h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Hi folks. I played Elite off a tape drive on a BBC 'B' back in the dark ages, and then on Atari ST and have been looking for a good PC version for ages. I did have one on an Empire boxed set and it was utter pants. The graphics were better on the trusty ST. Is there a good port / new version anywhere? Please help me. I love that game. By the way, I got to Deadly before my computer died, but I did have a cheat code! Only for a docking computer though as I could NEVER get the hang of those Coriolis stations!
Cheers
xHx

http://www.cjpinder.clara.co.uk/elite.html was the best, a totally reversed engineered version, looked and played like the original, bu alas taken off for legal reasons.

I'm sure a bit of searching will turn up a copy.

CH

Cheers for that CH, I'll take a look around. I think I heard about it but was too late to snaffle a copy. If anyone's got one, please let me know!
xHx

Hi Helen,

Let me know if you find anything, duck.

"Right on, Commander!"

Otto

Try

http://public.planetmirror.com/pub/elite/elite-tnk/download.htm

But may not be there long.

CH

Got it!
Will get back to you when I've had a play.
Thankyou!!!!

H

Well I've had a quick go, and it's kind of like the BBC version, very few graphics etc. Bit weird on the controls, but the feeling is there. Still need a docking computer though! I preferred the ST version, which had mouse input and proper graphics of planets, tradables etc. Good cheat codes as well! Will do for the time being though! Perhaps there's a port of the Atari version somewhere, or one to run under emulation? Atari fans, are you out there?
Cheers guys, I'm off to check out Atari pages

xHx

..............of course you could all try Freelancer (http://www.microsoft.com/games/freelancer/)

Is very good - played the demo and just bought the real thing. Has a certain "Elite" feel about it. Although not nearly as many planets, but much better defined ones, and a story line attached which you need to follow to progress so not totally unstructured.



CH

Hi CH,

Thanks for that! I might have to add "Freelancer" to my shopping list for after my thesis is finished! I think my one reservation would be playing a character called Edison Trent....

I do like the reverse engineered Elite. I'm feeling very pleased with myself because I'm now able to dock the ship without crashing it! Either it's easier on this version, or my coordination and spacial awarenes have developed since I played the Amstrad version!

Commander Otto

..or it could be the fact that the original BBC version you could fling the ship in almost full speed, with no rotation and still dock - Mr Pinder has made Elite TNK exactly the same so it is also as "tolerant" of bad docking.

CH

You may want to google for "oolite", it's almost exactly like elite (apart from the spelling) with a few extra features and tarted up graphics.

Enjoy...