A popular game on 1970s mainframes, when they were often used through printing terminals, was a program that simply generated a huge maze with a unique solution and printed it out. They were in the same general genre as programs that just printed out ASCII-art pictures of Snoopy or a Playboy centerfold, but the fact that they produced a playable puzzle made them a kind of game, albeit one you played entirely offline.
Its not often talked about as much. But this is one of my favorite 2600 games. Especially 2 player. Also some what of a lesser note, was known among my friends as the game that made the fart noise.
We had this, and I used to LOVE playing against our next-door neighbors kids on it. It didn't happen often; I think I was the only one of us who actually enjoyed the game. But the memories I do have of it are seared into my mind. Such a simple little thing, but it made a unique impression on me.
Now that was thorough! I remember seeing Maze Craze in the shops are thinking how amazing to have 256 different games all in one. Seemed a huge step up from my Pocketeers.
Terrific video Kevin, I did not know that Rick Maurer effectively disappeared, that's really too bad. I always group Maze Craze with Warlords, because I bought them both for 10 bucks each at (I think) the Atari outpost in Somerset NJ. Sadly I can't remember much about that trip.
Yeah, I’d asked John Hardie and Curt Vendel about him over the past couple years, and no one had heard from him since around 2008. The email they had for him stopped working, too. Wish we knew what had happened to him!
Great video, as always. It's past the classic era, but I think the last home version of this genre was the Snail Maze game that was built into the Sega Master System BIOS and could be played if you didn't have any cartridges or cards plugged in. Details at en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snail_Maze
Great work! :) As always! :) I think I've raved enough about 'Maze Craze' in the past but let me add this: when there are 2 really, really, really skilled players competing against each other, the game looks like just 1 player on-screen; if both players can navigate the maze skillfully, they travel as one & can even tie on the exit. Fascinating that Rick Maurer was the programmer for 'Space Duel'; an arcade game I haven't seen since it was in the arcades. Looking forward to your coverage to Activision's 'Skiing'! Loved that game when it first released. Thanks, Mr. Bunch! :)
Great and informative as always. Mauer seems to be an interesting and highly regarded programmer, nice comments about him in the 2600 documentary I saw. I loved Space Duel's graphics and unique two-player mode. A bit of a tangent I know, but when I think mazes and old video games I think Zork and the Text Adventures. I'll always have a soft spot for that genre, even though the mazes were way over my head. Also Gotcha's controllers - I want some of what they were smoking.
Great channel you have going on here. I love the VCS although I was born 12 years after its initial release. Are you doing these reviews in chronological release date order? If that’s the case, I guess it will take some time before you do Haunted House - one of my favorites :]
Atari Logbook challenge: play game 6 with difficulty on B. Pro (Gumshoe): Win level 1, Master (Super Cop): Win level 2, Wizard (ATARI's Finest): Win level 3. I got this as an adult. I made Master in 2017, and Wizard in 2020. I think level meant speed, so I did 1-6-1, 2-6-1, 3-6-1 and 4-6-1.
An absurdly comprehensive video as usual. This series is proof that there's a story behind even the simplest games.
A popular game on 1970s mainframes, when they were often used through printing terminals, was a program that simply generated a huge maze with a unique solution and printed it out. They were in the same general genre as programs that just printed out ASCII-art pictures of Snoopy or a Playboy centerfold, but the fact that they produced a playable puzzle made them a kind of game, albeit one you played entirely offline.
Its not often talked about as much. But this is one of my favorite 2600 games. Especially 2 player. Also some what of a lesser note, was known among my friends as the game that made the fart noise.
We had this, and I used to LOVE playing against our next-door neighbors kids on it. It didn't happen often; I think I was the only one of us who actually enjoyed the game. But the memories I do have of it are seared into my mind. Such a simple little thing, but it made a unique impression on me.
I recently got this one from somebody on Atari.Io. Loads of fun to play with others.
Keep up the good work Kevin!
I feel like I say this all the time, but this is excellent work, and it's criminal that more people aren't watching this channel.
I bought that game with it came out and loved it. I also have space dual that he did. Great follow up to asteroids
Now that was thorough! I remember seeing Maze Craze in the shops are thinking how amazing to have 256 different games all in one. Seemed a huge step up from my Pocketeers.
There are many VCS games we never had, so it’s been fun learning about them (such as this one).
Terrific video Kevin, I did not know that Rick Maurer effectively disappeared, that's really too bad. I always group Maze Craze with Warlords, because I bought them both for 10 bucks each at (I think) the Atari outpost in Somerset NJ. Sadly I can't remember much about that trip.
Yeah, I’d asked John Hardie and Curt Vendel about him over the past couple years, and no one had heard from him since around 2008. The email they had for him stopped working, too. Wish we knew what had happened to him!
Great video, as always. It's past the classic era, but I think the last home version of this genre was the Snail Maze game that was built into the Sega Master System BIOS and could be played if you didn't have any cartridges or cards plugged in. Details at en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snail_Maze
Good catch!
Another professional and well researched video! Always enjoy your work. Thanks!
Great work! :) As always! :) I think I've raved enough about 'Maze Craze' in the past but let me add this: when there are 2 really, really, really skilled players competing against each other, the game looks like just 1 player on-screen; if both players can navigate the maze skillfully, they travel as one & can even tie on the exit. Fascinating that Rick Maurer was the programmer for 'Space Duel'; an arcade game I haven't seen since it was in the arcades. Looking forward to your coverage to Activision's 'Skiing'! Loved that game when it first released. Thanks, Mr. Bunch! :)
So great to watch and learn something new, thanks!!!!!
Great and informative as always.
Mauer seems to be an interesting and highly regarded programmer, nice comments about him in the 2600 documentary I saw. I loved Space Duel's graphics and unique two-player mode.
A bit of a tangent I know, but when I think mazes and old video games I think Zork and the Text Adventures. I'll always have a soft spot for that genre, even though the mazes were way over my head.
Also Gotcha's controllers - I want some of what they were smoking.
Great channel you have going on here. I love the VCS although I was born 12 years after its initial release. Are you doing these reviews in chronological release date order? If that’s the case, I guess it will take some time before you do Haunted House - one of my favorites :]
Yep! Haunted House is an early 1982 release, so odds are I'll get to it sometime in 2022. Should be a good'un, though!
@@AtariArchive Cool. Looking forward to that one. Though I'll be enjoying your content in the meantime.
For some reason I'm surprised the the VES maze game came out before this one. (I guess I never thought to check lol.)
Atari Logbook challenge: play game 6 with difficulty on B.
Pro (Gumshoe): Win level 1,
Master (Super Cop): Win level 2,
Wizard (ATARI's Finest): Win level 3.
I got this as an adult. I made Master in 2017, and Wizard in 2020. I think level meant speed, so I did 1-6-1, 2-6-1, 3-6-1 and 4-6-1.
Okay, it's kinda sexist, but that gotcha cabinet and art is also hilarious XD