Spy vs. Spy/Versions

Amstrad CPC
Converted for play on the Amstrad CPC and published by Beyond - Challenging Software in 1985 for Great Britain (packaged along with the Atari 8-bit version). Rereleased in Europe on cassette by Hi-Tec Software.

Apple II
Developed and published in America by First Star Sofware in 1984.

Atari 400/800/XL/XE
Developed and published in America by First Star Sofware in 1984 (packaged along with the Commodore 64 version). Converted for play in Great Britain and published by Beyond - Challenging Software in the same year (packaged along with the Amstrad CPC version). Rereleased in Europe on cassette by Hi-Tec Software. It is, for some unknown reason, the only version to feature blue time bombs against a red background instead of the other way around.

Atari ST
Converted for play on the Atari ST and published by Wicked Software in 1989 for Great Britain. As a 16-bit system, this conversion has some of the best graphics.

Commodore 64
Developed and published in America by First Star Sofware in 1984 (packaged along with the Atari 8-bit version). Converted for play in Great Britain and published by Beyond - Challenging Software in the same year. Rereleased in Europe on cassette by Hi-Tec Software.

Commodore Amiga
Converted for play on the Amiga and published by Wicked Software in 1989 for Great Britain. As a 16-bit system, this conversion has some of the best graphics.

Game Boy Color
Developed by Kemco in 1999. This version is considerably upgraded, featuring not 8 but 32 different floor plans, which must all be completed to see the final ending of the game. Unlike most other versions, the time limit remains fixed for both spies, and in each knockout, the defeated spy is out of play for a few seconds before respawning again on their starting location. Features a password system in order to save your completion progress through each level. This version was released after a version of Spy vs. Spy for the regular (mono) Game Boy, which was actually based on one of the Spy vs. Spy sequels.

NES
Kemco bought the rights to convert and release this game on the Famicom, which they did on Apirl 26, 1986. They later released the game in the United States for the NES in October of 1988. This conversion was also distributed by Mattel in Australia in 1990.

This version features a health bar for each of the spies that you can actually see and monitor during a battle. The bar automatically refills itself after a certain period of time without fighting has passed. Time limits are different and each knock-out takes 30 seconds off the timer. The Gun trap is not available. The map indicates where traps are located. The eighth level features one-way doors.

Sega Master System
Published by Sega in their card format in 1986. Later released on cartridge. This version features 16 stages as opposed to the original 8. Many of them are more complex, and some contain as many as four floors. (It is interesting to note that the artwork on the Japanese box art corresponds to the second Spy vs. Spy game, The Island Caper, as opposed to the original game contained on the cartridge.)

Sinclair ZX Spectrum
Converted for play on the ZX Spectrum and published by Beyond - Challenging Software in 1985 for Great Britain. Rereleased in Europe on cassette by Hi-Tec Software.