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Mastertronic’s best-selling games deliver a wild ride down memory lane. Which classics made the top 10? Relive the era’s quirks and surprises with the core keyword Mastertronic games.
A Journey Through Mastertronic Games’ Greatest Hits
There’s something about the wild west of budget gaming that’s always drawn me in. The scrappiness, the risks, the charm of playing a title that cost as much as a sandwich—these are the stories that shaped the world of Mastertronic games. We’ve already peeked at the titles ranked 20–11; now, let’s ride into the heart of the top 10. The next five games tell a story of innovation, a pinch of controversy, and, yes, a few questionable ports.
#10 — Kane: High Noon on a Budget
Let’s set the stage: tumbleweeds, galloping horses, and the gallant rush to save a town from chaos. Kane, with 262,829 copies sold, was Mastertronic’s take on the wild west, and it delivered a surprisingly layered adventure. You’d shoot birds (oddly satisfying), face off with outlaws in rowdy saloons, and then race on horseback to halt a runaway train. The Rossini overture is still stuck in my head—perfect fit, honestly.
Breaking down by platform:
- Commodore 64 – 83,922
- Amstrad CPC – 55,863
- ZX Spectrum – 50,185
- Commodore 16 & Plus/4 – 47,420
- BBC Micro – 25,439
But not all versions were created equal. The Commodore 64 and Amstrad CPC releases are budget classics—challenging, tight, and full of that “just one more try” magic. The ZX Spectrum tried to keep pace, but it never quite matched the magic. Meanwhile, the BBC Micro and Commodore 16/Plus/4 ports lost the horseback segments due to memory limits, focusing on shooting and duels. Surprisingly, the Plus/4 version was more enjoyable than I’d have predicted; it’s clear Mastertronic knew how to squeeze every drop out of even niche platforms. The fact that these versions existed proves how well Mastertronic understood its audience—sometimes, less is more.
#9 — Chiller: The Game That Danced on Controversy
Every so often, a game stumbles into infamy, and Chiller did just that with 280,234 sales. The controversy? Its soundtrack, courtesy of David Dunn, bore more than a passing resemblance to Michael Jackson’s Thriller. And, honestly, the whole game echoes the iconic music video—five levels spanning forests, theaters, ghettos, graveyards, and a classic haunted house, all with a wink toward MJ’s aesthetic.
Sales by platform:
- Commodore 64 – 121,935
- ZX Spectrum – 61,230
- Amstrad CPC – 54,610
- MSX – 42,459
Mastertronic, fearing a lawsuit, rushed to swap out the music—meaning early versions with the “almost-Thriller” soundtrack are now hot collector’s items. The PR storm only fueled curiosity, sending sales skyward. Ed Hickman handled the Amstrad CPC and MSX ports, with the latter standing out thanks to hardware sprites (a rarity in UK-developed MSX games). Unfortunately, the ZX Spectrum port lagged behind in gameplay and just didn’t hold up in a market bursting with platform contenders. Yet, you have to admire how Mastertronic turned controversy into its greatest marketing tool. I wasn’t sure it would work, but the numbers don’t lie.
#8 — Kikstart: The Off-Road Motorcycle Challenge
Motocross and budget gaming—what could go wrong? Kikstart, with 291,491 copies sold, was Shaun Southern’s inaugural foray into the world of off-road bike stunts, inspired by the BBC’s Kick Start TV show. Originally a full-price title under Mr Chip Software, Mastertronic’s later release for Commodore 64 brought it to the masses.
Platform breakdown:
- Commodore 64 – 137,008
- Commodore 16 & Plus/4 – 92,912
- Atari 8-bit – 56,989
- Commodore 128 – 4,582
Gameplay is still sharp today, demanding precise throttle control. The Atari version feels faithful, with its own unique flavor. Here’s something that took me by surprise: the Commodore 128 edition is the only exclusive on this list, boasting extra tracks and an AI rival thanks to extra disk space. The C16 and Plus/4 port, also by Southern, diverged significantly, shifting to a timed arcade-style challenge reminiscent of Superbike. Oddly enough—it works. I didn’t expect to enjoy such a reimagined version, but somehow, the limitations led to a genuinely playable result.
#7 — Kikstart II: A Sequel That Surpassed the Original
Sequels rarely get everything right, but Kikstart II (293,941 units sold) is the rare exception. Shaun Southern returned with better graphics, tighter controls, and even a track editor—an unheard-of bonus for a budget game. The nods to the TV show remain, but the real draw is the set of punishing tracks inspired by Easton Neston estate. Critics raved—Zzap!64 famously slapped it with a glowing 96%.
By the numbers:
- ZX Spectrum – 130,676
- Commodore 64 – 107,869
- Amstrad CPC – 45,040
- Amiga – 10,356
The Spectrum version manages to keep up with the pace and excitement, but the Amstrad CPC port is, frankly, a disaster. It lost all the finesse and fun—I genuinely wondered how it went so wrong, especially after experiencing the C64 version. The Amiga edition looks great and performed decently in sales, but something about it felt off. In the end, it’s the C64 and Spectrum versions that carry the torch.
#6 — Speed King: Racing to the Top of the Charts
Nothing says 80s gaming like the rush of virtual motorsport. Speed King, with 304,923 copies sold, is Digital Integration’s ode to motorcycle racing—a spiritual sibling to Full Throttle on the Spectrum, but tailored for the Commodore 64. The mechanics stand out: shifting gears in turns is crucial, and the attention to detail gives it a lasting edge.
Sales by platform:
- Commodore 64 – 100,575
- Commodore 16 & Plus/4 – 88,821
- Amstrad CPC – 73,086
- MSX – 42,441
Mastertronic’s multi-platform approach paid off, especially as Hang-On was tearing up arcades. Ed Hickman ported the game to Amstrad CPC and MSX, and both versions are surprisingly consistent. Shaun Southern handled the C16 & Plus/4 release by repurposing his Formula 1 Simulator engine, and though it offered fewer tracks, the gameplay felt robust for the price—about $2, a true bargain. I’ll admit, I was skeptical a budget racer could impress after all these years, but firing it up again, I found myself grinning through the corners.
Reflecting on the Golden Age of Mastertronic Games
There’s an undeniable nostalgia to these Mastertronic games, but their appeal isn’t just rooted in memory. The mix of ambition, resourcefulness, and the occasional misstep paints a vivid picture of an industry learning as it went. Even when certain ports missed the mark or musical choices sparked controversy, these titles shaped the lives of millions of gamers. Which of these classics carved out a space in your collection? Or was there a surprise on this list you’d forgotten about?
ЧАСТО ЗАДАВАЕМЫЕ ВОПРОСЫ
- Which platform was the most successful for Mastertronic games in this list?
Commodore 64 consistently posted the highest sales across these top titles, proving its dominance in the budget gaming era. - Why were some versions missing gameplay elements?
Memory constraints on platforms like BBC Micro and Commodore 16/Plus/4 meant certain features—like horse-riding in Kane—had to be omitted. - How did musical controversies affect game sales?
In the case of Chiller, controversy over its “Thriller”-inspired soundtrack actually boosted its popularity, turning it into a collector’s item. - Are any of these games still enjoyable today?
Absolutely—titles like Kikstart and Speed King retain their charm and challenge, even compared to modern indie games. - Did Mastertronic often rework existing titles for different systems?
Yes, adaptations were common, with significant changes sometimes required to suit hardware limitations or market tastes.
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