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