Lunar Jetman vs Scramble

Lunar Jetman is a classic shooter released by Ultimate Play the Game in 1983 for the ZX Spectrum and later the BBC Micro. Players control Jetman as he destroys alien bases while defending Earth from a hostile alien race. The game was notable for requiring 48K of RAM, supporting the Currah Microspeech peripheral, and later appearing in Rare's 2015 Xbox One compilation Rare Replay, cementing its status as a beloved retro title.

Scramble is a pioneering 1981 side-scrolling arcade shooter developed by Konami. Players take control of a futuristic space jet tasked with navigating six distinct, scrolling sectors filled with enemy rockets, fuel tanks, and defensive bases while managing a strictly limited fuel supply that depletes over time. The game demands precise maneuvering and constant resource management, requiring players to successfully bomb ground targets to replenish their fuel while simultaneously blasting aerial threats. As one of the earliest defining titles in the shoot 'em up genre, Scramble laid the structural groundwork for countless scrolling shooters that followed in its wake.

• Groundbreaking 48K RAM requirement
• Supports speech peripheral for immersive audio
• Vibrant colour palette on limited hardware
• Both single and multiplayer options

• Pioneering and influential side-scrolling gameplay mechanics
• Engaging risk-reward system tied to the fuel depletion mechanic
• Accessible arcade pick-up-and-play structure
• Faithful emulation for modern platforms like Xbox 360

• Limited to vintage platforms, no modern ports
• Controls can feel stiff by contemporary standards
• Graphics, while colorful, are low resolution

• High difficulty curve can frustrate modern players
• Extremely brief overall game length by contemporary standards
• Very limited visual and audio variety across sectors