Speedball is a video game series composed by three games developed by Bitmap Brothers. A futuristic sports game part handball, part ice hockey, played by six players a-side, Speedball lacks any rules and any kind of contact is allowed.

Games

Speedball

Speedball was released in 1988 for the Amiga, and ports for DOS personal computers, Atari ST, Commodore 64, and the Sega Master System followed. It was also released for the NES as Klashball.

Speedball's music was composed by David Whittaker. The graphics were done by Mark Coleman and the code by Steve Kelly . The game was widely considered as a highly succesful product due to its good graphics, excellent music and sound effects plus addictive gameplay.

Speedball 2: Brutal Deluxe

According to the game story, the first Speedball league (founded in 2095) failed due to violence and corruption, and as the organization gave place to anarchy, the game was forced underground, but five years later, from one attempt to regain public interest, Speedball 2 is born. The game starts in 2105, as a new team called Brutal Deluxe emerges. Speedball 2 is one of Bitmap Brothers' most successful titles, and was released for several platforms, including the Amiga, CD 32 , Personal Computer, Atari ST, Commodore 64, Sega Mega Drive/Genesis, Master System, Game Boy and the Game Boy Advance, the first in 1991, the final ten years later.

Speedball 2100

Speedball 2100, released only for the PlayStation, is basically a 3D version of Speedball 2, with more options such as choosing and renaming any team, instead of having to play with Brutal Deluxe. Released in September 2000, the game failed to convinced gamers and press, as it lacked to offer the same speed and gameplay of previous 2D games.

Speedball Arena (cancelled)

Oficially announced after a leak, the new Speedball would return to the personal computer, with complex on-line options and set to a Christmas 2002 release. However, it was cancelled not long after the official announcement.

External links

• Speedball series at MobyGames
• Bitmap Brothers pages on Speedball, Brutal Deluxe, 2100 and Arena

Alternate meaning

Speedball is also a drug term for the mixing of heroin and cocaine. This is a potentially lethal concoction: the cocaine acts as a stimulant, raising the heartbeat, but its effects wear off more quickly than those of heroin, which in turn slows the heart. As a result, the heart can lose its rhythm and stop working. John Belushi, Chris Farley and River Phoenix all died after taking speedballs.

• The Good Drugs Guide