Cobra

Cobra: A Game with Many Faces

Released in 1986 by Ocean Software, Cobra was a side-scrolling action game based on the Sylvester Stallone movie of the same name. Developed for the ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64, and Amstrad CPC, Cobra offered a very different experience depending on the platform. While the ZX Spectrum version is widely praised for its fast-paced action and well-implemented mechanics, the Commodore 64 version is often criticized for its clunky controls and frustrating gameplay. This game serves as a prime example of how a single title could offer vastly different experiences depending on the system.

ZX Spectrum version

Gameplay: Fast, Furious, and Flawed

In Cobra, players take on the role of Marion "Cobra" Cobretti, a hardened cop tasked with rescuing Ingrid, a key witness in a violent gang's criminal activities. Armed with a gun and powerful melee attacks, Cobra must battle his way through hordes of enemies in a relentless action-packed side-scroller. The game is divided into three main stages, featuring streets, rooftops, and industrial areas.

The biggest difference across versions is the pacing and combat mechanics. The ZX Spectrum version delivers a tight, responsive, and well-balanced experience, with satisfying enemy encounters and well-tuned platforming elements. The Commodore 64 version, however, suffers from stiff animations, poor enemy AI, and unresponsive controls, making the experience much more frustrating.

Graphics and Sound: A Mixed Bag

Visually, Cobra differs greatly between platforms. The ZX Spectrum version has clean and detailed sprites that, while limited in color, maintain an impressive level of clarity. The Commodore 64 version attempted to introduce more color but resulted in a messy and hard-to-read visual design, where character sprites blend into the background, making enemies difficult to spot.

Sound is another point of divergence. The ZX Spectrum version features simple but fitting sound effects, while the C64 version has a weak and uninspired soundtrack that fails to capture the action-packed tone of the game.

Major Differences Between Versions

ZX Spectrum vs. Commodore 64: A Night and Day Difference

The ZX Spectrum version of Cobra is widely considered the best, offering fluid controls, well-designed enemy encounters, and a fair challenge. The Commodore 64 version, in contrast, suffers from poor hit detection, awkward movement, and an overall frustrating difficulty curve.

ZX Spectrum (⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐)

✔ Fast-paced and responsive gameplay.
✔ Great enemy placement and balanced difficulty.
✔ Tight controls that make combat enjoyable.
✔ Minimal but effective sound design.

Commodore 64 (⭐⭐)

✘ Unresponsive controls make jumping and shooting frustrating.
✘ Poor enemy AI and hit detection.
✘ Clunky character animations that feel sluggish.
✘ Mediocre sound effects and uninspired music.

Same Name, Different Games

During the 8-bit and 16-bit gaming era, it was common for a game to have completely different versions depending on the platform. Unlike modern gaming, where multi-platform releases generally offer the same experience, games in the 1980s and early 1990s were often entirely separate creations.

This was due to several factors, including:

• Hardware limitations – Each system had different graphical, memory, and sound capabilities.
• Separate development teams – Often, different studios were hired to develop the game for each platform, leading to vastly different interpretations.
• Marketing decisions – Some versions were simplified or changed to appeal to specific audiences.

Cobra is a perfect example of this phenomenon. The ZX Spectrum version is a well-designed and fast-paced action game, whereas the Commodore 64 version suffers from poor controls, awkward mechanics, and lackluster gameplay. Despite sharing the same title, the experiences are vastly different.

Commodore 64 version

Legacy

Cobra is an interesting case study in game conversions across platforms. The ZX Spectrum version is still fondly remembered as one of the best action games on the system, while the Commodore 64 version has largely been forgotten or remembered as a missed opportunity. Despite its flaws, the game remains a fascinating part of Ocean Software's history and a prime example of how game development in the 1980s could result in wildly different versions of the same title.

Final Score

ZX Spectrum:

88%

Commodore 64:

40%