A new Commodore 64 prototype entered into the archives today, and a different branded version of ImageWork’s Bomb Uzal, a brilliant puzzler from Tony Crowther and David Bishop. This was when the game was known as Bomb Race, and was due originally for release under the Mirrorsoft label, before it was rebranded to ImageWorks.
This recovery was made thanks to Nigel Critten, who is helping with some other preservation work for the game (more of which we will hopefully reveal soon as a nice surprise). Nigel tells us that the game had several names during development, including Bomboozal, Bomb Race and then eventually Bombuzal.
One major difference is with the loading screen, which has no background and a Mirrorsoft logo. The main title screen has the different title, but the rest of the game seems to be the same. There might be some very minor graphical differences in places. We’re not 100% sure if any of the levels might be different.
If you spot anything majorly different, maybe a hidden level editor tucked away or anything else – please let us know and we’ll update the page. Otherwise, this is an interesting curiosity and variation of game just before the publishing company changed its branding. Hopefully Tony will reveal a bit more about it in the future.
Contributions: Nigel Critten, Andrew Fisher
ooh! very impressive surprise !!!
In terms of the credits, the design is by David Bishop and Tony Crowther, Tony did the C64 programming. Remind me to tell you about Bombuzal 2 at some point…
Thanks Andrew, updated – and will do! :)
Seem to be a nice little title. Thanks for sharing. It reminds me of the game Jumping Jackson on the Amiga. Have to try it.