LGR - Santa's Xmas Capers - Spectrum, C64, PC, Amiga Game Review

Santa's Christmas Caper, or Capers, is yet another retro Christmas cash-in for microcomputers. But when you only got one game with other titles, you basically get three here. Mixed with insomnia pure unfiltered apathy, the results aren't pretty.
Santa's Christmas Caper for Sinclair Spectrum, Amstrad CPC, Commodore 64, DOS PCs and Commodore Amiga

[@DJDa9L]

Oh god this brings back memories. Im 32 years old now.. When i was 3 years old i played this game with my dad on my Commadore 64. I have had some vague memories of it on my mind without knowing the name of it, and seeing it again and hearing the tunes so awesome. Its a pretty wild feeling when you finally find such a game again, thats been hidden in your memories for that long.

[@LGR]

@niceandgames The C64 one is certainly adequate, just gets tough as nails very quickly but I can accept that. No way to change the varying reindeer's upchucked bullets, they are apparently random.

[@Candiecane908]

The 8-bit sounding version of the song "Cars" was all I needed from this video. Thank You. :D

[@undeth01]

Here in my car I feel safest of all I can lock all my doors It's the only way to live In cars

[@GoatYouhhudawg]

+undeth01 Yep.

[@AlyxxTheRat]

Here in my car I can watch LGR I can play all my games It's the only way to live In cars

[@shibolinemress8913]

😂😂 Awesome! 👍

[@LGR]

@pdani72 Hehe, it's actually from 1979 by Gary Numan, but the Fear Factory cover/collab on TD6 was pretty good too.

[@Wormetti]

It was also released in Australia. I bought the PC version at kmart for $4.95 in 1996 (I only know this because the receipt is still attached). It included the game on a CD and a 720KB 3.5" floppy disk. I thought it was fun at the time but I haven't played it since 96. I might try it again to ruin my happy memories.

[@LGR]

@steveelmy Aw that looks awesome, and I love Boulderdash-type games! I've got this year's specials taken care of, but I'll keep it around for next year :D

[@GoatYouhhudawg]

Here in my car.

[@12me91]

I've watched all your game reviews, so I'm going through hand re-watching the Christmas ones,

[@jefftheusch3071]

Oh 2010 internet, you... tried. LGR delivered.

[@stevekovoc3939]

It may not be Christmas but dang, these are definitely entertaining watches.

[@LGR]

@CaptainGoodnight1 I thought it could just be a product of the Spectrum's limited sound capability, as I've heard other games which appear to sound "off", but it's exactly the same in the Amstrad version as well. Pretty impressive.

[@U014B]

"I'm sorry if you liked it as a kid... but you're wrong."

[@k-leb4671]

The video is made 100% more awesome by Gary Numan in the background. That's a sure-fire way to make anything more catchy.

[@LGR]

@Ubersnuber That's also a favorite thing to do in my videos! All my cameras are currently out of commission, hence why I'm showing old footage or game footage in the intros the past couple videos.

[@LGR]

@extralargetuna Thank you. Nothing like a MIDI version played on an AdLib sound card, IMHO

[@thenothing2786]

I love watching this video in 2020 haha! Your browser is soooo retro!

[@endofthelinejoel]

Very fun and indepth review! It's nice that you review the stinkers and well as decent games.

[@raydeen2k]

Nice! The Jazz Jackrabbit Christmas theme if I'm not horribly mistaken! And followed by Gary Numan's 'Cars'. That's just a doubleshot of awesome!

[@LGR]

@pdani72 The only bunny-centric side-scroller from that time that I know of is Jazz Jackrabbit 2

[@magepunk2376]

Just enjoying my annual LGR Christmas marathon. Don’t mind me.

[@LGR]

@wakkyvideogroup Maybe? The intro is from Holiday Hare '94, not Jazz Jackrabbit 2 though.

[@JustWasted3HoursHere]

One does wonder how a game such as this gets green-lighted by a game house. And not just for one system, but for several! By the way, LGR, your sound quality has improved a HUGE amount since this was recorded! Constant hiss from beginning to end...

[@LGR]

@J0NDUDE Thanks. Spread the word so I get them :D

[@niceandgames]

I like that C64 one. Is there any significance to how it cycles through different bullets that come from...the reindeer? Cool looking game, love the blinking, nicely decorated scoreboard, too. :)

[@LGR]

@BobTheBuilder20247 Can't say I've ever done that, no... a keyboard once, yes.

[@Rakiarmas]

Nice review as always. I'll watch these Xmas Specials many times, when December is coming close. It's becoming somekind of tradition now for me. Now I want that Moon with his bored face on T-Shirt or Christmas Card.

[@HighTreason610]

It's been a while since you did a more negative review, it makes a good change. That moon sums up what I feel like at christmas, I hate christmas. The PC and Amiga versions of this game remind me of some of the earlier Mega Drive titles (Ghostbusters for some reason). At least the C64 version has decent music, but I reckon all these Capers were just a quick cash-in. Great video as usual and I liked the AdLib "Cars", I often render random MIDIs on my AdLib, not sure why, I just like the sound.

[@LGR]

@GeorgesVI Well it's not first-person, so it fits the broad definition of third-person. Any side-scrolling shooter might be defined as third-person, as it's not seen from the perspective of the player or shooter.

[@garfiduper5822]

I heard Gary jamming out in the background in this video...

[@garfiduper5822]

For those who didn't get the joke, i was referring to Gary Numan.

[@zacharygardner2469]

Garfi Duper You came back after two months to explain your joke?

[@garfiduper5822]

Zachary Gardner Yep.

[@zacharygardner2469]

Commitment.

[@garfiduper5822]

Zachary Gardner Aw yeah man!

[@RizzyKhaos]

Cool song, Gary Numan's Cars.

[@LGR]

@senorverde09 Just grabbed a MIDI file online, played it through my card with a simple DOS MIDI player.

[@LGR]

@kad3t Funny indeed. Of the ports of the game, the Commie versions kick relative butt. Commodore superiority yet again? I think so.

[@LGR]

@nezimar Now that I cannot argue with :D

[@pippo17173]

It is nice to see reviews of games we never heard of.

[@MaximumRD]

Very cool! Great video as always. Seasons Greetings and happy Holidays!

[@JoystickVersusMachine]

The MT-32 support on PC helps a bit. It sounds a lot better that way (actually better than the Amiga version). I think the PC version controls a bit better as well, but it's not as pretty as the Amiga. I'd forgotten about this game, thanks for the memories. : )

[@AndoXD2448]

Hilarious when you talked about the enemys. A turkey, hehe.

[@DanHammonds]

Great to see some Amiga reviews. Keep them up!

[@raimoretku]

your videos are allways great:)

[@theindiediary5950]

I had the C64 version as a kid. Memories!!! I thought it was incredible. I didn't know any better back then. :( In those days when you went to buy a game in the store. You looked through tonnes of the games cassette cover pictures. And took a punt on 1, judging them by only that cover pic. Was awesome! Well not so awesome, as most times you would go home, stick the game in the C64 and have a seizure at the loading screen for the 20 minutes it took to load the game. Only to awake with a sore head and find out you are playing a big fucking turd!!! :( But it made the games that weren't turds when you got em all the better! :)

[@DeckyStrikesBack]

I remember this on the Christmas episode of Gamesmaster in 1992!

[@CaptainGoodnight1]

I love that. I wish you a merry Christmas has a couple "off" notes. Very funny

[@andrewfaraday8918]

That moon is the original trollface.

[@mortal69gm]

Thanks for the trip down the memory lane. :)

[@DJTwenty2020]

Uploaded exactly 2 years ago today! and still as fresh!!! :)

[@telephonicusmaximinius4638]

midi gary newman gets this video high score

[@extralargetuna]

i can hear gary numan's cars in the background of the beginning of this video, good music taste!!

[@Lukeno52]

It's pretty clear that the Spectrum version was trying to push that machine WAY beyond its limits (although I didn't feel the Christmas song was too terrible, given what it was playing on). By contrast, the C64 version looks very impressive graphically for that machine - particularly with the constantly cycling projectiles from your gun. And the DOS/Amiga version is indeed utterly bizarre and has no relevance whatsoever to the C64/Spectrum version.

[@IkeFoxbrush]

I think you are right about the technical limitations of the Spectrum version, the funny thing about the Christmas song however is that some notes are off-key, for no apparent reason.

[@handsomebrick]

The Spectrum version isn't pushing the machine even slightly, there were a ton of better games for the system in 1982 before anyone even figured out how to program for it yet.

[@trailersic]

No the spectrum version is an example of a bedroom programmer being throw a few quid of port the c64 version to the spectrum and amstrad as quickly as possible and turning in a quick poor effort. The Spectrum is capable of much better than this.

[@ZXRulezzz]

7:44 lol, the moon looks like "Me Gusta" rage comic face :D

[@santisven]

This christmas remix is DA Best!

[@crzy4MAC12]

Nice Review!

[@ideitbawxproductions1880]

that version of We Wish You A Merry Christmas sounds like it couldn't remember if it was in a major key or a minor key

[@Ubersnuber]

I enjoy your uploads, but I miss the part where you show us the game boxes and manuals and such. Looking at all your stuff amuses me ^_^

[@TheDarthBartus]

5:07 Now I know what inspired Cho Aniki...

[@BboyElit3]

wow this was the first ever game i had on my first ever computer, good times lol

[@alexanderveritas]

Santa’s Xmas Caper(s)?! *_More like Santa’s Xmas Lamer(s)._*

[@DirtyKameSennin]

I remember first watching this review when I studied for my political economics exam and I did alright next day. Thanks phreakindee! :D

[@LGR]

@tudythegangster Great game, but has nothing to do with this video... ?

[@DarknessProphet]

Good night moon. Good night, moon. Good night, turkeycopter, flying over the moon.

[@everygamegoing]

Really made me laugh at the end...!!

[@Raggikomm]

does a Christmas version of the game Diamond Caves exist can you answer that question :D nice upload as always

[@newcoleco]

(singing) "here in my car, I feel safest of all..." interesting choice to play one of the one hit wonders of the 80s during the first part of your video. I've never played this game, but I did program a videogame featuring santa long time ago, but it's pretty much lost now.

[@pinaskie]

oh, I loved the Amiga santa game. Never came to the end as I'm really bad player. My kids finished though ,with me sitting next to them. lol

[@martinhowser4094]

I had this on the c16!

[@Venefica82]

Three moons? Hell Santa is on Gor :P

[@novelezra]

It's strange how hearing the slightly wrong notes in a song you have listened to for over 2 decades can really freak you out.

[@venares76]

I got this on my Amiga 500 because for some reason I was in the mood for an Xmas game at the time, and it was cheap. If you want to play a good Xmas game then I'd recommend Christmas Nights on the Sega Saturn.

[@jwdickieson]

When you say robocod do you mean James Pond 2: robocod or is there a different game that I'm not aware of?

[@robertengstrand4314]

1:50 - 2:07 LOL

[@1990chrism]

the music on the c64 version is nice

[@googleboughtmee]

I thought of Robocod too, right from the first clip

[@LGR]

@DirtyKameSennin Lazy Game Reviews - your random political study aid since 2009.

[@whatamalike]

midi numan? YEY!

[@senorverde09]

Where did you obtain an Adlib version of Gary Numan's Cars? I was surprised when I heard it at the beginning!

[@steveelmy]

I have a suggestion for a "xmas-y" game: Icicle Works on the C16/+4 and C64!

I believe Amstrad Action, The Major UK magazine for the Amstrad CPC, gave this game 3% on review. When I played it, I agreed with them. It’s not good.

[@Kataang102]

cant sleep your like me one of my Devaint Art devations is my sony vegas at 4 am XD

[@bob8]

Did I just hear a midi-fied version of "Cars" by Gary Numan in the beginning?

[@FastFoodies]

IN CARS .... IN CARS ....

[@NightpireVideos]

1:12 UK and europe is now correct. Maybe he knew it all along.

[@kargaroc386]

this is an action-52 quality game

[@TheIdleCrow]

ether way it seems the best way to go with these games rather the shooter or the platformer is with commodore 64 and the amiga, or just not at all it seems, but one of these days I really need to get a C64.

[@RJTamm93]

TURKEYCOPTOR FTW!

[@CDOODY1999]

Lgr 10 years ago.... fuck

[@itsGoboboy]

Sounds like someone forgot to read the key signature on the music when they were programing that song.

[@tsimmer777]

@RJTamm93 - What the hell kind of drug inspired them to make that?!?!?!

[@googleboughtmee]

It's a UK company so yeah it does :)

[@jamesisaac7684]

Is this an Atari game? The graphics and sound remind me of it.

[@ubiquitousfacts]

I had this game in the 90's and also a game with a snowman. Does anyone know what it's called? There's a snowman who jumps around and meets his evil twin?

[@googleboughtmee]

In UK saying "Europe" usually refers to the actual continent, not including UK because it's not attached. Saying "UK and Europe" makes sure it's clear what you mean. In America they commonly just label it all as Europe anyway so it may sound funny. Either is fine.

[@benjamenYTDeadTheGamer]

googleboughtmee You commented way too fucking much! Just put it all in one comment! Or hell, just reply to yourself with said comments.

[@DukeSammael]

What is the name of the song in the C64 version? Sounds a bit like 12 days of Christmas, but it's not the same...

[@trevorbluesquirrel899]

I think its Joy To The World!

[@RetroGamerVX]

Wow, that Sinclair version sucks :o( Like the c64 version, takes me back to my 80s Christmases :o)

[@Neko_Jonez]

Chrome :D

[@ruadeil_zabelin]

in the uk and europe? Because the uk isn't part of europe?

[@LGR]

Technically, yes. But it's important to distinguish the two, especially in regards to retro gaming. It wasn't uncommon for a game to only be released in the UK, or only in other parts of Europe. Plus, the UK is just kind of its own separate thing in many ways, even if it's part of the EU for the time being.

[@robindegen2931]

Lazy Game Reviews Hmm fair enough :)

[@interghost]

Lazy Game Reviews well said mate ;)

[@1NSHAME]

So relevant. So prophetic. :-)

[@ruadeil_zabelin]

Well they might actually soon not be in the EU anymore.. so.. I guess Clint knew that up front

[@finomans]

James Pond 2 not just robocod and please review it i love James pond 2

[@DouglasRRenoVideoGameReviews]

Am I the only one that misses that Chrome UI?

[@folrig]

The moon looks like the "me gusta" face. :D

[@30LayersOfKevlar]

@phreakindee Or does it ? *wink*