Aackosoft

Aackosoft International B.V.
IndustryVideo games
Educational software
Accounting software
Founded1983
FateBankruptcy in 1988
HeadquartersZoeterwoude / Leiden, Netherlands
Key people
Paul van Aacken, Guurt Kok (founders)
ProductsSprinter/The Train Game
North Sea Helicopter

Aackosoft International B.V. (1983 to 1988) was a Dutch video game developer and publisher that exclusively developed games for the MSX home computer,[1] becoming one of the biggest publishers for the MSX platform.[2] It re-released some titles for the ZX Spectrum[3] and Commodore 64, for which it also distributed software in their early years. Aackosoft filed for bankruptcy in 1988.

Aackosoft released its software under multiple labels. Besides the Aackosoft brand name, software was also released as Aackosoft Edusystems (for the educational titles), Eaglesoft (for budget titles released on cassette tapes),[4] Eurosoft, Methodic Solutions and The ByteBusters. The latest was also the name of Aackosoft's programming team.[5]

Many of Aackosoft's games are clones of more famous arcade games: Boom! (Galaxian), Hopper (Frogger), MacAttack (Burgertime), Oh Shit! (Pac-Man), Scentipede (Centipede), Jet Bomber (Zaxxon), Moon Rider (Moon Patrol), Space Busters (Space Invaders), Break In (Breakout), Time Curb (Time Pilot) and Robot Wars (Berzerk). Some more original games include Life in the Fast Lane, Kick It!, Drome, Skooter, North Sea Helicopter and Ultra Chess. In 1986 Aackosoft released Sprinter (aka The Train Game), featuring a 3D train simulation.[6]

In addition to games, Aackosoft developed accounting and educational software for the MSX.[citation needed]

  1. ^ "Aackosoft company information | Generation MSX". Generation-msx.nl. 2013-12-10. Retrieved 2014-02-25.
  2. ^ "Aackosoft International B.V". MobyGames. Retrieved 2014-02-25.
  3. ^ "Aackosoft". World of Spectrum. Retrieved 2014-02-25.
  4. ^ "Eaglesoft". MobyGames. Retrieved 2014-02-25.
  5. ^ "The Bytebusters company information | Generation MSX". Generation-msx.nl. 2009-01-17. Retrieved 2014-02-25.
  6. ^ "The Train Game (1986, MSX, The Bytebusters) | Generation MSX". Generation-msx.nl. Archived from the original on February 22, 2013. Retrieved 2014-02-25.