Jetpackman for the Sharp MZ-80A (Entry to the PUR-80 category).


Description
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Jetpackman is a game written for Sharp BASIC SA-5510, which is the version of BASIC that is shipped with the Sharp MZ-80A computer. The Sharp MZ-line was big in Japan in the late seventies/early eighties, and also achieved some success in Europe. The MZ-80A is an improved version of the MZ-80K, and a predecessor to the more well known MZ-700. 

The system has 48 kb of main memory, runs on a Zilog-Z80 and comes with a monochrome green/black monitor and cassette deck built into the "chassis". Probably the cutest 8-bit computer around.

It's a neat platform, but there are some limitations. For instance, the display is character only, and there is no way to redefine the characters. However, some of the characters are intended for games, such as the little man and UFO used in my game. There is also 2KB of screen RAM, which is pretty neat. ZX81-style "pseudographics" is also supported. 

BASIC SA-5510 is fairly limited compared to many other dialects (no abbreviations or boolean AND/OR for instance), but it has some fun little things like a MUSIC command and a SET-command to control individual pseudographic "pixels" (which I did not use). 


Instructions
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You play as a stick figure, and your goal is to pick up as many cows as you can, while avoiding the UFOs in the playfield. The game will continuously generate more cows and UFOs, and the latter will never disappear, making progress harder.

You control the man using the number keys on the numeric keyboard. 8 is up, 6 is right, 2 is down and 4 is left. Initially the man is shown as an I on screen, only to sprout arms and legs once you start moving.

The play area consists of two screens, and the camera will automatically scroll up and down. It is a good idea, though not strictly neccessary, to stay in the visible area.

Every time you hear a plinging noise, the speed of the camera scrolling increases. This will happen a few times, until the max speed is reached. From then on you just have to see how long you can keep at it!

Once you hit a UFO, the game is over. You will be shown your score, and may start another game. The score depends on how many cows you've picked up. I've scored more than 15000 points. ;)

Compatibility notes: While I have not tested the game on other models of Sharp, eg. the MZ-700, I do not think it is compatible as it uses the 2KB of screen RAM on the MZ-80A to work.


Start Via Emulator
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01. Download the Common Source Code Project from :
    http://takeda-toshiya.my.coocan.jp/common/index.html
      (look for the "Binary Archive" link beneath the list of emulated systems)

02. Unzip the downloaded ZIP file which will give you a folder called "Binary"

03. Inside this folder there is a 2nd folder called "Binary", underneath this
    you will find mz80a.exe in yet another folder called "Binary" Please make
    sure to copy all ROM files which I have placed into the Jetpackman.zip
    file into the same folder where you find mz80a.exe

04. Double click mz80a.exe which will begin the emulator. Go to the Device
     menu and click Sound. Turn off all the sounds otherwise you will hear all
     the tape loading noises.

05. If the screen is very small, use the "Host" menu to change the screen size
    to something you prefer.

06. At the "Monitor SA-1510" screen type the command L and press Return / Enter

07. Choose the CMT menu and click Play

08. Browse to the MZF file containing BASIC (BASIC.SA-5510.MZF) and double click

09. BASIC should now be present in memory. Go to the CMT menu and click Eject

10. Within BASIC type LOAD and press Return / Enter

11. Again go to the CMT menu, click Play and browse to Jetpackman.mzf and
     double-click it

12. Once the game has loaded just type RUN and press Return / Enter to play
     the game or you can type LIST to list the program.

Loading instructions written by Ben Coffer/Sharpworks.