I came across this game "Auto Zone" the other day, I had never heard of it before. But "Wow" I was really impressed, especially with the graphics. This game looks better than many of the Commodore 64 games I used to play. Wish I had owned or even played this game when I was younger.
Auto Zone was a small 16k game released by Players on the Commodore 16 in 1987. It was written by Keith "Howlin MAD" Harvey and produced by Richard Paul Jones. Both of whom were also behind one of my favourite games when I was a younger lad, "Auriga".
Auto Zone is an action platform game that is great fun to play, even if it is very hard. Well I found it hard. I played it for an hour this morning. I couldn't get passed Zone 3 and there are 16 Zones in total. I will probably give it another go when I have plenty of free time, just to see how far I can get.
So, the story of the game is that " You are trapped on a supposedly dead moon and your only means of escape is to drive your small highly versatile surface buggy across the many sectors of the "Auto Zone" ".
The game scrolls left which at first I found a little strange as most games scroll to the right. Anyway, you drive your buggy called the "XL-PROCON" through the different zones jumping over gaps and onto different platforms. There are obviously, obstacles to avoid and you must avoid colliding into platforms, walls, and falling. Your vehicle has 2 speeds and each speed gives you a different jump. Generally the slower speed allows you to jump higher.
Game Story from Cassette Cover
" While on a routine ferrying mission your scanners alert you to what seems to be signs of habitation. The source of the signals seem to be coming from the nearby dead moon. As a result of this information you are duty-bound to investigate.So having employed your XL-PROCON surface buggy your computer directs you towards the phenomena in an area called the "AutoZone". This are has been explored before by several probes, but all have failed to report back.
As a result of this, the area is regarded as dangerous. From the information orbital satellites have been able to obtain, scientists predict that somewhere in this zone there is pocket through which escape should be possible.
Success depends on dexterity and quick thinking..."
Naffometer
8 / 10
Auto Zone is a great little game. The graphics are amazing, and as I said earlier the graphics are better than many of the Commodore 64 games I used to play. The sound effects are good and work well within the game, the music is good but does get a wee bit annoying after a few minutes. The controls work well, respond well and are mastered quickly. The one downside to "Auto Zone" is that it is difficult and I am sure it would leave many people a little frustrated. Maybe with some practice and memorising of the maps it would be possible to get quite far in the game. I don't know if anyone has ever completed it, I would be keen to find out. Overall, it is a good, fun game, that could keep you entertained for hours.
Gameplay Video
Cheat Codes for Auto Zone
Cheat codes have to be entered into the Monitor. To access the Monitor simply press "RUN/STOP" and "RESET" on the machine. To restart the game after entering the cheat code type G 29C5
- Unlimited Lives: >24EE 2C
- ** = Starting level: >1BB6 **
- Invulnerability: >18DD 60
