Predator – Spectrum 48/128K/+2/+3 Cassette Game

Predator is a 1987 side-scrolling action game based on the 1987 film Predator and the first game in the franchise. The game starts with Major Alan Schaefer (Schwarzenegger in the film) and his small force of mercenaries rope-sliding from a hovering helicopter and beginning their hunt for missing VIPs in a dark, uncharted jungle.

Predator Spectrum Cassette Game Gameplay

Schaefer is the last to make it into the undergrowth. He finds the VIPs’ crashed chopper with no survivors – yet no bodies either. Then he realises his team has vanished – but as he moves further into the jungle’s depths, he discovers his fellow mercenaries one by one, mutilated and very dead.

Armed with grenades and a powerful machine gun, Schaefer runs through the scrolling jungle setting, using all his wits and weapons to survive guerilla ambushes and the attacks of vultures. He can soon find other weapons, obviously dropped by his murdered colleagues – and though they’re helpful, an uneasy feeling starts to roll around in the back of Schaefer’s mind.

Schaefer had been briefed to expect guerillas, and they could be disposed of quickly with his scalpel-sharp reflexes and ruthless firing. But can the mutilated bodies of his colleagues have been the work of guerillas, or is there something far more mysterious and malevolently powerful lurking in the jungle?

To reinforce this notion, a telltale triangular laser sight occasionally tracks Major Alan Schaefer.

If he survives long enough and beats the countdown clock, the mercenary leader might find out – and use all his military skills and power to destroy the sinister creature, the strange alien predator in the jungle.

Game Reviews

Predator received mixed but largely positive reviews across all the platforms, Rachael Smith of Your Sinclair scored the ZX Spectrum version at 7/10, opining it has “great graphics, but too tough to get to grips with when sudden death sneaks up at every opportunity”.  Joysticks: Cursor, Kempston, Sinclair Graphics: superb character animation, but a poor 3-D side view of the action. Sound: the meagre ‘Schaefer running’ sound is out of sync with the sprite’s movements – hardly scary Options: two keyboard layouts.

Buying Retro Cassette Tape Games

While we’ve experienced minimal to no difficulties loading both sides of this Spectrum Cassette game. It’s important to understand that results may vary on your equipment. Therefore, please keep in mind that these are sold primarily for decorative purposes, and any loading challenges you encounter will be your responsibility.

Predator Spectrum 48/128K/+2/+3 Cassette Game Ocean Software

Predator original cassette
Original inlay instructions
Original cassette case

What’s it like today?
Rarity: Fairly Common
Typical value: £3.99
Boxed & Mint: £4.99 – £19.95

Fun Factor: