TECHNICAL DATA

Production team:Original Programming: Rafael Gómez (Gepetto)
Original Graphics: Alfonso Fernández Borro (Azpiri de los píxeles)
Original Music: César Astudillo (Gominolas)
Cover Illustration: Alfonso Azpiri

Ported by:Enrique Gálvez (https://itch.io)

Game Year:1988 (Original)

Port Year:2025

Compatibility:Amstrad PCW 8256/8512/9512 (Mode 0) and PCW Plus / PCW# mini (Modes 1 and 2)

Graphics:Mode 0 (2 colors: Standard PCW) / Mode 1 (4 colors: Plus) / Mode 2 (16 colors: Plus)

Sound:Internal Beeper & DK'Tronics Sound (DKSound)

Peripherals:Keyboard / DK'Tronics Joystick

Loading:Single Load

Genre:Arcade / Maze / Skill

Language:Spanish

Mad Mix Game is one of the most undeniable milestones of Spanish software history. Originally released in 1988 by the legendary studio Topo Soft, the title stood out from conventional Pac-Man clones by introducing 3D scroll mechanics, physical traps, and a deep asymmetry in level design. The superb cover illustration, signed by maestro Alfonso Azpiri, and the unforgettable soundtrack by César Astudillo ("Gominolas") catapulted the game commercially, leading the international publisher U.S. Gold to acquire the rights for all of Europe (rebranding it as The Pepsi Challenge following a massive advertising agreement).

The overwhelming success of the game prompted the development of official conversions for a huge range of computer systems of the era. While the 8-bit versions for Amstrad CPC, Sinclair ZX Spectrum, and MSX competed head-to-head in the national domestic market, the versions for Commodore 64, Atari ST, and PC compatibles (CGA/EGA) expanded Topo Soft's horizons into the British and German markets. However, Amstrad's professional word-processing platform, the PCW 8xxx/9xxx series, remained completely orphaned of this fun maze arcade for decades due to its business and office-oriented approach.

In 2025, archivist and developer Enrique Gálvez repaired this historical void with an extraordinary port that squeezes the technical peculiarities of the PCW architecture. The most remarkable aspect of this conversion is its multi-level support for graphic hardware: the game is capable of running natively in the classic monochrome Mode 0 (2 colors) for standard PCW systems (8256/8512), but transforms radically on the PCW Plus and PCW# mini models. On the latter, the code takes advantage of the machine's advanced architecture, allowing users to switch between Mode 1 (4 colors) and the superb Mode 2 with a simultaneous on-screen palette of 16 colors, beautifully adapting the original pixel art by Alfonso Fernández Borro. The audio section also takes advantage of classic melodic expansions by fully integrating support for DKTronics Sound (DKSound) peripherals alongside the built-in system sound.

• Excavator Management: When you pick up the excavator item, your character will break through the maze walls as he moves. Plan your path carefully to open permanent shortcuts into the most challenging areas of the map.

• The Hippo Threat: Pay close attention to the hippo character ("Peluco"). If he steps over dots you have already cleared, he will re-bury them, forcing you to revisit that lane to complete the stage.

• Score Multipliers: Try to chain ghost captures consecutively right after eating a power dot. The value of each eliminated enemy doubles exponentially, which is vital for earning extra lives quickly.

• Repelling Ghosts: If you find yourself cornered in a dead-end hallway, remember to use the floor springs and traps if available; they will launch you right over your pursuers, saving you at the last second.