The ZX Spectrum Popeye game contains exceptionally large and detailed character sprites, a first for the ZX Spectrum. After being requested by copyright holder King Features for the game's graphics to resemble Thimble Theatre comics as closely as possible, programmer Don Priestley designed these graphics by making sets of square sprites and attaching them together. This technique would be reused for other games by the same programmer, including Benny Hill's Madcap Chase and The Trap Door, both based on British TV IPs that may have had similar stipulations.