Pssst 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 made 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. In the game Robbie the Robot has to protect his plant (a Thyrgodian Megga Chrisanthodil) as it is attacked by various insects (Interstellar Space Slugs, Scuttling Leeches and Menacing Midges), each of which needs a different repellent. The game was written by Chris Stamper and Tim Stamper. This game was one of the very few Spectrum games also available in ROM

Read-only memory

Read-only memory is a class of storage medium used in computers and other electronic devices. Data stored in ROM cannot be modified, or can be modified only slowly or with difficulty, so it is mainly used to distribute firmware .In its strictest sense, ROM refers only...

 format for use with the 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...

.

Introduction

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

"Robbie the robot, sits in his garden, fetching the old bag of compost to help his prize Thyrgodian Megga Chrisanthodil grow. When suddenly, the whole garden is invaded by the most devilish, destructive insects you could imagine. But, Robbie is prepared!

Equipped with three spray cans of the latest insect repelling drops, smoke and streamers, Robbie bravely fights to keep all of the deadly garden pests at bay.

All he has to do is figure out which spray kills each insect outright, as the wrong spray will only stun them momentarily. If Robbie leaves his plant unattended the insects will swarm all over it, eat the leaves and the plant will wilt, shrivel back and die.

Little vermin. Leave my plant alone, Oy! My plant's dying. No! No! Nasty bugs sucking the life from my Thyrgodian Megga Chrisanthodil, making her shrink, wilt and die. I'll soon put a stop to their little game, quick Spray-O-This'll sort 'em out. There! Take that and that, Ha! Ha!

Mustn't die, mustn't die. It's got to flower, it must do. It said on the packet. "takes between two and five minutes to grow", it can't be much longer, won't be long now.

Why! you little... Quickly get the Super Space Slug Spray and then the Leech Laser. Quick, quick. They breed so fast, can't hold them back for long. Hurry! Hurry!.. Arrggg..."

External links

• Pssst at Ultimate Wurlde
• Flash remake