iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

FrontierAstro @frontierastro.bsky.social · 30m

Next time you see The Pleiades this winter, pay attention to the star circled in the photo. This is Pleione, a Thargoid forward base, despite being infected with an INRA mycoid in 3252. The location of the alien home world remains unknown, but Pleione is too close for comfort! 😧

The Pleiades star cluster, with Pleione circled. This has been confirmed as a Thargoid forward base in Frontier First Encounters (Gametek, 1995).

In orbit around Pleione 1 in the Pleione system, in FFED3D-AJ. The message at the top of the screen reads:-
"Thargoid Clone Leader to Followers: All drive engines destroyed. Hyperspace no longer possible. All followers to withdraw to Forward Base 2. This ship highly infectious. Clone members preparing to die. Do not attempt to board. Repeat, do not attempt to board."

System information screen in FFED3D-AJ. It describes the Pleione system as being centred around a Type 'B' hot blue star but with no registered settlements.

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FrontierAstro @frontierastro.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Frontier Elite optimistically judged the separation between Alpha and Proxima Centauri to be around 900AU. Elite Dangerous is much more accurate at 13,000AU, which is why flying to Hutton Orbital is such a tedious trip compared to Eden Station. Remember to pack your sandwiches!

Eden Station orbiting planet Eden, Alpha Centauri system, in FFED3D-AJ. The red star to the left of the image is Proxima Centauri, the closest star beyond our Solar system.

The system information screen for Alpha Centauri in FFED3D-AJ. Proxima Centauri is shown (erroneously) as having a distance from its parent star of 963 AU. One AU (Astronomical Unit) is the average distance between Earth and the Sun, equating to 149,597,870 km or 92,955,807 miles.

Space view in Elite Dangerous, with Hutton Orbital targeted in the Alpha Centauri system. The distance of 0.21 ly (light years) is correct; approximately 13,000 AU. One AU (Astronomical Unit) is the average distance between Earth and the Sun, equating to 149,597,870 km or 92,955,807 miles.

System information in Elite Dangerous for Alpha Centauri, showing Proxima Centauri as having a orbiting distance from its parent star of 12,268.91 AU. One AU (Astronomical Unit) is the average distance between Earth and the Sun, equating to 149,597,870 km or 92,955,807 miles.

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FrontierAstro @frontierastro.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

It was odd that The Micro User magazine published a guide to playing Elite in January 1986, 16 months after the game was released. However Elite for the BBC Master did hit the shops later that year. It was nice to see some new Elite art, rather than the usual Philip Castle image.

The front cover of the January 1986 edition of The Micro User magazine (Volume 3, Number 11). It featured some Elite-themed artwork and also showed the guide to playing Elite contained within.

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FrontierAstro @frontierastro.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Unsurprisingly, #Commodore64 owners were desperate to play #Elite on their machine, having witnessed it on the #BBCMicro and #AcornElectron. In 1985, their prayers were answered and the game was a massive hit everywhere. #AmstradCPC and #Spectrum versions soon followed.

An advert for Elite on the Commodore 64 home computer (Firebird, 1985). The headline read "Out in deep space, these reviewers faced their toughest test."

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FrontierAstro @frontierastro.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Back in 1984, this was probably the most exciting moment in computer games up to that point - when the first mission was triggered in #BBCElite. Suddenly you felt much more important, as Her Majesty's Space Navy was giving *you* a secret mission to carry out! Happy days...

First page of the Constrictor mission in BBC Elite (Acornsoft, 1984).
(***** is replaced by the current Commander's name.)

The text reads as follows:-

"Greetings Commander *****, I am Captain Fosdyke Smythe of Her Majesty's Space Navy and I beg a moment of your valuable time.
We would like you to do a little job for us.
The ship you see here is a new model, the Constrictor, equiped (sic) with a top secret new shield generator.
Unfortunately it's been stolen."

Second page of the Constrictor mission in BBC Elite (Acornsoft, 1984).

"It went missing from our ship yard on Xeer five months ago and is believed to have jumped to this galaxy.
Your mission, should you decide to accept it, is to seek and destroy this ship.
You are cautioned that only Military Lasers will penetrate the new shields and that the Constrictor is fitted with an E. C. M. System.
Good luck, Commander.
MESSAGE ENDS"

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FrontierAstro @frontierastro.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

Back in 1993, it was quite novel to see animated adverts within computer games, although in #FrontierElite2 they were for fictitious products. I can't imagine what Crater Juice tastes like, but apparently in the summer of 3200 the only way to drink it is Ice Cold 🥤🙂

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FrontierAstro @frontierastro.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

A significant birthday for #Elite this year - the game is now 42 years old. Definitely the answer to Life, The Universe and Everything! The #MostlyHarmless combat ranking is another connection to Douglas Adams' #HHGTTG. I wonder what he would have made of #EliteDangerous?

A still image of the spinning Cobra Mark 3 space ship at the start of Elite for the BBC Computer (Acornsoft, 1984). The text on the screen reads as follows:-

---- E L I T E ----
By D. Braben & I. Bell
Load New Commander (Y/N)?
(C) Acornsoft 1984

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FrontierAstro @frontierastro.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

#BEEBUG was an A5-sized computer magazine in the UK, taking a mainly serious look at the #BBCMicro during the 1980s and 1990s. It included a favourable single-page review of #BBCElite in its November 1984 edition, awarding the game a deserved 5 stars!

The front cover of the November 1984 issue of BEEBUG magazine (Vol 3 No 6). It included the familiar Elite artwork by Philip Castle, albeit in monochrome, and the words "Elite - the new supergame" above the picture.

The single-page review of Elite in the November 1984 issue of BEEBUG magazine (Vol 3 No 6). It rated the game very highly, and awarded it 5 stars out of 5.

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FrontierAstro @frontierastro.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

I don't want #Commodore64 owners to feel left out, and #C64Elite was in many ways better than the Spectrum version, especially the graphics. Anyway, it was another portal to the amazing world of #Elite for many kids in the UK and beyond, and the 4th best version of Elite ever!

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FrontierAstro @frontierastro.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

For many 80s kids, this was their introduction to #Elite, when #SpectrumElite was released by Firebird in 1985. Whether you were playing it safe by taking agricultural goods to Zaonce, or smuggling narcotics to Riedquat for huge profits, this was #EliteDangerous 40+ years ago!

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FrontierAstro @frontierastro.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

Look closely at these images from the #CommodoreAmiga and #AtariST versions of #Elite in 1988. Notice much difference? They're virtually identical games developed by Mr Micro. Fine games though they were, 5 years later #FrontierElite2 came along and rewrote the space sim genre.

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FrontierAstro @frontierastro.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

#Elite was hugely popular in the USA as well as the UK and Europe, and the two obvious machines to release it on were the #Commodore64 in 1985 and #AppleII in 1986. Both were excellent conversions and sold well. #Commodore64Elite was especially well done by the original authors.

A poster for Commodore 64/128 Elite (Firebird, 1985), for the USA market.

The front of the USA retail box for Apple II Elite (Firebird, 1986). In addition to the usual Firebird Elite graphics was a sticker which read "Fly To Britain Competition".

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FrontierAstro @frontierastro.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

Look at all the medals and permits I've accrued in #FirstEncounters! "Supreme Knight of the Shining Arc" was awarded for destroying the Thargoid homeworld, a mission never actually implemented in the game 😊 The others are all from regular gameplay though. tiny.one/FFED3DAJ

The Commander status screen in AndyJ's FFED3DAJ - a modern remake of Frontier First Encounters (Gametek, 1995). All ranks, medals and permits are genuine, with the exception of "Supreme Knight of the Shining Arc", which was awarded for successfully completing a mission to destroy the Thargoid home world. This mission was never implemented in the game.

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FrontierAstro @frontierastro.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

#FFED3DAJ To my mind, the pinnacle of all the Elite & Frontier games. A labour of love by Andy Jones, who took FFED3D, fixed more bugs, improved the game and gave us pretty much the perfect #FrontierFirstEncounters. Details can be found at tiny.one/FFED3DAJ RIP AndyJ 🙁

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FrontierAstro @frontierastro.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

A&B Computing was a popular computer magazine in the UK during the heyday of the #BBCMicro. They awarded #BBCElite a healthy 95% score in the December 1984 issue. Eagle-eyed readers would have noticed a couple of typos/errors, but it was otherwise a good, accurate review.

The front cover of the December 1984 issue of A&B Computing magazine. The main image was the familiar Elite artwork by Philip Castle, which adorned the Acornsoft releases of the game.

The five-column review of Elite, in the December 1984 issue of A&B Computing magazine. The review scores were as follows:-
Sounds - 90%
Graphics - 90%
Documentation - 100%
Value for money - 80%
Overall - 95%

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FrontierAstro @frontierastro.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

How do you play #Elite on a machine with no keyboard? Easy, you add an innovative icon-based system, which becomes second nature within minutes. That's what David Braben and Ian Bell did with the amazing #NESElite in 1991, bringing the legendary game to console owners everywhere!

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FrontierAstro @frontierastro.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

So we have 100% clarity about the best versions of #Elite, here's the FrontierAstro Top 10. The top 3 are:- 1. #BBCElite - the original and still the best 2. #NESElite - the "impossible" version, and a great one too 3. #BBCMasterElite - fast, colourful and amazing fun to play

The FrontierAstro Top 10 versions of Elite, which are:-
1. BBC Model B (disc)
2. Nintendo Entertainment System (NES)
3. BBC Master
4. Commodore 64
5. Amstrad CPC
6. Acorn Archimedes
7. MSX
8. Sinclair Spectrum
9. BBC Model B (tape)
10. Commodore Amiga

A spinning Krait spaceship at the start of BBC disc Elite (Acornsoft, 1984).

A space scene from the NES version of Elite (Imagineer, 1991), featuring a Dodecahedron (Dodo) space station and an unidentified ship.

The classic space scene from BBC Master Elite (Acornsoft, 1986).

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FrontierAstro @frontierastro.bsky.social · 19/08/2026

Ok, now the debate about the best version of #Elite has been settled 😉 the question is, why is it #BBCElite? Well, aside from the brilliant way it plays, you get a real sense that this is the way the authors envisaged the game, and that what you're playing is The Real Deal™ 😎

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FrontierAstro @frontierastro.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

Elite on three different #Commodore machines. Firstly the #CBM64, then the #Plus4 and finally the #CommodoreAmiga. The 8-bit versions are essentially indistinguishable and honestly better looking than the garish Amiga version! IMHO 😛

Spinning Cobra Mark 3 in Commodore 64 Elite (Firebird, 1985).

Approaching a Coriolis space station in Commodore Plus/4 Elite (unofficial, 1988).

Spinning Cobra Mark 3 in Commodore Amiga Elite (Firebird, 1988).

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FrontierAstro @frontierastro.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

Here's the interview with #Elite authors Ian Bell and David Braben from Acorn World in 1984. It's a good interview and quite amusing in places! I have still drawn a complete blank as to what this publication actually was, as its not mentioned as a magazine supplement anywhere 😕

The first page of a two-page interview with Elite authors Ian Bell and David Braben in the December 1984 edition of Acorn World. This page features a photo of a young Ian Bell sitting on some steps outdoors.

The second page of a two-page interview with Elite authors Ian Bell and David Braben in the December 1984 edition of Acorn World. This page features a photo of a young David Braben sitting on some steps outdoors.

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FrontierAstro @frontierastro.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

I *think* Acorn World was a pull-out supplement from one of the main 1980s Acorn magazines. Here are #Elite co-creators Ian Bell and David Braben looking a bit glum on the front of the December 1984 edition. I'm sure they cheered up when Elite became such a massive success! 🙂

The front cover of Acorn World, believed to be a pull-out supplement from one of the major Acorn computer magazines in the 1980s. This picture from the December 1984 edition shows Elite co-creators Ian Bell and David Braben sitting on some steps and superimposed onto the familiar Elite artwork, created by Philip Castle. The top text reads "Acorn World" and the bottom text reads "Meet the ELITE team".

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FrontierAstro @frontierastro.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

In the 1980s, if you were one of those rich kids who nobody really liked, you could try to make a few friends by showing them #BBCElite on your #BBCMaster computer. The game was much more colourful and ran very smoothly, but wasn't really that different to the original game.

The front of the retail box for Elite, for the BBC B, B+, Master 128 and 6502 Second Processor computers (Acornsoft, 1986). It showed the familiar Elite artwork by Philip Castle, plus a sticker at the top of the box, which read "Acornsoft, the choice of experience in software".

BBC Elite on the BBC Master computer (Acornsoft, 1986). This image shows the classic space scene as depicted on the back of the original game boxes in 1984, but with the increased colour palette of the Master computer.

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FrontierAstro @frontierastro.bsky.social · 31/07/2026

Contrary to popular belief, not all the "Old World" systems from #Elite in #FrontierElite2 consist of one planet orbiting its parent star. Quator, for example, is a thriving multi-planet industrial anarchy, despite being scourged in the past by deadly edible arts graduates 🙂

System data for Quator in Elite (Acornsoft, 1984). It is described as a mainly industrial anarchy, scourged by deadly edible arts graduates.

System data for Quator in Frontier Elite 2 (Gametek, 1993).

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FrontierAstro @frontierastro.bsky.social · 27/07/2026

When #FrontierElite2 was released in 1993, as a nod to #Elite from the 1980s, 11 of the original star systems were included. These were centred on the important system of Lave, an agricultural/capitalist dictatorship, and are sometimes referred to as the "Old Worlds".

The short-range star chart in BBC Elite (Acornsoft, 1984). This chart is centred on the Lave system and shows the relative positions of Diso, Riedquat, Leesti, Orerve, Zaonce, Tionisla, Reorte, Uszaa & Orrere. These 10 systems - plus Quator - were carried over to Frontier Elite 2 (Gametek, 1993).

The galactic map in Frontier Elite 2 (Gametek, 1993), centred on the Lave system. Also shown are some systems carried over from the original Elite, namely Diso, Riedquat, Leesti, Zaonce, Tionisla, Reorte & Uszaa.
Further systems included from Elite were Orerve, Orrere & Quator.

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FrontierAstro @frontierastro.bsky.social · 24/07/2026

The #AcornArchimedes version of #Elite was released by Hybrid Technology in 1991. Four years later, the full game was included on the August 1995 cover disc of #AcornUser magazine, edited at the time by software archaeologist extraordinaire Mark Moxon 🙂 @markmoxon.bsky.social elite.bbcelite.com

The front cover of the August 1995 edition of Acorn User magazine. On the cover disc was the complete version of Archimedes Elite, which had been released in 1991 by Hybrid Technology. The cover also featured the iconic Elite artwork, created by Philip Castle for the initial Acornsoft versions of the game.

The cover disc of the August 1995 edition of Acorn User magazine. Included on the disc was Archimedes Elite, initially released by Hybrid Technology in 1991. The disc label stated that this was "the complete unprotected game exclusive to Acorn User".

The retail box and contents of Archimedes Elite (Hybrid Technology, 1991). Included were:-
• The game box
• The game disc (3½" floppy)
• Flight training manual (44 pages)
• Elite poster (93mm x 415mm)
• 24 ship data cards
• Function key legend / key guide
• Trading record pad
• Elite t-shirt order form

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FrontierAstro @frontierastro.bsky.social · 22/07/2026

The #AmstradCPC was known as the #SchneiderCPC in German-speaking countries, in the 1980s. #Elite retailed for DM 69.90 in 1986, which was approximately £20. The game and documentation were all translated into German, #TheDarkWheel novella becoming Das Dunkle Rad 😎

Schneider CPC Elite (Firebird, 1986) - front of retail box. Includes a price sticker of DM 69.90.

Schneider CPC Elite (Firebird, 1986) - rotating Cobra Mark 3 on opening screen.

Schneider CPC Elite (Firebird, 1986) - data on Aona system in German. Aona is 25.2 light years from Lave.

Schneider CPC Elite (Firebird, 1986) - Das Dunkle Rad novella (translated from the Robert Holdstock original The Dark Wheel).

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FrontierAstro @frontierastro.bsky.social · 20/07/2026

There were over 30 key assignments to remember on #Elite, unheard of in 1980s games, but which actually soon became familiar to the pilot. Players of #SpectrumElite on the (in)famous rubber-keyed machine, however, could use the keyboard overlay provided with the game package.

Retail box of the ZX Spectrum version of Elite (Firebird, 1985).

Keyboard overlay provided with the ZX Spectrum version of Elite (Firebird, 1985).

Spinning Cobra Mark 3 on the opening sequence of the ZX Spectrum version of Elite (Firebird, 1985).

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FrontierAstro @frontierastro.bsky.social · 17/07/2026

Is it a coincidence that my two favourite games of all time - #FrontierFirstEncounters and #Cyberpunk2077 - have strong sandbox elements in them? Carry out the missions, by all means, but also spend hours and hours just roaming around, exploring and enjoying yourself. Perfect!

Frontier First Encounters (FFED3D-AJ) - ships docked at Reaganville starport, on Biggs Colony, in the Altair system. The two ships are a Skeet Cruiser (foreground) and an Imperial Trader.

Scene from Night City in Cyberpunk 2077.

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FrontierAstro @frontierastro.bsky.social · 15/07/2026

If you're still enduring a heatwave where you live, I can recommend relaxing, and enjoying a glass or two of Pure Cold Crater Juice. If you've never played #FrontierElite2 this may confuse you though!

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FrontierAstro @frontierastro.bsky.social · 13/07/2026

The Ship Identification Chart included with non-Acornsoft versions of 8-bit #Elite in the 1980s. Boulders, asteroids, missiles and cargo barrels somehow got included, but fortunately you could still shoot these like the other ships. The space stations were invulnerable, sadly 🙁

The Ship Identification Chart included with non-Acornsoft versions of Elite in the 1980s. A number of objects which were not ships were also present, marked with a asterisk in this list. Adder, Anaconda, Boulder*, Sidewinder, Shuttle, Python, Asteroid*, Boa, Missile*, Gecko, Space Station*, Escape Capsule, Asp, Cobra, Barrel*, Ferdelance, Transporter, Thargoid, Mamba, Krait, Moray, Viper.
Not all versions had all the ships.

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FrontierAstro @frontierastro.bsky.social · 09/07/2026

Acorn User magazine took a novel approach in its December 1991 appraisal of #ArcElite. Two opposing views were provided; one for and one against the game. Perhaps the fairest thing to say is that - amazing as #ArcElite was - by the 1990s, the world was ready for #FrontierElite2.

Page 1 of Acorn User magazine's review of Archimedes Elite, in the December 1991 edition.

Page 2 of Acorn User magazine's review of Archimedes Elite, in the December 1991 edition.

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FrontierAstro @frontierastro.bsky.social · 06/07/2026

Despite a few graphical glitches and planets that resemble snooker balls, #glFrontier is a great update to #FrontierElite2 with much-improved visuals; here is the intro sequence. Game modified from the #AtariST code by Tom Morton. Music (c) Dave Lowe www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJ1W... tinyurl.com/glFE2

youtube.com

glfrontier intro

YouTube video by FrontierAstro

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FrontierAstro @frontierastro.bsky.social · 03/07/2026

I've no idea whether such an elaborate rotation system would work in Real Life™, in terms of generating "gravity" aboard the space station, but the concept in #FrontierFirstEncounters is an amazing one. Best not to look out of the window while eating your lunch though! 🤢

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FrontierAstro @frontierastro.bsky.social · 01/07/2026

The iconic boot sequence of #BBCElite, back in 1984. From there, you could go wherever your imagination let you...

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FrontierAstro @frontierastro.bsky.social · 29/06/2026

Ever wondered how many different versions of #Elite there are? Well, here are 27 of them - all helpfully identified - but there are still one or two which have so far eluded me. The rarest of these is probably #EinsteinElite or #MSXElite. The best IMHO is BBC disc Elite.

A total of 27 versions of the computer game Elite, with each one identified.

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FrontierAstro @frontierastro.bsky.social · 25/06/2026

Of course, high humidity can be just as detrimental to human comfort as extreme temperatures, as demonstrated on Biggs Colony in the Altair system. The residents of Reaganville wouldn't even consider leaving their air conditioned homes & hotels without the necessary protection.

A Cobra Mk I ship departing Schneider Village space port, on the planet of Biggs Colony in the Altair system (FFED3D-AJ).

Approaching Reaganville space port, on the planet of Biggs Colony in the Altair system (FFED3D-AJ).

A Cobra Mk III ship docked at Reaganville space port, on the planet of Biggs Colony in the Altair system (FFED3D-AJ).

System information screen in FFED3D-AJ, showing details for the planet of Biggs Colony in the Altair system.

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FrontierAstro @frontierastro.bsky.social · 22/06/2026

Don't be fooled by the azure seas and plentiful vegetation on the planet of Valhalla, in the Tiliala system. The flora & fauna has adapted to an average temperature of 54°C. By all means explore here, but don't forget to take lots of water and a towel (see ALTs for more info).

Approaching the planet Valhalla in the Tiliala system in FFED3D-AJ. The average surface temperature here is a sweltering 54°C, but despite that there is plentiful flora and fauna which has adapted to life here.

Extract from the FE2 Gazetteer - "Valhalla is a small, hot world, comprising equal parts of tropical jungle and desert. Water covers only one third of its surface, but it teems with native life. The seafood of Valhalla is a gourmet's dream, complicated only by the dangers involved in fishing on the planet, which is subject to violent storms throughout the year. The Valhalla serpent is incorrectly named, since it is anatomically related to the mammal like native animals of the world. It grows to lengths in excess of thirty metres in the deep ocean regions of the planet and careful control of hunting of the creatures maintains the population at a sustainable level. The serpent is the source of cabitol oil and greaver, used in pharmaceuticals and beauty products throughout human space, and its brilliantly patterned hides adorn the most wealthy of the Federation.
Similarly striking animals inhabit the jungles of Valhalla, perhaps the best known being the Rajah Sphinx, now sadly extinct."

System information screen for the world of Valhalla in the Tiliala system in FFED3D-AJ. Tiliala is located 35ly from the Sol system.

Approaching planet Democracy in the Tiliala system, in FFED3D-AJ. The ship is an Imperial Trader.
Extract from the FE2 Gazetteer - "The sister world of Democracy has been terraformed and is the site for most mining and industrial activity in the system. The world is dense and mineral rich, and is heavily exploited. The combination of a naturally fertile 'organic' world and a heavily industrialised and mineralised artificial world is very successful and many of the wealthiest people of the Federation call the system home."

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FrontierAstro @frontierastro.bsky.social · 19/06/2026

This is Donaldsville spaceport in the Aymiay system in FFED3D-AJ. The average temperature on the planet of Cooperworld is 73°C. Earth is shown in the game as averaging 22°C by the year 3200. It definitely feels more like Cooperworld at the moment! 🥵

Donaldsville on the planet of Cooperworld in the Aymiay system (1,4) in FFED3D-AJ.

Departing Donaldsville starport on the planet of Cooperworld in the Aymiay system (1,4) in FFED3D-AJ. The ship shown is an Imperial Trader.

The planet of Cooperworld in the Aymiay system (1,4) in FFED3D-AJ. The average temperature here is 73°C.

System description of the Aymiay system (1,4) in FFED3D-AJ.

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FrontierAstro @frontierastro.bsky.social · 17/06/2026

#MSXElite was definitely one of the best 8-bit versions of the game, and probably the finest game for the very capable #MSX computer. The machine was not particularly successful in the UK, but had a big following in other countries. #Elite was released for it by Firebird in 1987.

MSX Elite (Firebird, 1987) - opening screen.

MSX Elite (Firebird, 1987) - rolling and rotating Wolf Mk 2 (a rare type of ship not present in many other versions of Elite).

MSX Elite (Firebird, 1987) - commander status page.

MSX Elite (Firebird, 1987) - space view. A Cobra Mk 3 in the foreground and a Coriolis space station in the background.

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FrontierAstro @frontierastro.bsky.social · 15/06/2026

It's been a while since I gave #Oolite a mention. The game has recently reached version 1.92.1, with loads of amazing new features, improved performance and bug fixes. If you need a 21st century #Elite fix, head over to the Oolite page now! oolite.space

Oolite (2003-2026) - opening screen, featuring a rotating Cobra Mk III.

Oolite (2003-2026) - approaching a Coriolis space station.

Oolite (2003-2026) - after hyperspace, approaching the sun and planet in the Riedquat system.

Oolite (2003-2026) - after hyperspace, approaching the planet in the Qutiri system.

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FrontierAstro @frontierastro.bsky.social · 12/06/2026

PCN Magazine awarded a 10/10 score for #Elite in its October 1984 review. Unlike some other reviews at the time, the article was factually accurate; even the prices were correct! This maximum review score was matched in that week's edition by Roland In Time for the Amstrad CPC.

The front cover of Personal Computer News (PCN) magazine for edition 82, 13th October 1984. It depicts a space battle, intended to represent BBC Elite (Acornsoft, 1984). Underneath the graphics, at the bottom of the page, are the words "BBC ELITE. The best computer game ever?"

The single-page review of BBC Elite in issue 82 of Personal Computer News (PCN) magazine, October 1984. It is a very positive and accurate synopsis of the game, and concludes with a 10/10 rating.

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FrontierAstro @frontierastro.bsky.social · 10/06/2026

The #CommodoreAmiga scene was still quite vibrant in 1995, but even the advanced A1200 machine struggled to run games that good PCs could. The Amiga version of #FFE was eventually shelved for performance reasons and sadly this excited preview in CU Amiga magazine was in vain 😕

Page 1 of a two-page preview of Frontier First Encounters in the March edition of CU Amiga magazine. At the time, the title of the game had not been finalised, hence the reference here to "Frontier 2 First Encounters". Eventually the release of the game on the Amiga platform was abandoned, with performance issues being cited as the main reason.

Page 2 of a two-page preview of Frontier First Encounters in the March edition of CU Amiga magazine. At the time, the title of the game had not been finalised, hence the reference here to "Frontier 2 First Encounters". Eventually the release of the game on the Amiga platform was abandoned, with performance issues being cited as the main reason.

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FrontierAstro @frontierastro.bsky.social · 08/06/2026

#BBCElite in 1984 kick-started the inclusion of lots of physical extras in computer game boxes. By the time #FrontierElite2 arrived in 1993, this was well established and the 90s probably represents the peak of computer gaming. Waiting for a 100Gb download just isn't the same!

BBC Elite (Acornsoft, 1984) - retail box contents, including the following:-
1. Space Traders Flight Training Manual
2. Dark Wheel novella
3. Ship identification poster
4. Summary of controls and ship identification card
5. Game disc
6. Competition entry card
7. Loading instructions

Frontier Elite 2 (Gametek/Konami, 1993) -CD32 version - retail box contents, including the following:-
1. Game manual
2. Gazetteer of Frontier systems
3. Stories Of Life On The Frontier
4. Star chart poster
5. Game CD
6. Quick start guide
7. Software registration card

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FrontierAstro @frontierastro.bsky.social · 05/06/2026

The #AcornElectron - the little machine that could. This cheaper alternative to the #BBCMicro was released in the UK in 1983, and gained its own version of Elite the following year. Not as capable as other Elites, but still a must-have for the machine. See ALT text for links.

The retail box for Acorn Electron Elite (Acornsoft, 1984). The artwork was created by the renowned British airbrush artist Philip Castle.

A spinning Cobra Mark 3 in Acorn Electron Elite (Acornsoft, 1984).
Disc images - including a flicker-free version - can be downloaded from Mark Moxon's Elite site, at https://elite.bbcelite.com/playing_elite/ and played on either a real machine or via an emulator.

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FrontierAstro @frontierastro.bsky.social · 03/06/2026

Try not to get caught by Chief Inspector Braben if you're flying a stolen ship in #FrontierElite2 - the penalty is likely to be a life sentence of hard labour, or worse! Presumably the same punishment applies for playing pirated computer games... 😯

Game Over headstone from Frontier Elite 2 (Gametek, 1993), which appears after the anti-theft spot checks have been failed.

Anti-theft spot check in Frontier Elite 2 (Gametek, 1993). Entering the correct letter requested from the ship's manual will reduce the frequency of these checks.

Screen from Frontier Elite 2 (Gametek, 1993) explaining that the anti-theft spot checks have failed. As a result the player has been sentenced to a life of hard labour, to discourage others from stealing.

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FrontierAstro @frontierastro.bsky.social · 01/06/2026

Ship posters were included in the Firebird and Acornsoft releases of #Elite, although the latter only showed the ships found in the tape version. Of the two, the Acornsoft edition somehow seems more elegant, perhaps like the game itself?

The Ship Identification Chart, as included in the Firebird versions of Elite. A total of 16 ships were shown, plus other objects found in the game.

The Ship Identification Chart, as included in the Acornsoft versions of Elite. A total of 7 ships were shown, plus other objects found in the game.

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FrontierAstro @frontierastro.bsky.social · 25/05/2026

Not to be outdone, the #SinclairSpectrum128 also got bespoke unofficial versions of #Elite - one of which is Elite Legend by PLM. Among the new features is ship purchasing, freight transportation, extra stations and new missions! Download it from tinyurl.com/ELegnd

Elite Legend for Sinclair Spectrum 128 (unofficial, PLM, 2021) - loading screen.

Elite Legend for Sinclair Spectrum 128 (unofficial, PLM, 2021) - spinning Cobra Mk III.

Elite Legends for Sinclair Spectrum 128 (unofficial, PLM, 2021) - carrier market.

Elite Legend for Sinclair Spectrum 128 (unofficial, PLM, 2021) - space view.

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FrontierAstro @frontierastro.bsky.social · 21/05/2026

#CommodoreElite was marketed as a game for the #Commodore128 computer, as both were released in the US in 1985. There were no additional features however. For that, download Ullrich von Bassewitz's amazing Elite 128 from csdb.dk/release/?id=... - new features and improvements!

Commodore 64/128 Elite (Firebird, 1985) - retail box front.

Commodore 64/128 Elite (Firebird, 1985) - box contents, comprising of the following (clockwise from top left):-
1. Retail box (front)
2. Retail box (back)
3. "The Dark Wheel" novella - Robert Holdstock (48 pages)
4. Ship Identification Chart
5. Order Of Elite competition entry card
6. Game floppy disc - 5¼"
7. Quick Key Control Guide
8. Space Traders Flight Training manual (64 pages)
9. Keyboard overlay

Elite 128 v 2.0 (unofficial, Ullrich von Bassewitz, 2020) for Commodore 128 computer - opening screen, featuring a spinning Cobra Mark 3 spacecraft.

Elite 128 v 2.0 (unofficial, Ullrich von Bassewitz, 2020) for Commodore 128 computer - ship equipment page, including an I.F.F. (Identification Friend or Foe) system for 6500 credits. This is one of the new items in this version of the game.

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FrontierAstro @frontierastro.bsky.social · 18/05/2026

Amstrad Action magazine very kindly gave away the complete #AmstradElite game with the January 1994 edition. I can't help wondering how many Amstrad gamers hadn't already encountered Elite in the 8 years since release though! 🤔

The front of the January 1994 edition of Amstrad Action magazine. Attached was a boxed cassette tape featuring the complete Elite game.

The cassette box inlay from the January 1994 edition of Amstrad Action magazine. It sets the scene for playing the game, and complements the full instructions contained within the magazine.

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FrontierAstro @frontierastro.bsky.social · 15/05/2026

Ok, the Gameboy Advance is quite old now, but if you still have one, you can play a great version of #Elite on it. Visit Quirky's GBA Remakes or tinyurl.com/GBA-Elite to play or emulate it! 😎

Spinning Cobra Mk III in Gameboy Advance Elite by Quirky. Download the game from https://www.geocities.ws/quirky_2k1/downloads/index.html

Space view including a Coriolis station in Gameboy Advance Elite by Quirky. Download the game from https://www.geocities.ws/quirky_2k1/downloads/index.html

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