1984
Jet Set Willy released for the ZX Spectrum
Jet Set Willy is released for the ZX Spectrum, following the enormous success of Matthew Smith's Manic Miner the previous year. Published by Software Projects, the game puts the player in control of Miner Willy as he attempts to tidy up his mansion after a party, collecting objects throughout a sprawling series of interconnected rooms.
Designed and programmed by Matthew Smith, Jet Set Willy expanded considerably on the ideas introduced in Manic Miner. Instead of a sequence of separate screens, Willy's mansion forms a large interconnected environment containing around 60 rooms, with the player able to move between them. The game became renowned for its challenging platforming, unusual hazards and distinctive characters and locations.
Jet Set Willy became one of the most successful ZX Spectrum games of the period. It spent several months at the top of the UK software charts and went on to become the UK's best-selling home video game of 1984. Its influence was considerable, helping establish Matthew Smith and Software Projects as major names in the early British computer-games industry.
Designed and programmed by Matthew Smith, Jet Set Willy expanded considerably on the ideas introduced in Manic Miner. Instead of a sequence of separate screens, Willy's mansion forms a large interconnected environment containing around 60 rooms, with the player able to move between them. The game became renowned for its challenging platforming, unusual hazards and distinctive characters and locations.
Jet Set Willy became one of the most successful ZX Spectrum games of the period. It spent several months at the top of the UK software charts and went on to become the UK's best-selling home video game of 1984. Its influence was considerable, helping establish Matthew Smith and Software Projects as major names in the early British computer-games industry.