up), Z (down), < (left), > (right).
Lodestar/3-D Maze

Pages 11-12.
? Unexpanded lodestar 3dmaze.prg
Screenshot
You must find the precious Lodestar in a maze.

Controls:
N,S,W,E (move), H (show map).
Roulette

Pages 13-17.
? Unexpanded roulette.t64
Screenshot
Two roulette games with lots of betting options. The American version has the double zero on the wheel.

Controls:
A (single number), B (two adjoining numbers), C (three numbers in adjoining columns), D (six numbers in adjoining columns), E (four numbers in a square), F (numbers 1-12, the first twelve), G (number 13-24, the second twelve), H (number 25-36, the third twelve), I (numbers 1-18, low), J (numbers 19-36, high) K (12 numbers in a horizontal row), L (two adjascent horizontal columns), M (any red number), N (any black number), O (any even number), P (any odd number), Q (end game).
Spacetrek

Pages 18-20.
? Unexpanded spacetrek.prg
Screenshot
You must roam the galaxy using your long- and short-range scanners to locate and destroy aliens. A short-range scan tells you if aliens are in any square immediately surrounding your current location, but not which direction they're in. A long-range scan tells you what is two squares away in a direction of your choice. Notes: Don't perform a short-range scan while either co-ordinate is 1 or 10; don't perform a long-range scan while either co-ordinate is 1, 2, 9 or 10; don't try to move off the galactic grid.

Controls:
1 (scan), 2 (move), 3 (fire).
Reaction

Page 21.
? Unexpanded reaction.prg
Screenshot
Test your reaction time by pressing Space as quickly as possible when the prompt appears. When you eventually fail it displays your rating.

Controls:
Space.
Quack

Pages 22-23.
? Unexpanded quack.prg
Screenshot
Duck Shoot game, shoot the ducks as they fly overhead.

Controls:
Z (left), M (right), Space (fire).
Billboard

Page 23.
? Unexpanded billboard.prg
Screenshot
Display messages in large letters, perhaps to use an instore billboard.

Controls:
None.
Magic Square

Page 24.
? Unexpanded magic square.prg
Screenshot
The computer displays a 3x3 magic square where all the columns and rows add up to the same number, but replacing some of the numbers with zero. You must work out the missing values to complete the square.

Controls:
Type each guess.
Simon

Page 25.
? Unexpanded simon.prg
Screenshot
Simon memory game. The computer plays a number sequence that you have to remember and repeat.

Controls:
1-4.
Monte Carlo Molecule

Pages 26-27.
? Unexpanded mc molecule.prg
Screenshot
Simulation of Brownian motion. You enter the starting co-ordinates and a molecule moves randomly until it reaches the bottom right corner.

Controls:
Type the X & Y start co-ordinates (1-10).
Biorhythms

Pages 27-28.
Alastair Gourlay & Tim Hartnell Unexpanded biorhythms.prg
Screenshot
Biorhythm calculator. Predict your physical, emotional and intellectual states.

Controls:
Type your date of birth & date of prediction.
Cannibal Charlie

Pages 28-29.
? Unexpanded cannibalcharlie.prg
Screenshot
You must decide how many cannibals and explorers are needed to create a society that will last as long as possible.

Controls:
Type the number of cannibals and explorers (1-99).
Othello

Pages 30-32.
Charlton/Hartnell Unexpanded othello.prg
Screenshot
Board game (aka Reversi), capture as many pieces as you can.

Controls:
Type the YX coordinates (2-digit number) for each move.
Dr Watson & Dr Audio

Pages 33-34.
? Unexpanded dr watson.t64
Screenshot
Two guessing games, where you have to guess a number between 1 and 100. Dr Watson gives feedback in words, while Dr Audio plays a tone to indicate how close you are.

Controls:
Type your guess.
Zodiac Fortune Teller

Pages 34-36.
A.G.T. Stevens Unexpanded fortune teller.prg
Screenshot
Displays a random horoscope prediction.

Controls:
Type your date of birth in the format MMDD.
Tranquility Base

Page 36.
? Unexpanded tranquilty base.prg
Screenshot
Lunar Lander game. Land your ship on the lunar surface before running out of fuel.

Controls:
1-9 (thrust).
Vincent Van Vic

Page 37.
? Unexpanded vincent van vic.prg
Screenshot
Simple art program, draw your own pictures.

Controls:
A (up), Z (down), < (left), > (right), 1-7 (select colour).
Craps

Pages 38-40.
? Unexpanded craps.t64
Screenshot
Two dice gambling games. Minimalist Craps rolls the dice but doesn't have any controls or allow you to place bets. SF Craps allows you to bet following casino-type rules.

Controls:
P (place bet on pass line), D (don't pass).
Speedway

Pages 41-43.
? Unexpanded speedway.t64
Screenshot
Car race, see how far you can drive on the track without crashing. There are separate versions with joystick and keyboard controls.

Controls:
Joystick or A (up), Z (down), < (left), > (right).
Treacle Balls

Pages 44-45.
? Unexpanded treacle balls.prg
Screenshot
Logic game. There are three balls of treacle hidden somewhere among seven chutes. You must roll balls down the chutes to work out where the treacle is; when a ball hits treacle it will either vanish or be deflected into another chute.

Controls:
Type 1-7 to roll a ball down that chute, or 8 to enter where you think the treacle is.
Engulf

Page 46.
? Unexpanded engulf.prg
Screenshot
Keep moving and try to avoid being boxed in by the blocks that randomly appear on the screen.

Controls:
A (up), Z (down), < (left), > (right).
Tight Squeeze

Page 47.
? Unexpanded tight squeeze.prg
Screenshot
The computer picks two random numbers from 1-13, and you must bet on the likelihood of a third number lying between those numbers.

Controls:
Type your bet.
Fruit Machine

Pages 48-50.
M. Kendall Unexpanded fruit machine.prg
Screenshot
Fruit machine game. Press any key to stop the reels spinning, then either hold or nudge each reel to try to get a winning combination. You begin with 5p, each spin costs 2p, and you must win 20p to break the bank.

Controls:
Any (stop reels), H (hold), N (nudge).
Reverse

Page 50.
? Unexpanded reverse.prg
Screenshot
Puzzle game, put the numbers in ascending order (0123456789) using as few 'reverses' as possible.

Controls:
Type the position from which to perform the next reverse.
Sepulchre Organ

Page 51.
? Unexpanded sepulchre organ.prg
Screenshot
Music program. Turns your computer into an organ.

Controls:
Z,X,C,V,B,N,M,< (play note), > (silence)
Traffic Jam

Pages 52-54.
? Unexpanded traffic jam.t64
Screenshot
Navigate your car through the traffic jam to reach the car park at the bottom-right corner of the screen. There are separate versions with joystick and keyboard controls.

Controls:
Joystick or A (up), Z (down), < (left), > (right).
Long John Silver

Page 55.
? Unexpanded longjohn silver.prg
Screenshot
Find where the treasure is hidden on a 10*10 grid.

Controls:
Type the location (1-100) for each guess.
Breakout

Pages 56-57.
? Unexpanded breakout.prg
Screenshot
Breakout game, use your bat & ball to destroy the coloured bricks.

Controls:
Z (left), M (right).
Night on a Wild Mountain

Page 57.
? Unexpanded night wild mntn.prg
Screenshot
Computer-generated music with graphics.

Controls:
None.
Space Fighter

Pages 58-59.
? Unexpanded space fighter.prg
Screenshot
Pilot your ship across the void and hit the numbers before they disappear.

Controls:
A (up), Z (down), < (left), > (right).
Noughts and Crosses

Pages 59-60.
Stuart Roberts Unexpanded noughts crosses.prg
Screenshot
Puzzle game, try to get three O's in a row.

Controls:
1-9 (position of next move).
Note:
Seems buggy if you don't press 5 for your first move.
Mastermind

Pages 61-62.
? Unexpanded mastermind.prg
Screenshot
A simplified version of Mastermind/Bulls and Cows. Try to guess a three-digit code, where 'black' is a correct digit in the correct place and 'white' is a correct digit in the wrong place.

Controls:
Type your guess for each round.
Colourmind

Pages 62-64.
? Unexpanded colourmind.prg
Screenshot
Colour version of the Mastermind logic game, where you have to guess the pattern of four coloured pegs. The first (black) number tells you how many pegs are the correct colour in the correct position, and the second (red) number is how many are the correct colour but in the wrong position.

Controls:
Type your guess as a 4-digit number.
Victim

Pages 64-65.
? Unexpanded victim.prg
Screenshot
Try to guess which of 6 'victims' will win the race.

Controls:
Type your guess (1-6).
Motorcycle Jump

Pages 65-67.
? Unexpanded motorcycle jump.prg
Screenshot
You are a motorcycle stunt rider. How many buses can you leap over without crashing?

Controls:
Type your speed for each jump.
Monza

Pages 67-69.
? Unexpanded monza.prg
Screenshot
Mathematical trick. You think of a number from 1-63 and the computer works out what it is.

Controls:
Follow on-screen prompts.
Mento

Page 70.
? Unexpanded mento.prg
Screenshot
Mathematical trick. The computer works out your age and how much change you've got.

Controls:
Follow on-screen prompts.
Time Guardian

Pages 71-72.
Adam Burbidge Unexpanded time guardian.prg
Screenshot
Locate and recover the six parts of the key of time, by entering the co-ordinates for where to go next.

Controls:
Type the quadrant (0-6), 1st sector (0-6), 2nd sector (0-6) and time (0-1) for each move. Press any key to escape if your ship comes under attack.
Superbowl

Pages 73-74.
? Unexpanded superbowl.prg
Screenshot
10-pin bowling simulation. The computer bowls, knocks down the pins and keeps score.

Controls:
None.
Gomoku

Pages 75-76.
Graham Charlton Unexpanded gomoku.prg
Screenshot
Board game, try to get five pieces in a line.

Controls:
Type your coordinates for each move using the format YX (two numbers), e.g. typing 64 will put your piece on the 6th row and 4th column.
Fairway

Pages 77-78.
? Unexpanded fairway.prg
Screenshot
Nine hole golf game.

Controls:
Type a number for the club value.
Robot Nim

Page 79.
? Unexpanded robot nim.prg
Screenshot
Nim game played against the computer. You must each decide how many pieces to remove (up to a maximum of three). The loser is the player who removes the final piece.

Controls:
Type how many pieces to remove (1-3).
Zauper Attack

Pages 80-83.
Christopher Hutber Unexpanded zauper attack.prg
Screenshot
Shoot the Klingons before they are eaten by the Zaupers. Score 30 points to win.

Controls:
Z (left), C (right), X (fire), * (press when all Klingons have gone).
Vic-et-un

Pages 83-84.
? Unexpanded vic-et-un.prg
Screenshot
Dice version of Blackjack, roll dice to get your total as close to 21 as possible.

Controls:
Z (roll again), M (stand).
Evolution

Pages 84-85.
Tim Hartnell Unexpanded evolution.prg
Screenshot
John Conway's Game of Life, simulating the birth, growth and death of cells on a 14x14 grid.

Controls:
None.
Superpoet

Page 86.
? Unexpanded superpoet.prg
Screenshot
Generates random poetry.

Controls:
None.
Symphony for a Melancholy Computer

Pages 87-88.
? Unexpanded symphony.prg
Screenshot
Computer-generated music with an underlying form.

Controls:
None.
Symphony for a Melancholy Computer with Zen Show

Page 88.
? Unexpanded symphony zen.prg
Screenshot
As above with visual display.

Controls:
None.
VIC Checkers

Pages 89-91.
? Unexpanded checkers.prg
Screenshot
Board game (aka draughts), remove your opponents pieces.

Controls:
Type the XY coordinates (a letter and a number) for the from & to position of each move.
Jelly Bean Space Swarm

Pages 92-93.
Adam Burbidge Unexpanded jellybean swarm.prg
Screenshot
Navigate your starship through the asteroid storm. Score 400 points to win.

Controls:
4 (left), 6 (right).
Hangman

Pages 94-95.
? Unexpanded hangman.prg
Screenshot
Hangman game for two players. The first player enters a word (first enter the number of characters, then type the word one letter at a time), then the second player tries to guess the word before running out of time.

Controls:
Type your guess for each letter.
Hangman 11

Pages 95-96.
? Unexpanded hangman 11.prg
Screenshot
Hangman game similar to the one above, except the computer chooses a word for you to guess.

Controls:
Type your guess for each letter.
Antihang

Pages 96-97.
Toni Baker Unexpanded antihang.prg
Screenshot
Hangman in reverse. The computer tries to guess the word that you have chosen.

Controls:
When the computer guesses a letter that appears in your word, type the position of that letter and press Return. If the letter appears more than once then type the next position and press Return. If there are no further occurances of the letter (or if the letter isn't in your word) then type 0 and press Return.
Flip

Pages 97-98.
? Unexpanded flip.prg
Screenshot
Puzzle game. Flip the circles to try to get an empty circle in the middle and filled circles in all the other squares.

Controls:
1-9 (next position to flip).
Battle

Pages 99-100.
Chris Callender Unexpanded battle.prg
Screenshot
Board game, similar to draughts. You move diagonally one space at a time but capture your opponent's pieces by landing on them rather than jumping over them. The winner is the first player to capture six pieces.

Controls:
Type the from & to co-ordinates for each move in the format Y,X (two digits separated by a comma).
Caveman

Pages 101-103.
? Unexpanded caveman.prg
Screenshot
Text adventure, hunt for treasure in the caves while avoiding quicksand, monsters and blocked caves. Magic caves teleport you to a random location. A map of the cave network is occasionally flashed on the screen.

Controls:
Commands: N, S, W, E (move), F (fire arrow into adjoining cave).

Notes

  1. Many of these programs were also published in Zap! Pow! Boom! Arcade Games for the VIC 20 (US) by Tim Hartnell & Mark Ramshaw.
  2. A slightly different version of Biorhythms (p. 27-28) was published in More Games For Your VIC20.
  3. Breakout (p. 56-57) was also published in Personal Computing Today (82-08).
  4. A modified version of Evolution (p. 84-85) appears to have been published as Life (Vic Computing, 82-04).

With thanks to DLH's Commodore Archive for making this book available in PDF format.

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This page was last updated 21-Dec-2022.