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FrontierAstro @FrontierAstro

All about the Elite and Frontier games from the 1980s and 1990s, plus a bit of astronomy.

Joined April 2012
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  • Followers 742
424 Photos and videos
It's been a while since I gave #Oolite a mention. The game has recently reached version 1.92.1, with loads of amazing new features, improved performance and bug fixes. If you need a 21st century #Elite fix, head over to the Oolite page now! oolite.space/
Oolite (2003-2026) - opening screen, featuring a rotating Cobra Mk III.

ALT Oolite (2003-2026) - opening screen, featuring a rotating Cobra Mk III.

Oolite (2003-2026) - approaching a Coriolis space station.

ALT Oolite (2003-2026) - approaching a Coriolis space station.

Oolite (2003-2026) - after hyperspace, approaching the planet in the Qutiri system.

ALT Oolite (2003-2026) - after hyperspace, approaching the planet in the Qutiri system.

Oolite (2003-2026) - after hyperspace, approaching the sun and planet in the Riedquat system.

ALT Oolite (2003-2026) - after hyperspace, approaching the sun and planet in the Riedquat system.

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PCN Magazine awarded a 10/10 score for #Elite in its October 1984 review. Unlike some other reviews at the time, the article was factually accurate; even the prices were correct! This maximum review score was matched in that week's edition by Roland In Time for the Amstrad CPC.
The front cover of Personal Computer News (PCN) magazine for edition 82, 13th October 1984. It depicts a space battle, intended to represent BBC Elite (Acornsoft, 1984). Underneath the graphics, at the bottom of the page, are the words "BBC ELITE. The best computer game ever?"

ALT The front cover of Personal Computer News (PCN) magazine for edition 82, 13th October 1984. It depicts a space battle, intended to represent BBC Elite (Acornsoft, 1984). Underneath the graphics, at the bottom of the page, are the words "BBC ELITE. The best computer game ever?"

The single-page review of BBC Elite in issue 82 of Personal Computer News (PCN) magazine, October 1984. It is a very positive and accurate synopsis of the game, and concludes with a 10/10 rating.

ALT The single-page review of BBC Elite in issue 82 of Personal Computer News (PCN) magazine, October 1984. It is a very positive and accurate synopsis of the game, and concludes with a 10/10 rating.

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The #CommodoreAmiga scene was still quite vibrant in 1995, but even the advanced A1200 machine struggled to run games that good PCs could. The Amiga version of #FFE was eventually shelved for performance reasons and sadly this excited preview in CU Amiga magazine was in vain😕
Page 1 of a two-page preview of Frontier First Encounters in the March edition of CU Amiga magazine. At the time, the title of the game had not been finalised, hence the reference here to "Frontier 2 First Encounters". Eventually the release of the game on the Amiga platform was abandoned, with performance issues being cited as the main reason.

ALT Page 1 of a two-page preview of Frontier First Encounters in the March edition of CU Amiga magazine. At the time, the title of the game had not been finalised, hence the reference here to "Frontier 2 First Encounters". Eventually the release of the game on the Amiga platform was abandoned, with performance issues being cited as the main reason.

Page 2 of a two-page preview of Frontier First Encounters in the March edition of CU Amiga magazine. At the time, the title of the game had not been finalised, hence the reference here to "Frontier 2 First Encounters". Eventually the release of the game on the Amiga platform was abandoned, with performance issues being cited as the main reason.

ALT Page 2 of a two-page preview of Frontier First Encounters in the March edition of CU Amiga magazine. At the time, the title of the game had not been finalised, hence the reference here to "Frontier 2 First Encounters". Eventually the release of the game on the Amiga platform was abandoned, with performance issues being cited as the main reason.

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#BBCElite in 1984 kick-started the inclusion of lots of physical extras in computer game boxes. By the time #FrontierElite2 arrived in 1993, this was well established and the 90s probably represents the peak of computer gaming. Waiting for a 100Gb download just isn't the same!
BBC Elite (Acornsoft, 1984) - retail box contents, including the following:- 1. Space Traders Flight Training Manual 2. Dark Wheel novella 3. Ship identification poster 4. Summary of controls and ship identification card 5. Game disc 6. Competition entry card 7. Loading instructions

ALT BBC Elite (Acornsoft, 1984) - retail box contents, including the following:- 1. Space Traders Flight Training Manual 2. Dark Wheel novella 3. Ship identification poster 4. Summary of controls and ship identification card 5. Game disc 6. Competition entry card 7. Loading instructions

Frontier Elite 2 (Gametek/Konami, 1993) -CD32 version - retail box contents, including the following:- 1. Game manual 2. Gazetteer of Frontier systems 3. Stories Of Life On The Frontier 4. Star chart poster 5. Game CD 6. Quick start guide 7. Software registration card

ALT Frontier Elite 2 (Gametek/Konami, 1993) -CD32 version - retail box contents, including the following:- 1. Game manual 2. Gazetteer of Frontier systems 3. Stories Of Life On The Frontier 4. Star chart poster 5. Game CD 6. Quick start guide 7. Software registration card

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The #AcornElectron - the little machine that could. This cheaper alternative to the #BBCMicro was released in the UK in 1983, and gained its own version of Elite the following year. Not as capable as other Elites, but still a must-have for the machine. See ALT text for links.
The retail box for Acorn Electron Elite (Acornsoft, 1984). The artwork was created by the renowned British airbrush artist Philip Castle.

ALT The retail box for Acorn Electron Elite (Acornsoft, 1984). The artwork was created by the renowned British airbrush artist Philip Castle.

A spinning Cobra Mark 3 in Acorn Electron Elite (Acornsoft, 1984). Disc images - including a flicker-free version - can be downloaded from Mark Moxon's Elite site, at https://elite.bbcelite.com/playing_elite/ and played on either a real machine or via an emulator.

ALT A spinning Cobra Mark 3 in Acorn Electron Elite (Acornsoft, 1984). Disc images - including a flicker-free version - can be downloaded from Mark Moxon's Elite site, at https://elite.bbcelite.com/playing_elite/ and played on either a real machine or via an emulator.

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Try not to get caught by Chief Inspector Braben if you're flying a stolen ship in #FrontierElite2 - the penalty is likely to be a life sentence of hard labour, or worse! Presumably the same punishment applies for playing pirated computer games... 😯
Game Over headstone from Frontier Elite 2 (Gametek, 1993), which appears after the anti-theft spot checks have been failed.

ALT Game Over headstone from Frontier Elite 2 (Gametek, 1993), which appears after the anti-theft spot checks have been failed.

Anti-theft spot check in Frontier Elite 2 (Gametek, 1993). Entering the correct letter requested from the ship's manual will reduce the frequency of these checks.

ALT Anti-theft spot check in Frontier Elite 2 (Gametek, 1993). Entering the correct letter requested from the ship's manual will reduce the frequency of these checks.

Screen from Frontier Elite 2 (Gametek, 1993) explaining that the anti-theft spot checks have failed. As a result the player has been sentenced to a life of hard labour, to discourage others from stealing.

ALT Screen from Frontier Elite 2 (Gametek, 1993) explaining that the anti-theft spot checks have failed. As a result the player has been sentenced to a life of hard labour, to discourage others from stealing.

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Ship posters were included in the Firebird and Acornsoft releases of #Elite, although the latter only showed the ships found in the tape version. Of the two, the Acornsoft edition somehow seems more elegant, perhaps like the game itself?
The Ship Identification Chart, as included in the Firebird versions of Elite. A total of 16 ships were shown, plus other objects found in the game.

ALT The Ship Identification Chart, as included in the Firebird versions of Elite. A total of 16 ships were shown, plus other objects found in the game.

The Ship Identification Chart, as included in the Acornsoft versions of Elite. A total of 7 ships were shown, plus other objects found in the game.

ALT The Ship Identification Chart, as included in the Acornsoft versions of Elite. A total of 7 ships were shown, plus other objects found in the game.

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Not to be outdone, the #SinclairSpectrum128 also got bespoke unofficial versions of #Elite - one of which is Elite Legend by PLM. Among the new features is ship purchasing, freight transportation, extra stations and new missions! Download it from tinyurl.com/ELegnd
Elite Legends for Sinclair Spectrum 128 (unofficial, PLM, 2021) - loading screen.

ALT Elite Legends for Sinclair Spectrum 128 (unofficial, PLM, 2021) - loading screen.

Elite Legends for Sinclair Spectrum 128 (unofficial, PLM, 2021) - spinning Cobra Mk III.

ALT Elite Legends for Sinclair Spectrum 128 (unofficial, PLM, 2021) - spinning Cobra Mk III.

Elite Legends for Sinclair Spectrum 128 (unofficial, PLM, 2021) - carrier market.

ALT Elite Legends for Sinclair Spectrum 128 (unofficial, PLM, 2021) - carrier market.

Elite Legends for Sinclair Spectrum 128 (unofficial, PLM, 2021) - space view.

ALT Elite Legends for Sinclair Spectrum 128 (unofficial, PLM, 2021) - space view.
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#CommodoreElite was marketed as a game for the #Commodore128 computer, as both were released in the US in 1985. There were no additional features however. For that, download Ullrich von Bassewitz's amazing Elite 128 from csdb.dk/release/?id=185931 - new features and improvements!
Commodore 64/128 Elite (Firebird, 1985) - retail box front.

ALT Commodore 64/128 Elite (Firebird, 1985) - retail box front.

Commodore 64/128 Elite (Firebird, 1985) - box contents, comprising of the following (clockwise from top left):- 1. Retail box (front) 2. Retail box (back) 3. "The Dark Wheel" novella - Robert Holdstock (48 pages) 4. Ship Identification Chart 5. Order Of Elite competition entry card 6. Game floppy disc - 5¼" 7. Quick Key Control Guide 8. Space Traders Flight Training manual (64 pages) 9. Keyboard overlay

ALT Commodore 64/128 Elite (Firebird, 1985) - box contents, comprising of the following (clockwise from top left):- 1. Retail box (front) 2. Retail box (back) 3. "The Dark Wheel" novella - Robert Holdstock (48 pages) 4. Ship Identification Chart 5. Order Of Elite competition entry card 6. Game floppy disc - 5¼" 7. Quick Key Control Guide 8. Space Traders Flight Training manual (64 pages) 9. Keyboard overlay

Elite 128 v 2.0 (unofficial, Ullrich von Bassewitz, 2020) for Commodore 128 computer - opening screen, featuring a spinning Cobra Mark 3 spacecraft.

ALT Elite 128 v 2.0 (unofficial, Ullrich von Bassewitz, 2020) for Commodore 128 computer - opening screen, featuring a spinning Cobra Mark 3 spacecraft.

Elite 128 v 2.0 (unofficial, Ullrich von Bassewitz, 2020) for Commodore 128 computer - ship equipment page, including an I.F.F. (Identification Friend or Foe) system for 6500 credits. This is one of the new items in this version of the game.

ALT Elite 128 v 2.0 (unofficial, Ullrich von Bassewitz, 2020) for Commodore 128 computer - ship equipment page, including an I.F.F. (Identification Friend or Foe) system for 6500 credits. This is one of the new items in this version of the game.

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Amstrad Action magazine very kindly gave away the complete #AmstradElite game with the January 1994 edition. I can't help wondering how many Amstrad gamers hadn't already encountered Elite in the 8 years since release though! 🤔
The front of the January 1994 edition of Amstrad Action magazine. Attached was a boxed cassette tape featuring the complete Elite game.

ALT The front of the January 1994 edition of Amstrad Action magazine. Attached was a boxed cassette tape featuring the complete Elite game.

The cassette box inlay from the January 1994 edition of Amstrad Action magazine. It sets the scene for playing the game, and complements the full instructions contained within the magazine.

ALT The cassette box inlay from the January 1994 edition of Amstrad Action magazine. It sets the scene for playing the game, and complements the full instructions contained within the magazine.

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Ok, the Gameboy Advance is quite old now, but if you still have one, you can play a great version of #Elite on it. Visit Quirky's GBA Remakes or tinyurl.com/GBA-Elite to play or emulate it! 😎
Spinning Cobra Mk III in Gameboy Advance Elite by Quirky. Download the game from https://www.geocities.ws/quirky_2k1/downloads/index.html

ALT Spinning Cobra Mk III in Gameboy Advance Elite by Quirky. Download the game from https://www.geocities.ws/quirky_2k1/downloads/index.html

Space view including a Coriolis station in Gameboy Advance Elite by Quirky. Download the game from https://www.geocities.ws/quirky_2k1/downloads/index.html

ALT Space view including a Coriolis station in Gameboy Advance Elite by Quirky. Download the game from https://www.geocities.ws/quirky_2k1/downloads/index.html

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Still true, and probably always will be! 😍
Distracted boyfriend meme, adapted on imgflip.com to show man distracted from Elite Dangerous by BBC Elite!

ALT Distracted boyfriend meme, adapted on imgflip.com to show man distracted from Elite Dangerous by BBC Elite!

Classic space scene in BBC Elite (Acornsoft, 1984). Included in this scene are: 2 x Cobra Mk III ships 2 x Sidewinder ships 1 x Python ship 1 x Mamba ship

ALT Classic space scene in BBC Elite (Acornsoft, 1984). Included in this scene are: 2 x Cobra Mk III ships 2 x Sidewinder ships 1 x Python ship 1 x Mamba ship

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Did you know there was a demonstration program for #BBCElite sent by Acornsoft to retailers in 1984? This was for shop displays, to entice buyers. Now Mark Moxon has incorporated flicker-free graphics to make it even better! Download it now, from elite.bbcelite.com/demo/

ALT Beginning of the BBC Elite demonstration program, made flicker-free by Mark Moxon in 2026.

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#FrontierElite2 was converted for Commodore's #CD32 and was nicely reworked to use the controller. Due to the machine only having 1KB of non-volatile memory, the game could only be saved when in space, not when docked at a space station! It did run quickly and smoothly though.
Frontier Elite 2 (Gametek/Konami, 1993) for the Commodore CD32 console - retail box (front).

ALT Frontier Elite 2 (Gametek/Konami, 1993) for the Commodore CD32 console - retail box (front).

Frontier Elite 2 (Gametek/Konami, 1993) for the Commodore CD32 console - retail box contents, as follows:- 1. Game manual (105 pages) 2. Gazetteer (39 pages) 3. Stories Of Life On The Frontier (82 pages) 4. Game star map poster (73cm x 59cm) 5. Loading instructions 6. Software registration card

ALT Frontier Elite 2 (Gametek/Konami, 1993) for the Commodore CD32 console - retail box contents, as follows:- 1. Game manual (105 pages) 2. Gazetteer (39 pages) 3. Stories Of Life On The Frontier (82 pages) 4. Game star map poster (73cm x 59cm) 5. Loading instructions 6. Software registration card

Frontier Elite 2 (Gametek/Konami, 1993) for the Commodore CD32 console - CD box cover.

ALT Frontier Elite 2 (Gametek/Konami, 1993) for the Commodore CD32 console - CD box cover.

Frontier Elite 2 (Gametek/Konami, 1993) for the Commodore CD32 console - CD.

ALT Frontier Elite 2 (Gametek/Konami, 1993) for the Commodore CD32 console - CD.

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Elite for the #TatungEinstein received a very positive review in the June 1987 edition of Einstein User magazine. The game looks suspiciously like the #Spectrum version, albeit with a few unfortunate flaws. Very playable though, and probably the best game for that machine.
Review of Elite for the Tatung Einstein home computer, in the June 1987 edition of Einstein User magazine. The review was very positive, and the game was scored as follows: Graphics 90% Sound 40% Instructions 85% Difficulty 95% Value for money 99%

ALT Review of Elite for the Tatung Einstein home computer, in the June 1987 edition of Einstein User magazine. The review was very positive, and the game was scored as follows: Graphics 90% Sound 40% Instructions 85% Difficulty 95% Value for money 99%

Retail box (front) of Tatung Einstein Elite (Merlin Software, 1987).

ALT Retail box (front) of Tatung Einstein Elite (Merlin Software, 1987).

Space view in Tatung Einstein Elite (Merlin Software, 1987), approaching Coriolis space station.

ALT Space view in Tatung Einstein Elite (Merlin Software, 1987), approaching Coriolis space station.

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FrontierAstro has been online for exactly 25 years today! 🎂 This is how the site looked around 18 months after launch. The look hasn't really improved but the content has expanded considerably. Probably the longest running regularly updated Frontier website in the galaxy!
The index page of FrontierAstro in September 2002. The links herein do not function.

ALT The index page of FrontierAstro in September 2002. The links herein do not function.

ALT Animated gif of images from Frontier Elite 2 (Gametek, 1993).

ALT Animated gif of images from Frontier First Encounters (Gametek, 1995).

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For some reason, when #FrontierFirstEncounters was released in the US in 1995, it sported much improved box artwork compared to the UK and European versions. The Frontier wording was dropped; the game simply being known as First Encounters. A curious decision, given FE2s success!
First Encounters - US version (Gametek, 1995) - retail box (front).

ALT First Encounters - US version (Gametek, 1995) - retail box (front).

First Encounters - US version (Gametek, 1995) - retail box (back).

ALT First Encounters - US version (Gametek, 1995) - retail box (back).

First Encounters - US version (Gametek, 1995) - printed artwork.

ALT First Encounters - US version (Gametek, 1995) - printed artwork.

First Encounters - US version (Gametek, 1995) - advertisement.

ALT First Encounters - US version (Gametek, 1995) - advertisement.

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In 1986, Superior Software acquired the rights to selected Acornsoft products. The following year they released re-branded versions of #Elite but due to the design of the new game boxes, the Dark Wheel novella and ships poster were not included.
Magazine advert for Elite, by Superior Software/Acornsoft (1987). Versions were available for the Acorn Electron (£12.95), BBC Model B cassette (£12.95), BBC Model B & BBC Master disc (£14.95) and BBC Master Compact (£19.95).

ALT Magazine advert for Elite, by Superior Software/Acornsoft (1987). Versions were available for the Acorn Electron (£12.95), BBC Model B cassette (£12.95), BBC Model B & BBC Master disc (£14.95) and BBC Master Compact (£19.95).

Retail box (front) for Elite by Superior Software/Acornsoft (1987). The media was a 5¼" floppy disc, with versions for the BBC Model B/B , BBC Model B/B with 6502 Second Processor and BBC Master 128 or Turbo.

ALT Retail box (front) for Elite by Superior Software/Acornsoft (1987). The media was a 5¼" floppy disc, with versions for the BBC Model B/B , BBC Model B/B with 6502 Second Processor and BBC Master 128 or Turbo.

Retail box contents for BBC cassette Elite by Superior Software/Acornsoft (1987). Included are the tape cassette, Space Traders Flight Training manual and a function key legend.

ALT Retail box contents for BBC cassette Elite by Superior Software/Acornsoft (1987). Included are the tape cassette, Space Traders Flight Training manual and a function key legend.

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Unlike today, in 1993 the quality of printed game artwork was still far superior to actual in-game graphics. Nevertheless, CU Amiga magazine's hype machine went into overdrive for #FrontierElite2 in the November edition. Even the rolling demo would "stun you into insanity"!
First page of the CU Amiga magazine review of Frontier Elite 2 (November 1993).

ALT First page of the CU Amiga magazine review of Frontier Elite 2 (November 1993).

CU Amiga magazine (November 1993) describing the rolling demo of Frontier Elite 2 on that month's cover disc.

ALT CU Amiga magazine (November 1993) describing the rolling demo of Frontier Elite 2 on that month's cover disc.

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It's been a while since I posted my entire collection of Elite games (see the ALT text to identify each one). There have been few additions of late, due to crazy eBay prices. Rarest versions? Tatung Einstein and MSX. Still to find? Spectrum Elite Opus disc version (even rarer!)
Row 1 (Top):- Acorn Electron Elite, BBC Cassette Elite, BBC Disc Elite, BBC Master Elite, IBM PC Elite, Spectrum Elite, Commodore 64 Elite, Commodore 64/128 Elite Row 2:- Tatung Einstein Elite, MSX Elite, Apple II Elite, Amstrad CPC Elite (Cassette), Amstrad CPC Elite (Disc), French Amstrad Elite, German Schneider Elite, Nintendo (NES) Elite Row 3:- BBC Cassette Elite, BBC Disc and Master Elite, Acorn Electron Elite, BBC Master Elite, Atari ST Elite, Commodore Amiga Elite, Commodore Amiga Elite (Firebird), Italian Nintendo (NES) Elite Row 4:- PC Elite Plus - UK version, PC Elite Plus - US version, Acorn Archimedes Elite, Budget PC Elite Plus, Amstrad Action Elite cassette

ALT Row 1 (Top):- Acorn Electron Elite, BBC Cassette Elite, BBC Disc Elite, BBC Master Elite, IBM PC Elite, Spectrum Elite, Commodore 64 Elite, Commodore 64/128 Elite Row 2:- Tatung Einstein Elite, MSX Elite, Apple II Elite, Amstrad CPC Elite (Cassette), Amstrad CPC Elite (Disc), French Amstrad Elite, German Schneider Elite, Nintendo (NES) Elite Row 3:- BBC Cassette Elite, BBC Disc and Master Elite, Acorn Electron Elite, BBC Master Elite, Atari ST Elite, Commodore Amiga Elite, Commodore Amiga Elite (Firebird), Italian Nintendo (NES) Elite Row 4:- PC Elite Plus - UK version, PC Elite Plus - US version, Acorn Archimedes Elite, Budget PC Elite Plus, Amstrad Action Elite cassette

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