{{Short description|1984 video game}} {{Use British English|date=September 2025}} {{Use dmy dates|date=September 2025}} {{Infobox video game | title = 3D Tank Duel | image = 3D Tank Duel cover.jpg | developer = Realtime Games Software | publisher = Realtime Games Software <br> Zeppelin Games | released = {{Video game release|EU|1984}} | genre = Action | modes = Single-player | platforms = ZX Spectrum }} '''''3D Tank Duel''''' is a video game developed by Realtime Games Software for the ZX Spectrum home computer. It is a clone of the arcade game ''Battlezone'', featuring wireframe 3D graphics with colour.<ref name="crash7">{{Cite magazine |date=August 1984 |title=3D Tank Duel |url=https://archive.org/details/crash-magazine-07/page/n87/mode/1up?view=theater |magazine=Crash! |pages=88–89 |issue=7}}</ref>
The game was later re-released in 1989 as '''''Battle Tank Simulator''''' by Zeppelin Games.<ref name="su82">{{Cite magazine |last=Mahony |first=Steve |date=January 1989 |title=Battle Tank Simulator |url=https://archive.org/details/sinclair-user-magazine-082/page/n62/mode/1up?view=theater |magazine=Sinclair User |page=63 |issue=82}}</ref>
== Gameplay == The player controls a tank in a first-person perspective, with the objective of shooting enemy tanks and randomly appearing UFOs while avoiding being hit. The game screen is split into two areas: the top section is black and displays the score, high score, and a radar screen, while the lower portion shows a yellow desert landscape.<ref name="crash7" /><ref name="pcw29">{{Cite magazine |last=Springett |first=Simon |date=19–25 July 1984 |title=Kamikaze Pilot |url=https://archive.org/details/popular-computing-weekly-1984-07-19/page/n16/mode/1up?view=theater |magazine=Popular Computing Weekly |page=17 |volume=3 |issue=29}}</ref>
The radar screen features a sweep arm and is used to track enemies. The game includes four types of enemy tanks, flying saucers, and missiles, each with varying artificial intelligence that requires different strategies to defeat. Upon destruction, enemy units explode into fragments.<ref name="crash7" /><ref name="crash64">{{Cite magazine |date=May 1989 |title=Battle-Tank Simulator |url=https://archive.org/details/crash-magazine-64/page/n30/mode/1up?view=theater |magazine=Crash! |page=31 |issue=64}}</ref><ref name="su33">{{Cite magazine |last=Gilbert |first=Jonh |date=December 1984 |title=Battle of the tanks |url=https://archive.org/details/sinclair-user-magazine-033/page/n37/mode/1up?view=theater3 |magazine=Sinclair User |page=38 |issue=33}}</ref>
Obstacles in the desert serve as barriers and impede progress if hit. The game simulates realistic tank movement, with keys controlling the left and right tracks separately. Enemy tanks and missiles exhibit complex movements, including dodging behind obstacles and missiles leaping over them.<ref name="crash7" /><ref name="pcw29" /><ref name="su33" />
''3D Tank Duel'' expands upon the original Battle Zone concept by including more varied landscapes and additional features such as revolving radar dishes.<ref name="crash7" />
== Reception == {{Video game reviews | CVG = 32/40<ref name="cvg" /> | CRASH = 83%,<ref name="crash7" /> 55% (1989 re-release)<ref name="crash64" /> | SUser = 6/10,<ref name="su33" /> 65% (1989 re-release)<ref name="su82" /> | YSinclair = 4/10<ref name="ys39" /> | rev1 = Popular Computing Weekly | rev1Score = {{rating|2|5}}<ref name="pcw29" /> }}
The game received mixed reviews from critics. Many praised its graphics, sound, and smooth movement, with some recommending it over other ''Battlezone'' clones available for the ZX Spectrum, even the official port by Quicksilva.<ref name="crash7" /><ref name="crash17">{{Cite magazine |date=June 1985 |title=3D Tank Duel |url=https://archive.org/details/crash-magazine-17/page/n108/mode/1up?view=theater |magazine=Crash! |page=109 |issue=17}}</ref><ref name="pcw25">{{Cite magazine |last= |first= |date=21–27 June 1984 |title=Line Graphics |url=https://archive.org/details/popular-computing-weekly-1984-06-21/page/n56/mode/1up?view=theater |magazine=Popular Computing Weekly |page=57 |volume=3 |issue=25}}</ref><ref name="pcw29" /> The realistic 3D effect and detailed graphics were particularly noted as strengths.<ref name="crash7" /><ref name="pcw25" /><ref name="cvg">{{Cite magazine |date=February 1985 |title=B'Zone/Tank Duel |url=https://archive.org/details/cvg-magazine-040/page/n42/mode/1up?view=theater |magazine=Computer and Video Games |pages=43 |issue=40}}</ref>
Some reviewers however found the graphics slightly confusing, with colours occasionally obscuring enemies.<ref name="crash17" /> Opinions on the gameplay speed and collision detection were divided, with some critics finding it slow and disappointing.<ref name="crash64" /><ref name="su82" /><ref name="ys39">{{Cite magazine |date=March 1989 |title=Battle Tank Simulator |url=https://archive.org/details/Your_Sinclair_039/page/n39/mode/1up?view=theater |magazine=Your Sinclair |page=40 |issue=39}}</ref>
Despite these criticisms, some reviewers found the game addictive and enjoyable.<ref name="crash7" /><ref name="crash17" /><ref name="crash64" /> Others described the game as a good version of arcade original, but otherwise unremarkable.<ref name="pcw29" /><ref name="su33" />
== See also == Rommel's Revenge another Battlezone clone for the Spectrum, released in 1983
== References == {{reflist}}
== External links == *{{moby game|id=/60006}} *{{WoS game|id=5136}}
Category:1984 video games Category:Action games Category:Realtime Games Software games Category:Single-player video games Category:Tank simulation video games Category:Video game clones Category:Video games developed in the United Kingdom Category:ZX Spectrum games Category:ZX Spectrum-only games