Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Wanted! Monty Mole on the Spectrum delivers a classic flick-screen platform experience that tasks you with guiding Monty through 21 meticulously designed screens. Your primary goal is to steal as much coal as possible before making your daring escape from the castle grounds. Unlike the smooth scrolling of its Commodore 64 counterpart, each screen here appears in full view, demanding that you learn layouts by heart and plan your moves with precision.

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Throughout your heist you’ll encounter a variety of hazards—man-eating fish lurking in watery pits, crushing machines that can flatten Monty in an instant, and treacherous platforms that require split-second timing. Collectible objects are scattered across each screen, and while some are conveniently placed, others force you down precarious paths where a single mistimed leap can send you back to the start. This risk-versus-reward design injects a satisfying puzzle element into what might otherwise be a straightforward action romp.

The controls are responsive and intuitive, with Monty’s jump and run actions feeling just right for the challenges at hand. However, the difficulty curve ramps up quickly: early screens serve as a warm-up, but before long you’re memorizing moving patterns and refining your platforming precision. Trial and error is part of the fun, as each failure teaches you something new about screen layouts and enemy timings.

Graphics

On the Spectrum, Wanted! Monty Mole embraces the system’s vibrant—but limited—color palette to create distinct and memorable backdrops for each room. The castle interiors are rendered with bold blocks of color that help foreground interactive elements, from levers and doors to the coal piles Monty so desperately seeks. Though palettes may clash at times, this only adds to the retro charm.

Monty himself is surprisingly well-animated for a Spectrum title, with a jaunty walk cycle, an expressive jumping pose, and a brief “steal” animation when he snags a piece of coal. Enemies like the snapping fish and mechanical crushers each have their own simple but effective frames of animation, making it clear when it’s safe to approach and when you need to retreat.

While the Spectrum version lacks the smooth side-scrolling seen on the Commodore 64 release, its flick-screen method allows for richer detail on each individual frame. Background elements—such as dripping torches and stone arches—help convey a medieval castle atmosphere, and occasional color clashes only reinforce the platform’s nostalgic aesthetic.

Story

At its core, Wanted! Monty Mole spins a delightfully simple yarn: Monty is out to pinch as much coal as he can and, if possible, wrest control of the entire coal production operation. It’s a mischievous premise that doesn’t take itself too seriously, setting the stage for a lighthearted romp through a fortress that doubles as both a treasury and a perilous gauntlet.

Storytelling here is minimalistic but effective. You get a brief introduction that lays out Monty’s motivation, and as you progress screen by screen, the stakes feel higher simply through the increasing challenge of the layout and enemy placements. There are no lengthy cutscenes to bog you down—just you, Monty, and the promise of shiny black lumps of coal waiting to be liberated.

Despite its brevity, the narrative thread is held together by Monty’s cheeky animations and the game’s tongue-in-cheek attitude. Every puddle, spike trap, and chomping fish contributes to the overarching theme of an audacious mole pulling off the heist of the century, and it’s hard not to smile as you clear each screen and inch closer to freedom.

Overall Experience

Wanted! Monty Mole on the Spectrum is a challenging yet highly rewarding platform adventure. Its flick-screen design demands careful study of each area, and once you’ve mastered a screen’s hazards and collectibles, there’s a genuine sense of achievement in darting through without a single misstep. The mixture of platforming skill and on-screen puzzle solving keeps the action fresh from start to finish.

Replay value is strong for those who thrive on perfecting runs and uncovering every hidden coal seam. Speedrunners and completionists will find plenty to love as they memorize enemy patterns and optimize their paths. Even casual players will appreciate the bite-sized screens, which make it easy to chip away at the game in short bursts without losing track of progress.

Whether you’re a Spectrum enthusiast seeking a nostalgia trip or a retro-platform newcomer curious about the format’s quirks, Wanted! Monty Mole delivers a tight, engaging experience. Its straightforward premise, combined with solid level design and a healthy dose of challenge, makes it a must-try for anyone looking to test their platforming prowess in a cleverly crafted castle heist.

Retro Replay Score

7.1/10