Attack of the Mutant Camels

Company : HES
Year    : 1983
Author  : Jeff Minter
Rating  : 8
Rarity  : Uncommon
Comments: Known as Matrix in the UK, HES decided to rename the game for the US market. Another fast shooter in the Centipede mould, the sequel to Gridrunner boasted more features and more things to try and kill you! Always quality coming from Minter now.

Gridrunner

Company : HES
Year    : 1982
Author  : Jeff Minter
Rating  : 7
Rarity  : Uncommon
Comments: The prequel to Matrix. Graphics are no big shakes, even in the sequel, but the basics for the gameplay and addiction are still very much present. Play this, then Matrix to try and get inside the head of Minter now. Centipede inspired, but a few new twists implemented to keep you on your toes.

HESMon 64

Company : HES
Year    : 1983
Author  : Terry Peterson
Rating  : 7
Rarity  : Common
Comments: A good solid machine language monitor for the C64. Plenty of commands and flexibilty available for compilation, bug hunting and hacking.

HES Writer 64

Company : HES
Year    : 1982
Author  : Jerry Bailey
Rating  : 6
Rarity  : Uncommon
Comments: A word processor program for the C64, in only 8k. Not bad functionality and features for a program in such a small size. Need the manual to get most of it though.

Lazer Zone

Company : HES
Year    : 1983
Author  : Jeff Minter
Rating  : 7
Rarity  : Scarce
Comments: Probably the least well known of the 3 Minter games released by HES, but that doesn't mean it is bad. Control two guns on X and Y axes to blast away the attacking invaders. Two player competition and co-operative mode makes it even better, coupled with the trademark Minter loud effects.

Maze Master

Company : HES
Year    : 1983
Author  : Michael Cranford
Rating  : 7
Rarity  : Uncommon
Comments: Before The Bard's Tale came this game from the same author. You can see many of the ideas here that were later transported to said classic RPG, including roster of members, turn based combat, spells, review board grading and first person maze view. Not a bad little game all in all, just very difficult to begin with. Unless you are careful you will die quite often and lose all that you have done!

Minnesota Fat's Pool Challenge

Company : HES
Year    : 1983
Author  : N. Strange
Rating  : 6
Rarity  : Uncommon
Comments: The game is licensed from Bubble Bus in the UK and is called Hustler. One of the first pool games to appear, and like all of them at the time, not quite with it in terms of playability, accuracy or realistic ball movement. Least it has a 2 player option for some challenge and competitive action.

Mr TNT

Company : HES
Year    : 1984
Author  : Harley Puthuff Jr
Rating  : 6
Rarity  : Scarce
Comments: The game is a bit like Qix in that you control some sort of cursor across the screen avoiding the nasties. The difference being instead of drawing a trail behind you, the object is to remove all the trails from the screen. Not easy. You must make sure you don't run into any dead ends for a start. So a bit of planning is required to even complete the first screen.

Paint Brush

Company : HES
Year    : 1983
Author  : Joseph Depp
Rating  : 5
Rarity  : Uncommon
Comments: A paintbrush program with a variety of options and style available. Included is a demo tape containing a selection of reasonable images you can produce with the program. Not bad, but far from comprehensive or detailed.

Retro Ball

Company : HES
Year    : 1982
Author  : Alick Dziabczenko
Rating  : 5
Rarity  : Common
Comments: A computer version of the air-hockey game we see in various amusement places. The game is 1 or 2 player, which really does help its appeal somewhat. Graphics and sound are rather basic, though the physics of the puck seem realistic to a sense. Gameplay is probably not involving enough even with 2 people to warrent many plays.

Rootin' Tootin'

Company : HES
Year    : 1983
Author  : Bryce Nesbitt
Rating  : 8
Rarity  : Uncommon
Comments: Converted from the little known Data East arcade game, this was the inspiration for the Taskset game Jammin'. Plays rather like Pacman in that you guide your instrument round a maze collecting notes. But the notes then fire off in certain directions and can kill the pursuing nasties instead of having power pills. Gives you a challenge and definitely fun to plug in and play.

The Pit

Company : HES
Year    : 1983
Author  : Bill Haberiob
Rating  : 5
Rarity  : Scarce
Comments: A cross between Dig Dug and Boulderdash, the object appears to be to dig your way through the underground to rescue your fellow aliens and avoids all the nasty things that could befall them. Graphics are mainly character blocks with the odd sprite thrown in, and music isn't that much better. And all the time there is a tank trying to blast your UFO to bits. Mildly entertaining, and a curious game to boot.

Turtle Graphics 2

Company : HES
Year    : 1983
Author  : David Malmberg
Rating  : 6
Rarity  : Common
Comments: A pretty decent Logo type program where you can program in the drawing and creation of pretty patterns, colourful images and even design some sprites. Best needs the manual to get the most out of it of course.