WHsmith & Boots 1985, 1987,1988 and 1989 computer game promo videos, those were the days!

Josey Wales · 14 Jul 2021 at 20:59

I remember standing infront of these for hours on end looking at the latest games to be coming out on various 8 and 16bit computers, good times. I thought this deserved its own thread as many of you may remember these.

"OCEAN the brand leader in computer games presents......"

1985

1987

(October 1988)

(April 1989)

(May 1989)

something daft already!! · 14 Jul 2021 at 21:09

I worked in WH Smiths for my work experience in 1984ish and I was tasked with looking after computer games. I was even given my choice of games as payment when I left. I think I got Give my regards to Broad Street which was bad and I cant remember what the other one was but something equally bad I suspect. I did enjoy it there and also did a stint in the record shop.

shuffle · 14 Jul 2021 at 23:09

Brilliant enjoyed watching those .. the late 80’s exploded with choice of consoles vs computer arcade conversions too

Chris [BEANS] · 15 Jul 2021 at 01:20

Fantastic. Great post!

Really enjoyed watching that :cool:

Screenbeat · 15 Jul 2021 at 06:44

Ah the memories!!

Jay85 · 15 Jul 2021 at 16:33

OCEAN!!! Nostalgia much haha! Brings back all the games i played on the Amiga.

darkgen · 15 Jul 2021 at 17:42

Aye; everyday after school, I was down the computer section of the High Holborn branch of WMSmith, by the rear entrance playing and talking to the young staff who were tucked away at the back. I was there so often, they even sold me an overheating Spectrum 48k for a fiver in the mid-80s.

Such happy memories; just trawling the cassette covers and gawping at screenshots and letting the imagination run wild. Better times.

Ravenger · 15 Jul 2021 at 17:58

I worked in computer shops from 1983 to 1986. What an amazing time! Especially great when I got a job which allowed me to buy games at trade prices.

I've also worked at various computer shows, demoing games. I loved the atmosphere of those events. Hard work, being on your feet all day, but great fun.

Josey Wales · 15 Jul 2021 at 22:37

darkgen said:
Aye; everyday after school, I was down the computer section of the High Holborn branch of WMSmith, by the rear entrance playing and talking to the young staff who were tucked away at the back. I was there so often, they even sold me an overheating Spectrum 48k for a fiver in the mid-80s.

Such happy memories; just trawling the cassette covers and gawping at screenshots and letting the imagination run wild. Better times.

Did the spectrum work?

darkgen · 16 Jul 2021 at 01:28

Josey Wales said:
Did the spectrum work?

Yes. Worked fine for absolutely years till I stupidly sold it, with a shedload of games for 30 quid.

Josey Wales · 21 Jul 2021 at 14:23

I found 2 more videos I Updated the OP with 1985 and 1987.

deuse · 22 Jul 2021 at 11:43

Loved watching those.

Thanks

Josey Wales · 22 Jul 2021 at 19:47

deuse said:
Loved watching those.

Thanks

Thats alright, if i find anymore ill update but there hard to find

lokiss · 25 Jul 2021 at 14:02

I remember these, the Ocean one running in Boots circa 85/86 in the vic centre Nottingham.

Back then i don't think there was any other kind of television media around computer games, aside from 5 minute slots on Saturday morning tv.

Josey Wales · 25 Jul 2021 at 17:11

lokiss said:
I remember these, the Ocean one running in Boots circa 85/86 in the vic centre Nottingham.

Back then i don't think there was any other kind of television media around computer games, aside from 5 minute slots on Saturday morning tv.

The only games i remember back then was Starglider on Motormouth and Hyper sports, 720 degrees and Paperboy on Firstclass.

lokiss · 25 Jul 2021 at 18:39

Josey Wales said:
The only games i remember back then was Starglider on Motormouth and Hyper sports, 720 degrees and Paperboy on Firstclass.

There were a few more, anything from gyles brandreth doing a morning skit on TV-AM, to the BBC doing a chart rundown on superstore. Wasn't aware of Starglider though, were there any more.

Brazo · 25 Jul 2021 at 23:40

Loved ‘Barbarian’

Ravenger · 26 Jul 2021 at 20:30

Brazo said:
Loved ‘Barbarian’

I visited Palace Software (makers of Barbarian) when they were working on the game. This was just after The Sacred Armour of Antiriad was released.
I was approacing them for some freelance work, which didn't work out in the end. I did get to see their studio which was above the Scala Cinema in London, and there was concept art for Barbarian all over the walls. They also had some toy plastic barbarian style swords which they apparently used to help act out and plan the various sword moves.

Josey Wales · 28 Jul 2021 at 16:59

lokiss said:
There were a few more, anything from gyles brandreth doing a morning skit on TV-AM, to the BBC doing a chart rundown on superstore. Wasn't aware of Starglider though, were there any more.

Im not sure, probably was more, funny as back them looking at the arcade games you was in awe as a kid and would have done anything to have one in your home. Nowadays you can download all of that on MAME and nobody cares lol. If only we had the arcades in the home back then hey, never would have went to school lol.

Josey Wales · 28 Jul 2021 at 17:06

Brazo said:
Loved ‘Barbarian’

Which one? Palace or Psygnosis? I liked both however the Psygnosis one showed me how powerful the ST was once seeing it running in Virgin records back in 1988. Infact its what made me want the ST lol.