May 3, 2026 at 7:22 PM
Mazogs. It combined clever bold graphics, a procedurally generated maze and different skill levels.
What's your "origin" video game?
Most gamers have a lot of favorite games, sure, but there's always one that basically 𝘥𝘦𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘴 you.
I'm talking about the game that flipped that little switch in your brain and made into a life-long gamer.
So, which game is 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙨?
Most gamers have a lot of favorite games, sure, but there's always one that basically 𝘥𝘦𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘴 you.
I'm talking about the game that flipped that little switch in your brain and made into a life-long gamer.
So, which game is 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙨?
September 21, 2026 at 7:43 PM
Mazogs. It combined clever bold graphics, a procedurally generated maze and different skill levels.
Mazogs - an excellent game that made use the ZX81's graphics in a very inventive way.
November 25, 2024 at 5:25 PM
Mazogs - an excellent game that made use the ZX81's graphics in a very inventive way.
What game made you fall in love with video games?
Probably Mazogs on the ZX81. It with the limitations rather than fighting with them. I still enjoy playing it today.
Probably Mazogs on the ZX81. It with the limitations rather than fighting with them. I still enjoy playing it today.
December 2, 2025 at 12:19 AM
What game made you fall in love with video games?
Probably Mazogs on the ZX81. It with the limitations rather than fighting with them. I still enjoy playing it today.
Probably Mazogs on the ZX81. It with the limitations rather than fighting with them. I still enjoy playing it today.
Just learnt that Don Priestley, a British games programmer probably best known for Mazogs on the ZX81 and a whole bunch of well known ZX Spectrum titles including 3D Tanx, Minder, and the extremely clever Popeye, The Trap Door and Flunky, passed away late last year. RIP Don, you will be missed
February 26, 2025 at 3:34 PM
Just learnt that Don Priestley, a British games programmer probably best known for Mazogs on the ZX81 and a whole bunch of well known ZX Spectrum titles including 3D Tanx, Minder, and the extremely clever Popeye, The Trap Door and Flunky, passed away late last year. RIP Don, you will be missed
MAZOGS and 3D Monster Maze, of course.
February 13, 2026 at 9:29 PM
MAZOGS and 3D Monster Maze, of course.
Me still enjoying Mazogs on my 16K ZX81
April 6, 2026 at 6:39 AM
Me still enjoying Mazogs on my 16K ZX81
"Mazogs" was one of the earliest games I remember on the Sinclair ZX81 (with the one-use swords, prisoners you found who'd tell you the way to the treasure, and the Mazogs themselves) - although "3D Monster Maze" (which I never played, but which sounds like a similar theme) seems better-known now.
September 21, 2026 at 8:41 PM
"Mazogs" was one of the earliest games I remember on the Sinclair ZX81 (with the one-use swords, prisoners you found who'd tell you the way to the treasure, and the Mazogs themselves) - although "3D Monster Maze" (which I never played, but which sounds like a similar theme) seems better-known now.
The ZX81's native resolution of 64x48 suits big bold graphics, like 3D Monster Maze and Mazogs. This is another good example where the developers have leaned into the limitations. Surprised I've not come across this before. As ever, great video review by
@villordsutch.bsky.social
@villordsutch.bsky.social
After meeting an old man in the desert, I've decided to start listening to the voices in my head, and I want to vaporise two million people. Thanks to the power of the #ZX81, I can now do that, with 3D Star Raid, which is definitely not #StarWars.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ii1A...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ii1A...
Star Wars blasts onto the ZX81 with 3D Star Raid! (16K Homebrew)
YouTube video by Villordsutch
www.youtube.com
September 8, 2026 at 6:30 AM
The ZX81's native resolution of 64x48 suits big bold graphics, like 3D Monster Maze and Mazogs. This is another good example where the developers have leaned into the limitations. Surprised I've not come across this before. As ever, great video review by
@villordsutch.bsky.social
@villordsutch.bsky.social
Steve Vickers wrote the manual and operating system for the Sinclair ZX81, Spectrum and later on the Jupiter Ace. Before Xmas his daughter commissioned me to do these paintings for him and this morning we’ve been having a lovely chat about Mazogs, my Dad and the Colossus computer at Bletchley Park.
January 13, 2025 at 2:54 PM
Steve Vickers wrote the manual and operating system for the Sinclair ZX81, Spectrum and later on the Jupiter Ace. Before Xmas his daughter commissioned me to do these paintings for him and this morning we’ve been having a lovely chat about Mazogs, my Dad and the Colossus computer at Bletchley Park.
It does. Both are excellent ZX81 games, yet I still prefer Mazogs. There's also 3D Defender by Malcolm Evans who developed 3D Monster Maze. I've also just learned that he also developed Trashman on the Spectrum, so a bit of a legend really.
September 22, 2026 at 6:23 AM
It does. Both are excellent ZX81 games, yet I still prefer Mazogs. There's also 3D Defender by Malcolm Evans who developed 3D Monster Maze. I've also just learned that he also developed Trashman on the Spectrum, so a bit of a legend really.
Maybe it's because my contract with games is an understanding that they will be stylised, and games are moving further away from that. Perhaps that's why I prefer Mazogs, my Wii, and Breath of the Wild.
March 18, 2026 at 5:08 PM
Maybe it's because my contract with games is an understanding that they will be stylised, and games are moving further away from that. Perhaps that's why I prefer Mazogs, my Wii, and Breath of the Wild.
It's Mazogs time baby! :D
August 12, 2025 at 10:16 AM
It's Mazogs time baby! :D
Later generations of console were for the convenience of the developers: more polygons, shaders, ray-tracing, etc. I don't think the games necessarily play any better. I still enjoy my Wii, Gran Turismo on the PS2, Mazogs on the ZX81, H.E.R.O. and Elite. All good games because of their limitations.
March 18, 2026 at 5:00 PM
Later generations of console were for the convenience of the developers: more polygons, shaders, ray-tracing, etc. I don't think the games necessarily play any better. I still enjoy my Wii, Gran Turismo on the PS2, Mazogs on the ZX81, H.E.R.O. and Elite. All good games because of their limitations.
A true pioneer of the UK game dev scene. So many classic games on the 8 bits. Mazogs, Trap Door, Jumbly, Minder. RIP Don - thanks for all the fun.
In memory of the late, great #DonPreistley who passed away late last year. Back in the 80s he worked mainly on the #ZXSpectrum & developed a style that was his & his alone!
Here's some of his many titles.
RIP Don - 1940-2024
Here's some of his many titles.
RIP Don - 1940-2024
February 26, 2025 at 8:33 PM
A true pioneer of the UK game dev scene. So many classic games on the 8 bits. Mazogs, Trap Door, Jumbly, Minder. RIP Don - thanks for all the fun.
ZX81 - Mazogs
Ti994A - Parsec / Munchman
Atari 2400 - Defender
ZX Spectrum - Jetpac
Ti994A - Parsec / Munchman
Atari 2400 - Defender
ZX Spectrum - Jetpac
November 17, 2024 at 3:50 PM
ZX81 - Mazogs
Ti994A - Parsec / Munchman
Atari 2400 - Defender
ZX Spectrum - Jetpac
Ti994A - Parsec / Munchman
Atari 2400 - Defender
ZX Spectrum - Jetpac
All back together and fully working after being offline for over 10 years. One of my all time favourite games on the Zeddy is Mazogs. Did you know there is a ZX80 version!!?? Almost identical and can run on a stock 4K ROM machine with 16k ram. Fabulous! 😎👍
January 6, 2024 at 8:00 PM
All back together and fully working after being offline for over 10 years. One of my all time favourite games on the Zeddy is Mazogs. Did you know there is a ZX80 version!!?? Almost identical and can run on a stock 4K ROM machine with 16k ram. Fabulous! 😎👍
Somehow I missed out on Mazogs! 😲, but for me it was of course 3D Monster Maze
December 2, 2025 at 12:57 AM
Somehow I missed out on Mazogs! 😲, but for me it was of course 3D Monster Maze
Don was an absolute legend. Mazogs is such a good game on the ZX81.
February 26, 2025 at 4:54 PM
Don was an absolute legend. Mazogs is such a good game on the ZX81.
It’s diminishing returns. PlayStation 1 to 2 was incredible, 2 to 3 was okay, then 4, yeah whatever. But don’t take my opinion for it. Mazogs is one of my favourite games.
September 25, 2025 at 8:31 PM
It’s diminishing returns. PlayStation 1 to 2 was incredible, 2 to 3 was okay, then 4, yeah whatever. But don’t take my opinion for it. Mazogs is one of my favourite games.
Re-skeet a picture of the first game you remember playing. (Mazogs, ZX81)
September 10, 2023 at 3:37 PM
Re-skeet a picture of the first game you remember playing. (Mazogs, ZX81)