Dan Dare III: The Escape

Year of release: 1990
Publisher: Virgin Games Ltd
Producer/Author(s): Probe Software Ltd (David Perry, Nick Bruty)

Listed on: WorldOfSpectrum

Controls:
Q - Up
A - Down
O - Left
P - Right
M - Fire

The start location, which is the satellite's store chamber, is the only place where Dan can refuel his jet-pack, or buy weapons and equipment; this is done by hacking into the Mekon's computerised stock-keeping system. While Dan stands on the Mekon's computer terminal, press select. This creates a menu of numbered items that Dan can buy. By pressing the corresponding number on the keyboard you can allow Dan to buy or use an item. Lives can be purchased as well, but only in extreme need. Use lives wisely.
In order to escape from the Mekon's evil satellite, Dan Dare has to collect 50 pounds of rocket fuel to power the escape shuttle for its flight back to planet Earth. The Mekon has not underestimated Dan Dare's abilities: before Dan Dare was kidnapped the Mekon ordered the fuel store to be divided into five equal parts which were then hidden in the five main chambers of the scientific satellite. Dan has to search each of these chambers to discover the hidden fuel; then Dan must find the Mekon and blast away at the evil creature until the Mekon teleports back to his regeneration unit to recuperate from the battle. As he leaves, the Mekon drops the teleport key which Dan needs to teleport himself to the next chamber. But beware, the evil Mekon has booby-trapped the key. His intention is to blast our valiant hero into oblivion. Luckily for Dan there is a critical design flaw in the timing mechanism of each key which allows Dan three nanoseconds after he leaves the chamber before the chamber - and everything in it - is destroyed. So there is no real problem for Dan unless he has left the chamber without collecting the fuel, in which case our intrepid hero will be stranded aboard the satellite for eternity ... Time to hit the quit button and start the game again.