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 is a maze. Quick player action is required to escape monsters, outrace an opponent, or navigate the maze within a time limit. After the release of Namco's Pac-Man in 1980, many maze games followed its conventions of completing a level by traversing all paths and a way of temporarily turning the tables on pursuers.

Overhead-view maze games

While the character in a maze would have a limited view, the player is able to see much or all of the maze. Maze chase games are a specific subset of the overheard perspective. They’re listed in a separate section.

1959

1973

1976

1977

  • Comotion, Gremlin, Arcade
  • Hustle, Gremlin, Arcade
  • Maze, Fairchild, Channel F

1978

1979

1980

1981

1982

1983

  • Android Two,[9] Vortex, ZX Spectrum, Amstrad CPC
  • Ardy the Aardvark,[12] Datamost, Apple II, Atari 8-bit
  • The Birds and the Bees II: Antics, Bug-Byte, C64, ZX Spectrum
  • Abracadabra!, TG Software, Atari 8-bit
  • Bewitched,[13] Imagine, VIC-20
  • Bomberman, Hudson Soft, NEC PC-8001, Sharp X1, others
  • Bumpomov's Dogs,[14] Atari Program Exchange, Atari 8-bit
  • Castle Keeper,[15] ALA Software, Atari 8-bit
  • Cavelon, Jetsoft, Arcade
  • Chack'n Pop,[16] Taito, Arcade
  • Chase the Chuck Wagon, Spectravideo/Ralston Purina, Atari 2600
  • Creepy Corridors, Sierra On-Line, Apple II, Atari 8-bit, others
  • Dandy, Atari Program Exchange, Atari 8-bit
  • Flappy, DB-SOFT, Sharp X1
  • Grabber,[17] Tom Mix, Tandy CoCo
  • Intrepid, Nova Games, Arcade
  • Key-Quest,[18] Micro-ware, VIC-20
  • Lady Tut,[19] Spinnaker, Apple II, C64
  • Master Miner, Funtastic, IBM PC
  • Mazer Blazer, Stern, Arcade
  • Oil's Well, Sierra On-Line, Apple II, Atari 8-bit, others
  • Sewermania,[20] Milton Bradley, TI-99/4A
  • Space Maze Attack, HAL, MSX
  • Splat!, Incentive, ZX Spectrum
  • Spy Catcher,[21] ALA Software, Atari 8-bit
  • Styx,[9] Bug-Byte, ZX Spectrum
  • Time Bandit, MichTron, Tandy CoCo
  • Track Attack,[22] Broderbund, Apple II, Atari 8-bit

1984

1985

  • Cops 'n' Robbers, Atlantis, VIC-20
  • Gauntlet, Atari Games, Arcade
  • Lord of the Orb,[26] Antic Software, Atari 8-bit
  • King Tut's Tomb,[27] Antic Software, Atari 8-bit
  • Maze War, ANALOG Computing, Atari 8-bit
  • Project Future,[28] Micromania, ZX Spectrum, Amstrad CPC
  • Raiders5,[29] UPL, Arcade
  • Wriggler, Devonshire, ZX Spectrum
  • Zone X, Gremlin Graphics, Atari 8-bit

1986

1987

1988

1989

  • Cratermaze, Hudson Soft, TurboGrafx-16
  • Krazy Mazes,[31] ANALOG Computing, Atari 8-bit
  • Tank Action,[32] CP Verlag, C64

1999

  • Quest: Fantasy Challenge, Sunsoft, Game Boy Color

2003

2008

2009

2014

First-person maze games

1973
  • Maze, Steve Colley, Imlac PDS-1

1977

1978

  • Escape!, Muse, Apple II

1979

  • Ratrun, Code Works, PET

1980

1981

  • 3D Maze, IJK, BBC Micro, Acorn Electron
  • 3D Monster Maze,[9] Sinclair ZX81, ZX Spectrum
  • Captivity,[34] PDI, Atari 8-bit
  • Space Maze, Program Power, BBC Micro

1982

1983

1984

  • 3-D Bomberman, Hudson Soft, MSX, FM-7, NEC PC-6001, others
  • 3D Glooper, Supersoft, C64[40]
  • 3-D Monster Chase,[41] Romik, ZX Spectrum, Amstrad CPC
  • Dedal,[42] Oric-1
  • Skull, Games Machine, ZX Spectrum, C64
  • Star Maze II,[43] Mastertronic, BBC Micro
  • Zig Zag, DK'Tronics, ZX Spectrum

1985

  • Gyron, Firebird, ZX Spectrum
  • Scarabaeus, Andromeda, C64

1987

1988

1989

1991

Maze chase games

This subgenre is exemplified by Namco's Pac-Man (1980),[24] where the goal is to clear a maze of dots while being pursued. Pac-Man spawned many sequels and clones which, in Japan, are often called "dot eat games". Other maze chases don't have dots, and the goal is clear the maze of the pursuers themselves (e.g., Pengo, Guzzler, Jungler).

1979

1980

1981

  • A-maz-ing, Audiogenic, VIC-20
  • Cave Hunter,[47] Mark Data Products, Tandy CoCo
  • Chomper,[48] MMG Micro, Atari 8-bit
  • Crazy Chicky, VTech, CreatiVision
  • Crazy Pucker / Crazy Moonie / Crazy Chewy, VTech, CreatiVision
  • Frisky Tom, Nichibutsu, Arcade
  • Ghost Hunter, Arcade Plus, Atari 8-bit
  • Gobbler, On-Line Systems, Apple II
  • The Hand / Got-Ya,[49] T.I.C., Arcade
  • Hangly-Man, Nittoh, Arcade
  • Jawbreaker, On-Line Systems, Atari 8-bit, Apple II, others
  • Jelly Monsters, HAL Labs, VIC-20
  • Jungler, Konami, Arcade
  • Lady Bug, Universal, Arcade
  • Lock 'n' Chase, Data East, Arcade
  • Make Trax / Crush Roller, Alpha Denshi, Arcade
  • Mouse Trap, Exidy, Arcade
  • Ms. Pac-Man, Bally Midway, Arcade
  • Muncher,[50] Astrovision, Bally Astrocade
  • Munchkin / KC Munchkin, Magnavox, Odyssey²
  • Munchyman, Program Power, BBC Micro
  • New Rally-X, Namco, Arcade
  • Packri Monster, Bandai, Handheld
  • Piranha, GL, Arcade
  • Radar Rat Race, Commodore, VIC-20
  • Round-Up, Centuri, Arcade
  • Scarfman,[51] Cornsoft, TRS-80
  • Snoggle, Broderbund, Apple II
  • Taxman, HAL Labs, Apple II
  • Thief, Pacific Novelty, Arcade
  • Turtles, Konami, Arcade

1982

  • Alien, 20th Century Fox, Atari 2600
  • Dung Beetles, Datasoft, Apple II,Tandy CoCo, Atari 8-bit
  • Baby Pac-Man, Bally Midway, Arcade
  • Byte-Man, Mindseye, ZX81
  • CatChum, Kaypro, CP/M
  • Cat Trax, Emerson, Arcadia 2001
  • Changes,[52] Orca, Arcade
  • Clean Sweep, GCE, Vectrex
  • Cosmic Cruncher, Commodore, VIC-20
  • Crazy Mazey,[53] Datamost, Apple II
  • Devil Fish, Arctic, Arcade
  • Doodle Bug,[54] Computerware, Tandy CoCo, Dragon 32
  • Eyes, Rock-Ola, Arcade
  • Gobble a Ghost, CDS Micro Systems, ZX Spectrum
  • Gulpman, Campbell Systems, ZX Spectrum
  • Hard Hat, Exidy, Arcade
  • Hot Lips,[55] London Software, Atari 8-bit
  • Hungry Horace, Beam, ZX Spectrum, C64, Dragon 32
  • Labyrinth,[56] Broderbund, Apple II, Atari 8-bit
  • Lochjaw aka Shark Attack, Games by Apollo, Atari 2600
  • Looper, Orca, Arcade
  • Mazeman,[57] Abersoft, ZX81, ZX Spectrum
  • Money Munchers, Datamost, Apple II
  • Mouskattack, On-Line Systems, Atari 8-bit, Apple II
  • Munch Man, Texas Instruments, TI99-4A
  • Muncher!,[58] Silversoft, ZX Spectrum
  • Pack Maze,[59] DSL Computer Products, Tandy CoCo
  • Pakacuda, Rabbit, C64
  • PC-Man, Orion, IBM PC
  • Pengo, Sega, Arcade
  • Pig Pen,[60] Datamost, Apple II
  • Serpentine, Broderbund, Apple II
  • Snack Attack, Datamost, Apple II
  • Snack Attack II, Funtastic, IBM PC
  • Snapper, Acornsoft, BBC Micro, Acorn Electron
  • The Snapper,[61] Silicon Valley Systems, Atari 8-bit
  • Spec Man, Jega, ZX Spectrum
  • Streaking,[62] Shoei, arcade
  • Spookyman, Abbex, ZX Spectrum
  • Super Pac-Man, Namco, Arcade
  • Super Taxman 2, HAL Labs, Apple II
  • VIC-Men,[63] Bug-Byte, VIC-20
  • Zuckman, DJL Software, ZX81

1983

  • 3D Munchy,[64] MRM Software, BBC Micro
  • Alien's Return, ITT Family Games, Atari 2600
  • Bank Heist, 20th Century Fox, Atari 2600
  • Bootleg, Atari Program Exchange, Atari 8-bit
  • Botanic, Valadon, Arcade
  • Caterpiggle, APX, Atari 8-bit
  • Chomper Man, Victory, C64
  • Crazy Bugs!,[65] AMA, ZX Spectrum
  • Crystals of Zong,[66] Cymbal, C64
  • Crystal Castles, Atari, Arcade
  • Cyclops,[67] Romik, Tandy CoCo
  • Dot Gobbler,[68] Mr. Computer Products, C64
  • Drelbs, Synapse, Atari 8-bit, C64
  • Felix and the Fruit Monsters, Micro Power, Acorn Electron, BBC Micro
  • Getaway!,[69] Atari Program Exchange, Atari 8-bit
  • Ghost Hunt,[70] PSS, ZX Spectrum
  • Ghost's Revenge,[71] Micromania, ZX Spectrum
  • Gnasher,[70] R&R Software, ZX Spectrum, Commodore 16/Plus/4
  • Gobble A Ghost, CDS Microsystems, ZX Spectrum
  • Guzzler, Tehkan, Arcade
  • Hover Bovver, Llamasoft, C64, Atari 8-bit
  • Jawbreaker II, On-Line Systems, Atari 8-bit, Apple II, others
  • Jr. Pac-Man, Bally Midway, Arcade
  • Marvin's Maze, SNK, Arcade
  • Maze Chase,[72][73] Hewson, ZX Spectrum
  • Maze Man, Creative Equipment, C64
  • Miss Gobbler,[74] Spectral, Tandy CoCo
  • Monster Munch, Atlantis, C64
  • Mouser,[75] IBM, IBM PCjr
  • Munch Man 64,[76] Solar Software, C64
  • Pacar,[77] Sega, Arcade
  • Pacmania,[78] Mr. Chip, VIC-20, C64
  • Pac Rabbit, International Publishing & Software, ZX81
  • Plaque Man,[79] HCS, Atari 8-bit, C64
  • Power Blaster,[80] Romik, VIC-20
  • Preppie! II,[81] Adventure International, Atari 8-bit
  • Rubbish Monster,[82] Data Becker, C64
  • Scooby Doo's Maze Chase,[83] Mattel, Intellivision
  • Scrambled Egg, Technos, Arcade
  • Snakman,[84] Microdigital, VIC-20
  • Supercuda,[85] Comm*Data, C64
  • Trashman,[86] Creative, C64
  • Traxx, Quicksilva, VIC-20, ZX Spectrum
  • Van-Van Car,[87] Karateco, Arcade
  • Zappy Zooks,[88] Romik, C64

1984

  • Devil World, Nintendo, NES
  • Ghost Gobbler,[89] Orwin Software, ZX Spectrum
  • Ms. Maze,[90] Tom Mix, Tandy CoCo
  • Munch Mania,[91] Mastertronic, C64
  • Oh Shit!, Aackosoft, ZX Spectrum
  • Pirate Ship Higemaru, Capcom, Arcade
  • Spatter,[92] Sega, Arcade
  • Spriteman 64,[93] Interceptor, C64
  • Squirm,[94] Mastertronic, C64
  • Z-Man,[95] ZX Spectrum, DJL Software
  • Zulu,[96] Silverbird, C64

1985

1987

  • 3D Dotty, Blue Ribbon, BBC Micro
  • Classic Muncher, Bubble Bus, Amstrad CPC
  • Cruncher Factory, Kingsoft, Amiga
  • Fantasy Zone: The Maze, Sega, Arcade
  • Gobbler's Revenge,[100] Commodore Magazine, C64
  • Mango,[101] Blue Ribbon, BBC Micro
  • Pac-Mania, Namco, Arcade

1988

  • Knicker-Bockers,[102] StarSoft, Atari 8-bit
  • Mad Mix, Topo Soft, Amstrad CPC, ZX Spectrum, Atari ST, others
  • Snowplow,[103] ANALOG Computing, Atari 8-bit
  • Yuu Maze, Taito, Famicom Disk System

1989

  • Fast Food, Codemasters, C64, ZX Spectrum, others
  • Maze Mania, Hewson, ZX Spectrum, C64, Amstrad CPC
  • Maze of Flott, Taito, Arcade

1990

  • Hacman II, freeware, Atari ST
  • Marty's Nightmare,[104] CoCoPro, Tandy CoCo 3
  • Perplexity, Superior, BBC Micro, Acorn Electron
  • Trog, Midway, Arcade

1991

  • Jungle Jim,[105] Energize, Amiga, Atari ST

1992

  • GobMan,[106] Shareware, MS-DOS

1993

  • CD-Man,[107] Creative Dimensions, MS-DOS
  • Mean Arenas, Nite Time, Amiga
  • Tinkle Pit, Namco, Arcade

1995

  • Go! Go! Mile Smile,[108] Funki, Arcade

1996

1998

2006

  • Pac the Man X,[109] McSebi, OS X

2010

Grid capture games

In grid capture games, also called line coloring games, the maze consists of lines, and the goal is to capture rectangular areas by traversing their perimeters. The gameplay is not fundamentally different from Pac-Man (players still have to navigate the entire maze to complete a level) but enough games have used the grid motif that it is a distinct style. One unique element is that it is possible to capture multiple rectangles simultaneously, usually for extra points. Amidar established the model for this subgenre.

1981

1982

1983

  • Colour Clash,[111] Romnik, ZX Spectrum
  • Cuthbert Goes Walkabout, Microdeal, Dragon, CoCo, C64, Atari 8-bit
  • Gridder,[112] Microdigital, VIC-20
  • Potty Painter in the Jungle, Rabbit, C64
  • Rollin,[113] Atlantis, C64
  • Spiderdroid, Froggo, Atari 2600
  • Super Gridder, Terminal, C64

1984

1986

  • Gapper, freeware, MS-DOS
  • Panel Panic,[116] Aackosoft, MSX

1999

References

  1. ↑ "Car Hunt". Sega Retro. 20 October 2018.
  2. ↑ Lupin III at the Killer List of Videogames
  3. ↑ "Tank Battalion". Arcade History.
  4. ↑ "Tranqulizer Gun". Hardcore Gaming 101. January 6, 2014.
  5. ↑ "The Hand arcade video game by TIC". Gaming History.
  6. ↑ "Thunder Island". Atari Mania.
  7. ↑ "K-Razy Antiks". Atari Mania.
  8. ↑ "ZX81 Collection - Tapes: Maze Death Race". zx81stuff.org.uk.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 "MAZE GAMES". Crash. April 1984.
  10. ↑ "Mines of Minos". Atari Mania.
  11. ↑ "Talbot". Arcade History.
  12. ↑ "Ardy the Aardvark". Atari Mania.
  13. ↑ "Action Replay". Your 64. April 1984. p. 43.
  14. ↑ "Bumpomov's Dogs". Atari Mania.
  15. ↑ "Castle Keeper". Atari Mania.
  16. ↑ "Chack'n Pop". Gaming History.
  17. ↑ Boyle, L. Curtis. "Grabber". Tandy Color Computer Games.
  18. ↑ "Top Ten Commodore Vic-20 Games". Retro Gamer. June 9, 2014.
  19. ↑ "Lady Tut". Gamebase 64.
  20. ↑ "Sewermania". videogamehouse.net.
  21. ↑ "Spy Catcher". Atari Mania.
  22. ↑ "Track Attack". ROM (1): 23. August 1983.
  23. ↑ "Henri". Atari Mania.
  24. 1 2 "ARCADE MIND GAMES", Sinclair User, June 1984, archived from the original on 2012-09-03, retrieved 2007-06-24
  25. ↑ Boyle, L. Curtis. "Mr. Dig". Tandy Color Computer Games.
  26. ↑ "Lord of the Orb". Atari Mania.
  27. ↑ "King Tut's Tomb". Atari Mania.
  28. ↑ "Project Future Review", CRASH, Newsfield (14): 44, March 1985.
  29. ↑ "Raiders5 - Videogame by UPL". Killer List of Video Games.
  30. ↑ "Phantom". Gamebase 64.
  31. ↑ "Krazy Mazes". Atari Mania.
  32. ↑ Tank Action at Lemon 64
  33. 1 2 Reed, Matthew. "Deathmaze 5000". TRS-80.org.
  34. ↑ "Captivity". Atari Mania.
  35. ↑ Minter, Jeff (September 9, 2012). "Skeletons in the Closet: my own early Vic 20 efforts". Llamasoft Blog.
  36. ↑ "3D Maze". BBC Micro Games Archive.
  37. ↑ Bunker, Marvin; Tsuk, Robert (September 1983). "Caves of Ice". Compute! (40): 50.
  38. ↑ "Ladder Maze". BBC Micro Games Archive.
  39. ↑ "Atari 2600 London Blitz 1983 Avalon Hill". YouTube. Archived from the original on 2016-01-02.
  40. ↑ "3D Glooper". Lemon 64.
  41. ↑ "3-D Monster Chase". ZX Spectrum Computing.
  42. ↑ "Dedal". oric.org.
  43. ↑ "Star Maze II". BBC Micro Games Archive.
  44. ↑ Kilbury-Cobb, Judith (November 1988). "Games Special - Slaygon". .info. No. 23. Info Publications Ltd. p. 44.
  45. ↑ "Atari ST User (Vol. 5, No. 02) - April - 1990: Atari magazine scans, PDF".
  46. ↑ "ACE Magazine Issue 32". May 1990.
  47. ↑ Boyle, L. Curtis. "Cave Hunter". Tandy Color Computer Games.
  48. ↑ "Chomper". Atari Mania.
  49. ↑ "The Hande". Gaming History.
  50. ↑ Green, Earl. "Muncher". Dot Fossils.
  51. ↑ "Scarfman". TRS-80.org.
  52. ↑ "Changes - Videogame by Orca". KLOV.
  53. ↑ Hockman, Daniel (November 1982). "Micro-Reviews: Crazy Mazey" (PDF). Computer Gaming World. Vol. 2, no. 6. p. 41.
  54. ↑ Boyle, L. Curtis. "Doodle Bug". Tandy Color Computer Games.
  55. ↑ "Hot Lips". Atari Mania.
  56. ↑ "Labyrinth". AtariMania.
  57. ↑ "Mazeman". Spectrum Computing.
  58. ↑ "Muncher!". Spectrum Computing.
  59. ↑ Boyle, L. Curtis. "Pack Maze". Tandy Color Computer Games.
  60. ↑ "Pig Pen". The Personal Computer Museum.
  61. ↑ "The Snapper". Atari Mania.
  62. ↑ Streaking at the Killer List of Videogames
  63. ↑ "VIC-Men". YouTube.
  64. ↑ "3D Munchy". Complete BBC Micro Games Archive.
  65. ↑ "Crazy Bugs!". Spectrum Computing.
  66. ↑ Crystals of Zong at Lemon 64
  67. ↑ Boyle, L. Curtis. "Cyclops". Tandy Color Computer Games.
  68. ↑ Dot Gobbler at Lemon 64
  69. ↑ "Atari Program Exchange: Getaway!".
  70. 1 2 "GHOST GOBBLING", CRASH, April 1984
  71. ↑ "Ghost's Revenge". ZX Spectrum Computing.
  72. ↑ "ZX-81 Software Scene", Sinclair User, ECC (17), August 1983.
  73. ↑ Passey, Chris; Uffindell, Matthew (July 1984), "Run It Again - Electro Gobble: Pacman Type Games", CRASH, Newsfield (6).
  74. ↑ Boyle, L. Curtis. "Miss Gobbler". Tandy Color Computer Games.
  75. ↑ "IBM PCjr. Exclusive Games - ScubaVenture & Mouser". Nerdly Pleasures. March 2014.
  76. ↑ "Munch Man 64". Lemon 64.
  77. ↑ "Pacar". Sega Does. 9 June 2014.
  78. ↑ "Pacmania". Lemon 64.
  79. ↑ "Plaque Man". Atari Mania.
  80. ↑ "Power Blaster". The Personal Computer Museum.
  81. ↑ "Preppie! II". Atari Mania.
  82. ↑ Rubbish Monster at Lemon 64
  83. ↑ "Scooby Doo's Maze Chase". Intellivision Lives. Archived from the original on 2017-04-22. Retrieved 2015-07-25.
  84. ↑ "Snakman for the Commodore VIC-20". YouTube.
  85. ↑ Supercuda at Lemon 64
  86. ↑ "C64 Review - Trashman". 21 June 2014.
  87. ↑ "Van-Van Car". Killer List of Video Games.
  88. ↑ "Zappy Zooks". Lemon 64.
  89. ↑ "Ghost Gobbler". Spectrum Computing.
  90. ↑ Boyle, L. Curtis. "Ms. Maze". Tandy Color Computer Games.
  91. ↑ "Munch Mania". Lemon 64.
  92. ↑ Wheatley, Sean (April 2, 2007). "Forgotten Gems of the Maze Chase Genre". The Next Level.
  93. ↑ "Spriteman 64". Lemon 64.
  94. ↑ Squirm at Lemon 64
  95. ↑ "Z-Man". Spectrum Computing.
  96. ↑ Zulu at Lemon 64
  97. ↑ "Floppy-Eater!". Gamebase 64.
  98. ↑ "The Software Reviews: Fruit Pickin'". Page 6 (15): 38. May 1985.
  99. ↑ "Taxicab Hill". Atari Mania.
  100. ↑ "Gobbler's Revenge". Gamebase 64.
  101. ↑ "Mango". Complete BBC Micro Games Archive.
  102. ↑ "Knicker-Bockers". Atari 8-bit Forever.
  103. ↑ "Snowplow". Atari Mania.
  104. ↑ Boyle, L. Curtis. "Marty's Nightmare". Tandy Color Computer Games.
  105. ↑ "Jungle Jim". Atari Mania.
  106. ↑ "GobMan". RGB Classic Games.
  107. ↑ Download page for CD-Man, on DOS Games Archive, with screenshots
  108. ↑ Thorpe, Nick (September 28, 2015). "Go! Go! Mile Smile". Retro Gamer.
  109. ↑ Cohen, Peter (2006-02-15). "Pac the Man X". Macworld.
  110. ↑ "Blade Runner". Gamebase 64.
  111. ↑ Colour Clash at SpectrumComputing.co.uk
  112. ↑ "Computing Gaming: Gridder". Electronic Games. July 1984. p. 30.
  113. ↑ Rollin at Lemon 64
  114. ↑ "Hooper". Gamebase 64.
  115. ↑ "Pesky Painter". Gamebase 64.
  116. ↑ "Panel Panic". MSX Games World.
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