Jet Set Willy

Jet Set Willy is a nonlinear platform game released on December 31, 1983. Players control Willy as he explores his mansion and its grounds, moving between 60 flip-screen rooms while collecting glowing objects.

Willy’s controls are limited to left, right, and jump. He can climb stairs by walking into them, jump through them to avoid them, and climb swinging ropes by pressing left or right according to the rope’s movement. Rooms contain static hazards, guardians that follow predetermined paths, platforms, and collectible objects.

The game was developed by Matthew Smith, Software Projects, Software Projects Ltd., and Tynesoft Computer Software, and published by Software Projects and Tynesoft Computer Software. It was released for platforms including the Sinclair ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64, Amstrad CPC, BBC Microcomputer System, Acorn Electron, MSX, Atari 8-bit, Dragon 32/64, Commodore Plus/4, Commodore 16, Tatung Einstein, and Atari ST.

The Atari ST version was designed as a faithful remake of the ZX Spectrum version, retaining its soundtrack and colour clashing rather than updating the presentation for 16-bit hardware. Although finished, it was ultimately not released.