THE SPECTRUM GAMES DATABASE

TRAILBLAZER

PUBLISHER
Gremlin Graphics

AUTHORS
Mr. Chip Software

YEAR
1986

DESCRIPTION
Arcade game in which you have to guide a ball along a track in
the fastest time possible, avoiding the holes.  Needs good
reflexes!

KEYS
Q - Left
W - Right
P - Increase speed
L - Decrease speed
Space - Jump
Break - Abort

INSTRUCTIONS  (Inlay text)

Determination, speed, and dexterity are the key assets needed to
complete TRAILBLAZER successfully.

Thundering into the unknown at breakneck speed, are you agile
enough to negotiate the perils?  Roll left and right to avoid the
cracks but be careful not to fall off the edge of the path as you
go.  Be sure to identify and avoid the squares which will either
speed you up or make you jump automatically.  Keep a careful eye
on the clock as the more time you have left at the end of each
level, the more bonus time you will be awarded.

                    *  *  *  *  *  *

The aim of the game is to guide the ball down each of 14 courses
as quickly as possible, whilst avoiding the holes and other
obstacles.  Each course has its own time limit.  Differently
shaded squares have different effects.

(Note: there's actually a diagram of the different types of
square in the instructions, but it's a bit difficult to draw in
ASCII, so I'll try and describe the squares as best I can.)

Normal - light pattern
Reverse controls - darker shaded squares in a chequered pattern
Increase speed - lines along the direction of travel
Decrease speed - lines across the direction of travel
Bounce - solid colour areas

There are two options which can be selected - these are:

a)  PLAY THE ARCADE - You are limited to four jumps per course
and have a time limit on each course.  Your aim is to complete
as many courses as possible and to accumulate the highest score.

b)  THREE COURSE TRIAL - (press 4 to select this option) this
gives you the opportunity to practice any three courses with a
99 second time limit on each one.

Scoring
Your score increases depending on the speed at which you are
travelling.

SCORES RECEIVED
5/5 in Sinclair User.

CHEATS

RE-RELEASES

URLS

NOTABLE FEATURES
Very fast, slick movement of the "road".  A good arcade game, but
it can get a bit repetitive after a while.

NOTES
This has been a much copied style of game, and there are
different versions on virtually every format, even on the
Spectrum.  One of note is Plexar.