Spellbound

Sales

According to the magazine Retro Gamer (issue #1), the game was Mastertronic's #24 best selling game (152.378 copies).

Development

David Jones was given complete editorial control over the sequel. Mastertronic told him that they would sell anything he would do. It took five months to complete the game including the development of Windimation on-screen menu system which was inspired by Apple Mac interface David had seen for five minutes.

Crime Busters Inc.

IJK Software released a game for ZX Spectrum called "Crime Busters Inc." which was a carbon copy of "Spellbound" featuring the same puzzles, the same menu system and even the same built-in hacker protection scheme. The situation came to light when IJK sent a review copy to Sinclair User magazine staff writer who immediately noticed the similiarities between two games. Mastertronic demanded the game to be withdrawn from sale and IJK complied with the order and plagiarising programmer - Harry Price had to write a letter of apology.

Awards

• Computer Gamer
  • February 1986 (issue #17) - Included in the list Spectrum Collection (the best Spectrum ZX games since 1985 by editorial staff choice)
• Happy Computer
  • 1986 - Runner-up as Budget Game of the Year