MJB Software has released Phil Searching for Mort for ZX Spectrum Next. The downloadable game converts Alfonso Fernández’s 1987 ZX Spectrum adventure En busca de Mortadelo, bringing its comic-book rescue mission to the newer hardware.
The characters come from Francisco Ibáñez’s Spanish comic series Mortadelo y Filemón. Here, you control Phil as he searches for his partner Mort, who has fallen into the villains’ hands and become a stone statue.
Before reaching Mort, Phil needs help from Professor Bacterio. The professor knows how to prepare the potion which reverses the spell, so freeing him forms the first part of the rescue. Mort remains inside the enemies’ lair.
The journey takes place across an isometric labyrinth of more than 190 screens, leading towards a final boss screen. You shoot enemies, jump over traps and push objects to find a route through the rooms.
The isometric rooms, traps and movable objects remind me of Head Over Heels. Phil’s adventure also includes shooting enemies as part of the rescue.
MJB Software includes several musical themes and describes more urgent music near the final objective.
Three languages and two control modes
The download includes separate Spanish, English and Portuguese versions. Each keeps the same game while changing its title, text and introductory presentation. Choose the English file, EN_Mortadelo.nex, to play Phil Searching for Mort.
There are also two keyboard control options. Directional mode assigns movement to Q, A, O and P, with Z for firing and Space for jumping. Alternatively, rotational mode separates turning from walking, using 8 and 5 to rotate and 7 to move.
Rotational mode places fire on 6 and jump on 0. Both layouts offer pause and audio controls, while the game also supports redefinable keys and Kempston or Sinclair joystick input. Pressing S cycles between sound effects, music and silence.
The exit command has an additional purpose during play. On the starting screen, it returns you to the menu. Elsewhere, it costs one life and lets you continue from the same point, providing a way out when Phil becomes trapped.
For Next or N-GO hardware, extract the download onto your usual SD card and launch your preferred language file. MJB Software also lists CSpect, ZEsarUX and MAME as emulator options for Windows, recommending CSpect.
The archive requires the extraction password supplied on the project page. Use the current instructions there, since MJB Software has replaced the earlier password following download feedback.
Phil Searching for Mort is available on a name-your-own-price basis through the MJB Software download page.
