Dizzy: The Ultimate Cartoon Adventure
An eggy hero cracks the budget charts
Codemasters and the Oliver Twins built a puzzle-platform franchise around a lovable egg and some fiendish inventory riddles.
Overview
Released in 1987, Dizzy: The Ultimate Cartoon Adventure introduced players to a cheery egg navigating perilous screens, collecting items, and solving puzzles. Its success spawned sequels, spin-offs, and boxed compilations that kept budget racks stocked for years.
Fast facts
- Developers: Philip and Andrew Oliver, published by Codemasters.
- Format: single-screen platformer with inventory-based puzzles and precise jumps.
- Ports: Spectrum original quickly migrated to C64, Amstrad, CPC, Amiga, Atari ST, NES (as an Aladdin Deck Enhancer cart), and more.
Cultural footprint
Dizzy’s approachable art and budget price made it a household name. The franchise proved that playful characters and clever puzzles could compete with action-heavy arcade conversions.