Stack Up was originally released in 1991 at least for the following platforms:
On the 16-bit platforms, the graphics imitated the look of an arcade or slot machine sporting 70s pop colors (red, blue, orange). There was a lot of arcade nostalgy going on in the early 90s. On the 8-bit platforms, graphics were of course a lot more simple and mostly abstract. This goes for the ZX more than for the C64, I haven't seen any Atari screenshots yet.
In 1993 it was ported to DOS, using the 16-color graphics of the Amiga/Atari ST version, though the sprites were redrawn. They were now animated, and instead of the food and drink items of the original represented something that could best be described as funny monsters. However they still used 16 colors only. In spite of this fact the game looks rather ugly in EGA mode. I suppose the developers of the port just didn't really care. In 1993, EGA was a thing of the past.
Stack Up is essentially Columns. The most obvious, though irrelevant, difference is that the blocks are aligned horizontal and not vertical. Besides, every level gives you a goal in points, as soon as this is reached, you advance and the screen is cleared, instead of the continuous gameplay of Columns and, in fact, most Tetris clones.
There is a file floating around on the Internet from which I could gather the following details about scoring and level advancement:
As the game progresses, various new playing blocks can be selected by pausing and selecting the following:
- weather symbols
- road traffic signals
- food symbols
- outer space signs
Stack up is split into 22 rounds, each of which has a target number of lines that must be reached before play can progress to the next level. After a successful round you are awarded CLEAR BONUS, plus a SPACE BONUS depending on how much empty space is left on the screen.
As higher levels are reached:
- frames are started with blocks already in them
- blocks appear randomly on the screen
- only diagonal lines count towards your target levels
- left and right controls may be become reversed!
- black blocks will fall that cannot disintergrate
BASIC SCORING
- Each group of three blocks placed in frame: 50 points
- Vertical line of three: 200 points
- Horizontal line of three: 500 points
- Diagonal line of three: 1000 points
EXTENDED SCORING
- line of four: scores double and counts as two
- line of five: scores triple and counts as three
- line of six: scores quadruple and counts as four
CHAIN REACTIONS
- first step: single score
- second step: all lines are worth double
- third step: all lines are worth triple
