The Amazing Maze Game
| Industry | Video game development and publishing |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | United States |
| Products | The Amazing Maze Game |
The Amazing Maze Game is an arcade title released in 1976 by Midway. It operates on hardware based on the Intel 8080 processor and features a monochrome CRT display. Recognized as one of the pioneering maze games, it also includes one of the earliest instances of the term "game over."
Gameplay
The gameplay involves maneuvering through a top-down maze that is procedurally generated each round using Prim's algorithm. The maze contains entry points on both the left and right edges, where two competitors begin facing each other from opposite sides. The primary goal is to arrive at the opponent’s starting location before they reach yours. Players can compete either head-to-head or face off against an AI opponent, with the human player consistently starting on the right side.
Before play begins, there is a five-second period allowing players to memorize the maze layout. Movement is controlled via two joysticks as players navigate toward their target. Upon completion, the game reveals the quickest path taken—the identical route used by the AI in single-player mode—and awards a point to the victor.
Screen
At the top of the display, MAZES TO PLAY indicates how many mazes remain until a winner emerges. In single-player mode, this changes to KEEP PLAYING when the player wins. The bottom left corner features a timer that counts down during the preview phase and counts up during active gameplay. On the bottom right, either the number of completed mazes in solo mode or a six-minute countdown timer in multiplayer mode is shown. Scores for both participants are presented on their respective sides during two-player matches.
See also
Trivia
- The title varies slightly: "The Amazing Maze Game" appears on-screen, "Amazing Maze" is printed on the arcade bezel, and "Maze" is displayed on the cabinet itself.
External links
- The Amazing Maze Game at Arcade History