Summary
Horace Goes Skiing (1982) cheerfully put players in control of an unusual character whose idea of a relaxing ski trip involved dodging traffic, renting skis, and repeatedly face-planting down a mountain. The game unfolded in distinct stages: a Frogger-like road crossing, a shopping dash, and a surprisingly tense downhill ski run. Each section felt simple, yet demanded precision and patience. Bright, chunky visuals and escalating difficulty turned Horace's holiday into a cycle of chaos, comedy, and compulsive retrying that perfectly suited the Spectrum's early charm.
What it does well
Instantly recognisable character, varied gameplay sections, strong risk–reward balance, and enormous replay value.
Where it falls short
Harsh difficulty spikes, repetitive retries, limited depth, and frustration that could outweigh the humour at times.
Verdict
A deceptively simple Spectrum classic that blended humour and challenge into one of the platform’s most memorable early hits.