Top 5 Best ‘Ultimate: Play the Game’ Easter Eggs in Rare Replay

by Lerako on Jan 5th, 2019

Last week, Netflix premiered Black Mirror: Bandersnatch, a love letter to the bedroom coding of the ZX Spectrum wrapped in a cleverly grim Choose-Your-Own-Adventure narrative. We were pleasantly surprised to spot some Jetpac and Atic Atac wall posters during the episode, and once we had checked out all the alternative endings we found ourselves a bit wistful for the simpler times of the ‘Speccy Era’ when Rare was known as Ultimate and they made bonafide master works with only 48K.
In celebration of our recently completed archives section, we’ve decided to delve into Rare Replay to unearth a selection of Ultimate: Play the Game Easter Eggs amongst the contemporary fare. Interested in reading on? I’ll choose for you.
These are the Top 5 Best ‘Ultimate: Play the Game’ Easter Eggs in Rare Replay !

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#5. SABREMAN’S SPECTRUM ADVENTURING LEADS TO RARE WEAR – RARE REPLAY (XBOX ONE)

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Horace St. James Golightly may have been Piñata Islands pioneering explorer, but he was hardly the first – that distinction belongs to Sabreman, the Pith-helmeted hero of Sabre Wulf, Underwurlde, Knight Lore and Pentagram fame. You can provide your Piñata’s with the same sense of adventuring spirit in Viva Pinata: Trouble in Paradise by paying a visit to Miss Petula’s Paper Pets where Sabremans iconic helmet can be purchased. The description reads, “This hat has accompanied Sabreman on his many adventures. It’s rumored he keeps a secret stash of tea-leaves beneath it should he ever require an emergency cuppa.” A second reference can be found if you’ve got a resident Mallowolf – during moments of quarrel they’ll launch the Sabre Wulf amulets found inside their homes at their foes. Priceless!

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#4. JETPAC REFUELS WITH A TRIBUTE TO AN ULTIMATE LINEAGE – RARE REPLAY (XBOX ONE)

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Launching into orbit circa 2007, Jetpac Refuelled brought the original formula into the 21st century – if you’re feeling a bit nostalgic for standalone Jetpac however, you could find it tucked away in the Retro section. Playing in this manner surrounds the screen with an Ultimate-inspired border with nods to nearly every ZX Spectrum game developed. Sabreman receives a tribute in the amulet from Sabre Wulf, the Guardian of Underwurlde, cauldron from Knight Lore and the Rune covered glyph seen in Pentagram. Appropriately, the U1 Rocket and Lunar Rover from Jetpac and Lunar Jetman are alongside the Key of A.C.G. and a bag of gold taken from Atic Atac and Gunfright. Lastly, the robots featured are Robbie of Pssst and the titular Alien 8, with tire tracks belonging to Tranz Am. It’s the Ultimate reunion!

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#3. JETMAN’S TIPPING HIS TRASH ON THE TERRARIUM OF TERROR – RARE REPLAY (XBOX ONE)

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Serving as the final level in Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts, the Terrarium of Terror sends the Bear and Bird duo into Outer Space to navigate an alien arboretum. If you’re especially eagle-eyed, you might be able to spot some curious objects scattered about the level that pay tribute to Ultimate’s space-related titles on the ZX Spectrum. The golden robot was featured previously in Jetpac Refuelled as a collectable but originally appeared as the protagonist in Alien 8. The U1 Rocket is quite similar to the first craft Jetman fuels in Jetpac, and the bit of scrap metal labeled ‘MOLE T15’ refers to the number seen on the infamous trailer in Lunar Jetman. Cheeky nods also include an incorrect name for the LOGBOX 720 as ‘SPECCY 48K‘ during the final quiz, and the Ultimate: Played the Game achievement.

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#2. IS GHOULHAVEN HALL BASED IN ASHBY-DE-LA-ZOUCH? – RARE REPLAY (XBOX ONE)

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Grabbed by the Ghoulies will always resonate strongly with those hunting Rare Easter Eggs, but it must also be commended for featuring an abundance of Ultimate references to be found from the moment the game begins. In a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it opening, a Rare Bonus Book has its pages turned on screen, with the very first entry showcasing covers for Jetpac, Pssst and Knight Lore alongside clippings of Sabre Wulf and Tranz Am. Venturing into the Games Room reveals the vibrant covers for Jetpac, Knight Lore, Atic Atac, Underwurlde, Gunfright, Sabre Wulf, Alien 8 and Cookie hanging proudly on the walls. In a prophetic twist, a shelf featuring Xbox ports of Sabre Wulf, Knight Lore and Atic Atac did eventually see release when the Speccy titles were included in Rare Replay.

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#1. THE PLAZA HOUSES THE PERFECT ULTIMATE ART GALLERY – RARE REPLAY (XBOX ONE)

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You could be forgiven in presuming that the triumphant view of Jetman thrusting the Rare logo away in the introduction of Perfect Dark Zero might be the only Ultimate nod in the futuristic shooter, but the Plaza multiplayer map has an even bigger Spectrum surprise. On the outskirts of the town, three buildings have had their interiors decorated with Ultimate poster art. Walking through the Watchmaker’s House, the Needle House or the Gallery House reveals framed covers for Underwurlde, Lunar Jetman, Alien 8, Knight Lore, Atic Atac, Pssst, Pentagram, Gunfright, Bubbler and Martianoids. As a bonus, the Bot NPCs are named after Ultimate titles as well – after some shuffling in the matchmaking options, you’ll find nearly every single ZX Spectrum game represented.

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