ZX Spectrum Game of the Year 1988!
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ZX Spectrum Game of the Year 1988!
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Time to find out what each Year's best ZX Spectrum games are! 1983: Atic Atac

Let's move onto 1988.
Wonder how many people think that this is the more famous Palace Software game. Well... that was in 1987, this one is from Melbourne House. In 1988.
1988 GAME OF THE YEAR ROUND 2 Poll 44

1️⃣ <a href="https://poll.blue/p/HYbHJE/1" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">Alien Syndrome (ACE Software)
2️⃣ <a href="https://poll.blue/p/HYbHJE/2" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">Barbarian (Melbourne House)
3️⃣ <a href="https://poll.blue/p/HYbHJE/3" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">The Empire Strikes Back (Domark)
4️⃣ <a href="https://poll.blue/p/HYbHJE/4" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">Cyberknights (CRL Group PLC)

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November 16, 2025 at 5:58 PM
1988 GAME OF THE YEAR ROUND 2 Poll 47

1️⃣ <a href="https://poll.blue/p/SFp6ES/1" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">Andy Capp (Mirrorsoft)
2️⃣ <a href="https://poll.blue/p/SFp6ES/2" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">Rebelstar 2 (Silverbird Software)
3️⃣ <a href="https://poll.blue/p/SFp6ES/3" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">Jester Quest (Nebula Designs Software)
4️⃣ <a href="https://poll.blue/p/SFp6ES/4" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">Firefly (Ocean Software)

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November 16, 2025 at 5:55 PM
1988 GAME OF THE YEAR ROUND 2 Poll 46

1️⃣ <a href="https://poll.blue/p/cZY0ih/1" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">Droidz (Silverbird Software)
2️⃣ <a href="https://poll.blue/p/cZY0ih/2" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">For Gold or Glory (Alternative Software)
3️⃣ <a href="https://poll.blue/p/cZY0ih/3" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">Xarax (Firebird Software)
4️⃣ <a href="https://poll.blue/p/cZY0ih/4" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">Sorcerer's Apprentice (Brian Parks)

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November 16, 2025 at 5:50 PM
1988 GAME OF THE YEAR ROUND 2 Poll 45

1️⃣ <a href="https://poll.blue/p/81VBwa/1" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">Powerplay (Players Software)
2️⃣ <a href="https://poll.blue/p/81VBwa/2" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">Fire and Forget (Titus)
3️⃣ <a href="https://poll.blue/p/81VBwa/3" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">Typhoon (Imagine Software)
4️⃣ <a href="https://poll.blue/p/81VBwa/4" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">Euro Biznes (Boguslaw Juza)

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November 16, 2025 at 5:46 PM
BATTLE OF THE COVERTAPES ROUND 1 Poll 319

1️⃣ <a href="https://poll.blue/p/nOcvaD/1" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">Load 'n' Run issue 28
2️⃣ <a href="https://poll.blue/p/nOcvaD/2" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">MicroHobby issue 201: Tape 26

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November 16, 2025 at 5:37 PM
BATTLE OF THE COVERTAPES ROUND 1 Poll 318

1️⃣ <a href="https://poll.blue/p/jU6kBp/1" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">Special Playgames issue 01
2️⃣ <a href="https://poll.blue/p/jU6kBp/2" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">MicroHobby issue 184: Tape 3

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November 16, 2025 at 5:07 PM
BATTLE OF THE COVERTAPES ROUND 1 Poll 317

1️⃣ <a href="https://poll.blue/p/qNrzlu/1" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">New Special Playgames - Issue 43
2️⃣ <a href="https://poll.blue/p/qNrzlu/2" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">VideoSpectrum issue 14

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November 16, 2025 at 5:02 PM
1988 GAME OF THE YEAR ROUND 2 Poll 44

1️⃣ <a href="https://poll.blue/p/HYbHJE/1" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">Alien Syndrome (ACE Software)
2️⃣ <a href="https://poll.blue/p/HYbHJE/2" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">Barbarian (Melbourne House)
3️⃣ <a href="https://poll.blue/p/HYbHJE/3" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">The Empire Strikes Back (Domark)
4️⃣ <a href="https://poll.blue/p/HYbHJE/4" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">Cyberknights (CRL Group PLC)

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November 14, 2025 at 6:56 PM
1988 GAME OF THE YEAR ROUND 2 Poll 43

1️⃣ <a href="https://poll.blue/p/JNurL7/1" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">The Devil's Hand (Compass Software)
2️⃣ <a href="https://poll.blue/p/JNurL7/2" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">Slug (Alternative Software)
3️⃣ <a href="https://poll.blue/p/JNurL7/3" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">Chubby Gristle (Grandslam Entertainments)
4️⃣ <a href="https://poll.blue/p/JNurL7/4" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">Intensity (Firebird Software)

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November 14, 2025 at 6:51 PM
1988 GAME OF THE YEAR ROUND 2 Poll 42

1️⃣ <a href="https://poll.blue/p/BR3SvT/1" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">Super Stuntman (Code Masters)
2️⃣ <a href="https://poll.blue/p/BR3SvT/2" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">Soldier of Light (ACE Software)
3️⃣ <a href="https://poll.blue/p/BR3SvT/3" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">Savage (Firebird Software)
4️⃣ <a href="https://poll.blue/p/BR3SvT/4" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">Merlin (Juan Alfonso Pastor Sierra)

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November 14, 2025 at 6:45 PM
1988 GAME OF THE YEAR ROUND 2 Poll 41

1️⃣ <a href="https://poll.blue/p/TCXgAM/1" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">Blood Valley (Gremlin Graphics Software)
2️⃣ <a href="https://poll.blue/p/TCXgAM/2" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">Lee Enfield Space Ace (Infogrames)
3️⃣ <a href="https://poll.blue/p/TCXgAM/3" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">The Beast (Marlin Games)
4️⃣ <a href="https://poll.blue/p/TCXgAM/4" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">Crazy Cars (Titus)

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November 14, 2025 at 6:39 PM
BATTLE OF THE COVERTAPES ROUND 1 Poll 316

1️⃣ <a href="https://poll.blue/p/EgVBpz/1" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">Concon issue 5
2️⃣ <a href="https://poll.blue/p/EgVBpz/2" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">Spectrum Load'n'Run v1 issue 02

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November 14, 2025 at 6:32 PM
BATTLE OF THE COVERTAPES ROUND 1 Poll 315

1️⃣ <a href="https://poll.blue/p/inBBgG/1" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">New Special Playgames - Issue 22
2️⃣ <a href="https://poll.blue/p/inBBgG/2" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">MicroHobby issue 190: Tape 10

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November 14, 2025 at 6:23 PM
BATTLE OF THE COVERTAPES ROUND 1 Poll 314

1️⃣ <a href="https://poll.blue/p/sfZkvQ/1" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">New Special Playgames - Issue 29
2️⃣ <a href="https://poll.blue/p/sfZkvQ/2" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">Soft Spectrum issue 19

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November 14, 2025 at 6:17 PM
BATTLE OF THE COVERTAPES ROUND 1 Poll 313

1️⃣ <a href="https://poll.blue/p/tilQa1/1" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">Load 'n' Run issue 37
2️⃣ <a href="https://poll.blue/p/tilQa1/2" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">VideoSpectrum issue 24

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November 14, 2025 at 6:10 PM
1988 GAME OF THE YEAR ROUND 2 Poll 40

1️⃣ <a href="https://poll.blue/p/0tTBy7/1" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">Cybernoid (Hewson Consultants)
2️⃣ <a href="https://poll.blue/p/0tTBy7/2" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">Sherlock Holmes:A Matter of Evil (Creative Juices)
3️⃣ <a href="https://poll.blue/p/0tTBy7/3" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">BMX Ninja (Alternative Software)
4️⃣ <a href="https://poll.blue/p/0tTBy7/4" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">Frontiers (Zafiro Software Division)

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November 13, 2025 at 8:03 PM
1988 GAME OF THE YEAR ROUND 2 Poll 39

1️⃣ <a href="https://poll.blue/p/N47ADW/1" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">Final Assault (U.S. Gold)
2️⃣ <a href="https://poll.blue/p/N47ADW/2" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">Live and Let Die (Domark)
3️⃣ <a href="https://poll.blue/p/N47ADW/3" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">Boulder Dash Construction Kit (Databyte)
4️⃣ <a href="https://poll.blue/p/N47ADW/4" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">Abracadabra (Proein Soft Line)

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November 13, 2025 at 7:56 PM
1988 GAME OF THE YEAR ROUND 2 Poll 38

1️⃣ <a href="https://poll.blue/p/Oi8lFi/1" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">Side Arms (Go!)
2️⃣ <a href="https://poll.blue/p/Oi8lFi/2" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">Target: Renegade (Imagine Software)
3️⃣ <a href="https://poll.blue/p/Oi8lFi/3" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">Mad Mix Game (Topo Soft)
4️⃣ <a href="https://poll.blue/p/Oi8lFi/4" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">Foxx Fights Back (Image Works)

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November 13, 2025 at 7:49 PM
1988 GAME OF THE YEAR ROUND 2 Poll 37

1️⃣ <a href="https://poll.blue/p/DKEa5d/1" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">Dark Fusion (Gremlin Graphics Software)
2️⃣ <a href="https://poll.blue/p/DKEa5d/2" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">The Bard's Tale (Electronic Arts)
3️⃣ <a href="https://poll.blue/p/DKEa5d/3" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">Rolling Thunder (U.S. Gold)
4️⃣ <a href="https://poll.blue/p/DKEa5d/4" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">Platoon (Ocean Software)

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November 13, 2025 at 7:44 PM
BATTLE OF THE COVERTAPES ROUND 1 Poll 312

1️⃣ <a href="https://poll.blue/p/xNOhBh/1" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">Your Sinclair issue 83: Magnificent Seven
2️⃣ <a href="https://poll.blue/p/xNOhBh/2" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">Software Magazine issue 13b

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November 13, 2025 at 7:37 PM
BATTLE OF THE COVERTAPES ROUND 1 Poll 311

1️⃣ <a href="https://poll.blue/p/PJFYAZ/1" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">New Special Playgames - Issue 35
2️⃣ <a href="https://poll.blue/p/PJFYAZ/2" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">Stars Spectrum issue 04 - Juegos

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November 13, 2025 at 7:32 PM
BATTLE OF THE COVERTAPES ROUND 1 Poll 310

1️⃣ <a href="https://poll.blue/p/LnLz9O/1" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">Astrodata 3000 issue 2
2️⃣ <a href="https://poll.blue/p/LnLz9O/2" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">Soft Spectrum issue 24

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November 13, 2025 at 7:24 PM
BATTLE OF THE COVERTAPES ROUND 1 Poll 309

1️⃣ <a href="https://poll.blue/p/nApsIZ/1" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">Load 'n' Run issue 49
2️⃣ <a href="https://poll.blue/p/nApsIZ/2" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">Software Magazine issue 10a

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November 13, 2025 at 7:18 PM
This has also ended in a dead heat so I'm putting through Video Basic issue 09.
Poll results after 24 hours: BATTLE OF THE COVERTAPES ROUND 1 Poll 307

1️⃣ Video Basic issue 09
🟦🟦🟦⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ (2)

2️⃣ Special Playgames issue 25
🟦🟦🟦🟦🟦🟦🟦⬜️⬜️⬜️ (5)
November 13, 2025 at 7:10 PM
This poll ended in a dead heat so I'm putting through Load 'n' Run issue 23.
Poll results after 24 hours: BATTLE OF THE COVERTAPES ROUND 1 Poll 308

1️⃣ Software Magazine issue 10b
🟦🟦🟦🟦⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ (3)

2️⃣ Load 'n' Run issue 23
🟦🟦🟦🟦🟦🟦⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ (4)
November 13, 2025 at 7:08 PM