1980s
Head Over Heels
1987 · Isometric Action · ZX Spectrum / Multiple
Overview
Head Over Heels is a classic 1980s isometric action game developed by Jon Ritman & Bernie Drummond for ZX Spectrum / Multiple.
Deep Dive
Head Over Heels is a classic 1980s isometric action game developed by Jon Ritman & Bernie Drummond for ZX Spectrum / Multiple.
Developer Story
Head Over Heels was designed by Jon Ritman and Bernie Drummond at Ocean Software in 1987. Two characters — Head (who could jump and shoot) and Heels (who could run fast and carry items) — solved puzzles independently or combined into a single character. The isometric 3D world was vast and full of interconnected rooms. It won numerous awards and is considered one of the finest ZX Spectrum games ever made.
Did You Know?
- Head Over Heels had two protagonists with different abilities — the game could be played with either character, but combining them unlocked the full experience.
- The isometric 3D world was one of the largest ever created for the ZX Spectrum, with hundreds of interconnected rooms.
- Head could float briefly after jumping; Heels could carry donuts (the game's currency) in a basket — asymmetric character design in 1987.
- Jon Ritman and Bernie Drummond's previous game, Batman (1986), established the isometric engine they perfected in Head Over Heels.