Cookie is a ZX Spectrum

ZX Spectrum

The ZX Spectrum is an 8-bit personal home computer released in the United Kingdom in 1982 by Sinclair Research Ltd...

 video game written by Chris and Tim Stamper and published by Ultimate Play The Game

Ultimate Play the Game

Ultimate Play The Game was a critically acclaimed video game developer of the early home computer era. "Ultimate Play The Game" was the trading name of Ashby Computers & Graphics Ltd. , a software company founded in 1982 by two ex-arcade game developers Tim and Chris Stamper...

 in 1983

1983 in video gaming

-Events:* A major shakeout of the video game industry begins. By 1986, total video games sales will decrease from US$3.2 billion to US$0.1 billion.* MCA Universal files suit against Nintendo, claiming that the latter company's video arcade hit Donkey Kong violated Universal's copyright on King Kong...

. It was one of four 16K games by Ultimate that were available on ROM format for use with the ZX Interface 2

ZX Interface 2

The ZX Interface 2 was a peripheral from Sinclair Research for its ZX Spectrum home computer released in September 1983. It had two joystick ports and a ROM cartridge slot, which offered instant loading times. The joystick ports were not compatible with the popular Kempston interface, and thus...

. A version was also created for the BBC Micro

BBC Micro

The BBC Microcomputer System, or BBC Micro, was a series of microcomputers and associated peripherals designed and built by Acorn Computers for the BBC Computer Literacy Project, operated by the British Broadcasting Corporation...

 but was not commercially released.

Introduction

Typically for an Ultimate release, players are given a tantalising and humorous introduction :

"Charlie the Chef keeps all the ingredients locked away in the pantry, only letting them out when he wants to cook them!

Now this makes them jolly upset, let me tell you.

So! As soon as they can, the ingredients dash out of the pantry dragging all the sorts of nasties, found in the bottom of drawers and cupboards, with them, to escape, and run wild.

Poor old Charlie!

He has to daze the ingredients with his flour bombs and knock them into the mixing bowl, because if they go into the dustbins they will be eaten by the bin monster, who doesn't care one little bit where he throws any rubbish.

Should any rubbish or nasties get into the cake mix then the "ingredients needed" counter will change, and Charlie will have to work quicker and faster, if he's going to bake his cake ..."

Gameplay

In the game Charlie the Chef has to bake a cake, but the ingredients (Mixed Peel, Chunky Chocolate, Crafty Cheese, Sneaky Sugar and Colonel Custard) are reluctant.

Reception

Cookie received some positive reviews, with CRASH magazine

CRASH (magazine)

Crash was a magazine dedicated to the ZX Spectrum home computer. It was published from 1984 to 1991 by Newsfield Publications Ltd until their liquidation, and then until 1992 by Europress.-Development:...

 concluding its review "addictive and highly recommended". Sinclair User

Sinclair User

Sinclair User, often abbreviated SU, was a magazine dedicated to the Sinclair Research range of home computers, most specifically the ZX Spectrum...

was less positive about the game, commenting "The game concept is novel but it is easy to lose interest after you have played through a few levels of those evil ingredients.".

Images

External links

• Cookie at Ultimate Wurlde