Loader And Screen Differences

[Spider]

There are some changes between the various releases and re-releases of Manic Miner with both the loader and the loading screen itself. Here I'll detail the changes.

There are four* official versions:

The Bug Byte release (this comes in two inlay covers to confuse matters more and has two slight variations in code)
The Software Projects release
The MAD (Mastertronic Added Dimension) re-release
The Ventamatic release

Loader (Bug Byte) original:



And its loading pic. Note this is just the middle third attributes with this version' date=' ie 256 bytes starting at 22784. Shown on a white background to illustrate:

Loader (Bug Byte) 'alternative':



The loading pic is a full 768 bytes starting at 22528



The basic is also slightly different between these versions too, the 'alt' version is missing a Border command.

Loader (Software Projects):



And its picture shown with the basic text display of author / publisher:



The picture is again a shortened one, just 256 bytes starting at 22784

Loader (Mastertronic Added Dimension) Re-Release:



Different loader again.

What is interesting (shown on loading picture) is the pic code starts with a t: indicating it may of come from a +2A/+2B or +3 machine. Again a short one 256 bytes again. The game code uses the Software Projects release.
 

Loader (Ventamatic) Release:

Substantially different loader with a cheat if you type VENTAMATIC (caps needed) although its slightly based on the Software Projects loader with regard to the author information block. The game code appears to be using the Software Projects code too with some language changes, based on the 'triangle' used in the SP version of the game on the Warehouse screen and the 'typewriter' version of the screen cheat.

Author info is shown on the loader, added by the basic:


 

[fawtytoo]

I've just purchased the Spectrum BB version of MM and the loading screen appears to be 768 bytes of white paper on black ink.

[Spider]

On 4/9/2026 at 3:58 PM, fawtytoo said:

I've just purchased the Spectrum BB version of MM and the loading screen appears to be 768 bytes of white paper on black ink.

Sorry I missed your initial reply somehow. I do subscribe to topics I start but I guess (given the age of the start date) it fell off the radar as such, its fine. 🙂 

 

So its the full attribute file ?

I'm not aware of the other variations unless it changed with the BB 'cover' as there's two type of inlay , I had always assumed they were otherwise identical and it was an artwork change only.

It is the BB version ? As confirmed by the (c) message on the scrolly ? There's other ways to check but that's the 'easy no action needed' way

Edited April 12 by Spider
Typo

[Spider]

Upon further investigation the later one seems to be 768 , the earlier 256... In regard to a thought I had as there's two BB versions:

Original (BB)

Later (BB)

Software Projects (as MS "took the game with him", iirc) , some changes codewise and graphics there's a separate topic on that:

Mastertronic (apart from loader, byte identical to the SP version except it is missing the final byte) resulting in a slightly wonky Final Barrier floor guardian:

Ventamatic (Spanish Release) status unknown aka official sanctioned or not. It is byte identical to the SP version for the codeblock but has a different loader:

EDOS (Having seen the phyical tape) I would think this is not an official release:

 

In regards to inlays , as far as I am aware inlay 2 is the most common , followed by 3 and then 1 and then 4. 5 and 6 are more likely found outside the UK.

🙂 

 

[Spider]

I do not appear to have the EDOS version "to hand" at the moment, I think it may be a TRDOS image. I'd have to verify that later.

[fawtytoo]

The one I have is the later BB inlay but it's not folded. The eBay seller I purchased it from said they've sold several like it.

Quote

Seems to be a certain version involving the Manic Miner tape with writing printed directly onto the tape ...

Not sure what the latter part of that means.

Interestingly, the cassette has "BBS 00105" on it like the original BB inlay has.

[Spider]

I'd need to see but I suspect it means its in the leader plastic of the tape, some manufacturers did do that. I suspect the cost was a reason it was not that common.