Grand Monster Slam
| Company type | Video game |
|---|---|
| Industry | Video games |
| Founded | 1989 |
| Founder | Golden Goblins |
| Products | Sports video game |
Grand Monster Slam is a sports video game launched in 1989 for platforms including the Amiga, Commodore 64, Atari ST, and MS-DOS. Created by Golden Goblins and distributed by Rainbow Arts, the game takes its concept from the 1985 arcade title Penguin Wars. It was placed at number 100 in the inaugural Amiga Power's All Time Top One Hundred list but did not feature in subsequent editions. In March 2017, the game's source code was released on the Internet Archive.
Gameplay
Taking place in the mythical realm of GhoID, Grand Monster Slam showcases characters from traditional fantasy races such as trolls, orcs, ogres, and imps. Players assume control of an unnamed dwarf protagonist who ultimately confronts a final adversary called Winner—a golden goblin symbolizing the developer's emblem.
Tournament
The contest is structured into two initial leagues, each comprising eight participants, followed by a concluding league that includes three supernatural "boss" opponents. Progression occurs through knockout-style tournaments within each league, with advancement contingent upon completing a mini-game named Faulton Feeding. Triumphing in the final league grants the Gold Medal and Yellow Jerkin bestowed by the King; defeat results in becoming the King's jester. Participants who advance beyond the first league may restart the competition but forfeit any points accumulated.
Rules
Matches are conducted on a field approximately the size of a tennis court, with players stationed at opposite ends. Each side begins with six Beloms—small, brown, ball-like creatures—lined up. The primary goal is to propel all one's Beloms onto the rival’s side and then traverse the field to secure victory. Players aim to topple their opponents by striking them with Beloms while evading incoming ones.
Should a Belom be kicked beyond the low barrier separating the playing area from spectators, a penalty known as a 'Pelvan' is enforced. This involves a duck-like creature descending on a rope; the penalized player attempts to kick it while their opponent tries to catch it. Failure results in transferring three Beloms from the opponent’s side to one’s own; success moves one Belom toward the kicker’s side.
The pitch configuration varies between leagues: it starts empty in the first league and later features a low dividing wall with an opening, necessitating stronger kicks and requiring players to finish through this gap to claim victory.
Mini-games
Between main matches, Grand Monster Slam offers two mini-games, which can also be accessed directly from the main menu.
Revenge of the Beloms
This mini-game takes place after each quarter-final and semi-final round, where players defend against eight sequentially attacking Beloms originating from compass directions. Armed with a barbell-like weapon, players must repel these attacks. If a Belom gets past, the player falls and the mini-game ends. The King assigns a target number of Beloms to fend off; meeting or exceeding this goal affects bonus or penalty points that influence tournament progression.
Faulton Feeding
Following victories in the first and second league finals, competitors face Faulton Feeding on the main pitch. Players kick six Beloms into six frog-like creatures called Faultons by applying precise force. To advance leagues, players must feed at least two Faultons in round one and four in round two; failure requires restarting the league.