Summary
- Release Year: 1984
- Genres: Arcade, Puzzle
- Platforms: Arcade, FM Towns, PC-9800 Series, Sega Mega Drive/Genesis, Sharp X68000
- Developers: Atari Games
- Publishers: Atari Games, Electronic Arts, Home Data
Marble Madness: A Timeless Arcade Classic
Released in 1984, Marble Madness is an isometric platform game that quickly became an arcade classic. Its unique trackball controls and challenging courses made it a blast to play, and it remains popular today.
Gameplay
The goal of Marble Madness is to complete six maze-like, isometric race courses before a set amount of time expires. The player controls an onscreen marble from a third-person perspective, using a trackball to manipulate its movements. The marble can roll in any direction, and the player must use this to navigate the courses, avoiding obstacles and enemies.
Each course is filled with a variety of objects and enemies designed to obstruct the player’s progress. These include ramps, bumpers, pits, and enemies that can knock the marble off the course. As the game progresses, the courses become increasingly difficult, introducing more enemies and obstacles.
Courses
The six courses in Marble Madness are each unique in their visual theme and difficulty. The first course, titled “Practice”, is a simple course that is much shorter than the others. It is designed to teach the player the basics of the game.
The second course, “Beginner”, is slightly more difficult than the Practice course. It introduces new obstacles, such as ramps and bumpers.
The third course, “Intermediate”, is a significant step up in difficulty. It features more complex obstacles and enemies, and the time limit is shorter.
The fourth course, “Advanced”, is even more difficult than the Intermediate course. It features narrow passages, moving platforms, and a variety of enemies.
The fifth course, “Silly”, is a visually distinct course that features polka-dot patterns and is oriented in a direction opposite from the other courses. It is also more difficult than the Advanced course.
The sixth and final course, “Expert”, is the most difficult course in the game. It features a variety of obstacles and enemies, and the time limit is very short.
Multiplayer
Marble Madness also allows two players to compete against each other. In this mode, each player controls a marble and races to complete the course first. The first player to complete the course wins.
Legacy
Marble Madness was a critical and commercial success, and it has been ported to a variety of home platforms over the years. It is considered one of the classic arcade games of the 1980s, and it remains popular today.
Marble Madness Tips
Here are a few tips for playing Marble Madness:
- Use the trackball to carefully control the marble’s movements.
- Avoid obstacles and enemies as much as possible.
- Use ramps and bumpers to gain speed and reach higher areas.
- Collect power-ups to gain temporary advantages, such as increased speed or invincibility.
- Practice makes perfect! The more you play Marble Madness, the better you will become at it.
Conclusion
Marble Madness is a timeless arcade classic that is still enjoyed by gamers today. Its unique trackball controls and challenging courses make it a blast to play. If you are looking for a fun and challenging game, then Marble Madness is definitely worth checking out.
Review Score
9/10
Art
Cover Art
Screenshots
