The Release of “Don’t Buy This”
In 1985, Firebird Software, a division of British Telecom, released a compilation of five video games for the ZX Spectrum under the ironic title Don’t Buy This. The collection was explicitly marketed as containing bad games, a tongue-in-cheek approach to warn potential buyers.
The Games Included
The compilation featured five titles: Fido 1: Puppy Power, Fruit Machine, Weasel Willy, Race Ace, and Fido 2: Puppy Strikes Back. These games were known for their poor quality, with simplistic graphics, basic gameplay, and numerous glitches, making them intentionally lackluster.
An Ironic Marketing Stunt
The marketing of Don’t Buy This was a parody of typical game compilations. Firebird Software packaged it as a novelty item, allowing buyers to experience some of the worst games of the era, poking fun at the abundance of low-quality software flooding the market at the time.
Cult Status
While Don’t Buy This was not a commercial success, it became a cult classic, remembered for its humorous and self-deprecating marketing. It remains a quirky piece of gaming history, symbolizing a time when publishers weren’t afraid to poke fun at themselves.
In 1985, Firebird Software, a division of British Telecom, released a compilation of five video games for the ZX Spectrum under the ironic title Don't Buy This. The collection was explicitly marketed as containing bad games, a tongue-in-cheek approach to warn potential buyers.🧵 pic.twitter.com/wP8H9WvSEL
— Detective Tiger's Stories (@TigerDetective) January 15, 2025