Lode Runner
From Sega Retro
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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.
Contents
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).
Enemies can also pick up and move gold chests, but will drop them shortly afterwards.
The game also includes a level editor, and the ability to save and load levels to and from compact cassette.
Objects
| Player | |
|---|---|
| Enemy | |
| Gold chest | |
| Ladder | |
| Bar | |
| Diggable block | |
| Undiggable block | |
Levels
- Main article: Lode Runner/Maps.
Magazine articles
- Main article: Lode Runner/Magazine articles.
Physical scans
| Sega Retro Average | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
 |
100 |
|---|---|
| Based on 1 review | |
| SG-1000, JP (Type B) |
|---|
     Cover
|
 Cart  Manual |
| SG-1000, JP (Type C) |
|---|
     Cover
|
  Cart Manual |
| SG-1000, EU |
|---|
   Cover
|
| SG-1000, FR |
|---|
    Cover
|
  Cart  Manual  Inside |
| SG-1000, NZ |
|---|
|
| SG-1000, TW |
|---|
|
Technical information
ROM dump status
| System | Hash | Size | Build Date | Source | Comments | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
32kB | Cartridge (EU/JP) | |||||||||||
|
|
32kB | Cartridge (TW) |
References
 NEC Retro has more information related to Lode Runner
|
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 https://sega.jp/history/hard/sc3000/software.html (Wayback Machine: 2020-09-28 02:34)
- ↑ Game Machine, "1985-07-15" (JP; 1985-07-15), page 9
- ↑ Micro 7, "Janvier 85" (FR; 1985-01-xx), page 92
- ↑ Video Giochi News, "Gennaio 1985" (IT; 198x-xx-xx), page 123
- ↑ Sega Computer, "January/February 1985" (NZ; 198x-xx-xx), page 16
- ↑ File:John Sands Sega Retail Price List Nov 1984.pdf, page 5
- ↑ File:John Sands Sega Retail Price List Jun 1985.pdf, page 2
- ↑ File:LodeRunner SG1000 EU Box Back.jpg
- ↑ Segamag, "November 1986 Volume 1 Issue 1" (AU; 1986-11-01), page 8
| Lode Runner | |
|---|---|
|
Main page | Comparisons | Maps | Hidden content | Magazine articles | Reception | |
| Lode Runner games for Sega systems |
|---|
| Lode Runner (1984) | Championship Lode Runner (1985) | Lode Runner: The Legend Returns (1996) | Lode Runner Extra (1997) |
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