Wizball (1001 CREW) Commodore 64 game

Wizball

Article

Introduction

Wizball is a horizontally scrolling shooter game developed by Jon Hare and Chris Yates, co-founders of Sensible Software, and published by Ocean Software in 1987. Originally released for the Commodore 64, it later made its way to platforms such as the ZX Spectrum, Amstrad CPC, Amiga, Atari ST, MS-DOS, and Thomson MO5. The game's comical sequel, Wizkid, was released in 1992 for the Amiga, Atari ST, and IBM PC compatibles.

Gameplay

Set in the once vibrant Wizworld, the game's storyline revolves around the evil Zark who has stolen all color, leaving the realm dull and gray. Players take control of Wiz and his cat Nifta in their quest to restore color to Wizworld.

Wizball is a scrolling shooter influenced by Gradius, incorporating a collection dynamic. It features eight levels where players must navigate landscapes, shooting at sprites and collecting droplets of colored paint to restore color to each level. Monochromatic levels initially consist of varying shades of gray and require red, blue, and green droplets to be collected for completion. The protagonist, a wizard in the form of a green ball, moves between levels via portals, initially accessing three levels but unlocking more by completing existing ones. Bouncing spheres of different colors, when shot, release droplets required for coloring levels. As the game progresses, these paint spheres start firing bullets, increasing the challenge.

The wizard can't collect paint droplets himself and has limited movement—bouncing vertically—controlled by the player's rotation input. Pearls obtained by defeating enemies grant tokens that enable enhancements, such as better movement control and firepower. Players can also summon Catellite, the companion, which alone can collect paint droplets. In two-player co-op mode, the second player controls Catellite.

Development and Ports

The Commodore 64 version featured music by Martin Galway, with input from Jon Hare and Chris Yates. The developers aimed to present new concepts in a familiar way, emphasizing the need for a release by a company that could generate hype.

In a 2006 interview, Jon Hare revealed that Wizball started as a shooter inspired by Nemesis, evolving around the ball and its control method, with the wizard storyline added later.

Various versions of the game were released for different platforms. Notably, enemy waves on the Commodore 64 spawn in groups, making it difficult yet strategic. Amiga and Atari ST versions spawn one wave at a time, altering the gameplay's balance.

Reception and Legacy

Wizball received acclaim for its originality, C64 hardware utilization for graphics, sound, and presentation, as well as its innovative but initially challenging control method. The game was celebrated as one of the best original Commodore 64 games ever made. Retro Gamer readers in 2011 ranked it second among the platform's best games:

"Quite possibly one of the most beautifully crafted C64 games that you'll ever have the privilege to play."

The game earned recognition and awards, including a Sizzler award from Zzap!64 with a 96% rating. The game's influence and originality were highlighted, but sales were hindered by marketing issues. A community vote ranked Wizball as the second best C64 game in 2002.

Legacy and Remake

A sequel, Wizkid: The Story of Wizball II, was developed by Sensible Software and published by Ocean Software in 1992. While the storyline continued from Wizball, the gameplay was distinct.

A fan remake based on the Commodore 64 version was released for Microsoft Windows and macOS in 2007.

Overall, Wizball left a mark with its unique gameplay mechanics, innovative concepts, and enduring influence.