Grog's Revenge
Grog's Revenge - Platformer Classic
B.C. II: Grog's Revenge is a 1984 platformer that hit the MSX 1 alongside several other home computers and consoles. It was developed by Sydney Development and is based on Johnny Hart's popular B.C. newspaper comic strip. This is the direct sequel to B.C.'s Quest For Tires, and the MSX version brings the same side-scrolling action to Japanese and European gamers who owned the standard.
You play as Thor, a caveman who rides a pterodactyl named Grog, but the twist is that Grog has gone rogue and kidnapped Thor's girlfriend, Cute Chick. The goal is to fly through multiple horizontally scrolling levels, dodging obstacles like rocks, trees, and enemies while collecting apples and other bonus items. The controls are simple: you can move up and down, and you must time your descent to avoid hazards. The game scrolls automatically, increasing the challenge by introducing tighter gaps and more enemies as you progress.
For MSX owners, Grog's Revenge offers a competent adaptation of a well‑known arcade title from the era. The graphics are colorful and the music is catchy, though the gameplay stays fairly straightforward compared to later platformers. It's a nice slice of early eight‑eight‑bit history, especially if you're curious about how American comic strip licenses made their way onto Japanese hardware. Just don't expect deep mechanics - it's a simple but enjoyable chase through prehistoric skies.
How to Play Grog's Revenge Online
Getting Started
When you start Grog's Revenge, you'll see a title screen and then a brief introduction explaining that Grog has stolen Cute Chick. Press Enter to begin the game. The action is side‑scrolling and moves automatically to the right. Your pterodactyl will be flying at a fixed speed, and you must use the arrow keys to move up and down to avoid obstacles and enemies. Press X to make your character jump off the pterodactyl's back? Actually in this game you don't jump; you simply steer the bird. The core loop is dodging hazards while picking up bonus fruit for points. Colliding with an enemy or hazard costs you a life.
The game is relentless - there are no breaks or checkpoints. If you die, you restart from the beginning of the level. There is no save feature and no password system in the MSX version (unlike some other ports). You have a limited number of lives, and game over sends you back to the title screen. The key to survival is learning the patterns of obstacles and memorizing where hazards appear. The level design is the same each time, so repetition helps you get further.
A few tips: always stay in the upper half of the screen unless a ceiling obstacle forces you down. Apples and other items are worth points, but they don't affect gameplay - ignore them if they're risky to grab. The difficulty ramps up quickly, so don't get discouraged. This is classic eighties arcade‑style action where persistence is rewarded.
Grog's Revenge Keyboard Controls
Controls
- Arrow Keys: D-Pad / Movement
- X: Trigger 1
- S: Trigger 2
- Enter: Start
Comments (0)