Kick (video game)
| Industry | Video games |
|---|---|
| Founded | January 1, 1958 |
| Founder | Hank Ross (co-founder) |
| Headquarters | United States |
| Products | Kick (video game) |
Kick is an action-oriented video game where the player assumes control of a clown riding a unicycle, tasked with catching descending balloons and Pac-Man figures perched atop the clown's hat. Originally launched by Midway in arcades in 1981, the title was subsequently renamed Kick Man. In 1982, Commodore published a Commodore 64 adaptation under the name Kickman.
Gameplay
The player maneuvers the clown horizontally along the screen's lower edge to catch balloons dropping from multiple rows overhead. As balloons accumulate in a stack, the challenge intensifies due to increased height. A "kick" button located near the clown’s feet allows players to propel missed balloons back into play. Occasionally, instead of balloons, Pac-Man ghost characters fall, adding an element of variety. Failure to catch these items results in losing a life.
Additionally, the game features a bonus stage designed to maintain player interest and engagement.
Development
A 1982 Time article reveals that Kick originated from a 1978 monochrome prototype named Catch 40, which involved a man catching objects on his head. Initial trials showed the game was excessively difficult due to rapid object descent, causing delays in its development.
The main character was reimagined as a unicycling clown. Hank Ross, co-founder of Midway, introduced the kicking feature for returning missed balloons and differentiated gameplay by incorporating balloon stacking and escalating speed. Early concepts included anvils as hazards but were replaced with bombs to enhance realism. Although there were plans for later levels to feature diverse falling items such as flowers and hats, these elements were omitted from the final version. To create uniqueness, Ross proposed adding Pac-Man characters as collectible elements.
During a local arcade test, gameplay pacing was deemed too slow to optimize revenue; consequently, balloon descent speed was increased to improve profitability.
Ports
In 1982, Midway commissioned a version for the Atari 2600 as part of its entry into the home video game sector. However, this nearly completed port was sold to CBS Electronics, who ultimately cancelled its release for undisclosed reasons. A prototype cartridge emerged in 2019, with the ROM subsequently made available online.
Reception
According to Electronic Games in 1983, despite commendable graphics and audio quality, the game failed commercially. The publication remarked, "Can you imagine a game featuring Pac-Man that didn't make it? Kick Man is it." The Commodore 64 iteration received more favorable reviews and earned a Certificate of Merit for "1984 Best Arcade-to-Home Video Game/Computer Game Translation" at the 5th annual Arkie Awards.
Legacy
In 1982, Utopia Software released a clone named Pinhead for Atari 8-bit computer systems.