JSW Central - Resource Centre for ZX Spectrum games based on Manic Miner and Jet Set Willy game engines

Resource centre for ZX Spectrum games
using Manic Miner and Jet Set Willy game engines

II. Jet Set Willy (JSW48)

A. New games using Matthew Smith's original Jet Set Willy game engine for the 48K Spectrum and its modifications

59. Jet Set Willy: Australian Cousin

Author: Ken Knight (itsmethyroid)

Year: 2026 (v. 1.1)

Language: English

Jet Set Willy: Australian Cousin is a JSW modification created by Ken Knight (itsmethyroid) for the Australian leg of the "Roaming Speccy" world tour project. This charity initiative, which originated in the UK, involves a globe-trotting ZX Spectrum making its way from creator to creator, with each participant adding their own touch and sharing a story. This 8-bit odyssey unfolds through field interviews, bench repairs, festivals, living rooms and garages in various parts of the world. A collection of related videos is available at The Roaming Speccy playlist. At the end of its journey, once it completes its global quest and returns to the UK, the Roaming Speccy together with all the additions it will have acquired during its voyage will be auctioned off in aid of the Befriending Scheme UK.

Jet Set Willy: Australian Cousin was originally designed as an exclusive title for the Roaming Speccy. As far as is currently known, it is the only software contribution created specifically for this project. The eventual owner of the machine will receive what Ken describes as "the only legitimate copy" of the game transferred to tape by Chris from the YouTube channels 005 AGIMA and This Week in Retro.

Ken's contribution to the project was inspired by the real-life small town of Wongan Hills, located around three hours north-east of Perth and home to approximately 700 residents. During a visit there, he discovered an abandoned arcade called "Orbit Zone", filled with arcade cabinets left standing unused and apparently forgotten. Fascinated by the mysterious sight, Ken used the location as the basis for the game's storyline.

GAME PREMISE: One day Miner Willy's Australian cousin, "the Shane", hears of an abandoned arcade in the small town of Wongan Hills, Western Australia. He explores the arcade, called "Orbit Zone", in search of the lost machines hidden throughout the complex. He needs to collect 148 items while wandering through an Australian-themed setting inspired by the local surroundings and atmosphere of Wongan Hills. Since the game takes place "Down Under", during his quest the Shane has to operate with gravity reversed, walking on the ceiling.

Jet Set Willy: Australian Cousin was created, using JSWED, in 2025. It was first shown publicly in November 2025 in the YouTube video EP-279: The Roaming Spectrum in Perth, which included a preview of the gameplay. Following encouragement from members of the community, Ken decided to make the game available to the general public. It was released on JSW Central and the Jet Set Willy & Manic Miner Community in May 2026.

Number of edited rooms: 61 (including several unedited or very slightly edited rooms from the original JSW).

Number of items to collect: 148

Spare lives at the start: 7

Completable without loss of life? No information is available yet.

Starting time: 7:00 am

Best documented completion time with no unnecessary loss of life: No walkthrough is available publicly yet.

Download links