Loopz

Loopz

Founded 1989-??-??

Loopz (pronounced Loops) is a puzzle game released for a variety of home computers around 1989. The game was designed by Ian Upton of Audiogenic, and Convolution was its working title. The game plays as sort of a combination of Tetris and Pipe Dream. The player has a limited grid playing field, in which the player must connect pipes to form a complete loop, hence the game's title. When a loop is made, the pipes disappear. Also similar to Tetris, the game has three different types of play modes.

The game was released in all major regions; North America and Europe, with exclusive Japanese versions being released for the PC-9801 and Sharp X68000 computers. A couple home ports were also made, one for the NES, and the other for the Game Boy. A Jaguar version was originally cancelled, but picked up by a homebrew publisher and released.

A sequel titled Super Loopz was developed for the CD32 and Super Nintendo, the latter being released in Japan only, despite being developed in Europe, and being slated for a North American release.

Loopz was meant to have an arcade version developed by Capcom, as well as a skill-with-prizes game, but both ended up getting unreleased, and it is unknown if any prototypes exist.

Games

Note: Helter Skelter and Emlyn Hughes Arcade Quiz have nothing to do with Loopz. However, they are included in The Loopz Collection. Therefore, the games have been listed as part of the series.

Helter Skelter

• Helter Skelter (AMI)
• Helter Skelter (AST)
• Helter Skelter (BBC)
• Helter Skelter (C64)
• Helter Skelter (CPC)
• Helter Skelter (DOS)
• Helter Skelter (ELEC)
• Helter Skelter (ZXS)

Emlyn Hughes Arcade Quiz

• Emlyn Hughes Arcade Quiz (AMI)
• Emlyn Hughes Arcade Quiz (AST)
• Emlyn Hughes Arcade Quiz (BBC)
• Emlyn Hughes Arcade Quiz (C64)
• Emlyn Hughes Arcade Quiz (CPC)
• Emlyn Hughes Arcade Quiz (ZXS)

Loopz

• Loopz (AMI)
• Loopz (AST)
• Loopz (BBC)
• Loopz (C64)
• Loopz (CPC)
• Loopz (DOS)
• Loopz (ELEC)
• Loopz (GB)
• Loopz (JAG)
• Loopz (LYNX)
• Loopz (NES)
• Loopz (PC98)
• Loopz (X68)
• Loopz (ZXS)

Super Loopz

• Super Loopz (AMI)
• Super Loopz (SFC)

The Loopz Collection

• The Loopz Collection (C64)
• The Loopz Collection (CPC)
• The Loopz Collection (ZXS)

Music

Loopz

Most of the original versions of Loopz contained music by prolific video game musician David Whittaker. The music contains both atmospheric and rock tracks, mainly consisting of a pan flute as the lead instrument, and a synth bass for bass, as well as a drum kit and percussion to compliment the soundtrack. The BBC Micro version features Whittaker's soundtrack arranged by Ian Waugh, and the Jaguar version features Whittaker's Amiga soundtrack, but doesn't credit who arranged his music. The Lynx version appears to have new original music by Paul Tonge. In addition, the Atari ST version, rather than use Whittaker's PSG sound driver, was done using Quartet, giving it an identical sound to the Amiga version, though a few notes are off here and there.

Notable Songs

• Tune A
• Tune B
• Tune C

Notable Audio Personnel

• 

  David Whittaker
  Composed most versions of the game.
• 

  Ian Waugh
  Arranged Whittaker's soundtrack for the BBC Micro version.
• 

  Paul Tonge
  Composed the Lynx version.
• 

  Allister Brimble
  Composed Super Loopz (CD32).
• 

  Koji Hayashi
  Composed Super Loopz (SFC).

Notable Companies

• Argonaut Games - Developer of the Game Boy version.
• Audiogenic Software - Developer of the computer versions.
• Bits Studios - Developer of the NES version.

Links

View Loopz
Helter Skelter	•  •  •  •
Emlyn Hughes Arcade Quiz	•  •  •  •  •
Loopz	•  •  •  •  •  •  •  •  •  •  •  •  •
Super Loopz	•
Notable Songs	Tune A • Tune B • Tune C
Notable Personnel	David Whittaker • Ian Waugh • Paul Tonge • Allister Brimble • Koji Hayashi