If you were a 16 bit computer gamer back in the late eighties to the early nineties, then more than likely you will remember an insanely addictive and still highly playable to this day, futuristic sports game called Speedball 2 – Brutal Deluxe. First release in 1990 Speedball 2 was the ultimate in futuristic sports games which had a strangely addictive mix of violence, skill, tactics and amazing sound effects speech and graphics for the time.
The Speedball universe is set in the future with Speedball 2 happening in 2105 where sports and extreme violence have merged to form a sport that both men and women compete in. Similar in some degree to rugby the Speedball is a metal sphere and you get points when the ball beats the opposing team’s goalie and hits the back of the goal area. You can also score additional points by lighting up stars on the side of the arena and also increase the points for each goal by making use of a multiplier ramp, one positioned on each side of the pitch. Each Speedball team is given 9 players with substitutes available in case injuries happen and quite often in this violent game they do. In addition to points for scoring in Speedball you’re also awarded points for injuring an opposing player, and can inflict punches and slides on your opponents in an attempt to get the ball off them.
One of the more interesting parts of Speedball 2 was the team management in the league mode which really gave you a chance to build the team as you wanted, you started with your bunch of noobs all green and wet behind the ears. Eventually you would build them up into a hardened crack team of goal scoring, injury causing, point stealing, money grabbing winners. You also have the chance to bid on star players who could instantly give you an edge in a tough battle, one tough defender who could tackle the opponents best forward with ease, or that star forward player who would increase your odds on winning the center throw off. The star players looked really cool with bionic eyes, tattoos and scars that helped them stand out from the regular Joe’s you started off your team with.
Speedball 2 was created by The Bitmap Brothers and they were already held in high regard after releasing the also considered classic Xenon 2 – Mega blast. Speedball 2 was them on the rise to the top I think they reached their peak with Gods a mythological platformer, but Speedball 2 while not as visually rich as Gods had a hugely drawing multiplayer factor.
Speedball 2 spawned a whole variety of conversions and sequels although were still waiting for a proper sequel to Speedball 2 (Speedball 3 hint hint,) and it was released on a wide variety of game systems from its original home the Commodore Amiga, to the GBA and then to the Xbox Live where it was enhanced with a new 3d mode alongside its old retro mode. None of them have fully delivered on the promise that a future Speedball game could have and part of me hopes that the Bitmaps bring the most violent futuristic sport to a whole new generation of gamers very soon with a fully fledged sequel.
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