Publisher: Sony

Lode Runner (1983)

by Nish
written by Nish 6 minutes read

Summary

Lode Runner: A Classic Puzzle Game That Still Holds Up Today

Released in 1983, Lode Runner is a puzzle game that tasks players with guiding a miner named Lode Runner through a series of caves, collecting treasure and avoiding enemies. The game is notable for its innovative level editor, which allows players to create their own levels and share them with others.

Lode Runner was a critical and commercial success, and it has been ported to numerous platforms over the years. The game has also been praised for its simple but addictive gameplay, and it remains a popular choice for puzzle game fans today.

Gameplay

The goal of Lode Runner is to collect all of the treasure in a level while avoiding enemies. Lode Runner can dig holes to create platforms and traps, and he can also use bombs to destroy enemies. The game features a variety of different enemies, each with their own unique abilities.

Lode Runner is a challenging game, but it is also very rewarding. The levels are well-designed and there is a great sense of satisfaction to be gained from completing a difficult level. The game also has a lot of replay value, thanks to the level editor.

Level Editor

One of the things that makes Lode Runner so special is its level editor. The level editor is easy to use, and it allows players to create their own levels or modify existing levels. Players can share their levels with others online, and there is a large community of Lode Runner fans who have created thousands of levels.

The level editor has also been used to create some very challenging levels. Some of these levels are so difficult that they have never been completed. However, there is a sense of accomplishment to be gained from completing a difficult level, and the level editor provides a great way for players to challenge themselves.

Graphics and Sound

Lode Runner’s graphics are simple, but they are effective. The game’s characters and environments are easy to辨識, and the game runs smoothly even on older computers. The game’s sound effects are also simple, but they are effective in creating a sense of atmosphere.

Conclusion

Lode Runner is a classic puzzle game that still holds up today. The game’s simple but addictive gameplay, combined with its innovative level editor, make it a game that can be enjoyed by players of all ages. If you are a fan of puzzle games, then you owe it to yourself to check out Lode Runner.

Additional Information

  • Lode Runner was developed by Doug Smith and Dan Gorlin.
  • The game was originally released for the Apple II, but it was later ported to numerous other platforms, including the Commodore 64, the Atari 2600, and the Nintendo Entertainment System.
  • Lode Runner has been praised for its simple but addictive gameplay, and it has been cited as an influence on many other puzzle games.
  • The game has been featured in several video game magazines and books, and it has been included in several video game anthologies.
  • Lode Runner is still enjoyed by many people today, and there is a large community of fans who create and share custom levels.

Review Score

8.5/10

Art

Cover Art

Screenshots

0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail

Loco-Motion (1982)

by Christopher
written by Christopher 6 minutes read

Summary

Loco-Motion (1982): A Classic Puzzle Game

Loco-Motion is a sliding block puzzle game released in arcades in 1982. The game is played on a 5×5 grid, with the player controlling a locomotive that must collect passengers from stations located around the edges of the screen. The locomotive is constantly moving, and the player must slide pieces of track into the vacant square to guide it around the tracks.

Loco-Motion is a simple game to learn, but it can be challenging to master. The player must carefully plan their moves to avoid crashing the locomotive into dead-end barricades or the edge of the playfield. The game also features a number of obstacles, such as barriers and moving platforms, that can make it even more difficult to collect all of the passengers.

Despite its simple gameplay, Loco-Motion is a surprisingly addictive game. The game’s fast-paced action and challenging puzzles will keep players entertained for hours on end. Loco-Motion is also a great game for puzzle fans of all ages.

Gameplay

The goal of Loco-Motion is to collect all of the passengers from the stations located around the edges of the screen. The player controls the locomotive by sliding pieces of track into the vacant square. The locomotive will then move in the direction of the track piece, collecting any passengers in its path.

The player must be careful not to crash the locomotive into dead-end barricades or the edge of the playfield. Crashing the locomotive will cost the player a life. The player also has a limited amount of time to collect all of the passengers. If the timer runs out, the player will lose a life.

Obstacles

In addition to the dead-end barricades and the edge of the playfield, Loco-Motion also features a number of other obstacles that can make it difficult to collect all of the passengers. These obstacles include:

  • Barriers: Barriers are solid objects that block the locomotive’s path. The player must slide track pieces around the barriers in order to get the locomotive past them.
  • Moving platforms: Moving platforms are platforms that move back and forth across the screen. The player must time their moves carefully to get the locomotive onto the moving platforms and avoid being pushed off.
  • Switches: Switches are levers that can change the direction of the tracks. The player must use the switches to guide the locomotive around the tracks and collect all of the passengers.

Power-ups

Loco-Motion also features a number of power-ups that can help the player collect all of the passengers. These power-ups include:

  • Speed boost: The speed boost power-up increases the speed of the locomotive. This can be helpful for getting to the passengers more quickly.
  • Invincibility: The invincibility power-up makes the locomotive invincible to obstacles. This can be helpful for getting past difficult obstacles without losing a life.
  • Extra time: The extra time power-up adds extra time to the clock. This can be helpful for giving the player more time to collect all of the passengers.

Legacy

Loco-Motion was a popular arcade game in the early 1980s. The game was ported to a number of home computers, including the Atari 2600, the Commodore 64, and the ZX Spectrum. Loco-Motion has also been released on a number of modern platforms, including the PlayStation 3, the Xbox 360, and the Nintendo Switch.

Loco-Motion is considered to be one of the classic puzzle games of the 1980s. The game’s simple gameplay and challenging puzzles have made it a favorite of puzzle fans for over 40 years.

Tips for playing Loco-Motion

Here are a few tips for playing Loco-Motion:

  • Plan your moves carefully. Before you move a track piece, think about how it will affect the locomotive’s movement.
  • Use the power-ups to your advantage. The power-ups can help you get past difficult obstacles and collect all of the passengers more quickly.
  • Don’t be afraid to experiment. There is no one right way to play Loco-Motion. Experiment with different strategies to find what works best for you.
  • Have fun! Loco-Motion is a challenging game, but it’s also a lot of fun. Don’t forget to enjoy yourself while you’re playing.

Review Score

8/10

Art

Cover Art

Screenshots

0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail

Star Blazer (1982)

by Christopher
written by Christopher 8 minutes read

Summary

Star Blazer (1982): A Retro Space Shooter That Still Packs a Punch

Star Blazer is a horizontal space shooter released in arcades in 1982. It was developed and published by Konami, and was one of the first games to use a trackball for player control. The game was a critical and commercial success, and was ported to a number of home computers and consoles.

In Star Blazer, the player controls a spaceship that is flying through space, shooting at enemy ships and avoiding obstacles. The game is divided into a number of levels, each with its own unique challenges. The player must use their trackball to control the movement of their spaceship, and must shoot down all of the enemy ships in order to progress to the next level.

Star Blazer was one of the first games to use a trackball for player control. This gave the player a much greater degree of control over their spaceship, and allowed them to make more precise movements. The trackball also made it easier to shoot down enemy ships, as the player could simply roll the ball in the direction they wanted to shoot.

The graphics in Star Blazer are simple but effective. The backgrounds are black, and the ships and obstacles are all white. This gives the game a clean, minimalist look that is still visually appealing today. The sound effects are also simple, but they are effective in creating a sense of atmosphere.

Star Blazer is a challenging but rewarding game. The levels are all well-designed, and the difficulty gradually increases as the player progresses. The game is also very replayable, as the player can always try to beat their previous high score.

Overall, Star Blazer is a classic space shooter that still holds up today. The game is challenging, rewarding, and fun to play. If you are a fan of retro games, or if you are looking for a new space shooter to play, then I highly recommend checking out Star Blazer.

Gameplay

Star Blazer is a horizontal space shooter in which the player controls a spaceship that is flying through space, shooting at enemy ships and avoiding obstacles. The game is divided into a number of levels, each with its own unique challenges. The player must use their trackball to control the movement of their spaceship, and must shoot down all of the enemy ships in order to progress to the next level.

The player’s spaceship is equipped with a single laser cannon. The player can fire the laser cannon by pressing the fire button. The laser cannon can be fired in eight directions: up, down, left, right, and diagonally.

The player’s spaceship can also be equipped with a number of power-ups. These power-ups can be collected by flying over them. The power-ups include:

  • Speed up: This power-up increases the speed of the player’s spaceship.
  • Slow down: This power-up decreases the speed of the player’s spaceship.
  • Fire rate up: This power-up increases the fire rate of the player’s laser cannon.
  • Fire rate down: This power-up decreases the fire rate of the player’s laser cannon.
  • Shield: This power-up gives the player’s spaceship a shield that protects it from enemy fire.

The player can also collect a number of different types of bombs. These bombs can be dropped on enemy ships to destroy them. The bombs include:

  • Regular bomb: This bomb explodes on contact with an enemy ship.
  • Homing bomb: This bomb homes in on enemy ships and explodes on contact.
  • Napalm bomb: This bomb creates a pool of fire that damages enemy ships that come into contact with it.

Levels

Star Blazer has a total of 32 levels. The levels are all different, and each one presents a unique challenge. The levels are divided into four different worlds:

  • World 1: The first world is a relatively easy introduction to the game. The levels are short and the enemy ships are slow and easy to shoot down.
  • World 2: The second world is more challenging than the first world. The levels are longer and the enemy ships are faster and more difficult to shoot down.
  • World 3: The third world is even more challenging than the second world. The levels are longer and the enemy ships are even faster and more difficult to shoot down.
  • World 4: The fourth world is the most challenging world in the game. The levels are long and the enemy ships are very fast and difficult to shoot down.

Enemies

Star Blazer features a variety of different enemy ships. The enemy ships come in all shapes and sizes, and each type of enemy ship has its own unique attack pattern. The most common type of enemy ship is the small, red ship. These ships are slow and easy to shoot down, but they can be dangerous in large numbers. Other types of enemy ships include:

  • Large, blue ship: These ships are larger than the small, red ships and are more difficult to shoot down. They also fire a more powerful laser cannon.
  • Fast, green ship: These ships are faster than the other types of enemy ships and are more difficult to hit. They also fire a spread of lasers.
  • Boss ships: The boss ships are the largest and most powerful enemy ships in the game. They are very difficult to shoot down and they fire a variety of different types of lasers.

Bosses

Star Blazer features a number of different boss ships. Each boss ship is unique, and each one presents a different challenge. The boss ships include:

  • The Mothership: The Mothership is the first boss ship in the game. It is a large, slow-moving ship that fires a spread of lasers.
  • The Carrier: The Carrier is the second boss ship in the game. It is a large, fast-moving ship that carries a number of smaller ships.
  • The Battleship: The Battleship is the third boss ship in the game. It is a large, powerful ship that fires a variety of different types of lasers.
  • The Star Destroyer: The Star Destroyer is the final boss ship in the game. It is a massive, powerful ship that fires a variety of different types of lasers.

Conclusion

Star Blazer is a classic space shooter that still holds up today. The game is challenging, rewarding, and fun to play. If you are a fan of retro games, or if you are looking for a new space shooter to play, then I highly recommend checking out Star Blazer.

Review Score

8/10

Art

Cover Art

Screenshots

0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail

Choplifter (1982)

by Nish
written by Nish 6 minutes read

Summary

Choplifter (1982): A Classic Military-Themed Scrolling Shooter

Choplifter is a military-themed scrolling shooter arcade game developed and published by Dan Gorlin and Broderbund in 1982. The player takes control of a helicopter pilot who must rescue hostages from enemy territory. The game was a critical and commercial success, and it has been ported to numerous home computers and consoles.

Gameplay

Choplifter is a horizontally-scrolling shooter game. The player controls a helicopter pilot who must rescue hostages from enemy territory. The hostages are located in a series of buildings, and the player must land the helicopter in each building to rescue them.

The player’s helicopter is armed with a machine gun and missiles. The player can use the machine gun to destroy enemy troops and vehicles, and the missiles can be used to destroy enemy buildings. The player must also avoid enemy fire and obstacles, such as trees and rocks.

The game is divided into a series of levels, each with its own unique layout and objectives. The player must complete each level in order to progress to the next one. The game becomes more difficult as the player progresses, with more enemies and obstacles to contend with.

Development

Choplifter was developed by Dan Gorlin, who was inspired by the 1981 arcade game Scramble. Gorlin wanted to create a game that was more challenging and strategic than Scramble, and he added a number of new features to Choplifter, such as the ability to rescue hostages and the use of missiles.

Gorlin also paid close attention to the game’s graphics and sound. The game’s colorful graphics and catchy music helped to make it a standout among other arcade games of the time.

Release

Choplifter was released in arcades in 1982. The game was a critical and commercial success, and it was soon ported to numerous home computers and consoles. The home versions of the game were generally well-received, although some critics found them to be too difficult.

Legacy

Choplifter is considered to be one of the classic arcade games of the 1980s. The game’s simple yet addictive gameplay, challenging levels, and catchy music have made it a favorite of gamers for over 40 years. Choplifter has also been influential on the development of other video games, such as the Grand Theft Auto series.

Tips for Playing Choplifter

Here are a few tips for playing Choplifter:

  • Use the machine gun to destroy enemy troops and vehicles.
  • Use the missiles to destroy enemy buildings.
  • Avoid enemy fire and obstacles.
  • Land the helicopter carefully in each building to rescue the hostages.
  • Don’t be afraid to use the helicopter’s hover mode to stay in the air and avoid enemy fire.
  • Practice makes perfect! The more you play Choplifter, the better you will become at it.

Conclusion

Choplifter is a classic military-themed scrolling shooter that still holds up today. Its simple yet addictive gameplay, challenging levels, and catchy music make it a must-play for fans of the genre. If you’re looking for a fun and challenging arcade game to play, then Choplifter is definitely worth checking out.

Review Score

9/10

Art

Cover Art

Screenshots

0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Accept Read More