The Adventures of Robby Roto!
| Industry | Video games |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | United States |
| Products | Arcade video games |
The Adventures of Robby Roto! (often referred to simply as Robby Roto) is an arcade video game created and released by Bally/Midway in 1981. In this title, players dig through dirt-filled labyrinths to gather various items while evading hostile creatures. It stands out as one of the rare titles officially available for download through the authorized MAME emulator platform.
Gameplay
In the game, players assume control of Robby, who ventures into subterranean tunnels with the mission to save trapped miners and collect valuable treasures. The mine initially consists of dirt that Robby must excavate to open pathways. At the beginning of each stage, the entire maze layout is briefly displayed without any dirt obstructing the view. Certain sections are blocked by solid rock formations that cannot be passed and direct movement using arrows.
Three imprisoned miners are represented by red boxes with sad faces; once rescued, they transform into smiling icons that trail behind Robby. The main goal involves guiding all rescued miners to a single exit located at the top center of the screen. As the game advances, locked gates appear that require keys to unlock and continue progress.
Hostile creatures, initially spiders, chase Robby throughout the maze and pose a threat by either killing him or capturing freed miners again by dragging them away. Players start with three lives in total. A special power-up called the Robo Device temporarily immobilizes enemies, enabling Robby to safely retrieve any captured miners.
Reception
Robby Roto experienced limited commercial success, with sales falling below 2,000 copies, and was eclipsed by the release of 1982’s Dig Dug. Co-creator Dave Nutting observed that the game's intricate design discouraged players who favored more action-oriented gameplay experiences.