Summary
- Release Year: 1985
- Genres: Racing, Simulator
- Platforms: ZX Spectrum
- Publishers: Firebird
Don’t Buy This (1985): The Worst Game Ever Made (That’s Actually Kind of Great)
Don’t Buy This is a ZX Spectrum video game compilation released in 1985. As described on the box, it contains five of the poorest games submitted to Firebird. Instead of rejecting the submissions, they decided to mock the original developers by releasing them together and publicly branding it as “unoriginal” and “awful”. Firebird even disowned all their copyright to the game and encouraged buyers to pirate it at will.
So, what’s the deal with Don’t Buy This? Is it really as bad as they say?
Well, yes and no. The games themselves are certainly not very good. They’reどれもunoriginal, poorly designed, and buggy. But that’s part of the charm. Don’t Buy This is a game that’s so bad, it’s actually kind of great.
The five games included in Don’t Buy This are:
- Astro Attack: A space shooter where you control a ship that fires lasers at aliens.
- Blockbuster: A Breakout clone where you bounce a ball around the screen to break blocks.
- Firefly: A maze game where you control a firefly that collects dots and avoids enemies.
- Invaders from Hyperspace: A Space Invaders clone where you shoot aliens that are invading from hyperspace.
- Rollercoaster: A racing game where you control a rollercoaster that races around a track.
None of these games are particularly innovative or well-made. But they’re all perfectly playable, and they can be quite fun in a cheesy sort of way.
What makes Don’t Buy This so special is its sense of humor. The game’s packaging is full of tongue-in-cheek jokes, and the games themselves are full of silly bugs and glitches. It’s clear that Firebird didn’t take the game very seriously, and that they were more interested in having a laugh at the expense of the original developers.
Don’t Buy This is a unique and fascinating game that’s unlike anything else out there. It’s a game that’s so bad, it’s actually kind of great. If you’re a fan of retro gaming or just looking for a good laugh, then I highly recommend checking out Don’t Buy This.
The Story Behind Don’t Buy This
The story behind Don’t Buy This is almost as interesting as the game itself. In 1984, Firebird held a competition for ZX Spectrum game developers. The winners would have their games published by Firebird, and they would receive a cash prize.
However, Firebird was disappointed by the quality of the submissions. They felt that most of the games were unoriginal, poorly designed, and buggy. Instead of rejecting the submissions outright, Firebird decided to release them together as a compilation called Don’t Buy This.
Firebird’s goal with Don’t Buy This was to mock the original developers and to discourage people from submitting low-quality games to them in the future. They even disowned all their copyright to the game and encouraged buyers to pirate it at will.
Don’t Buy This was released in 1985, and it was met with mixed reviews. Some people praised the game’s sense of humor, while others criticized it for being too mean-spirited. However, the game has since become a cult classic among retro gaming enthusiasts.
The Legacy of Don’t Buy This
Don’t Buy This has had a lasting impact on the video game industry. It’s a game that has been both praised and criticized, but it’s undeniable that it’s a unique and fascinating piece of gaming history.
Don’t Buy This has also been cited as an influence on other video games, such as the Grand Theft Auto series. The GTA games are known for their over-the-top violence and humor, and it’s clear that they were inspired by Don’t Buy This in some way.
Don’t Buy This is a game that will continue to be debated and discussed for years to come. It’s a game that’s so bad, it’s actually kind of great. If you’re a fan of retro gaming or just looking for a good laugh, then I highly recommend checking out Don’t Buy This.
Review Score
2/10
Art
Cover Art
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