2025 Alternative Software / WLS
Platforms: Game Boy Color / Game Boy
Many of you may remember the Triple Decker compilations that used to be released by Alternative Software on the likes of the ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64 and other platforms. A budget compilation that used to feature 3 cool games of yesteryear at a decent price.
In tribute to the compilation and Alternative Software’s 40th Anniversary, prolific Game Boy / Game Boy Color studio WLS (ran by the brilliant László Rajcsányi) approached with an idea to release a commemorative game collection featuring their own ZX Spectrum, Commodore 16/Plus 4/64/VIC-20 titles that were originally released between 1985 and 1987.
Initially, the likes of Saboteur and Huxley Pig were shortlisted, but after further discussions – both were dropped due to legal considerations. In the end, remaining titles settled on would be Everyone’s a Wally, Automania and Henry’s Hoard – with a bonus game – Ghostly Grange.
Development was fully completed on all of the titles, but after sample artwork and cover designs were produced, eventually the project would completely stall. Communications with Alternative Software would go quiet, and no further responses were made after several follow-ups.
As a result, all of the games were released by WLS individually on their website, though sadly the planned physical edition of the game would never be. This included even a digital copy of the Triple Decker ROM … until now!
Thanks to László, we have been provided with the Triple Decker ROM which has all three games accessible via a menu, with classic Alternative Software logo and even the bonus game – which we’ll leave for you to try and figure out how to activate. You can play a Game Boy original version of Ghostly Grange by booting in the classic Game Boy mode – which was done so that Game Boy original owners wouldn’t feel left out.
It is a lovely compilation and tribute to Alternative Software, and with classic titles to help celebrate. It is a huge shame that it was never to be released in a physical form. Hopefully some day that may change!
With a huge thank you to László Rajcsányi for sharing their story and also a build of the compilation to add to the archive to share with you all. Please be sure to check out more of László’s amazing work at https://wls.hu/
Download
Videos
- GTW Video
- WLS Video – Ghostly Grange
- WLS Video – Everyone’s a Wally
- WLS Video – Automania
- WLS Video – Henry’s Hoard
Gallery
