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Summary

• Release Year: 1984
• Genres: Arcade, Platform
• Platforms: Commodore C64/128/MAX
• Publishers: terminal software

Lazy Jones (1984): A Leisurely Adventure in Pixelated Laziness

Released in 1984 for the Commodore 64 and ZX Spectrum, Lazy Jones is a unique and charming game that stands out from the crowd of more action-packed titles from that era. As the titular Lazy Jones, players take on the role of a hotel employee who would rather be playing video games than doing his job.

Gameplay: A Lazy Day at the Hotel

Lazy Jones is essentially a collection of fifteen smaller sub-games, each with its own unique set of objectives. These sub-games range from simple tasks like cleaning rooms and collecting items to more complex challenges like solving puzzles and playing arcade-style games.

The game takes place inside a three-story hotel, with each floor featuring different sub-games. Players can use the elevator to travel between floors and access different areas of the hotel.

Characters: A Cast of Colorful Characters

In addition to Lazy Jones himself, the game features a cast of quirky and memorable characters. There’s the strict hotel manager, the flirtatious maid, and the eccentric guests. Each character has their own unique personality and motivations, which adds to the game’s charm.

Graphics and Sound: Pixelated Perfection

For its time, Lazy Jones featured impressive 8-bit graphics and sound. The character sprites are well-animated and the environments are detailed and colorful. The game’s soundtrack is also quite catchy, with a variety of upbeat tunes that perfectly capture the game’s lighthearted atmosphere.

Legacy: A Lazy Classic

Lazy Jones was a critical and commercial success upon its release. It was praised for its originality, humor, and addictive gameplay. The game has since been ported to a variety of platforms, including the Nintendo Switch and PC.

Lazy Jones has also inspired a number of fan-made sequels and spin-offs. These games have kept the spirit of the original alive and introduced new generations of gamers to the lazy hotel employee and his wacky adventures.

Conclusion: A Timeless Masterpiece

Lazy Jones is a timeless masterpiece that continues to entertain and charm gamers of all ages. Its unique blend of humor, originality, and addictive gameplay make it a must-play for fans of retro gaming and anyone looking for a relaxing and enjoyable experience.

10 Things You Didn’t Know About Lazy Jones

1. The game was originally titled “Hotel Hijinks” but was renamed to Lazy Jones to avoid confusion with another game called “Hotel.”
2. The game’s protagonist was inspired by the real-life hotel employee who would often sneak into rooms to play video games.
3. The game’s sub-games were designed to be short and easy to play, so that players could take breaks from their work without getting too distracted.
4. The game’s soundtrack was composed by Rob Hubbard, who is considered one of the pioneers of video game music.
5. The game was released in Japan under the title “Hotel Mario.”
6. The game has been featured in several video game magazines and books, including Retro Gamer and The Video Game Encyclopedia.
7. The game has been cited as an influence on several other video games, including The Sims and Grand Theft Auto.
8. The game has been parodied in several other video games, including Leisure Suit Larry and South Park.
9. The game has been featured in several television shows and movies, including The Big Bang Theory and Pixels.
10. The game has been translated into several languages, including French, German, and Spanish.

Review Score

7.5/10

Art

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