Ultima III: Exodus - Development

Development

Numerous ports of Ultima III appeared on many different systems. Below is a complete list of the various systems Ultima III: Exodus has appeared on along with some differences between them.

System Release date Publisher Notes
Apple II 1983 Origin Systems
  • Original version.
  • Complete soundtrack is included; requires the optional Mockingboard expansion card.
Atari 800 1983 Origin Systems
  • Complete soundtrack is included.
  • Most of the code is identical to the original Apple version, as both Systems are 6502-based.
Commodore 64 1983 Origin Systems
  • Complete soundtrack is included.
  • Most of the code is identical to the original Apple version, as both Systems are 6502-based.
  • Unlike the original, dungeons are shown in black-and-white.
IBM PC 1983 Origin Systems
  • Designed for use with a composite color monitor; will not display correctly on CGA/EGA/VGA RGB-based monitors, nor in most emulators.
  • Does not contain music.
  • Designed for a 4.77 MHz processor; requires slowdown measures on faster systems to remain playable.
Amiga 1986 Origin Systems
  • More colorful graphics than the original.
  • Mouse support is present.
  • Complete soundtrack is included.
Atari ST 1986 Origin Systems
  • More colorful graphics than the original.
  • Mouse support is present.
  • Complete soundtrack is included.
Macintosh 1986 Origin Systems
  • The game is restricted to black and white. Sound effects are supported only on very early Mac models.
  • Mouse support is present
PC-8801 1986 Origin Systems/Starcraft*
  • Came in a small box just large enough to fit the 5.25" disk and the translated maps.
  • Rather than a cloth map, it included a jigsaw puzzle that formed the map.
PC-9801 1986 Origin Systems/Starcraft*
  • Came in a small box just large enough to fit the 5.25" disk and the translated maps.
  • Rather than a cloth map, it included a jigsaw puzzle that formed the map.
FM-7 1986 Origin Systems/Starcraft*
  • Came in a small box just large enough to fit the 5.25" disk and the translated maps.
  • Rather than a cloth map, it included a jigsaw puzzle that formed the map.
NES/Famicom 1988 Origin Systems/FCI/Pony Canyon
  • Modified graphics and a new soundtrack.
  • Considerable alterations to gameplay.
  • Significantly expanded dialogue.
  • Only a small instruction booklet rather than the map and manuals.
  • Added endgame sequence after defeating Exodus.
MSX2 - Cartridge 1988 Origin Systems/Pony Canyon
  • It was packaged in a VHS like box with only the game cartridge and 40 page manual.
MSX2 - 3.5" Disk 1989 Origin Systems/Pony Canyon
  • While still in a VHS like box it contains the manuals and map, both translated. Although the map is very different from the original.
Macintosh 1993 LairWar
  • LairWare licensed Ultima III and created a remake for the Macintosh. Unlike the original Mac version from Origin Systems, the LairWare version is in full color. LairWare continues to sell Ultima III for Mac OS X and Mac OS Classic today, as a direct download from the LairWare web site.
*The publisher Starcraft has no relation to the video game StarCraft and went out of business in 1996.

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