User:Auric/E.T.X. the Extra-Terrestrial Xargon

E.T.X. the Extra-Terrestrial Xargon is a ZX Spectrum port of Atari's game E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. The game is based around the eponymous Xargon (pronounced ) who must gather pieces of a telephone to create a "phonehome", while avoiding enemies.

Development
The game was developed, over the course of 3 months, by Abbex Electronics, a Bedford game developer that generally published clones of popular games like Asteroids (Asteroids) and Pac-Man (Spookyman).

Aspects of the game were changed for the UK. Instead of being pursued by the FBI, MI5 is involved. Reese's Pieces, which were not sold in the UK at the time, are replaced by fruit pieces.

Names were also changed. Elliot was renamed Ernie and ET is named as Xargon.

Speech (with a North London accent) is included and can be heard in several places in the game, usually when Xargon collides with obstacles. There is also a difficulty setting screen, from 1, where Xargon only encounters Ernie; to 4, where Ernie, the Professor and MI5 can be encountered. Xargon can fall into wells (holes) in the ground and take damage, though he is able to leave them by wiggling his finger and transporting up, avoiding the damage.

Availability
The game originally retailed for ₤5.95, on a double-sided cassette tape. Although physical copies are scarce, ROM copies can be found online (TAP, TZX).