Return to Blacktooth completes a long-running development saga: Colin Porch has released the long-awaited sequel to Head Over Heels after a development journey stretching back to 1989.
The title, revived and finished over the course of 37 years, is now available on the Atari ST and Commodore Amiga platforms and is published by Thalamus Digital for $12.99.
Background and revival
Colin Porch first began work on the project in 1989.
The revival came after encouragement from his former Ocean colleague Gary Bracey, who asked what had happened to the unfinished sequel and urged Porch to finish it in light of growing demand for retro titles.
Porch told ITV that the project had effectively been abandoned during the rise of home consoles in the early 1990s, but that renewed interest in retro gaming helped prompt its completion.
IP clearance and publishing
One of the early hurdles for the revival was establishing who owned the intellectual property for the characters.
Porch discovered the rights were held by the modern-day Atari, and he said the team could not market the game until Atari’s permission was secured.
Once IP clearance was obtained, Thalamus Digital stepped in as publisher and helped bring the finished title to market on classic home computer platforms.
Design philosophy and gameplay
Porch described the core design intent as a contest of intellect between designer and player, characterising the experience as a direct challenge from his puzzle designs to whoever attempts them.
He said the project remained "a labour of love" because of his original passion for crafting intricate puzzles — a facet that defines Return to Blacktooth’s gameplay.
Availability and context
Return to Blacktooth is available now for Atari ST and Commodore Amiga at a listed price of $12.99.
The release joins a broader trend of retro game revivals finding renewed audiences across classic hardware and, increasingly, through modern storefronts.
While this release targets vintage platforms, publishers and developers often explore contemporary re-releases on digital storefronts such as the Nintendo Switch eShop and similar services; however, no modern-platform release for Return to Blacktooth has been announced by Thalamus Digital or Porch.
For industry observers, the project highlights the enduring market for retro-focused development and the practical challenges—IP clearance and finding a publisher—that can accompany long-delayed sequels.
ITV’s interview with Porch offers a direct window into the production story of a game that began in the late 1980s and finally reached players in the 2020s.
The title, revived and finished over the course of 37 years, is now available on the Atari ST and Commodore Amiga platforms and is published by Thalamus Digital for $12.99.
Background and revival
Colin Porch first began work on the project in 1989.
The revival came after encouragement from his former Ocean colleague Gary Bracey, who asked what had happened to the unfinished sequel and urged Porch to finish it in light of growing demand for retro titles.
Porch told ITV that the project had effectively been abandoned during the rise of home consoles in the early 1990s, but that renewed interest in retro gaming helped prompt its completion.
IP clearance and publishing
One of the early hurdles for the revival was establishing who owned the intellectual property for the characters.
Porch discovered the rights were held by the modern-day Atari, and he said the team could not market the game until Atari’s permission was secured.
Once IP clearance was obtained, Thalamus Digital stepped in as publisher and helped bring the finished title to market on classic home computer platforms.
Design philosophy and gameplay
Porch described the core design intent as a contest of intellect between designer and player, characterising the experience as a direct challenge from his puzzle designs to whoever attempts them.
He said the project remained "a labour of love" because of his original passion for crafting intricate puzzles — a facet that defines Return to Blacktooth’s gameplay.
Availability and context
Return to Blacktooth is available now for Atari ST and Commodore Amiga at a listed price of $12.99.
The release joins a broader trend of retro game revivals finding renewed audiences across classic hardware and, increasingly, through modern storefronts.
While this release targets vintage platforms, publishers and developers often explore contemporary re-releases on digital storefronts such as the Nintendo Switch eShop and similar services; however, no modern-platform release for Return to Blacktooth has been announced by Thalamus Digital or Porch.
For industry observers, the project highlights the enduring market for retro-focused development and the practical challenges—IP clearance and finding a publisher—that can accompany long-delayed sequels.
ITV’s interview with Porch offers a direct window into the production story of a game that began in the late 1980s and finally reached players in the 2020s.