You will first have to connect your Sinclair ZX Spectrum and tape recorder to your television set, then switch all three of them on; once you have done it, you will have to insert the cassette for Intech's 1986 text adventure game The Bimbles into the recorder, type LOAD "" (without leaving a space between the quotation marks), and press Enter to load the program into the console. The game will then proceed to the start screen shown above - and after a few seconds, the text PUSH ANYTHING TO CONTINUE. shall appear and flash at the bottom of it. Once you have pressed any key, the game will start.
The Burrow
Screen 1
| Command
|
Response
|
| OPEN DOOR
|
It's not that easy! OKEY DOKEY.
|
| EXAMINE DOOR
|
You just happen to notice a socket. OKEY DOKEY.
|
| EXAMINE SOCKET
|
It has some holes for pins, just like normal sockets, you big div! OKEY DOKEY.
|
| W
|
Fungo goes West to Screen 2
|
| ATTACH CODER (after taking it from Screen 7)
|
The coder fastens neatly into a socket BOGEYMORON made for it. PUSH ANYTHING TO CONTINUE. (adds A coder attached to the door. to the list of objects Fungo's "keen Bimble eyes" recognise)
|
Screen 2
| Command
|
Response
|
| E
|
Fungo goes East back to Screen 1
|
| EXAMINE ELEPHANT
|
The elephant is pink. PUSH ANYTHING TO CONTINUE.
|
| TAKE ELEPHANT
|
Umph! Too heavy OKEY DOKEY.
|
| EXAMINE RABBIT
|
It's PURPLE. You despise purple things. Get rid of it. OKEY DOKEY.
|
| KILL RABBIT
|
HURRAY! The rabbit is dead! Raising your arm above your head -SMACK!- straight down on the rabbits skull. You have bloody arms. (Actually it was a very nasty thing to do, but there has to be some violence somewhere) PUSH ANYTHING TO CONTINUE. (adds A dead rabbit to the list of objects Fungo's "keen Bimble eyes" recognise)
|
| S
|
Fungo goes South to Screen 3
|
| W
|
Fungo goes West to Screen 4
|
Screen 3
| Command
|
Response
|
| EXAMINE SAM
|
Oh-ho! So you want me to show you a picture of Sammy Fox in the altogether. HA! Well, it's not going to work. If you like, send £5 to us and we'll pirate you a copy of Martechs game. OKEY DOKEY.
|
| TALK
|
Great Uncle Buggeria looks at you through his 364 pairs of glasses and says these immortal words: - "PUSS WILL GET GREASY IF SHE IS NOT SHELTERED FROM THE RAIN." "Oh, shut up, you doddering old fool," you say, and Great Uncle drops dead on the spot. PUSH ANYTHING TO CONTINUE. (adds A DEAD Great Uncle Buggeria to the list of objects Fungo's "keen Bimble eyes" recognise)
|
| TAKE PIPE
|
OKEY DOKEY.
|
| SMOKE PIPE
|
You nasty, horrible Bimble. Smoking is bad for you. You die. Ho-ho PUSH ANYTHING TO CONTINUE.
|
| N
|
Fungo goes North back to Screen 2
|
Note: If you try to talk to Great Uncle Buggeria again after he dies, the response will be You attempt to talk to the body, but to no avail, so you throw the body on the fire.; also, even though the pipe kills Fungo if he uses it, it is advisable to have it on you if you get stuck and wish to abort your attempt.
Screen 4
| Command
|
Response
|
| E
|
Fungo goes East back to Screen 2
|
| N
|
Fungo goes North to Screen 5
|
| W
|
Fungo goes West to Screen 12
|
Screen 5
| Command
|
Response
|
| S
|
Fungo goes South back to Screen 4
|
| TALK
|
Bogeymoron looks up from the ZX-80 that he is building (Bogeymoron shot Clive!); and says: "I couldn't care less about this dreadful computer game, so get lost. Where's my pipe? I want to leave the burrow!" We at DIGITAL CORNFLAKES are very sorry about these pathetic clues, but if you had seen FIND THE MOPED you'd think differently. PUSH ANYTHING TO CONTINUE.
|
| GIVE PIPE
|
Sorry, but you're on the wrong track altogether. Bogeymoron likes his pipe though.
|
| TAKE SAW
|
OKEY DOKEY.
|
| EXAMINE SAW
|
It has a legend printed on the side, saying; BROLISAW. OKEY DOKEY.
|
| N
|
Fungo goes North to Screen 6
|
| W
|
Fungo goes West to Screen 9
|
| E
|
Fungo goes East to Screen 10
|
Screen 6
| Command
|
Response
|
| S
|
Fungo goes South back to Screen 5
|
| TAKE ZX81/TAKE RADIO
|
OKEY DOKEY.
|
| EXAMINE ZX81
|
It's black, has a touch sensetive keyboard and looks like any other ZX81. OKEY DOKEY.
|
| EXAMINE RADIO
|
Try switching it on. OKEY DOKEY.
|
| SWITCH ON
|
Warble, warble, drone, blah, blah. Oh my God! It's, it's TONY BLACKBUM! You die of death. PUSH ANYTHING TO CONTINUE.
|
| N
|
Fungo goes North to Screen 7
|
| W
|
Fungo goes West to Screen 8
|
Note: Although it's possible to take the radio, it's not possible to drop it again, and because it'll kill Fungo if he uses it, it is not advisable for him to take it.
Screen 7
| Command
|
Response
|
| EXAMINE DESK
|
I SEE SOMETHING! (adds Bogeymoron's drawer to the list of objects Fungo's "keen Bimble eyes" recognise)
|
| OPEN DRAWER
|
I SEE SOMETHING! (adds Coder to the list of objects Fungo's "keen Bimble eyes" recognise)
|
| TAKE CODER
|
OKEY DOKEY.
|
| EXAMINE CODER
|
It has some pins on the back. OKEY DOKEY.
|
| S
|
Fungo goes South back to Screen 6
|
Screen 8
| Command
|
Response
|
| E
|
Fungo goes East back to Screen 6
|
| TAKE BOOK
|
OKEY DOKEY.
|
| EXAMINE BOOK
|
Physics is Fun. OH NO IT ISN'T: - several million people. OKEY DOKEY.
|
| READ BOOK
|
Did you know that water expands if you cool it from 4'C and expands if you heat it from 4'C. Well so did I. Anyway you can't stand Physics so you decide to die.
|
| S
|
Fungo goes South to Screen 9
|
Note: Although it's possible to take the book, it is not possible to drop it again, and because it'll kill Fungo if he uses it, it's not advisable for him to take it.
Screen 9
| Command
|
Response
|
| N
|
Fungo goes North back to Screen 8
|
| TAKE UMBRELLA
|
OKEY DOKEY.
|
| EXAMINE UMBRELLA
|
It looks religious (i.e holy) OKEY DOKEY.
|
| SAW UMBRELLA
|
Let's hope Bogeymoron doesn't find out, eh chums? PUSH ANYTHING TO CONTINUE. (adds A stick to the list of objects Fungo's "keen Bimble eyes" recognise)
|
| TAKE STICK
|
OKEY DOKEY.
|
| E
|
Fungo goes East back to Screen 5
|
Screen 10
| Command
|
Response
|
| W
|
Fungo goes West back to Screen 5
|
| NE
|
Fungo goes North-East to Screen 11
|
Screen 11
| Command
|
Response
|
| TAKE CONTAINER/GLUE/KEY
|
OKEY DOKEY.
|
| EXAMINE CONTAINER
|
It looks like it contained some oil or grease or something. OKEY DOKEY.
|
| SW
|
Fungo goes South-West back to Screen 10
|
Screen 12
| Command
|
Response
|
| E
|
Fungo goes East back to Screen 4
|
| W
|
Fungo goes West to Screen 13
|
Screen 13
| Command
|
Response
|
| E
|
Fungo goes East back to Screen 12
|
| EXAMINE FROG
|
It looks intelligent, try talking to it. OKEY DOKEY.
|
| TALK
|
Bonjour, says the frog. C'est un qu est'que ce un parapluie et un bonbon pour l'elephant et le Zahnpasta. OKEY DOKEY.
|
| S
|
Fungo goes South to Screen 14
|
| W
|
Fungo goes West to Screen 17
|
Screen 14
| Command
|
Response
|
| N
|
Fungo goes North back to Screen 13
|
| E
|
Fungo goes East to Screen 15
|
| S
|
Fungo goes South to Screen 16
|
Screen 15
| Command
|
Response
|
| W
|
Fungo goes West back to Screen 14
|
Screen 16
| Command
|
Response
|
| N
|
Fungo goes North back to Screen 14
|
| DROP SLUG (after dismantling the ZX81 on Screen 19)
|
One of the Bimbles picks up the slug and starts to draw with it. PUSH ANYTHING TO CONTINUE. (adds Some grease to the list of objects Fungo's "keen Bimble eyes" recognise)
|
| TAKE GREASE (after dismantling the ZX81 on Screen 19)
|
NO TA! It's horrible and sloppy, I need something to carry it in (carrier bag'll do).
|
| POUR GREASE (after dismantling the ZX81 on Screen 19)
|
OKEY DOKEY.
|
Screen 17
| Command
|
Response
|
| E
|
Fungo goes East back to Screen 14
|
| W
|
Fungo goes West to Screen 18
|
Screen 18
| Command
|
Response
|
| E
|
Fungo goes East back to Screen 17
|
| S
|
Fungo goes South to Screen 19
|
| N
|
Fungo goes North to Screen 21
|
Screen 19
| Command
|
Response
|
| N
|
Fungo goes North back to Screen 18
|
| TALK
|
Madame Croquet stares at you and screeches these excruciatingly silly words of wisdom: - My BASIL pie should keep the cars off. PUSH ANYTHING TO CONTINUE.
|
| TAKE PIE
|
OKEY DOKEY.
|
| EXAMINE PIE
|
It is a Honeysuckle and Rosethorn with Meat pie. So shut up. OKEY DOKEY.
|
| EAT PIE
|
Chomp-guzzle-chomp-KLONG! You appear to have come across a screwdriver. PUSH ANYTHING TO CONTINUE. (adds A screwdriver to the list of objects Fungo's "keen Bimble eyes" recognise)
|
| TAKE SCREWDRIVER
|
OKEY DOKEY.
|
| EXAMINE SCREWDRIVER
|
It's black, and has SINCLAIR engraved on it (you can't get away from 'em!) OKEY DOKEY.
|
| DISMANTLE ZX81
|
You dismantle the "computer" and discover a slug living in one of it's microchips. PUSH ANYTHING TO CONTINUE. (adds A slug to the list of objects Fungo's "keen Bimble eyes" recognise)
|
| DROP SCREWDRIVER/TAKE SLUG
|
OKEY DOKEY.
|
| W
|
Fungo goes West to Screen 20
|
Screen 20
| Command
|
Response
|
| EXAMINE CASES
|
They are made of wood, shaped like cases and have absolutely nothing at all to do with this adventure. Hum! OKEY DOKEY.
|
| EXAMINE CAT
|
"Hi, cat," you quip. The cat does not say anything. It's stuffed. OKEY DOKEY.
|
| TAKE CAT
|
Don't be silly. OKEY DOKEY.
|
| E
|
Fungo goes East back to Screen 19
|
| SHAVE CAT (after taking the razor from Screen 22)
|
MAAAAAZZZ! BRREEEZZZZ!! The cat looks decidedly unhappy now! PUSH ANYTHING TO CONTINUE. (adds Fur to the list of objects Fungo's "keen Bimble eyes" recognise)
|
| EXAMINE FUR (after taking the razor from Screen 22)
|
The fur looks a bit like some bristles. OKEY DOKEY.
|
| TAKE FUR (after taking the razor from Screen 22)
|
OKEY DOKEY.
|
| GLUE FUR (after taking the razor from Screen 22)
|
I SEE SOMETHING! (adds A brush to the list of objects Fungo's "keen Bimble eyes" recognise)
|
| DROP RAZOR/DROP GLUE/TAKE BRUSH (after gluing the fur to the stick)
|
OKEY DOKEY.
|
Screen 21
| Command
|
Response
|
| S
|
Fungo goes South back to Screen 18
|
| E
|
Fungo goes East to Screen 22
|
| N
|
Fungo goes North to Screen 23
|
Screen 22
| Command
|
Response
|
| TALK
|
Mugacoco sighs, and after taking a bite out of his Cheapochocco Bar, says, "SWIM THE LAKE FOR BEST RESULTS (and I hope it kills you!)" PUSH ANYTHING TO CONTINUE.
|
| EXAMINE BED
|
I SEE SOMETHING! (adds A razor to the list of objects Fungo's "keen Bimble eyes" recognise)
|
| TAKE RAZOR
|
OKEY DOKEY.
|
| W
|
Fungo goes West back to Screen 21
|
Screen 23
| Command
|
Response
|
| S
|
Fungo goes South back to Screen 21
|
| E
|
Fungo goes East to Screen 24
|
| N
|
Fungo goes North to Screen 25
|
Screen 24
| Command
|
Response
|
| TAKE REFILL
|
OKEY DOKEY.
|
| W
|
Fungo goes West back to Screen 23
|
Screen 25
| Command
|
Response
|
| S
|
Fungo goes South back to Screen 23
|
| N
|
Fungo goes North to Screen 26
|
Screen 26
| Command
|
Response
|
| S
|
Fungo goes South back to Screen 25
|
| E
|
Fungo goes East to Screen 27
|
Screen 27
| Command
|
Response
|
| W
|
Fungo goes West back to Screen 26
|
| E
|
Fungo goes East to Screen 28
|
Screen 28
| Command
|
Response
|
| W
|
Fungo goes West back to Screen 27
|
| EXAMINE PIPE
|
It reads: SERIAL 7BQ3 REAL COPPER PIPE. PUSH ANYTHING TO CONTINUE.
|
| N
|
Fungo goes North to Screen 29
|
Screen 29
| Command
|
Response
|
| S
|
Fungo goes South back to Screen 28
|
| PAINT HATCH
|
WUPPEE-IY-AY! You have oiled the rusty trap door!! PUSH ANYTHING TO CONTINUE. (adds An OILED hatch to the list of objects Fungo's "keen Bimble eyes" recognise)
|
| DROP GREASE/DROP CONTAINER
|
OKEY DOKEY.
|
| GO HATCH
|
GLERK! You have crawled out of the hatch and you are now crawling along a tiny pipe. (Fungo goes up to Bimbledon Park and Screen 30)
|
Bimbledon Park
Screen 30
| Command
|
Response
|
| GO HOLE
|
Fungo goes down back to the burrow and Screen 29
|
| S
|
Fungo goes South to Screen 31
|
Screen 31
| Command
|
Response
|
| N
|
Fungo goes North back to Screen 30
|
| TAKE KNIFE
|
OKEY DOKEY.
|
| E
|
Fungo goes East to Screen 32
|
| S
|
Fungo goes South to Screen 38
|
| W
|
Fungo goes West to Screen 39
|
Screen 32
| Command
|
Response
|
| W
|
Fungo goes West back to Screen 31
|
| E
|
Fungo goes East to Screen 33
|
| SE
|
Fungo goes South-East to Screen 34
|
| S
|
Fungo goes South to Screen 37
|
Screen 33
| Command
|
Response
|
| W
|
Fungo goes West back to Screen 32
|
| EXAMINE TREE
|
The wood is soft.
|
| CUT TREE
|
The tree shakes, shrieks and a ladder falls down (well, there has to be a ladder somewhere). PUSH ANYTHING TO CONTINUE. (adds Ladder to the list of objects Fungo's "keen Bimble eyes" recognise)
|
| CLIMB LADDER (before putting on the gloves and trainers from Screens 36 and 40)
|
Look, you can't go up the ladder just yet. OKEY DOKEY.
|
| S
|
Fungo goes South to Screen 34
|
| SW
|
Fungo goes South-West to Screen 37
|
| CLIMB LADDER (after putting on the gloves and trainers from Screens 36 and 40)
|
Up we go! PUSH ANYTHING TO CONTINUE. (Fungo goes up to Screen 41)
|
Screen 34
| Command
|
Response
|
| NW
|
Fungo goes North-West back to Screen 32
|
| N
|
Fungo goes North back to Screen 33
|
| S
|
Fungo goes South to Screen 35
|
| SW
|
Fungo goes South-West to Screen 36
|
| W
|
Fungo goes West to Screen 37
|
Screen 35
| Command
|
Response
|
| N
|
Fungo goes North back to Screen 34
|
| W
|
Fungo goes West to Screen 36
|
| NW
|
Fungo goes North-West to Screen 37
|
Screen 36
| Command
|
Response
|
| NE
|
Fungo goes North-East back to Screen 34
|
| E
|
Fungo goes East back to Screen 36
|
| TAKE CAR
|
Umph! Too heavy OKEY DOKEY.
|
| EXAMINE CAR
|
It is one of the new model Austin-Maestro 5 door 6.2 Turbo convertible with triple overhead cams, leather trim and 40 watt stereo. But it falls to pieces as soon as you touch it. PUSH ANYTHING TO CONTINUE. (adds A pile of Austin-Rover. to the list of objects Fungo's "keen Bimble eyes" recognise)
|
| TAKE GLOVES/WEAR GLOVES
|
OKEY DOKEY.
|
| N
|
Fungo goes North to Screen 37
|
Screen 37
| Command
|
Response
|
| N
|
Fungo goes North back to Screen 32
|
| NE
|
Fungo goes North-East back to Screen 33
|
| E
|
Fungo goes East back to Screen 34
|
| SE
|
Fungo goes South-East back to Screen 35
|
| S
|
Fungo goes South back to Screen 36
|
Screen 38
| Command
|
Response
|
| N
|
Fungo goes North back to Screen 31
|
| S
|
Fungo goes South to Screen 39
|
Screen 39
| Command
|
Response
|
| N
|
Fungo goes North back to Screen 38
|
| S
|
Fungo goes South to Screen 40
|
Screen 40
| Command
|
Response
|
| N
|
Fungo goes North back to Screen 39
|
| TAKE TRAINERS/TAKE BRAINLESS/WEAR TRAINERS
|
OKEY DOKEY.
|
| S
|
Fungo goes South to Screen 42
|
Screen 41
| Command
|
Response
|
| CUT ROPE
|
Vandalbimble! You cut a piece of rope off and keep it. OKEY DOKEY.
|
| D
|
Fungo goes down back to Screen 33
|
Screen 42
| Command
|
Response
|
| N
|
Fungo goes North back to Screen 40
|
| TIE ROPE
|
What to? (answer TO STAGE, the response will be You tie the rope firmly. PUSH ANYTHING TO CONTINUE., and Rope tied to stage will be added to the list of objects Fungo's "keen Bimble eyes" recognise)
|
| THROW ROPE
|
By sheer luck (and very boring programming) the rope catches a handy boat. PUSH ANYTHING TO CONTINUE. (adds A rope tied to the stage and a boat to the list of objects Fungo's "keen Bimble eyes" recognise)
|
| PULL ROPE
|
Using your superbimble strength, you heave the boat up to shore. PUSH ANYTHING TO CONTINUE. (adds Boat to the list of objects Fungo's "keen Bimble eyes" recognise)
|
| SWIM
|
Glub. Glub. Glub. Mugacoco was totally wrong. You can't swim. (Fungo drowns)
|
| GO BOAT
|
Fungo goes across to Screen 43
|
Screen 43
| Command
|
Response
|
| EXAMINE BOAT
|
I SEE SOMETHING! PUSH ANYTHING TO CONTINUE. (adds A Rubik's revenge. to the list of objects Fungo's "keen Bimble eyes" recognise)
|
| TAKE RUBIK
|
OKEY DOKEY.
|
| EXAMINE RUBIK
|
The side goes:  ..and if that isn't a clue, I don't know what is. OKEY DOKEY.
|
| SAIL BOAT
|
Ar-har Jim lard. You sail the boat across the sea. Orltagevva now! A LIFE ON THE OCEAN WA...Sorry about this, I know how Bored of the Sings (ha!) (shut up - the programmer) you must be. PUSH ANYTHING TO CONTINUE. (Fungo goes across to Bimbledon Town and Screen 44)
|
Bimbledon Town
Screen 44
| Command
|
Response
|
| GO HOLE
|
Fungo goes down to Screen 45
|
| U
|
Fungo goes up to Screen 46
|
Screen 45
| Command
|
Response
|
| TAKE PAINT/TAKE PEN (before inserting the refill from Screen 24 into it)
|
OKEY DOKEY.
|
| INSERT REFILL
|
You take the very leaky refill, getting blue ink all over your hands, and drop it into the pen. You can now write with it. OKEY DOKEY.
|
| TAKE PEN (after inserting the refill from Screen 24 into it)
|
’Snot here.
|
| GO PATH
|
Fungo goes up back to Screen 44
|
Screen 46 (Impassable)
| Command
|
Response
|
| D
|
Fungo goes down back to Screen 45
|
| REDE GREEN
|
Supposedly opens the gate, but actually just resets the screen (this also happens if you type REDE by itself); if you still have the pipe, radio or book on you, you will have to smoke, switch on, or read them now to end the game, but if you do not, you will have to turn off.
|
Death Screen
If Fungo dies, the game will proceed to the death screen shown above, which measures your progress in copies of Star Firebirds (Insight Software's ZX conversion of Nintendo's Space Firebird), and tells you how many moves you made; it also asks you Wouldst thou like another go? (if you answer YES, the game will return to the start screen and start again, but if you answer NO, it will respond Ta-da. Don't bother having a nice day. OK, then terminate).
..and if that isn't a clue, I don't know what is. OKEY DOKEY.
