Developer(s) The Bitmap Brothers Composer(s) David Whittaker Publisher Image Works | Artist(s) Mark Coleman Release 1988 Genres Sports game, Action game | |
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Platform(s) Atari ST, Amiga, Blackberry, Commodore 64, PC, NES, Sega Master System Mode(s) Single player, Multiplayer Games Speedball 2 Tournament, Speedball 2100, Speedball 2: Brutal Deluxe, Speedball, Speedball 2: Evolution | ||
Speedball is a 1988 video game based on a violent futuristic cyberpunk sport that draws on elements of handball and ice hockey, and rewards violent play as well as goals.
Contents
Speedball was released in November 1988 for the Amiga and Atari ST and later ported to the PC (DOS), Commodore 64 and the Sega Master System. SOFEL released a port for the NES in 1991, as KlashBall. It was re-released in 2004 as one of the 30 games on the C64 Direct-to-TV.
Gameplay
The game is played by two teams on an enclosed court with a goal at each end, similar to that of ice hockey or five-a-side football. The court contains elements that affect gameplay, such as score multipliers and power ups. Points are scored by successfully getting the ball into the goal, and also by injuring opposition players. The team that has amassed the most points at the end of the game is the winner.
A player has control of only one outfield player on a team at any one time. The game may be played by one or two players; two player games are played competitively.
Reception
Speedball received scores of 862 (DOS) and 834 (Atari ST) out of 1000 from ACE, 79% from Mean Machines and 57% from Power Play. The game won the 1989 Golden Joystick Game Of The Year award. Computer Gaming World gave the game a positive review, praising its graphics and long-lasting gameplay. It was also voted Best 16-bit Game of the Year at the Golden Joystick Awards.
Sequels
Speedball was succeeded by Speedball 2: Brutal Deluxe. Speedball 2 had a greater and more lasting popularity than Speedball, and has been remade and republished a number of times.