Lode Runner

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Lode Runner

System(s): SG-1000

Developer: Compile

Genre: Action^[1]

Number of players: 1

Release	Date	RRP	Code
JP	1984-09^[2]	¥3,8003,800^[1]	G-1031
EU	1984		G-1031
FR	1984	370F370^[3]	G-1031
IT	198x	61,500£61,500^[4]	G-1031
NZ	1985-01^[5]
TW	198x

Non-Sega versions
Amstrad CPC Apple II Arcade Atari 8-bit family Atari ST BBC Micro Commodore 64 FM-7 IBM PC Macintosh MSX Nintendo Entertainment System PC-100 PC-6001 PC-6601 PC-6601 SR PC-8001 mkII PC-8801 PC-9801 F PC-9801 U PC-9801 VF SMC-777 VIC-20 X1 ZX Spectrum

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Lode Runner (ロードランナー) is a puzzle/action game originally developed by Douglas E. Smith and published by Brøderbund Software in 1983. It made its way to many home computers and video games consoles of the day including the SG-1000. This version only has 80 levels instead of 150 in the original Apple II version, but is much faster. A planned release^[6]^[7] in Australia was cancelled.

Synopsis

“

In this game, the player is required to repeatedly "think" and "take action" to go through and clear the maze scenes by solving their mysterious riddles while averting the enemy's guards who are relentlessly in pursuit of him.

After collecting all of the gold chests, you must come up with new fresh ideas in order to successfully challenge the next level scene.

Although your experience gained from the previous play action will help you overcome some of the future maze scenes, you still have to be constantly on the alert. You can also enjoy creating your own games by using the keyboard.

This is an intriguing game which requires intellectual depth to skillfully maneuver the unknown maze structures that consecutively develop one after another.

„

— EU SG-1000 box backcover ^[8]

Gameplay

The SG-1000 version of Lode Runner eschews the plot seen in other versions of the game, and instead just features the "player" traversing levels collecting "gold chests". Once all the chests are collected, a ladder will appear, which if climbed will load the next level.

The player can navigate the level with and , using and to climb ladders. Horizontal bars also exist to allow the player to clear gaps, with letting go. Typically a level has a number of computer-controlled enemies which obide by the same rules, attempting to catch the player and cause a life to be lost.

The player has no offensive attacks so cannot defeat enemies, however by pressing or where allowed, holes can be drilled on to left and right and right hand side of the player, respectively, which can temporarily trap enemies or offer a route downwards. Trapped enemies can be walked on, but will re-emerge from the ground after a few seconds. Holes drilled will also re-fill after a few seconds, potentially killing the player, or temporarily dispatching enemies (who will re-spawn shortly afterwards).