BBC Master Elite - Acornsoft

Two years after the original Elite was released, an enhanced version was published for the new BBC Master computer by both Acornsoft and Superior Software. Taking advantage of the extra memory of Acorn's latest machine, a number of improvements were apparent, including a more colourful display and faster graphics.

The Acornsoft release of BBC Master Elite was very similar in style and content to the original 1984 version. The most noticeable changes were the new Acornsoft logo at the top of the front of the box and the references to the new machines that this version was designed for. Within the box were detailed instructions for running the game on the Master computer as well as with a 6502 second processor. The manual was the first edition as found in the original game.

As with the earlier versions of BBC Elite, the program implemented a split-screen display to increase the resolution for the space view. The lower part of the screen was in Mode 2, with 8 colours and a horizontal resolution of 160 pixels. The upper portion was in Mode 1, with 4 colours and a horizontal resolution of 320 pixels.

A number of instruction sheets were required to cover each version of Elite, for the 1986 release. This is the sheet for the Master 128 machine, but separate instructions were required for the BBC Model B and B+ games, plus the 6502 Second Processor add-on as well as the Master Turbo Microcomputer. All these were contained on one floppy disc.

BBC Master Elite - Superior Software

Compared to the original Acornsoft release of Elite, the Superior Software release was disappointing with regard to the supporting material. Gone were the Dark Wheel novella and ships poster, due in part to the smaller retail box. This release also featured the 2nd edition of the Space Trader's Flight Training Manual, slightly re-written for the new machines.

BBC Master Compact Elite - Superior Software

The only real difference between the Master and Master Compact versions of Elite was the size of the floppy disc they came on. The Master version relied on the 5¼ inch discs, whereas the Master Compact used the increasingly popular 3½ inch discs.

Oddly, the price of the Master version was reduced to £14.95, the same as the cassette tape version's price when it was released in 1984, but the price of the Master Compact version rose to almost £20.

The Master disc version differed from the standard disc version as follows:-

• One additional ship - Cougar
• Eight-colour instrument panel
• Four colour space view
• Faster graphics
• No in-game loading

Playing BBC Master Elite on your PC

Running BBC Master Elite on your PC can be done in two easy steps:
1. Download BeebEm to emulate a BBC on your PC
2. Download the game from Mark Moxon's amazing BBC Elite website

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