Summary
- Release Year: 1985
- Genres: Arcade, Puzzle, Tactical
- Platforms: ColecoVision, Commodore C64/128/MAX, MSX, SG-1000
- Developers: Action Graphics, Inc.
- Publishers: Activision, Pony Canyon, Sega Enterprises, Ltd.
Rock n’ Bolt (1985)
Rock n’ Bolt is an arcade game released by Sega in 1985. The player controls Louie the Constructor, who must lock platforms into place according to a supplied map. There are three levels of difficulty; the second and third level have time limits.
The game is played on a single screen, which is divided into a grid of squares. Louie can move up, down, left, and right, and can lock platforms into place by pressing the fire button. The platforms are constantly moving back and forth, and Louie must time his jumps carefully to avoid falling off.
There are two types of levels in Rock n’ Bolt. In the first type, Louie must simply lock down all of the platforms in the level. In the second type, Louie must lock down the platforms in a specific order.
The game becomes increasingly difficult as the levels progress. The platforms move faster, and there are more of them to lock down. Louie also has less time to complete the levels on the second and third difficulty levels.
Despite its difficulty, Rock n’ Bolt is a fun and challenging game that will appeal to fans of arcade classics. The game’s simple controls and addictive gameplay make it easy to pick up and play, but difficult to master.
Gameplay
The objective of Rock n’ Bolt is to lock platforms into place according to a supplied map. There are three levels of difficulty:
- Easy: No time limit.
- Medium: 30-second time limit.
- Hard: 20-second time limit.
The player controls Louie the Constructor, who can move up, down, left, and right, and can lock platforms into place by pressing the fire button. The platforms are constantly moving back and forth, and Louie must time his jumps carefully to avoid falling off.
There are two types of levels in Rock n’ Bolt:
- Type A: Louie must simply lock down all of the platforms in the level.
- Type B: Louie must lock down the platforms in a specific order.
The game becomes increasingly difficult as the levels progress. The platforms move faster, and there are more of them to lock down. Louie also has less time to complete the levels on the second and third difficulty levels.
Development
Rock n’ Bolt was developed by Sega AM2, a division of Sega that was responsible for developing some of the company’s most popular arcade games, including Out Run, Space Harrier, and After Burner. The game was designed by Yu Suzuki, who would later go on to create the Virtua Fighter and Shenmue series.
Rock n’ Bolt was released in arcades in Japan in 1985. The game was ported to the Sega Master System in 1988.
Reception
Rock n’ Bolt was a critical and commercial success. The game was praised for its simple controls, addictive gameplay, and challenging difficulty. The game was also a financial success, selling over 100,000 arcade cabinets worldwide.
Rock n’ Bolt has been included in several “best of” lists, including:
- IGN’s “Top 100 Arcade Games of All Time”
- GameSpy’s “The 25 Best Arcade Games of All Time”
- Arcade Sushi’s “The 100 Greatest Arcade Games of All Time”
Legacy
Rock n’ Bolt is considered to be one of the classic arcade games of the 1980s. The game’s simple controls and addictive gameplay have made it a popular choice for retro gamers. Rock n’ Bolt has also been ported to several home consoles, including the Sega Master System, Game Gear, and PlayStation 2.
The game’s legacy is also evident in its influence on other games. The puzzle game Tetris, for example, was inspired by Rock n’ Bolt. Tetris designer Alexey Pajitnov has said that he was inspired by Rock n’ Bolt’s simple gameplay and challenging difficulty.
Rock n’ Bolt is a classic arcade game that is still enjoyed by gamers today. The game’s simple controls, addictive gameplay, and challenging difficulty make it a timeless classic.
Review Score
7/10
Art
Cover Art
Screenshots
