Timber (video game)
| Company type | Video game |
|---|---|
| Industry | Video games |
| Founded | 1984 |
| Founder | Steve Meyer |
| Products | Timber (arcade game) |
| Parent | Bally Midway |
Timber is an arcade title from 1984 developed by Marvin Glass and Associates and released by Bally Midway. The game, created by Steve Meyer—who also designed Tapper—shares a comparable audio-visual presentation and offers simultaneous two-player competition. Players aim to accumulate points by chopping down trees and engaging in logrolling bonus challenges.
Gameplay
In this game, participants control a lumberjack character using two joysticks: one joystick directs movement, while the other controls axe swings to the left or right. The goal is to cut down a specified number of trees within a limited timeframe. As players advance through levels, the required number of trees increases and the allotted time shortens. Players must dodge beehives hurled by bears to avoid losing lives but can gain extra points by striking beehives or capturing birds that fly from chopped trees.
Bonus rounds take place periodically, featuring a rotating log that gradually decreases in size; maintaining balance on this log earns additional points. The game supports both cooperative and competitive modes for two players, with bonus points awarded for tactics such as pushing trees onto an opponent or felling more trees per stage.
Release
The initial Timber arcade machines were converted from Bally Midway’s existing Tapper or Root Beer Tapper cabinets. Subsequently, the game was included in the 2004 compilation Midway Arcade Treasures 2, available on Xbox, PlayStation 2, and GameCube platforms. It was also featured as an unlockable arcade game in the 2016 release Lego Dimensions.
Competitive play
The highest recorded score currently belongs to Joshua Lombay, who achieved 9,767,550 points, surpassing the previous record of 6,013,515 points held by Don Duwelius since 2011.