FrontierAstro

Acorn Electron Elite (Acornsoft, 1984) - cassette tape loading screen.

Acorn Electron Elite (Acornsoft, 1984) - the spinning Cobra Mark 3 screen.

Acorn Electron Elite (Acornsoft, 1984) - a Viper police ship emerging from a Coriolis space station.

Acorn Electron Elite (Acornsoft, 1984) - a space battle depicting a hostile ship approaching and a screen message advising that the missile launch system has jammed.

Elite for the #AcornElectron often gets a bad press for its cut-down features, compared to the BBC and other versions. But instead of focusing on what it lacks, we should be amazed that the game was able to run on the little machine at all, thanks to David Braben & Ian Bell!

A church near Sirocco Station, on the planet Merlin, in the Ross 154 system (-1,0). This is FFED3D-AJ, an updated version of Frontier First Encounters. FFE was originally released in 1995, by Frontier Developments.

A close-up of a church near Sirocco Station, on the planet Merlin, in the Ross 154 system (-1,0). It can be seen that the time on the church clock matches that shown on the ship dashboard at the bottom of the screen. This is FFED3D-AJ, an updated version of Frontier First Encounters. FFE was originally released in 1995, by Frontier Developments.

An orbiting space station named Dublin Citadel, in the Alliance system of Gateway (-1,4), above the planet Hope. On the side of the station is what appears to be a mysterious power source (blue & green hemisphere). This is FFED3D-AJ, an updated version of Frontier First Encounters. FFE was originally released in 1995, by Frontier Developments.

An orbiting space station named Dublin Citadel, in the Alliance system of Gateway (-1,4). On the side of the station is what appears to be a mysterious power source (blue & green hemisphere). This is FFED3D-AJ, an updated version of Frontier First Encounters. FFE was originally released in 1995, by Frontier Developments.

Sometimes it's the little touches in a game that make it special. For example, in FFED3D-AJ, the church clock tallies with the local system time on the screen. Then there's the mysterious blue/green power source on the side of an orbiting space station 😍 tinyurl.com/FFED3D

Freelancer HD - main menu

Freelancer HD - space view

Freelancer HD - Manhattan city view

Freelancer HD - Manhattan bar

It's not Elite or Frontier, but I've installed Freelancer HD on my PC and I'm looking forward to spending some time on it. I played it on release in 2003 and it's amazing how the game and its characters are still familiar despite not having experienced the game for over 20 years!

Thanks! I'll have to check that out...

Good question. I think Frontier Elite 2 may have been the first, in 1993, but I'm not 100% sure on that 🤔

An Imperial Trader ship docked at Old Blackelk Spaceport, on the planet of Hope in the Gateway system (-1,4). This is the DOS version of Frontier First Encounters (FFE), released by Gametek in 1995.

An Imperial Trader ship docked at Old Blackelk Spaceport, on the planet of Hope in the Gateway system (-1,4). This is the FFFED3D-AJ version of Frontier First Encounters (FFE), modified by Andy Jones (AndyJ).

Approaching Jupiter in the Sol system (0,0). This is the DOS version of Frontier First Encounters (FFE), released by Gametek in 1995.

Approaching Jupiter in the Sol system (0,0). This is the FFFED3D-AJ version of Frontier First Encounters (FFE), modified by Andy Jones (AndyJ).

When Frontier First Encounters launched in 1995, it was a DOS-only game in 320x200 resolution. Some 30 years later, we can all enjoy the same brilliant game in much greater detail, thanks to some enterprising and talented coders. Details of FFED3D are at tinyurl.com/FFED3D-AJ

The Rosette Nebula (Caldwell 49) - 02/03/2026

Good night for imaging here, despite the almost-full moon.

Sinclair ZX Spectrum Elite - attract screen, showing a rotating Cobra Mark 3 space ship.

Sinclair ZX Spectrum Elite - space view, approaching a Coriolis space station.

Perhaps the other surprise omission from the FrontierAstro Top 5 Elites was the #ZXSpectrum version. A lot of people loved this back in the day, but to me it looked drab and ran too slowly. Somehow it lacked the magic of #BBCElite and was inferior to the #C64 version too. Sorry!

Archimedes Elite - attract screen

Archimedes Elite - space view

FrontierAstro Top 10 Elites

If you're wondering why #ArcElite didn't make it into my top 5 Elites, it's because I've had limited experience playing it and I didn't care much for the 16-bit versions anyway. Here's my complete Top 10 - from the note on my phone I used while I agonised over the final order! 😁

Yes, I only had the cassette tape version, but a friend of mine had the disc version, so I spent a lot of time there!

Acornsoft Elite (1984) - loading screen.

Acornsoft Elite (1984) - attract screen.

Acornsoft Elite (1984) - space view. Approaching a Dodo space station using the ship's docking computers.

Acornsoft Elite (1984) - cargo bay, showing some cargo cannisters.

*FrontierAstro Top 5 Elites*
1. BBC Elite (disc) - the original is still the best! Jaw-dropping graphics and gameplay made this an instant classic. It set a new standard for games, with its flawless execution and physical presentation (manual, novella etc.) It all started here!

Nintendo Elite - attract screen

Nintendo Elite (1991) - space view including a Dodo space station.

Nintendo Elite (1991) - commander status screen

Nintendo Elite (1991) - star system information

*FrontierAstro Top 5 Elites*
2. Nintendo NES Elite - often referred to as the "impossible" version, David Braben and Ian Bell wrote this masterpiece, which uses the Nintendo controller to deliver a fantastic gaming experience, with lots of nice touches as well. A genuine classic!

BBC Master Elite (1986). This image was created using the Elite Universe Editor, by Mark Moxon. This program can be downloaded from Mark's website, at https://elite.bbcelite.com/master/

BBC Master Elite (1986) - docking bay

BBC Master Elite (1986) - approaching Coriolis space station

BBC Master Elite (1986) - planet

*FrontierAstro Top 5 Elites*
3. BBC Master Elite - an amazing update to BBC Elite. Much more colour, smooth flicker-free graphics and no in-game loading. Missions to undertake as well. Those lucky enough to own a BBC Master computer had an astonishing game to play in 1986!

Commodore 64 Elite (1985) - attract screen. Still image of a rotating Cobra MkIII space ship.

Commodore 64 Elite (1985) - space view. This image was created using the Elite Universe Editor, by Mark Moxon. This program, and a flicker-free version of the game can be downloaded from Mark's website, at https://elite.bbcelite.com/c64/

Commodore 64 Elite (1985) - space view, approaching a Coriolis space station under the control of the ship's docking computers.

Commodore 64 Elite (1985) - Trumbles mission text. Accepting the mission will provide you with a furry companion on your travels. From there on, however, your problems will multiply.

*FrontierAstro Top 5 Elites*
4. Commodore 64 Elite - An excellent version, which maintained the classical BBC style while adding extra colour and the "Trumbles" mission. Graphical flicker can now be eliminated (see ALT text) and the full range of ships/space stations is present.

Amstrad Elite (1985) - Loading Screen

Amstrad Elite (1985) - planet and space station

Amstrad Elite (1985) - space view with attacking ship

Amstrad Elite (1985) - ship equipment screen

*FrontierAstro Top 5 Elites*
5. Amstrad Elite - Probably the best of the Z80 versions. Very playable, no flickering graphics, a few missions and plenty of colour, although they can get a bit garish at times (see picture). Solid filled planets were a first for Elite as well.

The Sun! 14.02.2026

I've just taken a virtually identical picture. Must be the same sun! 😮

Sinclair Spectrum Elite (1985) - retail box

Sinclair Spectrum Elite (1985) - attract screen

Commodore 64 Elite (1985) - retail box

Commodore 64 Elite (1985) - attract screen

People will argue long into the night over whether #Spectrum Elite or #Commodore64 Elite was the best. With its more colourful display and extra ships, the C64 version probably edges it, although the Spectrum game did boast the LensLok protection system 😁

Page 1 of the two-page review of Frontier Elite 2, in the February 1994 edition of Atari ST Review magazine. Summed up as ""Quite superb - as close to the perfect game as you'll find!" and awarded an overall score of 96%.

Page 2 of the two-page review of Frontier Elite 2, in the February 1994 edition of Atari ST Review magazine. Summed up as ""Quite superb - as close to the perfect game as you'll find!" and awarded an overall score of 96%.

Was Frontier Elite 2 on the #AtariST the best game ever released on that machine? Atari ST Review magazine certainly liked it, in their February 1994 edition. "Quite superb - as close to the perfect game as you'll find!" Overall score of 96%.

You must be hallucinating! 🙂

Had an amazing, clear night last night, contrary to all the forecasts! I only stopped doing astrophotography at 3am because I was so tired!

Frontier Elite comic by Dave Jones of DJ Comics.

Frontier Elite comic by Dave Jones of DJ Comics.

I've never really been into comics, but back in 2012 Dave Jones of DJ Comics released a 5-part adventure, set in the Frontier Elite universe. Definitely worth a read on a cold, rainy day!
djcomics.wordpress.com/frontier-eli...

Yeah, maybe I'm a monster, but they did overcharge me on my docking fees...

Retail box for Tatung Einstein Elite (1987). No bespoke boxes were produced for this version. Instead, the game shipped in the box for the Sinclair ZX Spectrum, with stickers identifying it as the Einstein version placed where required.

Attract screen for Tatung Einstein Elite, released in 1987. Its visual similarity to Sinclair Spectrum Elite is explained by the fact that the Spectrum version was ported over to the Einstein, and adapted as required.

User manual for Tatung Einstein Elite. The Spectrum manual was used and a sticker placed within, due to the difference between the two machines in terms of loading the game. The Einstein only used 3" floppy discs, whereas the Spectrum loaded games from cassette tape.

Quick Key Control Guide, included with Tatung Einstein Elite. This was from the ZX Spectrum version, with the differences shown on a sticker.

If the Tatung Einstein version of Elite looks suspiciously like the Spectrum version, it's because it is a direct port from the Sinclair machine. The retail box was actually the Spectrum box, with stickers covering the logo where needed. The manual was also from the Spectrum!

24 ship data cards, included with Acorn Archimedes Elite. The cards revealed each ship's Offensive Rating (OFFRAT) and Defensive Rating (DEFRAT) as well as imparting some useful information.

Advertisement for Acorn Archimedes Elite. The game's price was revealed to be £39.95 and it could be purchased by sending a cheque or postal order to Hybrid Software, the publishers, who were based in Cambridge, UK.

Elite for the #AcornArchimedes was arguably the ultimate version of the original game. The physical items included were certainly unsurpassed, including 24 Ship Data Cards. The long-held tradition of naming ships in the game after snake species was no longer adhered to.

Sounds good, although we don't seem to have had a clear night for weeks 😕

Royal Mail limited edition gamer collection pack - Elite information.

Royal Mail limited edition gamer collection pack - Elite information.

The UK's Royal Mail postal service released a variety of video game related stamp sets in January 2020. Amongst these was the Limited Edition Gamer Collection Pack. In this were individual information cards with a corresponding stamp attached to them for the following games: Elite (1984), Dizzy (1987), Populous (1989), Lemmings (1991), Micro Machines (1991), Sensible Soccer (1992), Wipeout (1995) and Worms (1995). There was also a small booklet with further information on each game, plus a Certificate of Authenticity for each of the 2500 copies produced. This was all contained within a silver presentation tin.

Elite was immortalised by the UK's Royal Mail in 2020, when they produced a limited edition gamer collection pack of stamps. Seven other games were covered (see ALT text), including information on each one and a certificate of authenticity issued for each of the 2500 packs.

The white box is Gametek's budget re-release of FE2 from 1995, under their Advantage Point label.
The other two are Portuguese versions of FE2. One has the game on CD, the other on floppy disc.

Frontier Elite 2 - various!

I have enough copies of FE2 🙂

PC Elite (1987) - attract screen

PC Elite (1987) - space view

PC Elite Plus (1991) - attract screen

PC Elite Plus (1991) - space view

PC Elite certainly wasn't the prettiest version, when it was released in 1987. This was due to the restrictions of the CGA graphics. It did feature solid filled polygons, however. Elite Plus came along in 1991, and boasted a delicious 256 colour mode.

Addendum sheet For Apple II Elite. It clarified the game's save procedure and provided a solution for the screen corruption on the Apple II+ computer, which was caused by it being an upper-case machine only.

Addendum sheet for the disc version of Amstrad Elite, explaining that the program disc must remain in the drive at all times, unless the save game procedure has been initiated.

Original cassette tape version of Amstrad Elite, which contained a bug which locked the machine up after a few hours of gameplay.

Replacement cassette tape for Amstrad Elite, recognisable by the white label and the word "METROPOLITAN" on it.

This was about as close as you got to a patch for computer games in the 1980s. For more serious flaws, like the bug which locked up #AmstradElite after a few hours of play, replacement media had to be sent out to anyone who requested it (new version with white label).