List of maze video games
Encyclopedia
Maze game is a video game genre description first used by journalists during the 1980s to describe any game in which the entire playing field was a maze
. Quick player action is required to escape monsters, outrace an opponent, or navigate the maze within a time limit.
's Pac-Man
(1979), which spawned many sequels and clones
. In Japan, they are called "Dot eat games" (ドットイート).
Maze
A maze is a tour puzzle in the form of a complex branching passage through which the solver must find a route. In everyday speech, both maze and labyrinth denote a complex and confusing series of pathways, but technically the maze is distinguished from the labyrinth, as the labyrinth has a single...
. Quick player action is required to escape monsters, outrace an opponent, or navigate the maze within a time limit.
Top-down maze games
- GotchaGotcha (arcade game)Gotcha is a 1973 arcade game manufactured by Atari Inc.. It was Atari's fourth game after Pong, Space Race, and Pong Doubles. This was the first maze arcade game, as well as the very first video game to cause a considerable amount of controversy, predating other early examples such as Death Race...
, 1973, AtariAtariAtari is a corporate and brand name owned by several entities since its inception in 1972. It is currently owned by Atari Interactive, a wholly owned subsidiary of the French publisher Atari, SA . The original Atari, Inc. was founded in 1972 by Nolan Bushnell and Ted Dabney. It was a pioneer in...
, ArcadeArcade gameAn arcade game is a coin-operated entertainment machine, usually installed in public businesses such as restaurants, bars, and amusement arcades. Most arcade games are video games, pinball machines, electro-mechanical games, redemption games, and merchandisers... - BlockadeBlockade (arcade game)Blockade is an arcade maze game developed and published by Gremlin in 1976. Using four directional buttons, each player moves their character around leaving a solid line behind them, turning at 90 degree angles. To win, a player must last longer than the opponent before hitting something, with the...
, 1976, Gremlin IndustriesGremlin IndustriesGremlin Industries was arcade game manufacturer active from the 1970s to early 1980s, and based San Diego, California, USA .Gremlin was founded in 1973 as a manufacturer of coin-operated wall games. Gremlin's first wall game, Play Ball, was fairly successful.- History :Gremlin joined the video game...
, Arcade - The Amazing Maze GameThe Amazing Maze GameThe Amazing Maze Game is an arcade game developed by Midway, released in 1976.The object of the game is for the player to find their way out of a challenging maze before their opponent. Users can play as single player and compete against the computer or play against a friend in two player...
, 1976, MidwayMidway GamesMidway Games, Inc. is an American company that was formerly a major video game publisher. Following a bankruptcy filing in 2009, it is no longer active and is in the process of liquidating all of its assets. Midway's titles included Mortal Kombat, Ms.Pac-Man, Spy Hunter, Tron, Rampage, the...
, Arcade - Comotion, 1977, Gremlin Industries, Arcade
- Maze Craze: A Game of Cops and Robbers, 1980, Atari 2600Atari 2600The Atari 2600 is a video game console released in October 1977 by Atari, Inc. It is credited with popularizing the use of microprocessor-based hardware and cartridges containing game code, instead of having non-microprocessor dedicated hardware with all games built in...
- BerzerkBerzerkBerzerk is a multi-directional shooter video arcade game, released in 1980 by Stern Electronics of Chicago.-Gameplay:The player controls a green stick-figure, representing a "humanoid." Using a joystick , the player navigates a simple maze filled with many robots, who fire lasers back at the...
, 1980, Stern, Arcade, VectrexVectrexThe Vectrex is a vector display-based video game console that was developed by Western Technologies/Smith Engineering. It was licensed and distributed first by General Consumer Electric , and then by Milton Bradley Company after their purchase of GCE...
, Atari 2600, Atari 5200Atari 5200The Atari 5200 SuperSystem, commonly known as the Atari 5200, is a video game console that was introduced in 1982 by Atari Inc. as a higher end complementary console for the popular Atari 2600... - Wizard of WorWizard Of WorWizard of Wor is an arcade game from 1981 , developed by Midway. Other systems it was ported to include the Atari 800, Commodore 64, the Atari 2600, Atari 5200 and the Bally Astrocade as "The Incredible Wizard". The title of the game is often misspelled as "Wizard of War"...
, 1980, Midway, Arcade, Atari 2600, Atari 5200, Atari 8-bit, Bally AstrocadeBally AstrocadeThe Astrocade is an early video game console and simple computer system designed by a team at Midway, the videogame division of Bally. It was marketed only for a limited time before Bally decided to exit the market. The rights were later picked up by a third-party company, who re-released it and...
(as The Incredible Wizard), Commodore 64Commodore 64The Commodore 64 is an 8-bit home computer introduced by Commodore International in January 1982.Volume production started in the spring of 1982, with machines being released on to the market in August at a price of US$595... - TurtlesTurtles (video game)Turtles is a 1981 arcade game. It was developed by Konami and published by Stern and Sega. The game was then ported to the Magnavox Odyssey² and the Entex Adventure Vision in 1982...
aka Turpins, 1981, KonamiKonamiis a Japanese leading developer and publisher of numerous popular and strong-selling toys, trading cards, anime, tokusatsu, slot machines, arcade cabinets and video games...
/Stern (Turtles)/SegaSega, usually styled as SEGA, is a multinational video game software developer and an arcade software and hardware development company headquartered in Ōta, Tokyo, Japan, with various offices around the world...
(Turpins), Arcade, Adventure VisionEntex Adventure VisionThe Adventure Vision is a self-contained cartridge-based video game console released by Entex Industries in 1982. The Adventure Vision was Entex's second generation system...
, Arcadia 2001Arcadia 2001The Arcadia 2001 is a second-generation 8-bit console released by Emerson Radio Corp. The game library was composed of 51 unique games and about 10 variations. The graphic quality is similar to that of the Intellivision and the Odyssey²....
, Magnavox Odyssey²Magnavox Odyssey²The Magnavox Odyssey², known in Europe as the Philips Videopac G7000, in Brazil as the Philips Odyssey, in the United States as the Magnavox Odyssey² and the Philips Odyssey², and also by many other names, is a video game console released in 1978.In the early 1970s, Magnavox was an innovator in the... - Maze Death Race, 1982, PSSPersonal Software ServicesPersonal Software Services was a British software company based in Coventry, founded by Gary Mays and Richard Cockayne in 1981. The company was acquired by Mirrorsoft in 1987....
, 1982, Sinclair ZX81Sinclair ZX81The ZX81 was a home computer produced by Sinclair Research and manufactured in Scotland by Timex Corporation. It was launched in the United Kingdom in March 1981 as the successor to Sinclair's ZX80 and was designed to be a low-cost introduction to home computing for the general public...
, ZX SpectrumZX SpectrumThe ZX Spectrum is an 8-bit personal home computer released in the United Kingdom in 1982 by Sinclair Research Ltd... - Android 2Android 2Android 2 is a shoot 'em up maze video game written by Costa Panayi and published by Vortex Software in 1983 for the ZX Spectrum and in 1985 for the Amstrad CPC.It is the sequel to Android 1: The Reactor Run, released earlier in 1983.-Gameplay:...
, 1983, Vortex SoftwareVortex SoftwareVortex Software was a video game developer founded by Costa Panayi and Paul Canter in the early 1980s to sell the game Cosmos which Panayi had developed for the Sinclair ZX81...
, ZX Spectrum, Amstrad CPCAmstrad CPCThe Amstrad CPC is a series of 8-bit home computers produced by Amstrad between 1984 and 1990. It was designed to compete in the mid-1980s home computer market dominated by the Commodore 64 and the Sinclair ZX Spectrum, where it successfully established itself primarily in the United Kingdom,... - Bank Heist, 1983, 20th Century Fox20th Century FoxTwentieth Century Fox Film Corporation — also known as 20th Century Fox, or simply 20th or Fox — is one of the six major American film studios...
, Atari 2600 - Styx, 1983, Bug-ByteBug-ByteBug-Byte Software Ltd. was a company founded in 1980 by Tony Baden and Tony Milner, two Oxford chemistry graduates. It was one of the first to develop a range of 8-bit computer games during the early 1980s, for Sinclair, Commodore and other home computer brands, particularly for the Spectrum...
, ZX Spectrum - MaziacsMaziacsMaziacs is an action adventure maze video game published by dk'tronics in 1983 for the ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64 and MSX.-History:Maziacs, written by Don Priestley, was based on his earlier ZX81 game Mazogs which was published by Bug Byte in 1982...
, 1983, dk'tronicsDK'Tronicsdk'tronics were a software and hardware company during the 1980s. They primarily made peripherals for the ZX Spectrum and Amstrad CPC but also released video games for the Spectrum, Commodore 64, Commodore Vic 20, BBC Micro, Memotech, MSX and Amstrad platforms....
, ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64, MSXMSXMSX was the name of a standardized home computer architecture in the 1980s conceived by Kazuhiko Nishi, then Vice-president at Microsoft Japan and Director at ASCII Corporation... - LabyrinthLabyrinth (Acornsoft)Labyrinth is a video game published in 1984 by Acornsoft for the BBC Micro. At the time, it was a highly acclaimed Acornsoft release, with its high resolution graphics, addictive gameplay and fluid animation....
, 1984, AcornsoftAcornsoftAcornsoft was the software arm of Acorn Computers Ltd, and a major publisher of software for the BBC Micro and Acorn Electron. As well as games, they also produced a large number of educational titles, extra computer languages and business and utility packages - these included ROM-based word...
, BBC MicroBBC MicroThe BBC Microcomputer System, or BBC Micro, was a series of microcomputers and associated peripherals designed and built by Acorn Computers for the BBC Computer Literacy Project, operated by the British Broadcasting Corporation... - Cybertron MissionCybertron MissionCybertron Mission is a two-dimensional shooter game, released by Micro Power in 1984 for the BBC Micro and Acorn Electron and later ported to the Commodore 64 in the same year...
, 1984, Micro PowerMicro PowerMicro Power was a British company established in the early 1980s, best known as a video game publisher but they also produced and sold many types of computer hardware and software through their Leeds...
, Acorn Electron, BBC Micro, Commodore 64 - Project Future, 1985, Micromania, ZX Spectrum, Amstrad CPC
- Fat Worm Blows a SparkyFat Worm Blows a SparkyFat Worm Blows a Sparky is an action / maze video game written by Julian Todd in the five months before going to University and published by Durell Software in 1986 for the ZX Spectrum.-Gameplay:...
, 1986, Durell SoftwareDurell SoftwareDurell Software is a UK software developer based in Taunton, Somerset in the United Kingdom. The company is a provider of back office administration and accounting software to Independent Financial Advisers, Mortgage and General Insurance Brokers. Durell was formerly a leading video games...
, ZX Spectrum - A-Maze, 1986, K'Soft, ZX Spectrum
- Kroz series, 1987, Apogee SoftwareApogee SoftwareApogee Software, LLC is a video game publisher based in Garland, Texas, established in 2008 as a spin-off of 3D Realms .- History :The original Apogee Software was established in 1987 as Apogee Software Ltd. In 1994, Apogee established its 3D Realms brand for publishing 3D video games distributed...
, MS-DOSMS-DOSMS-DOS is an operating system for x86-based personal computers. It was the most commonly used member of the DOS family of operating systems, and was the main operating system for IBM PC compatible personal computers during the 1980s to the mid 1990s, until it was gradually superseded by operating... - Think Quick!, 1987, The Learning CompanyThe Learning CompanyThe Learning Company is an American educational software company, founded in 1980. It produced a grade-based system similar to Knowledge Adventure's JumpStart series. The products for preschoolers through second graders feature Reader Rabbit, and software for more advanced students features The...
, Apple IIApple IIThe Apple II is an 8-bit home computer, one of the first highly successful mass-produced microcomputer products, designed primarily by Steve Wozniak, manufactured by Apple Computer and introduced in 1977...
, MS-DOS - Maze Mania, 1989, Hewson ConsultantsHewson ConsultantsHewson Consultants were one of the smaller software companies which produced games for home computers in the mid 1980s. They had a reputation for high quality games which continually pushed the boundaries of what the computers were capable of and can be compared favourably with other...
, ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64, Amstrad CPC - ZZTZZTZZT is an ANSI character-based computer game, created in 1991 by Tim Sweeney of Epic Games , who later designed Unreal. It remains a popular DOS game creation system. ZZT itself is not an acronym for anything; its title was simply chosen so it would always appear at the very bottom of newsgroup...
, 1991, Epic GamesEpic GamesEpic Games, Inc., also known as Epic and formerly Epic MegaGames, is an American video game development company based in Cary, North Carolina. Its most recent success has been the Gears of War series of games, although it is also known for its Unreal Engine technology. It is the parent company of...
, MS-DOS - Flamin' FingerFlamin' FingerFlamin' Finger is an arcade redemption game and merchandiser released by Namco, notable for its retro design and electronic soundtrack.- Gameplay :...
, 2003, NamcoNamcois a Japanese corporation best known as a former video game developer and publisher. Following a merger with Bandai in September 2005, the two companies' game production assets were spun off into Namco Bandai Games on March 31, 2006. Namco Ltd. was re-established to continue domestic operation of...
, Arcade - The Last GuyThe Last GuyThe Last Guy is a PlayStation Network title for the PlayStation 3. It is available as a downloadable game on the PlayStation Store. The game is a rescue game in which the eponymous player character must guide civilians to escape from monster-infested cities. On July 31, 2008, it was released in Japan...
, 2008, Sony Computer EntertainmentSony Computer EntertainmentSony Computer Entertainment, Inc. is a major video game company specializing in a variety of areas in the video game industry, and is a wholly owned subsidiary and part of the Consumer Products & Services Group of Sony...
, PlayStation 3PlayStation 3The is the third home video game console produced by Sony Computer Entertainment and the successor to the PlayStation 2 as part of the PlayStation series. The PlayStation 3 competes with Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Nintendo's Wii as part of the seventh generation of video game consoles...
(PSN) - LITLIT (video game)LIT is a video game by WayForward Technologies for WiiWare. The game is directed by Adam Tierney and co-designed by Tierney and Mark Bozon...
, 2009, WayForward TechnologiesWayForward TechnologiesWayForward Technologies is a game development company based in Valencia, California. Founded in 1990 by technology entrepreneur Voldi Way, WayForward started by developing games for consoles such as the Super Nintendo Entertainment System and Sega Genesis, as well as TV games and PC educational...
, Nintendo Wii (WiiWareWiiWareWiiWare is a service that allows Wii users to download games and applications specifically designed and developed for the Wii video game console made by Nintendo. These games and applications can only be purchased and downloaded from the Wii Shop Channel under the WiiWare section...
) - Robot RescueRobot RescueRobot Rescue is a puzzle game developed by Teyon for the Nintendo DSi. It is available for download at the Nintendo DSi Shop for 200 Nintendo DSi Points.-Gameplay:...
, 2009, TeyonTeyonTeyon is a Polish video game developer, producer and online publisher for all leading platforms including PC, MacOS X, Nintendo DS, Wii, Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3.- Company history :The company was founded in 2006 in Kraków, Poland...
, Nintendo DSiNintendo DSiThe is a handheld game system created by Nintendo and launched in 2008 and 2009 in Japan, North America, PAL territories, and other regions. It is the third iteration of the Nintendo DS, and its primary market rival is Sony's PlayStation Portable...
(DSiWare) - BOH, 2009, EDITEL snc, AmigaOSAmigaOSAmigaOS is the default native operating system of the Amiga personal computer. It was developed first by Commodore International, and initially introduced in 1985 with the Amiga 1000...
, AROSArosAros may refer to:*Aros , a river in J. R. R. Tolkien's Middle-earth legendarium*AROS Research Operating System, a free software implementation of AmigaOS* Aros, the original Viking name of Aarhus, the second largest city in Denmark...
, LinuxLinuxLinux is a Unix-like computer operating system assembled under the model of free and open source software development and distribution. The defining component of any Linux system is the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released October 5, 1991 by Linus Torvalds...
, MacOS, Windows - 1001 Crystal Mazes Collection1001 Crystal Mazes Collection1001 Crystal Mazes Collection is a logic puzzle game developed by Teyon for the Nintendo DSiWare. It is available in the Nintendo DSi Shop for 500 Nintendo DSi Points.-Gameplay:...
, 2010, Teyon, Nintendo DSi (DSiWare)
First-person maze games
- Maze WarMaze WarMaze War is a video game.Maze War originated or disseminated a number of concepts used in thousands of games to follow, and is considered one of the earliest examples of, or progenitor of, a first-person shooter...
, 1974, Steve Colley, Imlac PDS-1 - 3D Monster Maze3D Monster Maze3D Monster Maze is a computer game developed from an idea by J.K.Greye and programmed by Malcolm Evans in 1981 for the Sinclair ZX81 platform with the 16 KB memory expansion. The game was initially released by J. K. Greye Software in early 1982 and re-released later the same year by...
, 1981, Sinclair ZX81, ZX Spectrum - Maze, 1982, Acornsoft, BBC Micro, Acorn Electron
- 3D Maze3D Maze3D Maze is a video game created by IJK Software for the BBC Micro in 1982 and ported to the Acorn Electron and Oric-1 in 1983. The computer sets up the logical mazes and then it shows the view of the maze in 3D....
, 1982, IJK, BBC Micro, Acorn Electron - WayoutWayoutWayout is a 3D, first-person perspective, video game programmed by Paul Allen Edelstein, originally released for the Atari 8-bit in 1982. It was among the first maze games to offer full 360 degree 3D perspective and movement, and its graphics were considered "state-of-the-art" at the time...
, 1982, Sirius SoftwareSirius SoftwareSirius Software was a video game publisher of Apple II, Commodore 64 and Atari computer games in the early 1980s.- Founding and early history :The company was founded in the early 1980s by Jerry Jewell and Nasir Gebelli...
, Atari 8-bit, Apple II, Commodore 64 - Portopia Renzoku Satsujin JikenPortopia Renzoku Satsujin Jiken, is an adventure game designed by Yuji Horii and published by Enix . It was first released on the NEC PC-6001 in June 1983, and later ported to other personal computers...
, 1983, EnixEnixThe was a Japanese company that produced video games, anime and manga. The company was founded by Yasuhiro Fukushima on September 22, 1975 as and renamed Enix in 1982...
, NEC PC-6001NEC PC-6001The NEC PC-6001 was the first of the NEC Corporation personal computer line. There were several versions of the PC-6001, including the PC-6001 MK2, the PC-6001 MK2 SR, and the PC-6801. There was also an American version, called the NEC TREK, or NEC PC-6001A...
, Sharp X1Sharp X1The X1 is a series of home computer released by Sharp Corporation from 1982 to 1988. It was based on a Z80 CPU.Despite the fact that the Computer Division of Sharp Corporation had released the MZ series, suddenly the Television Division released a new computer series called the X1...
, Nintendo FamicomNintendo Entertainment SystemThe Nintendo Entertainment System is an 8-bit video game console that was released by Nintendo in North America during 1985, in Europe during 1986 and Australia in 1987...
, MSX - Alien Maze, 1983, CRL Group, ZX Spectrum
- 3-Demon3-Demon3-Demon is a wireframe 1983 DOS computer game based on Pac-Man.-Summary:...
, 1983, PC Research Inc, MS-DOS - Atic AtacAtic AtacAtic Atac is a ZX Spectrum video game developed and released by Ultimate Play The Game in 1983. It takes place within a flip-screen castle in which the player must seek out the "Golden Key of ACG"...
, 1983, Ultimate Play The GameUltimate Play the GameUltimate Play The Game was a critically acclaimed video game developer of the early home computer era. "Ultimate Play The Game" was the trading name of Ashby Computers & Graphics Ltd. , a software company founded in 1982 by two ex-arcade game developers Tim and Chris Stamper...
, 1983, ZX Spectrum, BBC Micro - Capture The FlagCapture The Flag (video game)Capture The Flag is a 3D first-person perspective, two player, video game, released for the Atari 8-bit in 1983. It was programmed by Paul Allen Edelstein and was the follow-up to his 1982 game, Wayout, which featured similar maze-based game-play for one player...
, 1983, Sirius Software, Atari 8-bit, Commodore 64, Commodore VIC-20Commodore VIC-20The VIC-20 is an 8-bit home computer which was sold by Commodore Business Machines. The VIC-20 was announced in 1980, roughly three years after Commodore's first personal computer, the PET... - Skull, 1984, Games Machine, ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64
- MIDI MazeMIDI MazeMIDI Maze is an early first person shooter maze video game for the Atari ST developed by Xanth Software F/X, published by Hybrid Arts, and released around 1987. It owes a significant debt to what may be the first of its genre, Maze War...
, 1987, Hybrid Arts, Atari STAtari STThe Atari ST is a home/personal computer that was released by Atari Corporation in 1985 and commercially available from that summer into the early 1990s. The "ST" officially stands for "Sixteen/Thirty-two", which referred to the Motorola 68000's 16-bit external bus and 32-bit internals... - Faceball 2000, 1991, Bulletproof Software, Game BoyGame BoyThe , is an 8-bit handheld video game device developed and manufactured by Nintendo. It was released in Japan on , in North America in , and in Europe on...
, Game Gear
Maze chase games
This genre is exemplified by NamcoNamco
is a Japanese corporation best known as a former video game developer and publisher. Following a merger with Bandai in September 2005, the two companies' game production assets were spun off into Namco Bandai Games on March 31, 2006. Namco Ltd. was re-established to continue domestic operation of...
's Pac-Man
Pac-Man
is an arcade game developed by Namco and licensed for distribution in the United States by Midway, first released in Japan on May 22, 1980. Immensely popular from its original release to the present day, Pac-Man is considered one of the classics of the medium, virtually synonymous with video games,...
(1979), which spawned many sequels and clones
Pac-Man clones
In computer gaming, Pac-Man clones are unauthorized versions of Namco's popular arcade game Pac-Man.-Arcade clones:Hangly-Man was one of the most notable Pac-man clones, a variant of which was Caterpillar Pac-Man made in 1981 by Phi...
. In Japan, they are called "Dot eat games" (ドットイート).
- Head OnHead On (arcade game)Head On is an arcade game developed in by Sega. In this game, players control their cars through the maze, while simultaneously picking up dots and avoiding cars that chase the players...
, 1979, Gremlin Industries, Arcade, Commodore 64, Commodore VIC-20, Apple II, Texas Instruments TI-99/4ATexas Instruments TI-99/4AThe Texas Instruments TI-99/4A was an early home computer, released in June 1981, originally at a price of USD $525. It was an enhanced version of the less-successful—and quite rare—TI-99/4 model, which was released in late 1979 at a price of $1,150... - Pac-ManPac-Manis an arcade game developed by Namco and licensed for distribution in the United States by Midway, first released in Japan on May 22, 1980. Immensely popular from its original release to the present day, Pac-Man is considered one of the classics of the medium, virtually synonymous with video games,...
, 1980, NamcoNamcois a Japanese corporation best known as a former video game developer and publisher. Following a merger with Bandai in September 2005, the two companies' game production assets were spun off into Namco Bandai Games on March 31, 2006. Namco Ltd. was re-established to continue domestic operation of...
, Arcade, many home ports - Ms. Pac-ManMs. Pac-ManMs. Pac-Man is an arcade video game produced by Midway as an unauthorized sequel to Pac-Man. It was released in North America in 1981 and became one of the most popular video games of all time, leading to its adoption by Pac-Man licensor Namco as an official title...
, 1981, Bally Midway, Arcade, many home ports - GobblerGobblerGobbler is a 1981 computer game for the Apple II family of computers, published by On-Line Systems .-Gameplay:...
, 1981, On-Line Systems, Apple II - Hangly-ManHangly-ManHangly-Man is a hacked clone of the Pac-Man arcade game. It appeared sometime around 1981, at the height of the Pac-Man craze. Hangly is said to be an Engrish corruption of the word hungry...
, 1981, Nittoh, Arcade - AmidarAmidarAmidar is an arcade game programmed by Konami and published in 1981 by Stern. Its basic format is similar to that of Pac-Man: the player moves around a fixed rectilinear lattice, attempting to visit each location on the board while avoiding the enemies...
, 1981, Stern, Arcade, Atari 2600 - JawbreakerJawbreaker (video game)Jawbreaker is a video game programmed by John Harris and released in 1981 for the Atari 400/800 by On-line Systems. It is essentially a Pac-Man clone, in that a small yellow set of jaws is moved around the map to pick up small dots while avoiding the "jawbreakers" which roll around the map. If the...
, 1981, On-Line Systems, Atari 2600, Atari 8-bit, Apple II, Commodore 64, MS-DOS - Lady BugLady Bug (arcade game)Lady Bug is a Pac-Man-like maze-based insect-themed arcade game produced by Universal Games and released in 1981.-Description:The goal of Lady Bug is to eat all dots, hearts and letters in the maze while avoiding other insects. The player is represented by a red, yellow, and green character...
, 1981, Universal, Arcade, ColecoVisionColecoVisionThe ColecoVision is Coleco Industries' second generation home video game console which was released in August 1982. The ColecoVision offered arcade-quality graphics and gaming style, and the means to expand the system's basic hardware...
, IntellivisionIntellivisionThe Intellivision is a video game console released by Mattel in 1979. Development of the console began in 1978, less than a year after the introduction of its main competitor, the Atari 2600. The word intellivision is a portmanteau of "intelligent television"... - Lock 'n' ChaseLock 'n' ChaseLock 'n' Chase is a maze arcade game developed and published by Data East in Japan in 1981, and was later published in North America by Taito. The game was later licensed to Mattel who produced the Intellivision and Atari 2600 home console versions in 1982 and an Apple II version in January 1983...
, 1981, Data EastData Eastalso abbreviated as DECO, was a Japanese video game developer and publisher. The company was in operation from 1976 to 2003, when it declared bankruptcy...
, Arcade, Atari 2600, Intellivision, Apple II - Make TraxMake TraxMake Trax, known in Japan as is a arcade game originally developed by Alpha Denshi and published by Kural Samno in Japan. It was later licensed for North American release to Williams and in Europe to Karateco and Exidy.-Gameplay:...
aka Crush Roller, 1981, Alpha DenshiADK (company), also known as , was a Japanese video game production company founded sometime in July of 1980. "ADK" is an acronym for Alpha, Denshi, and the Japanese term for "corporation", Kabushiki kaisha...
, Arcade - Mouse Trap, 1981, ExidyExidyExidy was one of the largest creators of arcade video games during the early period of video games, from 1974 until at least 1986 . The company was founded by H.R."Pete" Kauffman...
, Arcade, Atari 2600, ColecoVision, Intellivision - Munchkin aka KC Munchkin, 1981, MagnavoxMagnavoxMagnavox is a US electronics company founded by Edwin Pridham and Peter L. Jensen, who invented the moving-coil loudspeaker in 1915 at their lab in Napa, California. They formed Magnavox in 1917 in order to market their inventions....
, Magnavox Odyssey² - Dung Beetles, 1982, DatasoftDatasoftDatasoft, Inc. was a video game developer and publisher founded in 1980 by Pat Ketchum. Based out of Chatsworth, California, Datasoft ported games from arcade systems to personal computers and acquired licenses for games from famous movies and TV shows....
, Apple II, TRS-80 Color ComputerTRS-80 Color ComputerThe Radio Shack TRS-80 Color Computer was a home computer launched in 1980. It was one of the earliest of the first generation of computers marketed for home use in English-speaking markets...
, Atari 8-bit - ThiefThief (arcade game)Thief is a 1981 arcade video game that is extremely similar to Pac-Man.The player operates a car being pursued by several blue police cars, in a maze that is supposed to represent city streets. There are eight mazes in all, which change every level in a set order, then repeat starting with the...
, 1981, Pacific NoveltyPacific NoveltyPacific Novelty was a developer of coin-operated arcade video games. Deep Death was their first title, which was later licensed by Game Plan and re-released as Shark attack . Thief, a Pac-Man styled maze chase was their greatest success....
, Arcade - SnapperSnapper (game)Snapper is a computer game written by Jonathan Griffiths for the BBC Micro and released as one of the launch titles for Acornsoft in 1982. It was later released as one of Acornsoft's launch titles for the Acorn Electron in 1983....
, 1982, Acornsoft, BBC Micro, Acorn Electron - Baby Pac-ManBaby Pac-ManBaby Pac-Man is a hybrid arcade/pinball game produced by Bally Midway in 1982.- Description :The development of Baby Pac-Man was not authorized by Namco, rather, designed and released entirely by Bally-Midway, and along with Pac-Man Plus, Jr. Pac-Man, and Professor Pac-Man would eventually lead to...
, 1982, Bally Midway, Arcade - EyesEyes (arcade game)-Objective:The player is an eye traveling through a maze. The goal is to shoot all the dots to advance to next level. Computer eyes chase and try to shoot at the player. Shooting a computer eye will earn points and remove it from the level, but it will reappear a short time later...
, 1982, Rock-Ola, Arcade - Cosmic Cruncher, 1982, CommodoreCommodore InternationalCommodore is the commonly used name for Commodore Business Machines , the U.S.-based home computer manufacturer and electronics manufacturer headquartered in West Chester, Pennsylvania, which also housed Commodore's corporate parent company, Commodore International Limited...
, Commodore VIC-20 - Hungry Horace, 1982, Beam Software, ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64, Dragon 32
- Munch Man, 1982, Texas InstrumentsTexas InstrumentsTexas Instruments Inc. , widely known as TI, is an American company based in Dallas, Texas, United States, which develops and commercializes semiconductor and computer technology...
, Texas Instruments TI99-4A - PC-Man, 1982, Orion Software, IBM PCIBM PCThe IBM Personal Computer, commonly known as the IBM PC, is the original version and progenitor of the IBM PC compatible hardware platform. It is IBM model number 5150, and was introduced on August 12, 1981...
boot loader - Pengo, 1982, Sega, Arcade
- Snack AttackSnack AttackSnack Attack is a 1982 computer game for the Apple II family of computers, created by Dan Illowsky and published by Datamost.-Gameplay:Snack Attack closely imitates the well-known Pac-Man arcade game which had begun its rise to popularity two years earlier...
, 1982, DatamostDatamostDatamost was a software design company founded by David Gordon and based in Chatsworth, California. Datamost operated in the early 1980s producing games and other software mainly for the Apple II, Commodore 64 and Atari platforms, with some for the IBM PC...
, Apple II - Snack Attack IISnack AttackSnack Attack is a 1982 computer game for the Apple II family of computers, created by Dan Illowsky and published by Datamost.-Gameplay:Snack Attack closely imitates the well-known Pac-Man arcade game which had begun its rise to popularity two years earlier...
, 1982, Funtastic, Apple II - Super Pac-ManSuper Pac-Man, released in 1982 is the third installment of the Pac-Man series of arcade games and the second starring Pac-Man himself. It is also the second game to be created by series originator Namco, as Ms...
, 1982, Namco, Arcade - Felix and the Fruit MonstersFelix and the Fruit MonstersFelix and the Fruit Monsters is a video game released by Micro Power for the BBC Micro and Acorn Electron in 1983. It is a sequel to the earlier game Felix in the Factory. The game is a sort of Pac-Man clone, in which the player moves around a maze collecting fruit and avoiding the fruit monsters....
, 1983, Micro Power, Acorn Electron, BBC Micro - Ghost Hunt, 1983, PSS, ZX Spectrum
- Maze Chase, 1983, Hewson Consultants, ZX Spectrum
- Jawbreaker IIJawbreaker (video game)Jawbreaker is a video game programmed by John Harris and released in 1981 for the Atari 400/800 by On-line Systems. It is essentially a Pac-Man clone, in that a small yellow set of jaws is moved around the map to pick up small dots while avoiding the "jawbreakers" which roll around the map. If the...
, 1983, On-Line Systems, Atari 8-bit, Apple II, Texas Instruments TI99/4A - Jr. Pac-ManJr. Pac-ManJr. Pac-Man is an arcade game released in 1983 by Bally Midway. It is based on Pac-Man and its derivatives, but is not officially part of the Pac-Man series—along with Baby Pac-Man, this game was created without the authorization of Namco...
, 1983, Bally Midway, Arcade - Gnasher, 1983, R&R Software, ZX Spectrum, Commodore 16Commodore 16The Commodore 16 was a home computer made by Commodore with a 6502-compatible 8501 CPU, released in 1984. It was intended to be an entry-level computer to replace the VIC-20 and it often sold for 99 USD...
/Plus/4Commodore Plus/4The Commodore Plus/4 was a home computer released by Commodore International in 1984. The "Plus/4" name refers to the four-application ROM resident office suite ; it was billed as "the productivity computer with software built-in"... - Devil WorldDevil Worldis a maze video game developed and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo Entertainment System. It was released in Japan on October 5, 1984 and in Europe on July 15, 1987. The game was also released on the Wii's Virtual Console in Japan on January 22, 2008 and in Europe and Australia on October 31,...
, 1984, NintendoNintendois a multinational corporation located in Kyoto, Japan. Founded on September 23, 1889 by Fusajiro Yamauchi, it produced handmade hanafuda cards. By 1963, the company had tried several small niche businesses, such as a cab company and a love hotel....
, NES/FamicomNintendo Entertainment SystemThe Nintendo Entertainment System is an 8-bit video game console that was released by Nintendo in North America during 1985, in Europe during 1986 and Australia in 1987... - I'm SorryI'm Sorry (arcade game)I'm Sorry, known in Japan as , is an arcade game released by Coreland/Sega in 1985. This action game stars a caricature of former Prime Minister of Japan, Kakuei Tanaka. The title is actually a play on the Japanese word for Prime Minister, "Sori". The game satirizes Tanaka's greed by making the...
, 1985, Sega, Arcade - CD-Man, 1993, Creative Dimensions, MS-DOS
- 3D Maze Man: Amazing Adventures3D Maze Man: Amazing Adventures3D Maze Man is a 1998 computer game.Conceptually, it is influenced by Namco's popular arcade classic Pac-Man in that the main character is a yellow sphere with a triangular mouth whose goal is to collect all the pellets in the current level and avoid the enemy ghosts...
, 1998, Webfoot/eGamesEGameseGames, Inc. is a software publisher and developer for casual and traditional computer games based in Langhorne, PA.-History:EG was originally called E-games when it went public in 1996...
, Microsoft WindowsMicrosoft WindowsMicrosoft Windows is a series of operating systems produced by Microsoft.Microsoft introduced an operating environment named Windows on November 20, 1985 as an add-on to MS-DOS in response to the growing interest in graphical user interfaces . Microsoft Windows came to dominate the world's personal...
External links
- "Maze Games" from CRASH magazine issue 3
- "Arcade Mind Games" from Sinclair User issue 27 discusses this genre