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Other hosts have out of date builds, so always DL from here to ensure the latest versions.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Other hosts have out of date builds, so always DL from here to ensure the latest versions.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
Final Fight on the ZX Spectrum was one of the most glorious oddities ever created. Virtually unplayable, yet endlessly fascinating for the sheer gall of it even existing.
I doubt anything could improve it bar some sprite tidy ups, but reducing size starts to look weird.
10/10 for the coder(s).
I doubt anything could improve it bar some sprite tidy ups, but reducing size starts to look weird.
10/10 for the coder(s).
November 29, 2025 at 8:14 AM
Final Fight on the ZX Spectrum was one of the most glorious oddities ever created. Virtually unplayable, yet endlessly fascinating for the sheer gall of it even existing.
I doubt anything could improve it bar some sprite tidy ups, but reducing size starts to look weird.
10/10 for the coder(s).
I doubt anything could improve it bar some sprite tidy ups, but reducing size starts to look weird.
10/10 for the coder(s).
Ahh my wee 14 year old PC bit the dust today.
Blank screen. No Bios or MOBO splash at all. Did the RAM Reseat, CMOS battery, cable change etc. No biggie. Just used it for watching films.
Surprised the ancient Gigabyte motherboard is still in production, but ordered a new one for buttons.
Blank screen. No Bios or MOBO splash at all. Did the RAM Reseat, CMOS battery, cable change etc. No biggie. Just used it for watching films.
Surprised the ancient Gigabyte motherboard is still in production, but ordered a new one for buttons.
November 28, 2025 at 6:01 PM
Ahh my wee 14 year old PC bit the dust today.
Blank screen. No Bios or MOBO splash at all. Did the RAM Reseat, CMOS battery, cable change etc. No biggie. Just used it for watching films.
Surprised the ancient Gigabyte motherboard is still in production, but ordered a new one for buttons.
Blank screen. No Bios or MOBO splash at all. Did the RAM Reseat, CMOS battery, cable change etc. No biggie. Just used it for watching films.
Surprised the ancient Gigabyte motherboard is still in production, but ordered a new one for buttons.
I rarely engage in forum discussions, becasue 90% of the topics are "what ifs" or people desperately trying to prove that their system was the best.
In saying that, the EAB being down the last few days has been a killer, becasue searching the coding forums is one of the most valuable resources.
In saying that, the EAB being down the last few days has been a killer, becasue searching the coding forums is one of the most valuable resources.
November 26, 2025 at 5:26 AM
I rarely engage in forum discussions, becasue 90% of the topics are "what ifs" or people desperately trying to prove that their system was the best.
In saying that, the EAB being down the last few days has been a killer, becasue searching the coding forums is one of the most valuable resources.
In saying that, the EAB being down the last few days has been a killer, becasue searching the coding forums is one of the most valuable resources.
Another feather in the cap.
Reading the Amiga keyboard using bare-metal routines is more cumbersome than it really needs to be, and as usual there's a shocking lack of examples in official documentation/books.
Will add a page to my ever growing Amiga coding guide.
Reading the Amiga keyboard using bare-metal routines is more cumbersome than it really needs to be, and as usual there's a shocking lack of examples in official documentation/books.
Will add a page to my ever growing Amiga coding guide.
November 20, 2025 at 4:18 PM
Another feather in the cap.
Reading the Amiga keyboard using bare-metal routines is more cumbersome than it really needs to be, and as usual there's a shocking lack of examples in official documentation/books.
Will add a page to my ever growing Amiga coding guide.
Reading the Amiga keyboard using bare-metal routines is more cumbersome than it really needs to be, and as usual there's a shocking lack of examples in official documentation/books.
Will add a page to my ever growing Amiga coding guide.
The urge to break from the current project because it's become tedious is strong. Especially as there are unfinished ones that I'm dying to get back to.
Keep on truckin' as they say, but I'm aware of growing desires to cut corners and asking myself "Do I really need that?".
Homebrew life.
Keep on truckin' as they say, but I'm aware of growing desires to cut corners and asking myself "Do I really need that?".
Homebrew life.
November 18, 2025 at 8:40 AM
The urge to break from the current project because it's become tedious is strong. Especially as there are unfinished ones that I'm dying to get back to.
Keep on truckin' as they say, but I'm aware of growing desires to cut corners and asking myself "Do I really need that?".
Homebrew life.
Keep on truckin' as they say, but I'm aware of growing desires to cut corners and asking myself "Do I really need that?".
Homebrew life.
Very interesting video.
He's spot on about all the modes and patterns, though I tend to use RNG to switch behaviour up rather than checking screen/player positions. Only up/down boundaries for baddies too (except when they back off).
Quite a lot of mechanics for such a shallow genre.
He's spot on about all the modes and patterns, though I tend to use RNG to switch behaviour up rather than checking screen/player positions. Only up/down boundaries for baddies too (except when they back off).
Quite a lot of mechanics for such a shallow genre.
Beat 'em Up 101 - Enemy Design
YouTube video by Bog Hog
youtu.be
November 17, 2025 at 8:55 AM
Very interesting video.
He's spot on about all the modes and patterns, though I tend to use RNG to switch behaviour up rather than checking screen/player positions. Only up/down boundaries for baddies too (except when they back off).
Quite a lot of mechanics for such a shallow genre.
He's spot on about all the modes and patterns, though I tend to use RNG to switch behaviour up rather than checking screen/player positions. Only up/down boundaries for baddies too (except when they back off).
Quite a lot of mechanics for such a shallow genre.
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