Spellbound Dizzy
A large Dizzy adventure by Big Red Software in which an accident with a spell scatters the Yolkfolk across a magical world.
Image credits and source
Original cover / promotional artwork
Credit: Codemasters — artwork belongs to its respective rights holders
Source: The Oliver Twins archive
Game at a glance
- Status
- Classic
- Released
- 1991
- Platforms
- Amstrad CPC, ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64, Atari ST, Amiga, DOS
- Genres
- Adventure, Platform
- Developer
- Big Red Software; The Oliver Twins (design oversight)
- Publisher
- Codemasters
Development and publication
Development: Big Red Software; The Oliver Twins (design oversight). Publication: Codemasters.
The Oliver Twins created Dizzy and contributed the concept, design or oversight identified above. Programming and conversions are credited separately.
Making the game
Following on from the fantastic success of Magicland Dizzy developed by Big Red Software, we were more than happy to trust them to come up with their own concept and map. We worked through their designs mostly approving and added a few ideas and suggestions. Programming was Fred Williams whilst graphics were by Pete Ranson, Paul’s younger brother. Both would eventually work at Blitz games for a time.
During development various names were suggested; Inner World Dizzy was Paul Ranson’s favourite, whilst we suggested Wonderland Dizzy, Mysterious Kingdom Dizzy and Dreamworld Dizzy. Eventually, we all agreed on the title Spellbound Dizzy. Looking back at the notes it’s funny to see how all the correspondence is all handwritten letters and designs. We were using computers all the time, but when it came to writing letters, it was just easier to handwrite them and post them.
Whilst Big Red had produced a good Dizzy game with this, both Magicland Dizzy and Dizzy Prince of the Yolkfolk were better in our opinion and reviewed better.
Original documents
Archived Spellbound Dizzy document (PDF)