A few weeks ago, we at Retro Game Network were pleased to announce that a company called Revival Studios had released two new homebrews for the Timex Sinclair 1000 (aka ZX81) on physical media. This month, they are at it again, with a set of two brand new games, which made their first public appearance yesterday during “Retro Computer Fair” in Apeldoorn, Netherlands. One title for the Odyssey 2 was released yesterday at the convention, while another title for the Timex Sinclair 1000 is being released today.

The first title in the bunch is a game program called “Cavity”. In this program, your goal is to navigate through an underground cave (or, cavity), all while collecting various random power-ups for points and other abilities. As the game progresses, you will find an increase in both speed as well as difficulty. When the game starts to get a little too intense for your tastes, simply collect the yellow power-up, and you will temporarily stop gaining momentum. Get the special item by picking up the blinking power-up, at precisely the right moment, and you’ll get not only a massive boost to your score, but an instantaneous slow down!

The new game is playable on both the Magnavox Odyssey 2 as well as the Philips Videopac console, utilizes digitized speech if you have “The Voice” connected, multicolored backgrounds and caves, internet based high score uploading, and an online rewards system. Also, if you have a Videopac+ console, you are also treated to a beautiful high-resolution title screen, which when you consider the hardware that the game will be running on, is truly breathtaking.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aAVZnIU7gS8]

“Cavity” is available on cartridge format in the amount of €39 (approximately $50.01 US) for the cartridge, manual and index card. For a total of €44 (approximately $56.42 US), you can also add an original plastic case which will complement your boxed Odyssey 2 collection beautifully. However, you will have to act fast, for only 100 physical copies of the cartridge will be created. There is no word on if the cartridge will be available for sale as a ROM image after supplies have run out.

The second title released this week is a game called “Down!” On this title, your village is under attack. Fleeing into the depths of the caves in the area, there is only one possible way to go, and that’s down! You can play using either the keyboard or by using a joystick, and will most certainly want to pick up the special items along the way, so that you can gain extra bonus points!

As I just stated, the game supports using a joystick for game play by the means of using the ZXpand Joystick Interface. (Which, for those of us that have ever tried to play a fast paced action game on the ZX81, knows that the joystick is the way to go.) The game is fully compatible with both the ZX81 as well as the US counterpart, the Timex Sinclair 1000. It also supports AY-Sound Boards, and features the same type of internet high scoring and online rewards as the other released game. Like most current releases for the computer, the program will also require the 16K RAM expander cartridge in order to function.

“Down!” is available on three different formats. To get the complete experience, you can purchase a copy of the program on audio cassette, which was the standard format for the computer system. A cassette copy of the title costs €7.99 (approximately $10.24 US), and for that cost, you will get the cassette tape, as well as a standard cassette box with custom artwork. In addition, a digital download for making your own cassette is available for €3.99 (approximately $5.11 US). If you purchase a cassette copy, you get a digital copy at no extra cost. In addition, a free version of the game is planned to be made available for download shortly, but will not include any of the online features. Unlike the Odyssey 2 program, this one does not seem to have a limited number of quantities.

Looks like our friends at Revival have done it again!

Revival Studios: http://www.revival-studios.com/