Prototron
@prototron.bsky.social
Hobby retro gamedev, VHS rental days fan, musician, beat 'em up aficionado, martial arts film buff, 90s game magazine worshipper, metal guy, cat guy.
Glasgow, Scotland
Website - http://prototron.weebly.com
YouTube - http://youtube.com/@prototrongames
Glasgow, Scotland
Website - http://prototron.weebly.com
YouTube - http://youtube.com/@prototrongames
Pinned
Prototron
@prototron.bsky.social
· Nov 27
Here are the official Google Drive links for my two games.
Other hosts have out of date builds, so always DL from here to ensure the latest versions.
Double Dragon: Legacy (PC)
shorturl.at/ZM4L0
Final Fight: Enhanced (Amiga)
shorturl.at/3YBoO
More info:
prototron.weebly.com
#GameDev #BeatEmUp
Other hosts have out of date builds, so always DL from here to ensure the latest versions.
Double Dragon: Legacy (PC)
shorturl.at/ZM4L0
Final Fight: Enhanced (Amiga)
shorturl.at/3YBoO
More info:
prototron.weebly.com
#GameDev #BeatEmUp
Took a little break from game coding and worked on a demo-type thing.
It's incredibly refreshing not having to worry about user input, game logic, and squeezing every cycle out the main loop, but it does highlight the fact that games are not demos and shouldn't be held to those standards.
It's incredibly refreshing not having to worry about user input, game logic, and squeezing every cycle out the main loop, but it does highlight the fact that games are not demos and shouldn't be held to those standards.
November 10, 2025 at 8:11 AM
Took a little break from game coding and worked on a demo-type thing.
It's incredibly refreshing not having to worry about user input, game logic, and squeezing every cycle out the main loop, but it does highlight the fact that games are not demos and shouldn't be held to those standards.
It's incredibly refreshing not having to worry about user input, game logic, and squeezing every cycle out the main loop, but it does highlight the fact that games are not demos and shouldn't be held to those standards.
Been on a bit of a QL kick lately. It's an interesting machine for its unrealised potential alone.
Odd that there were a few third party GUIs designed for it, but no internally developed ones at Sinclair. ICE & JAM look decent as GEM-likes, but I can't see it conquering the 80s corporate world.
Odd that there were a few third party GUIs designed for it, but no internally developed ones at Sinclair. ICE & JAM look decent as GEM-likes, but I can't see it conquering the 80s corporate world.
October 30, 2025 at 4:12 PM
Been on a bit of a QL kick lately. It's an interesting machine for its unrealised potential alone.
Odd that there were a few third party GUIs designed for it, but no internally developed ones at Sinclair. ICE & JAM look decent as GEM-likes, but I can't see it conquering the 80s corporate world.
Odd that there were a few third party GUIs designed for it, but no internally developed ones at Sinclair. ICE & JAM look decent as GEM-likes, but I can't see it conquering the 80s corporate world.
Back to my ZX Spectrum game soon, so looking at one of the sprites.
Considering other memory arrangements, because the current method (I) takes 6 loops of the draw routine, but possible alternatives (II/III) take less. The RAM saving may be buggered tho, but IMO space is easier to find than speed
Considering other memory arrangements, because the current method (I) takes 6 loops of the draw routine, but possible alternatives (II/III) take less. The RAM saving may be buggered tho, but IMO space is easier to find than speed
October 27, 2025 at 11:27 AM
Back to my ZX Spectrum game soon, so looking at one of the sprites.
Considering other memory arrangements, because the current method (I) takes 6 loops of the draw routine, but possible alternatives (II/III) take less. The RAM saving may be buggered tho, but IMO space is easier to find than speed
Considering other memory arrangements, because the current method (I) takes 6 loops of the draw routine, but possible alternatives (II/III) take less. The RAM saving may be buggered tho, but IMO space is easier to find than speed
Was tempted to get Double Dragon Revive, but I think I'll take a pass.
I'm just not a fan of that "sparkly" style of combat where it looks like a firework goes off every time you hit someone, and special moves have neon demons or whirlwinds coming out the player's bum.
I'm a simple pixel guy.
I'm just not a fan of that "sparkly" style of combat where it looks like a firework goes off every time you hit someone, and special moves have neon demons or whirlwinds coming out the player's bum.
I'm a simple pixel guy.
October 24, 2025 at 5:35 PM
Was tempted to get Double Dragon Revive, but I think I'll take a pass.
I'm just not a fan of that "sparkly" style of combat where it looks like a firework goes off every time you hit someone, and special moves have neon demons or whirlwinds coming out the player's bum.
I'm a simple pixel guy.
I'm just not a fan of that "sparkly" style of combat where it looks like a firework goes off every time you hit someone, and special moves have neon demons or whirlwinds coming out the player's bum.
I'm a simple pixel guy.
I've worked in film, so I know how much effort it takes to make even a small production.
That doesn't stop me really wanting a Caulfield produced documentary for the Amstrad CPC family. There's a rich history there, with many interesting people to interview (maybe not Sugarman himself though).
That doesn't stop me really wanting a Caulfield produced documentary for the Amstrad CPC family. There's a rich history there, with many interesting people to interview (maybe not Sugarman himself though).
October 24, 2025 at 9:39 AM
I've worked in film, so I know how much effort it takes to make even a small production.
That doesn't stop me really wanting a Caulfield produced documentary for the Amstrad CPC family. There's a rich history there, with many interesting people to interview (maybe not Sugarman himself though).
That doesn't stop me really wanting a Caulfield produced documentary for the Amstrad CPC family. There's a rich history there, with many interesting people to interview (maybe not Sugarman himself though).
There's a genuine case for the ZX Spectrum being the greatest computer of all time, and it's really down to two things:
Simplicity and accessibility.
A no frills system = an easier learning curve, and the low price made it available for all. Anything more would compromise those two.
Also, charm!
Simplicity and accessibility.
A no frills system = an easier learning curve, and the low price made it available for all. Anything more would compromise those two.
Also, charm!
October 23, 2025 at 6:48 AM
There's a genuine case for the ZX Spectrum being the greatest computer of all time, and it's really down to two things:
Simplicity and accessibility.
A no frills system = an easier learning curve, and the low price made it available for all. Anything more would compromise those two.
Also, charm!
Simplicity and accessibility.
A no frills system = an easier learning curve, and the low price made it available for all. Anything more would compromise those two.
Also, charm!
40 years of the NES.
The games library is unsurpassed, with so many classics running on that little lunch box. The mappers took it beyond its original specs, but I find that innovative rather than deceptive.
It does (annoyingly) often get presented as some VG messiah that saved the world, though.
The games library is unsurpassed, with so many classics running on that little lunch box. The mappers took it beyond its original specs, but I find that innovative rather than deceptive.
It does (annoyingly) often get presented as some VG messiah that saved the world, though.
October 22, 2025 at 10:26 AM
40 years of the NES.
The games library is unsurpassed, with so many classics running on that little lunch box. The mappers took it beyond its original specs, but I find that innovative rather than deceptive.
It does (annoyingly) often get presented as some VG messiah that saved the world, though.
The games library is unsurpassed, with so many classics running on that little lunch box. The mappers took it beyond its original specs, but I find that innovative rather than deceptive.
It does (annoyingly) often get presented as some VG messiah that saved the world, though.
Very nice read.
Horace was one of the first Speccy games I played, and I got the others soon after. The recognisable personality was a big part of it.
If Horace is the Spectrum's Mario then it's a shame he's locked away in controversy, but there's something to be said for not saturating the brand.
Horace was one of the first Speccy games I played, and I got the others soon after. The recognisable personality was a big part of it.
If Horace is the Spectrum's Mario then it's a shame he's locked away in controversy, but there's something to be said for not saturating the brand.
Intermission: The Horace trilogy
In all their 16k glory. I hardly collect games, but this time I wanted to acquire physical copies of the three original Horace games fo...
oldmachinery.blogspot.com
October 17, 2025 at 6:35 AM
Very nice read.
Horace was one of the first Speccy games I played, and I got the others soon after. The recognisable personality was a big part of it.
If Horace is the Spectrum's Mario then it's a shame he's locked away in controversy, but there's something to be said for not saturating the brand.
Horace was one of the first Speccy games I played, and I got the others soon after. The recognisable personality was a big part of it.
If Horace is the Spectrum's Mario then it's a shame he's locked away in controversy, but there's something to be said for not saturating the brand.
I'm 48 today.
I keep waiting for the swing to the Right that apparently comes with age, but I still hate racists and phobes and I still love old games.
Maybe next year I can qualify as a garbage human.
I keep waiting for the swing to the Right that apparently comes with age, but I still hate racists and phobes and I still love old games.
Maybe next year I can qualify as a garbage human.
October 16, 2025 at 9:26 AM
I'm 48 today.
I keep waiting for the swing to the Right that apparently comes with age, but I still hate racists and phobes and I still love old games.
Maybe next year I can qualify as a garbage human.
I keep waiting for the swing to the Right that apparently comes with age, but I still hate racists and phobes and I still love old games.
Maybe next year I can qualify as a garbage human.
Is there a database for Amstrad CPC game bundles?
I had many back in the day (Durell Big 4 was one of them), but I can't find much info on others bar some expired ebay listings.
I'm positive my copies of Who Dares Wins II, Spindizzy, and 3 Weeks in Paradise were from compilation packs.
I had many back in the day (Durell Big 4 was one of them), but I can't find much info on others bar some expired ebay listings.
I'm positive my copies of Who Dares Wins II, Spindizzy, and 3 Weeks in Paradise were from compilation packs.
October 15, 2025 at 10:22 AM
Is there a database for Amstrad CPC game bundles?
I had many back in the day (Durell Big 4 was one of them), but I can't find much info on others bar some expired ebay listings.
I'm positive my copies of Who Dares Wins II, Spindizzy, and 3 Weeks in Paradise were from compilation packs.
I had many back in the day (Durell Big 4 was one of them), but I can't find much info on others bar some expired ebay listings.
I'm positive my copies of Who Dares Wins II, Spindizzy, and 3 Weeks in Paradise were from compilation packs.
If AI is as good at generating porn as it is writing code, then this should be interesting.
Personally, I'd rather it just got Amiga registers correct...for once.
Personally, I'd rather it just got Amiga registers correct...for once.
October 15, 2025 at 7:23 AM
If AI is as good at generating porn as it is writing code, then this should be interesting.
Personally, I'd rather it just got Amiga registers correct...for once.
Personally, I'd rather it just got Amiga registers correct...for once.
For me, Tron Legacy felt disconnected, as it ditched all the references to I/O, Bits and Cycles.
if Ares is just a big dumb CGI fest with a great score then I'll be happy, but it would have been cool to see GPU powered light cycles, update corruption, or mute programs with broken ASIO drivers.
if Ares is just a big dumb CGI fest with a great score then I'll be happy, but it would have been cool to see GPU powered light cycles, update corruption, or mute programs with broken ASIO drivers.
October 11, 2025 at 7:04 AM
For me, Tron Legacy felt disconnected, as it ditched all the references to I/O, Bits and Cycles.
if Ares is just a big dumb CGI fest with a great score then I'll be happy, but it would have been cool to see GPU powered light cycles, update corruption, or mute programs with broken ASIO drivers.
if Ares is just a big dumb CGI fest with a great score then I'll be happy, but it would have been cool to see GPU powered light cycles, update corruption, or mute programs with broken ASIO drivers.
Reposted by Prototron
Ridley, Kraid, and Mother Brain Life Support slow down! But why?
Let's do a performance dive to answer this question and also find out why scrolling seems to lag when Samus is flipping through the air... but in reality does not!
Part 2 of Metroid Lag - youtu.be/1oCE-hYT3LY
Let's do a performance dive to answer this question and also find out why scrolling seems to lag when Samus is flipping through the air... but in reality does not!
Part 2 of Metroid Lag - youtu.be/1oCE-hYT3LY
NES Metroid - Lag of the Bosses and Scrolling Jitters - Metroid Lag Part 2
YouTube video by Displaced Gamers
youtu.be
October 10, 2025 at 1:44 PM
Ridley, Kraid, and Mother Brain Life Support slow down! But why?
Let's do a performance dive to answer this question and also find out why scrolling seems to lag when Samus is flipping through the air... but in reality does not!
Part 2 of Metroid Lag - youtu.be/1oCE-hYT3LY
Let's do a performance dive to answer this question and also find out why scrolling seems to lag when Samus is flipping through the air... but in reality does not!
Part 2 of Metroid Lag - youtu.be/1oCE-hYT3LY
The past three game history videos I've watched are from Americans, and they cover the home computers which were popular here in the UK.
It's very nice to be included when discussing global events, although describing the Amiga as a European computer is kind of weird, but also kind of true.
It's very nice to be included when discussing global events, although describing the Amiga as a European computer is kind of weird, but also kind of true.
October 10, 2025 at 11:30 AM
The past three game history videos I've watched are from Americans, and they cover the home computers which were popular here in the UK.
It's very nice to be included when discussing global events, although describing the Amiga as a European computer is kind of weird, but also kind of true.
It's very nice to be included when discussing global events, although describing the Amiga as a European computer is kind of weird, but also kind of true.
It's hard to describe just how much I love Super Probotector / Contra III.
It's top 3 Super Nintendo gear for sure. Such amazing imagination in the level design and boss battles, and that's on top of the incredible graphics and music.
Konami and Capcom were on fire back then!
It's top 3 Super Nintendo gear for sure. Such amazing imagination in the level design and boss battles, and that's on top of the incredible graphics and music.
Konami and Capcom were on fire back then!
October 10, 2025 at 7:55 AM
It's hard to describe just how much I love Super Probotector / Contra III.
It's top 3 Super Nintendo gear for sure. Such amazing imagination in the level design and boss battles, and that's on top of the incredible graphics and music.
Konami and Capcom were on fire back then!
It's top 3 Super Nintendo gear for sure. Such amazing imagination in the level design and boss battles, and that's on top of the incredible graphics and music.
Konami and Capcom were on fire back then!
Looking through an Argos catalogue from 1987 is unearthing some deep-buried memories.
It's not the toys. It's the carriage clocks, lighters embedded in bricks of marble, ornamental ashtrays, crystal hedgehogs, and various other sideboard adornments.
Just need a squirt of Pledge in the air.
It's not the toys. It's the carriage clocks, lighters embedded in bricks of marble, ornamental ashtrays, crystal hedgehogs, and various other sideboard adornments.
Just need a squirt of Pledge in the air.
October 8, 2025 at 7:44 AM
Looking through an Argos catalogue from 1987 is unearthing some deep-buried memories.
It's not the toys. It's the carriage clocks, lighters embedded in bricks of marble, ornamental ashtrays, crystal hedgehogs, and various other sideboard adornments.
Just need a squirt of Pledge in the air.
It's not the toys. It's the carriage clocks, lighters embedded in bricks of marble, ornamental ashtrays, crystal hedgehogs, and various other sideboard adornments.
Just need a squirt of Pledge in the air.
It's the ten year mark of when i wrote my first line of code. I was 38 years old. Only done two games, but they took about 4 years a piece so not bad going.
Got plans for 4 more on Speccy/CPC- another beat 'em up, a platform game, Metroidvania, and RPG.
Just proof of concepts for Amiga FNO. Phew!
Got plans for 4 more on Speccy/CPC- another beat 'em up, a platform game, Metroidvania, and RPG.
Just proof of concepts for Amiga FNO. Phew!
October 7, 2025 at 7:42 AM
It's the ten year mark of when i wrote my first line of code. I was 38 years old. Only done two games, but they took about 4 years a piece so not bad going.
Got plans for 4 more on Speccy/CPC- another beat 'em up, a platform game, Metroidvania, and RPG.
Just proof of concepts for Amiga FNO. Phew!
Got plans for 4 more on Speccy/CPC- another beat 'em up, a platform game, Metroidvania, and RPG.
Just proof of concepts for Amiga FNO. Phew!
I honestly don't remember any malicious playground wars over different gaming systems, and it was always cool when a pal had something that you didn't. I hoovered up anything that I could get to play, and it made some fond memories trying different computers.
October 6, 2025 at 6:46 AM
I honestly don't remember any malicious playground wars over different gaming systems, and it was always cool when a pal had something that you didn't. I hoovered up anything that I could get to play, and it made some fond memories trying different computers.
Cauldron was one of my favourite Amstrad games!
Nice spooky atmosphere, gameplay variety, and great graphics. Some unavoidable hits and inability to change direction mid-jump are really the only negatives I have, but otherwise it's fab!
#Amstrad #RetroGaming #Z80
Nice spooky atmosphere, gameplay variety, and great graphics. Some unavoidable hits and inability to change direction mid-jump are really the only negatives I have, but otherwise it's fab!
#Amstrad #RetroGaming #Z80
October 2, 2025 at 10:45 AM
Cauldron was one of my favourite Amstrad games!
Nice spooky atmosphere, gameplay variety, and great graphics. Some unavoidable hits and inability to change direction mid-jump are really the only negatives I have, but otherwise it's fab!
#Amstrad #RetroGaming #Z80
Nice spooky atmosphere, gameplay variety, and great graphics. Some unavoidable hits and inability to change direction mid-jump are really the only negatives I have, but otherwise it's fab!
#Amstrad #RetroGaming #Z80
I wish Casio would do a re-run of all their game watches from the 80s, because they are being sold for upwards of £400 on eBay.
If they can still manufacture the F-91w after 36 years with practically zero change to the design for £12, then they can do the game range again and charge £60 a pop.
If they can still manufacture the F-91w after 36 years with practically zero change to the design for £12, then they can do the game range again and charge £60 a pop.
October 1, 2025 at 1:02 PM
I wish Casio would do a re-run of all their game watches from the 80s, because they are being sold for upwards of £400 on eBay.
If they can still manufacture the F-91w after 36 years with practically zero change to the design for £12, then they can do the game range again and charge £60 a pop.
If they can still manufacture the F-91w after 36 years with practically zero change to the design for £12, then they can do the game range again and charge £60 a pop.
Some delicious budget stuff!
None were spectacular, but I had fun with all of them. Last Ninja 2 was probably my fave.
I'd say they were worth even less than the asking price. £4.99 would have been fair.
None were spectacular, but I had fun with all of them. Last Ninja 2 was probably my fave.
I'd say they were worth even less than the asking price. £4.99 would have been fair.
September 30, 2025 at 3:08 PM
Some delicious budget stuff!
None were spectacular, but I had fun with all of them. Last Ninja 2 was probably my fave.
I'd say they were worth even less than the asking price. £4.99 would have been fair.
None were spectacular, but I had fun with all of them. Last Ninja 2 was probably my fave.
I'd say they were worth even less than the asking price. £4.99 would have been fair.
That was a very nice refresher. I'm itching a bit to go back to Z80.
What did it take to make a game for the ZX Spectrum? Part 4A
YouTube video by Laurence Scotford
youtu.be
September 28, 2025 at 7:34 AM
That was a very nice refresher. I'm itching a bit to go back to Z80.
Wonder how much of a game changer it would have been if the Amiga had shipped with just a bit of Fast Ram?
I'm guessing not too much, but speedy code execution from the off would have been nice.
512K Chip + 128K Fast sounds ideal.
I'm guessing not too much, but speedy code execution from the off would have been nice.
512K Chip + 128K Fast sounds ideal.
September 27, 2025 at 1:33 PM
Wonder how much of a game changer it would have been if the Amiga had shipped with just a bit of Fast Ram?
I'm guessing not too much, but speedy code execution from the off would have been nice.
512K Chip + 128K Fast sounds ideal.
I'm guessing not too much, but speedy code execution from the off would have been nice.
512K Chip + 128K Fast sounds ideal.
There's actually a full story behind this Easter egg in Double Dragon: Legacy which re-writes Final Fight 2 a bit.
DD:L takes place in an alt-universe where all beat 'em ups exist, so this was meant to be a nod to a possible future project, but I gave up on Game Maker in favour of learning 68k/Z80.
DD:L takes place in an alt-universe where all beat 'em ups exist, so this was meant to be a nod to a possible future project, but I gave up on Game Maker in favour of learning 68k/Z80.
September 27, 2025 at 7:58 AM
There's actually a full story behind this Easter egg in Double Dragon: Legacy which re-writes Final Fight 2 a bit.
DD:L takes place in an alt-universe where all beat 'em ups exist, so this was meant to be a nod to a possible future project, but I gave up on Game Maker in favour of learning 68k/Z80.
DD:L takes place in an alt-universe where all beat 'em ups exist, so this was meant to be a nod to a possible future project, but I gave up on Game Maker in favour of learning 68k/Z80.
As much as I love seeing Jimmy in hot pink, I'm a sucker for the original arcade colours and coiffed hair.
I know Super Double Dragon was a soft reboot of sorts, and I love it to bits, but gimmie big 80s hair and steel-grey leather any day.
#DoubleDragon #RetroGaming
I know Super Double Dragon was a soft reboot of sorts, and I love it to bits, but gimmie big 80s hair and steel-grey leather any day.
#DoubleDragon #RetroGaming
September 26, 2025 at 4:33 PM
As much as I love seeing Jimmy in hot pink, I'm a sucker for the original arcade colours and coiffed hair.
I know Super Double Dragon was a soft reboot of sorts, and I love it to bits, but gimmie big 80s hair and steel-grey leather any day.
#DoubleDragon #RetroGaming
I know Super Double Dragon was a soft reboot of sorts, and I love it to bits, but gimmie big 80s hair and steel-grey leather any day.
#DoubleDragon #RetroGaming