MATCH DAY
VARIOUS, 1984
Jon Ritman’s first game for Ocean proved a big hit with ZX Spectrum owners and became the football fan’s game of choice on the computer for many years. Having been lured by Ocean’s promotional prowess, Jon created a startlingly playable and then-complex football simulation. Players can cross, shoot, pass and head the ball (kind of), and there’s a range of league and cup options for those looking for more than a one-off friendly. A chance meeting with David Ward at an Alexandra Palace computer show led to a hefty advance for Jon, which he used to craft Match Day’s primitive yet effective AI. The game narrowly missed out on a Crash Smash, and while it fared poorly on other formats, it’s a genuine Spectrum legend.