JezzBall Classic by Winterdust

JezzBall Classic #

This game was created to be just like how the original JezzBall was 25 years ago! The graphics, the sound, the scoring, the physics, the tempo… they are all the same as they were in the original!
Of course there are improvements as well; for example there’s a much higher frame rate and fixed glitches. Plus a lot of bonus stuff such as alternative game modes and challenges.
If you’re more interested in the gameplay than the original graphics there are options to enable a more modern look.

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Gameplay #

In JezzBall there are a number of Jezz atoms that bounces around. Your task is to build walls that contain them in as small space as possible. When over 75% of the capture chamber has been turned into wall the current level is completed and you move on to the next where another Jezz atom is added into play.
To build walls you deploy a wallbuilder by left-clicking in the chamber. Right-clicking determines the direction. The wallbuilder has two ends that travel from the origin of your click, in the opposite directions from each other. A wall is constructed from the center in two pieces, if a pending wall-half is hit by a Jezz atom before it has reached an already existing wall it is destroyed and you lose a life. But it’s still possible that the other half of the wall succeeds.
Earn large construction bonuses at the end of each level by reaching over 80% area cleared on your last deployment. Get an even larger bonus by reaching over 90% area cleared! Time and lives remaining also adds to the end-of-level bonus so make your clicks count.

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Features #

• The original JezzBall experience! Into the very last detail; if you came looking for the JezzBall you remember you will not be disappointed!
• Four profiles (one reserved for guests) with their configurations stored separately.
• 700 beautiful background images (real life photos). Go to the “Graphics” config screen to enable it. Will place a random image into the black walls each level.
• 8 music tracks of classic MIDI tunes you’ll probably remember! All recorded using SoundBlaster 16. You can set up to 24 music audio events if you want to.
• 60 fully customizable SFX audio events – change which sample(s) to play or change individual volumes. A pool of 300 sounds are available from various old games.
• Automatic saving of all games in progress. Stop and continue whenever you want to!
• Local high score lists. In the Hall of Fame your name will last forever and on the three other lists you will see the daily, weekly and monthly high scores.
• Level records. All your best statistics are saved on each and every level you complete. Profile records are comparable.
• Smart and very customizable controls. If you have a touchscreen you can play using your fingers.
• 83 mods that once activated changes how the game is played! Use none or pick one/several at the same time in any order. High scores and level records are stored separately for each combination. Some mods will just change the amount of time/lives you have while other will drastically change gameplay (allow you to use two wallbuilders at the same time for example).
• 22 preset mod-combinations are provided in addition to the original JezzBall experience to give you variation.
• 100 rooms that will stimulate your intellect as well as your ability to time your deployments! Can you solve them?
• There are also missions available to inspire you to break your personal bests. Completing them all is an achievement!

If you have Java installed you can run an included utilities program that will help you add new background images or audio samples to the game. Note: The utils aren’t included in the demo.

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Meet the gang #

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Presets #

The original JezzBall experience (default) #

You’ll recognize this game mode all the way back from 1992.

The casual #

A fast-moving wallbuilder and more atoms per level! Perfect for a nice casual game. But be careful with your deployments since the wallbuilder ends aren’t fortified.

The arcade #

You only have 20 lives and you don’t receive new ones. The bonus atom is in play, use it to increase your score to new heights!

The arcadium #

You start with 15 lives and don’t receive new ones each level, but luckily you have the opportunity to capture a medkit atom to delay the inevitable. The bonus atom is also in play as well as the freeze atom. Stop time to double the effects of the bonus and medkit atoms! Play your cards right and you’ll go far.

The prison #

Trap each Jezz atom in its own area. Your biggest worry here is not to get two atoms stuck next to each other so that you are unable to separate them.

The luxury prison #

Trap each Jezz atom in its own area, just watch out so you don’t make it too small! If you do the imprisoned atom will escape to a larger nearby space. Use the freeze atom to quickly trap the regular atoms and reach 50% area cleared before anyone can have a chance to escape.

The shepherd #

Use your fast wallbuilder-dogs to separate the red and blue sheeps into different groups. Be quick about it because time is sparse! And be careful so that your dogs doesn’t run into a sheep, you can’t afford to make many mistakes since you only have 4 of them each level.

The divisor #

Separate the red and blue Jezz atoms from each other and put each atom into its own space. Your pending walls are shielded but don’t lose your focus or you will put yourself in a situation where the level can’t be completed!

The adventure #

Help the atoms find their kin in these randomly generated labyrinths. The atoms must see all other atoms of the same color and blue and red line-of-sight must not cross. Lives are extra valuable towards the end bonus.

The challenge #

Reduced time and you only have four lives each level. How far will your nerves allow you to go?

The flying T-rex #

Your pending walls are shielded to withstand one hit. You only have a single life on each level though so make sure a pending wall is not hit twice! Also take extra note of the unprotected wallbuilder ends. You can’t lose from getting 0 time so only deploy when you are sure it’s safe.

The planner #

The good news is that you don’t lose lives when a wall under construction is being destroyed. The bad news is that you only have a certain number of walls to build with and the waillbuilder ends aren’t fortified.

The master builder #

To survive you must master the art of building with only one wallbuilder end. Time your construction well because you have very few chances. Especially since your last deployment doesn’t count – as soon as you reach 0 lives it’s over.

The quick #

All that matters here is speed if you want to get good bonuses. Finish the levels as fast as you possibly can! Just don’t forget to keep your lives over 0.

The panic #

More lives and less percentage to cover. However, the time you have is very low so you best act fast! Very fast.

The artist #

Draw the walls instead of building them the normal way. Start dragging next to an already existing wall and release next to another already existing wall. Watch out since your wallbuilder ends aren’t fortified and you have halved amount of lives. Avoid straight walls to gain up to 9999 bonus points per draw!

The worker #

Take control of the red wallbuilder end and build walls directly instead of building them the normal way. Decide which way the wallbuilder goes by swiping across the screen (or by using the arrow keys on PC). Catch the medkit atom to gain lives and thereby increase the end-level bonus.

The war #

The play area has turned into a militarized zone and you’re in charge. Think twice about your deployments since the missile atom will try to stun your wallbuilder ends. Use the general atom to reposition troops where they won’t get in the way. Remember to use your second wallbuilder.

The inferno #

Lava has somehow gotten into the capture chamber. The Jezz atoms doesn’t seem to be affected but it will destroy any wallbuilder end. Plan your deployments carefully to avoid disaster. To your help you have the REA mod, which makes it a lot easier to deploy only one wallbuilder end at a time.

The haste spell #

Everything moves at twice the normal speed! You start with one life more than the number of atoms. After a few levels it will be the other way around.

The appender #

Every level has a pre-built wall piece in it to aid you but in turn two new atoms are added into the chamber instead of one.

The bear cave #

You’re stuck in a cave filled with angry bears! The only way out is to trap them. Be mindful of papa bear since he will dash at pending walls. Your wallbuilder ends aren’t fortified so keep your distance.

The caretakers #

These Jezz atoms are tending to an atom with special needs. It is quite eccentric unless isolated, which seems to calm it down. Although that makes its caretakers run around like crazy, searching…

To change between presets you press your profilename to the right of the “New Game” button on the main menu. #

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JezzBall stands its ground as one of the most addicting puzzle games and I promise you will find JezzBall Classic both challenging and enjoyable!
Do you wish to check out the game before you buy it?
There is a demo available! (It’s called ‘lite’ for historical reasons.)
Good luck containing those Jezz atoms!

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More version history can be found on the game’s homepage.There is no installation required, just unzip and start playing! 100% DRM free.You don’t need to create an account here on itch.io in order to buy this game.Actual payment is done on PayPal’s site (credit card accepted – no account needed).

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