If you grew up in Spain during the 80s and early 90s, you probably have fond memories of the era when 8-bit computers and homemade video games were all the rage in homes. The so-called "golden age of Spanish software" It marked a turning point in the national video game industry, with many considering it one of the most brilliant periods of technological creativity in our country. During that magical decade, developers, small studios, and enthusiasts embarked on the adventure of creating titles that are now legendary, taking Spain's name to the top in Europe, second only to the United Kingdom, and leaving an indelible mark on the collective memory.
What was so special about that era that Decades later, it continues to be the subject of books, blogs and tributesThe confluence of talent, originality, and an emerging industry that, despite lacking the same resources as the major powers, made a strong commitment to innovation and its own stories. From the appearance of "La Pulga" to masterpieces like "La Abadía del Crimen," including countless titles that delighted an entire generation, this is the most complete and detailed chronicle you'll find of the golden age of Spanish software.
The emergence of an unrepeatable era
To fully understand the golden age of Spanish software, we must go back to the early 80s. While in other parts of the world video games were experiencing turbulent times due to phenomena such as the Atari crack in 1982 or the dominance of the NES in Japan and the United States, a very unusual situation arose in Spain. The late arrival of consoles in our country and the prominence of microcomputers like the ZX Spectrum, Amstrad CPC, and MSX created a different ecosystem, one in which creativity, ingenuity, and the desire to experiment took precedence over technical or budgetary resources.
The 8-bit fever was total, but here the big names weren't Nintendo or Sega, but Sinclair, Amstrad, or the highly respected MSX. The legendary Commodore 64 had much less impact, although it was key in other regions. The microcomputers of the time became, overnight, the cradle of a generation of programmers, graphic artists, musicians, and designers who began to try their hand at developing video games from their homes and small offices.
The official birth: La Pulga and the Indescomp revolution
1983 marks the starting point most accepted for the golden age of Spanish software. That year, two geniuses named Paco Suárez and Paco Portalo, working for the small company Indescomp, would develop "La Pulga", one of the first Spanish titles and, without a doubt, the one that would put our country on the international map.
"La Pulga" was not only a success in Spain, but also first triumphed in the United Kingdom under the name "Bugaboo (The Flea)", which opened the door to an avalanche of games developed by Spaniards that would be published in other European markets. It was ported to all the computers of the time and was the start of a real development fever. in our country.
The video game stood out for its fresh approach and simple gameplay: a friendly flea had to overcome challenges in a series of caves to stay afloat, all with aesthetics and mechanics that captivated young people of the time. Its impact was such that it served as a role model and inspiration for many developers who would follow.
The companies that changed the history of video games in Spain
After the success of "La Pulga", the industry experienced a real boom in creativity and entrepreneurshipDozens of companies began to emerge, which, from a humble beginning, would go on to create legendary titles and receive international recognition. Below, we review the most notable ones:
- Indescomp: He was not only responsible for "La Pulga", but he also brought the Amstrad CPC to the Spanish market and laid the foundations for the professionalization of the sector.
- Dynamic Software: With the help of the Ruiz brothers (Pablo, Víctor and Nacho), it became the most influential company of the 80s. Founders of a true factory of hits such as "Army Moves", "Abu Simbel Profanation" or "Fernando Martín Basket Master".
- Opera Soft: He stood out for his strong commitment to graphic adventures and for being the architect of masterpieces such as "The Abbey of Crime" and "Livingstone I Suppose."
- Topo Soft: Famous for arcade and driving titles such as "Mad Mix Game" and "Rock'n Roller".
- Erbe SoftwareIn addition to distributing international games, it promoted quality national developments such as "Las tres luces de Glaurung" and was key in the distribution of Spanish games throughout Europe.
- Adventures AD: Specialists in conversational adventures, responsible for "Jabato" and the "The Goddess of Cozumel" trilogy.
- Zigurat/Made in Spain: Creator of the legendary “Sir Fred” and known for her innovative game concepts.
They all shared a common spirit: ingenuity, self-taught spirit and passion for video games. Often, a single person was a programmer, graphic artist, and musician at the same time.
Testimonies and experiences: the real protagonists
The rise of the retro scene and the publication of books like Atila Merino's "A Better Past: The Golden Age of Spanish Software" have allowed us to recover the testimonies of many unsung heroes of this era. Some of the key names and their legacies:
- Jose Luis Dominguez: Founder of Indescomp and driving force behind Amstrad's arrival in Spain.
- The Ruíz brothers: Those responsible for Dinamic and true creative drivers of a generation.
- Paco Pastor: President of Erbe and founder of Topo Soft, also known for his role as a singer in Formula V.
- Paco Suárez and Paco Portalo: Creators of "La Pulga" and pioneers of professional development in Spain.
- Alfonso Fernández Borro: A charismatic graphic artist who, according to interviews from the time, won the sympathy of the entire community.
The scene, according to Atila Merino himself, It was like a big family in which everyone was a "one-man band"They programmed, designed, composed music, and even managed the physical production of the games. Camaraderie and improvisation were the order of the day.
The great video games that marked an era
During the 80s and early 90s, Spain experienced a veritable flood of releases that are now considered collector's items and a source of national pride. Below, we review the most notable titles, highlighting their features and most significant contributions:
La Pulga / Bugaboo (The Flea) (1983 – Indescomp)
Starting point of the golden ageIts simple premise, centering on a flea that had to escape from a cave, first conquered the United Kingdom and then all of Spain. It served as a model for the nascent sector and is still playable today through emulators.
Abu Simbel Profanation (1985 – Dinamic Software)
Platform video game and the third title in a legendary trilogy. The cursed and transformed character Johnny Jones had to delve into the tomb of Abu Simbel and overcome challenges using only his skill. Without weapons, reflexes and precision were key. Icon of difficulty and originality, which remains a challenge even for veteran players.
Livingstone I suppose (1986 – Opera Soft)
Inspired by African expeditions, this title mixed platforms, action and adventure, allowing us to control Henry Stanley in his search for the legendary David Livingstone. Various weapons and a pole to overcome obstacles were novel elements for the time.
Sir Fred (1986 – Made in Spain / Ziggurat)
A British gentleman was to break into the Beni-Gómez Castle to rescue his beloved. The game was notable for its variety of objects, actions, and possible routes, allowing for different endings in each game. A classic with labyrinthine mapping and enormous depth.
The Three Lights of Glaurung (1986 – Erbe Software)
Arcade platform game set in a medieval castle, where Knight Redhan had to recover three magic jewels Facing enemies like bats, warlocks, and the fearsome dragon Glaurung. Actions like jumping in various ways, shooting arrows, and collecting items made this game a gem.
Don Quixote (1987 – Dinamic Software)
One of the first conversational adventures based on the work of Cervantes. The game, divided into two parts, allowed us to experience the adventures of the knight and his faithful Sancho, with textual interaction and assistance in the form of advice from Sancho. It was a milestone in the adaptation of literary classics to video games.
Fernando Martín Basket Master (1987 – Dinamic Software)
Based on the famous basketball player, Spanish pioneer in the NBAThe game offered one-on-one duels, advanced graphics for its time, and addictive gameplay. Its success gave rise to other video games based on Spanish athletes..
The Abbey of Crime (1987 – Opera Soft)
Considered by many to be the masterpiece of Spanish softwareInspired by Umberto Eco's novel "The Name of the Rose," the player had to investigate murders in a medieval abbey, manage time and monastic duties, and solve a complex mystery. Although it had modest sales, It ended up becoming a cult classic and the most representative of the golden ageIt has been the subject of remakes and continues to fascinate new generations.
Mad Mix Game (1988 – Topo Soft)
Arcade reminiscent of Pac-Man but with ingenious new features. Collecting marbles in 15 levels while avoiding enemies and collecting power-ups like the "Cocotank" or the "Hippopod." A clear example of the game's ability to innovate based on established concepts.
Rock'n Roller (1988 – Topo Soft)
Title focused on driving a buggy through dangerous environments filled with mines, traps, and armed rivals. You had to find vehicle parts and manage your fuel, all with graphics that were very polished for the time.
Jabato (1989 – Adventures AD)
Conversational adventure based on the popular comic, with the mission of escape from a Roman prison and search for his beloved ClaudiaDivided into two parts, the game allowed people to travel from Gaul to the Spanish Levant and Africa, and consolidated the genre in Spain.
The Goddess of Cozumel (1989 – AD Adventures)
The first installment of the "Legends of Ci-U-Than" trilogy. Set on the Yucatán Peninsula in 1920, the protagonist must survive a shipwreck and unravel the mysteries of the Mayan civilization. Published when conversational adventures were already in decline, it stood out for its success and its covers, many of them by Luis Royo.
Narco Police (1990 – Dinamic)
Third-person action and strategy, controlling a police team with weapons and specialties to raid drug labs in Colombia. Its advanced graphics and tactical gameplay placed it among the most modern titles of its era.
Risky Woods (1992 – Dinamic Software)
Regarded as one of the the last great title of the golden age. Platform and action video game set in a medieval fantasy universe, with Spectacular graphics and challenging difficultyIt was the final touch for Dinamic before becoming Dinamic Multimedia and the last great standard-bearer of the era.
The twilight: the jump to 16 bits and the end of an era
As in every golden cycle, The arrival of 16-bit computers like the Amiga, Atari ST and early PCs marked the beginning of the end.Although some Spanish titles were ported to these new machines, most studios were unable to adapt to the industry's new costs and technical demands, and gradually closed or transformed into other companies.
The decline coincided with the rise of consoles and the paradigm shift in digital entertainment. Creativity was still there, but the market had become globalized, and Spanish production companies, which had triumphed in the 8-bit era, They could no longer compete with the large international budgets.
Legacy and tribute to an unrepeatable generation
Nowadays, The retro scene is experiencing a real renaissanceEmulators, remakes, and reissues of legendary games are the order of the day, and many of the masterpieces from the golden age are valued by both nostalgic fans and young gamers who are discovering the ingenuity of that era.
Books such as "Ocho Quilates" and "A Better Past: The Golden Age of Spanish Software" collect interviews and experiences of the protagonists, recalling anecdotes, challenges, and the energy that was felt in those years. Festivals such as Amstrad Eternal and the movement of the Spanish retro scene keep the flame alive, while remakes like "The Abbey of Crime Extensum" allow classics to be played on modern systems.
The culture of abandonware has made it possible for most of these games to be played for free and legally through Archive.org and other platforms, ensuring that the legacy is not lost and continues to inspire new generations of Spanish developers.
How to play the classics today
If you are curious and want to relive or discover for the first time the classics of the Spanish golden age, there are options for all tastesMany of the games mentioned are available on Archive.org to play online and in a downloadable version for PC, although you will usually need a emulador (for example, DOSBox for MS-DOS games, or specific emulators for Spectrum, Amstrad or MSX).
- Games like The Pulga, Abu Simbel Profanation, Livingstone I suppose, sir fred, Mad Mix Game, Rock'n Roller, Jabato, The goddess of Cozumel, Narco Police y Risky Woods can be played online in the browser.
- Remakes and enhanced versions, such as "The Abbey of Crimen Extensum", are available for free download.
- Some titles are sold in physical or digital collections in specialty stores or even on existing distribution platforms.
International impact and European recognition
During the best years of the golden age, Spain was the second largest video game producer in Europe, second only to the United Kingdom. Many of its games crossed borders, with international versions and different names depending on the country: for example, "The Flea" was "Bugaboo" in the United Kingdom and "Booga-Boo" in the United States, or "Conquestador" for "The Three Lights of Glaurung" in the rest of Europe.
This success was accompanied by a extensive coverage in specialized magazines, both domestic and foreign, which popularized concepts and raised the profile of Spanish developers beyond our borders. The phenomenon was so powerful that, in many countries, titles made in our country were considered benchmarks, especially in genres such as conversational adventures and platform arcades.
Curiosities and anecdotes of the time
- Dynamic Software He was almost cast in a video game with Epi (Juan Antonio San Epifanio), but the basketball player refused to share his image. In the end, Fernando Martín was chosen.
- Many of the cover graphics were the work of Luis Royo, one of the most internationally recognized illustrators.
- The programmer, the graphic artist, and the musician were often the same person, which led to highly personal developments but also unique versatility.
- Some games have inspired mechanics that would later be seen in successful international titles, as noted in the case of "Narco Police" and the "Tomb Raider" saga.
- The gender of conversational adventures It was especially influential in Spain, with companies like Aventuras AD dominating the sector when it was already in decline in the rest of the world.
Why did the golden age have such an impact?
If there is one reason why the golden age of Spanish software continues to fascinate us today, it is the passion that was distilled in each titlePlayers and developers were practically the same community: adept at hacking hardware limits, sharing tricks, and motivating each other to create ever more ambitious games.
The artisanal approach, the inventiveness in overcoming technical restrictions, and the unique personality of each game made this period fondly remembered. It was common for gamers themselves to send letters to the magazines with ideas, solutions, or even contributing code and sprites, which the developers then integrated into future versions. The community was an active part of the creative process.
The importance of preservation and dissemination
Today, the value of those games goes far beyond pure nostalgia. They are fundamental pieces of Spanish and European cultural history, and their study has served to foster the development of new generations of designers, programmers, and artists.
Popular books, specialized blogs, and retro fairs bring the legacy and lessons of this era to new audiences. Not only are games being revived, but so are the philosophy of experimentation and collaboration that characterizes the current indie sector, a direct heir to the Spanish golden age.
Initiatives like Atila Merino's collection of interviews or the book "Ocho Quilates" have managed to highlight and pay tribute to the talents who, for years, worked in the shadows to put Spain on the world map of video games.
La retro scene Spanish is today one of the most vibrant and active in Europe, with current developments that draw directly from the spirit of the eighties and demonstrate that creativity and passion for video games have never disappeared in our country.
The golden age of Spanish software was much more than a technological era: it represented a true explosion of creativity, camaraderie, and national pride, whose echoes continue to resonate in the gaming community, in new developers, and in all those who, at some point, loaded a cassette tape ready to experience a unique adventure. History shows that when talent and enthusiasm come together, extraordinary things can be achieved even in the most modest circumstances. Today, the legacy of those pioneers lives on and is as fascinating as ever.