FrontierAstro

@frontierastro.bsky.social

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All about the Elite and Frontier games from the 1980s and 1990s, plus a bit of astronomy. frontierastro.co.uk https://x.com/FrontierAstro

System data for Quator in Elite (Acornsoft, 1984). It is described as a mainly industrial anarchy, scourged by deadly edible arts graduates.
The short-range star chart in BBC Elite (Acornsoft, 1984). This chart is centred on the Lave system and shows the relative positions of Diso, Riedquat, Leesti, Orerve, Zaonce, Tionisla, Reorte, Uszaa & Orrere. These 10 systems - plus Quator - were carried over to Frontier Elite 2 (Gametek, 1993).
The front cover of the August 1995 edition of Acorn User magazine. On the cover disc was the complete version of Archimedes Elite, which had been released in 1991 by Hybrid Technology. The cover also featured the iconic Elite artwork, created by Philip Castle for the initial Acornsoft versions of the game.
Schneider CPC Elite (Firebird, 1986) - front of retail box. Includes a price sticker of DM 69.90.
Retail box of the ZX Spectrum version of Elite (Firebird, 1985).
Frontier First Encounters (FFED3D-AJ) - ships docked at Reaganville starport, on Biggs Colony, in the Altair system. The two ships are a Skeet Cruiser (foreground) and an Imperial Trader.
An animation in Frontier Elite 2 (Gametek/Konami, 1993) advertising the Pure Cold Crater Juice drink.
The Ship Identification Chart included with non-Acornsoft versions of Elite in the 1980s. A number of objects which were not ships were also present, marked with a asterisk in this list. Adder, Anaconda, Boulder*, Sidewinder, Shuttle, Python, Asteroid*, Boa, Missile*, Gecko, Space Station*, Escape Capsule, Asp, Cobra, Barrel*, Ferdelance, Transporter, Thargoid, Mamba, Krait, Moray, Viper. Not all versions had all the ships.
Page 1 of Acorn User magazine's review of Archimedes Elite, in the December 1991 edition.
A scene from FFED3D-AJ, showing the Aachen Town space station, orbiting high above Wicca's World in the Alioth system. The main focus of this video is the elaborate system of rotating arms on the space station, designed to simulate gravity for the inhabitants within. Between the viewer and the space station is a Cobra Mark 3 space ship.
The disc boot sequence of BBC Elite (Acornsoft,1984).
A total of 27 versions of the computer game Elite, with each one identified.
A Cobra Mk I ship departing Schneider Village space port, on the planet of Biggs Colony in the Altair system (FFED3D-AJ).
Approaching the planet Valhalla in the Tiliala system in FFED3D-AJ. The average surface temperature here is a sweltering 54°C, but despite that there is plentiful flora and fauna which has adapted to life here.
Donaldsville on the planet of Cooperworld in the Aymiay system (1,4) in FFED3D-AJ.
MSX Elite (Firebird, 1987) - opening screen.
Oolite (2003-2026) - opening screen, featuring a rotating Cobra Mk III.
The front cover of Personal Computer News (PCN) magazine for edition 82, 13th October 1984. It depicts a space battle, intended to represent BBC Elite (Acornsoft, 1984). Underneath the graphics, at the bottom of the page, are the words "BBC ELITE. The best computer game ever?"
Page 1 of a two-page preview of Frontier First Encounters in the March edition of CU Amiga magazine. At the time, the title of the game had not been finalised, hence the reference here to "Frontier 2 First Encounters". Eventually the release of the game on the Amiga platform was abandoned, with performance issues being cited as the main reason.
BBC Elite (Acornsoft, 1984) - retail box contents, including the following:- 1. Space Traders Flight Training Manual 2. Dark Wheel novella 3. Ship identification poster 4. Summary of controls and ship identification card 5. Game disc 6. Competition entry card 7. Loading instructions
The retail box for Acorn Electron Elite (Acornsoft, 1984). The artwork was created by the renowned British airbrush artist Philip Castle.
Game Over headstone from Frontier Elite 2 (Gametek, 1993), which appears after the anti-theft spot checks have been failed.
The Ship Identification Chart, as included in the Firebird versions of Elite. A total of 16 ships were shown, plus other objects found in the game.
Elite Legend for Sinclair Spectrum 128 (unofficial, PLM, 2021) - loading screen.
Commodore 64/128 Elite (Firebird, 1985) - retail box front.
The front of the January 1994 edition of Amstrad Action magazine. Attached was a boxed cassette tape featuring the complete Elite game.
Spinning Cobra Mk III in Gameboy Advance Elite by Quirky. Download the game from https://www.geocities.ws/quirky_2k1/downloads/index.html
Distracted boyfriend meme, adapted on imgflip.com to show man distracted from Elite Dangerous by BBC Elite!
Beginning of the BBC Elite demonstration program, made flicker-free by Mark Moxon in 2026.
Frontier Elite 2 (Gametek/Konami, 1993) for the Commodore CD32 console - retail box (front).
Review of Elite for the Tatung Einstein home computer, in the June 1987 edition of Einstein User magazine. The review was very positive, and the game was scored as follows: Graphics 90% Sound 40% Instructions 85% Difficulty 95% Value for money 99%
The index page of FrontierAstro in September 2002. The links herein do not function.
The index page of FrontierAstro in September 2002. The links herein do not function.
First Encounters - US version (Gametek, 1995) - retail box (front).
Magazine advert for Elite, by Superior Software/Acornsoft (1987). Versions were available for the Acorn Electron (£12.95), BBC Model B cassette (£12.95), BBC Model B & BBC Master disc (£14.95) and BBC Master Compact (£19.95).
First page of the CU Amiga magazine review of Frontier Elite 2 (November 1993).
Row 1 (Top):- Acorn Electron Elite, BBC Cassette Elite, BBC Disc Elite, BBC Master Elite, IBM PC Elite, Spectrum Elite, Commodore 64 Elite, Commodore 64/128 Elite Row 2:- Tatung Einstein Elite, MSX Elite, Apple II Elite, Amstrad CPC Elite (Cassette), Amstrad CPC Elite (Disc), French Amstrad Elite, German Schneider Elite, Nintendo (NES) Elite Row 3:- BBC Cassette Elite, BBC Disc and Master Elite, Acorn Electron Elite, BBC Master Elite, Atari ST Elite, Commodore Amiga Elite, Commodore Amiga Elite (Firebird), Italian Nintendo (NES) Elite Row 4:- PC Elite Plus - UK version, PC Elite Plus - US version, Acorn Archimedes Elite, Budget PC Elite Plus, Amstrad Action Elite cassette
Commodore Plus/4 Elite (unofficial) - loading screen.
Frontier Elite 2 (Gametek, 1993) - PC retail box, including:- 1. The game manual (106 pages) 2. A Gazetteer of selected important systems within the game (39 pages) 3. Stories Of Life On The Frontier (82 pages) - a series of connected short stories, set within the FEU (Frontier Elite Universe) 4. Full colour star map, covering 180 sectors of the Frontier galaxy and including both Federation and Empire systems 5. Loading and installation instructions 6. T-shirt offer 7. Game Media (CD and/or floppy disc)
MSX Elite (Firebird, 1987) - opening screen featuring a spinning Cobra Mark 3 space ship.
Frontier Elite 2 (Gametek, 1993) - Portuguese retail box (front).
The artwork for Elite on the Acorn Electron home computer (1984). It was created by the renowned British airbrush artist Philip Castle (20/10/1942 - 20/02/2026).
Commodore Amiga Elite (Rainbird Software, 1988) - attract screen showing a spinning Cobra Mark 3 spaceship.
glFrontier (Tom Morton) - docked at Sirocco Station, Ross 154 system.
Apple II Elite (Firebird, 1986). Spinning Cobra Mark 3 attract screen.
Acorn Electron Elite (Acornsoft, 1984) - cassette tape loading screen.
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.
Freelancer HD - main menu
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.
The Rosette Nebula (Caldwell 49) - 02/03/2026
Sinclair ZX Spectrum Elite - attract screen, showing a rotating Cobra Mark 3 space ship.
Archimedes Elite - attract screen
Acornsoft Elite (1984) - loading screen.
Nintendo Elite - attract screen
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/
Commodore 64 Elite (1985) - attract screen. Still image of a rotating Cobra MkIII space ship.
Amstrad Elite (1985) - Loading Screen
The Sun! 14.02.2026
Sinclair Spectrum Elite (1985) - retail box
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%.