Eskimo Eddie

Overview

Eskimo Eddie is an arcade-style action game originally released for home microcomputers in 1984. This remastered emulated edition brings together the ZX Spectrum and Commodore 64 versions, with Eddie and Percy Penguin facing polar bear Growler and the Snowbugs.

The opening level centers on rescuing Percy, but its obstacles differ between versions. On ZX Spectrum, Eddie dodges ice holes and polar bears moving across the screen. On Commodore 64, he jumps over snowballs while climbing toward the goal. After the rescue, Percy must fend off Snowbugs and use sliding ice blocks for protection.

The edition adds save and load at any point, controller support, control remapping, and image scaling and smoothing options. It is developed by Ocean Software and published by Pixel Games UK. The Steam release is dated January 17, 2023.

For more titles from the same maker, see Games by Ocean Software.

Key features

• Emulated versions of the ZX Spectrum and Commodore 64 releases.
• Different first-level obstacles in the two versions: ice holes and crossing polar bears on ZX Spectrum, or snowballs on Commodore 64.
• Rescue Percy, then help him defend against Snowbugs using sliding ice blocks.
• Save or load progress at any point.
• Support for most modern game controllers and full control remapping.
• Image scaling and smoothing options.

Platforms

The Steam release is listed for Windows, with partial controller support and Steam Cloud. The game is also available as emulated ZX Spectrum and Commodore 64 versions. Steam lists single-player and Family Sharing as additional features.

Who it's for

Eskimo Eddie suits players interested in arcade-style action and the contrast between its two 1980s computer versions. The changing obstacles give the opening rescue level a different shape on ZX Spectrum and Commodore 64. Its save-anywhere option, remappable controls, and display adjustments add flexibility for players returning to this older game.

Pros and cons

Pros

• Includes both ZX Spectrum and Commodore 64 versions, whose first-level challenges differ.
• Allows saving and loading at any point.
• Offers control remapping and image scaling and smoothing options.

Cons

• The Steam listing specifies partial, rather than full, controller support.
• The supplied feature information describes single-player play only.

Alternatives

Other listed games to consider include Last Rites, Motor Mash, Sleepwalker, Super Hunchback, Elf, Phantom Club, and The Great Escape.

Verdict

Eskimo Eddie’s defining appeal is the inclusion of two emulated versions with a distinct first-level variation, alongside practical options such as saving at any point and remapping controls. The rescue-and-defense structure is straightforward: Eddie faces the route to Percy, then Percy uses ice blocks to hold off Snowbugs. Players seeking this specific arcade-style microcomputer game can choose between its ZX Spectrum and Commodore 64 forms on the Windows release.