From one highly addictive classic to another, we attempt to tear ourselves away from Jumping Jack and load up No. 51 in the Your Sinclair Top 100. Robotron will have you swearing so loudly your surrounding neighbours will be picking up a few new colourful words today.
Robotron – also known as Robotron 2084 – was initially an arcade game back in 1982 from Williams Electronics, and the port to the ZX Spectrum was published by Krypton Force and programmed by something (or someone) called PAB. Krypton Force only had a cluster of games under their belt with one of the most interesting titles being Wrath of the Killer Pigs; however it’s Robotron that gained them the most praise.
If Robotron was created today gamers would place it within the pigeon hole of “Zerg Rush”, for this is essentially what the game is; if you’re unsure what this style of game is type, “Zerg Rush”, into Google you’ll be in for a surprise.
You play a nondescript person, dropped in the middle of the screen surrounded by numerous robots who swarm at you – all at once – which you will need to destroy to progress onto the next level. There are also numerous other difficulties across the playing area which include mines, zipping enemies, indestructible slow moving Gollum types, however you can rescue your purple Sis(ter) characters for bonus points. Moving to the next level increases the number of robots and often introduces a new enemy into the game.
Robotron again may not have aged well in the visual department, but when it comes to gameplay it still has it packed to the rafters. Load it up, enjoy yourself and prepare to swear loudly.
Originally published July 8, 2016. Updated October 29, 2022.
