Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jun 11, 2026

Dimension Destructors

Dimension Destructors is a 1983 video game developed by Artic Computing for the ZX Spectrum. The game, programmed by Jon Ritman, was one of the first games alongside Ritman's earlier title Combat Zone to use 3D effects on the Spectrum. Upon release, Dimension Destructors received positive reviews, with several reviewers highlighting the game's graphics.

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Jun 11, 2026
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Dimension Destructors
DeveloperArtic Computing
Publisher
PlatformZX Spectrum
Release1983
GenreAction
ModeSingle-player

Dimension Destructors is a 1983 video game developed by Artic Computing for the ZX Spectrum. The game, programmed by Jon Ritman, was one of the first games alongside Ritman's earlier title Combat Zone to use 3D effects on the Spectrum. Upon release, Dimension Destructors received positive reviews, with several reviewers highlighting the game's graphics.

Gameplay

Gameplay screenshot source ↗

Dimension Destructors is a shoot 'em up video game in which the objective is to defeat as many alien vehicles in a space battle as possible before all lives are lost.1 Players use directional keys to align with enemy fighters, represented by three-dimensional pyramid and diamond shapes, and shoot them with their laser.2 Players must avoid enemy shots, which deplete a shield when hit, and when four shields over five lives are depleted, the game is over.32 An onscreen scanner displays the direction of incoming vehicles, which approach the player from a distance.3

Development and release

Dimension Destructors was created by Jon Ritman for publisher Artic Computing. It was the first original game that Ritman developed.4 After seeing the arcade game Battlezone,5 he designed the engine using vector graphics and floating-point mathematics he learned writing Combat Zone.5647 Alongside Combat Zone, Ritman stated that the game was one of the first to attempt 3D effects on the Spectrum.8

Reception

According to Personal Computer News, sales of Dimension Destructors in the United Kingdom peaked in twentieth place in January 1984.11 The game received generally positive reviews, with reviewers highlighting the game's 3D graphics.1103 Bob Chappell of Personal Computer News found the game impressive, praising the "realistic perspective" of the graphics.3 Describing the 3D graphics as exemplary, ZX Computing praised the "fast and smooth" visuals and "addictive" gameplay.10 However, Personal Computer Games Magazine stated the 3D imposed "considerable constraints" on graphical details, and found the game's concept to be "amazingly unoriginal".9 Crash praised the game for its controls, animations, and effects, but found the game difficult, and considered its the lack of colors and background landscapes made it "less spectacular" than its predecessor Combat Zone.2

References

References

  1. "Dimension Destructors". TV Gamer. June 1984. p. 45.
  2. "Dimension Destructors". Crash. No. 2. March 1984. pp. 74–5.
  3. Chappell, Bob (15 December 1983). "Dimension of death". Personal Computer News. p. 72.
  4. Reive, Neil (2021). "Jon Ritman". Amstrad CPC - The Developers Q&As. Retroaction. p. 10.
  5. Anderson, Magnus (2012). "Pro-Am Games". Grand thieves & tomb raiders : how British video games conquered the world. Aurum Entertainment. p. 95.
  6. Carroll, Alex (March 2005). "The Ritman Report". Retro Gamer. No. 14. p. 50.
  7. "This Man Is A Monster!". Super Gamer. No. 1. April 1994. p. 23.
  8. "Jon Ritman". Joystick (in French). No. 83. June 1997. p. 174.
  9. "Dimension Destructors". Personal Computer Games. No. 3. February 1984. pp. 42–3.
  10. "Dimension Destructors - Artic". ZX Computing. April–May 1984. p. 102.
  11. "PCN Charts". Personal Computer News. 7 January 1984. p. 9.
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