Agent X II: The Mad Prof's Back

Agent X II: The Mad Prof's Back is a 1987 computer game released for the ZX Spectrum, Amstrad CPC, and Commodore 64. It serves as the sequel to the ZX Spectrum title Agent X. The player assumes the role of the titular Agent X in a multi-load game composed of several distinct sub-games.

The story picks up after the mad professor's previous plot to brainwash the President was thwarted by Agent X. Now seeking revenge, the professor aims to collapse the global economy. He has established an underground base on the Moon, from which he plans to deploy the Zit-Ray—a device that causes everyone to break out in severe, terminal acne. His scheme relies on the public spending vast sums on ineffective spot remover cream, leaving no money for necessities and ruining the economy. Agent X must travel to the Moon, surprise the scientist, and destroy the Zit-Ray.

Gameplay is divided into three sub-games. The first level is a side-scrolling shoot 'em up reminiscent of Gradius. The second level is a platform game set in a tower of screens, each containing three floors. Each screen features a computer terminal, a floating code number, and various enemies. Agent X must jump between floors to collect codes, input them into the computers, and eliminate aliens. After entering three codes, a final code must be typed into the lowest terminal, and a snake-like alien must be destroyed to complete the task. The third and final level is a clone of Breakout.

Reception was largely negative. Your Sinclair rated it 6 out of 10, CRASH gave it 56%, and Sinclair User awarded only 3 out of 10. Mike Dunn of CRASH commented, "Despite decent graphics, Agent X II is a real disappointment after the fun and frolics of its predecessor." Your Sinclair's Nat Pryce criticized the third level, stating, "Worst of all, there seems to be no skill involved - you can't aim the ball as in Arkanoid, it just zips around all over the place. Unplayable, I'm afraid." Sinclair User called it an "Extremely disappointing follow-up to an excellent original. Highly unoriginal and dull. Don't bother."