This is where, together, we are going to chronologically review the history of Lode Runner! Hopefully, all of these will eventually have photos along with the description. If you can help..send me what you can. Thank you.
The first version I have a recollection of..was on the Apple II computer...I'd love to have a screenshot of that or a box photo..to put here.
I have also played a version for the Commodore 64 computer..the two versions that I know of are in my opinion two of the best versions ever made..Lode Runner, and Championship Lode Runner.
This game was also for the Commodore 64 and featured the Lode Runner name..This is Lode Runners Rescue. I don't know yet whether it was an official product or an attempt by Synapse Software to cash in on our mother "Lode"! The gameplay was interesting and would, no doubt, have been fun..if the control movements weren't so awkward..If you are resting from playing the REAL Lode Runner, give this one a try..otherwise..keep playing...8^)
I've also played a version for the MSX computer..The version I have seen was copyright 1983 Doug Smith, and licensed to Broderbund. Its not really a bad version...the colors are different..blue bricks..red bad guys..etc..The play isn't quite as smooth as the Commodore release..I haven't played through it to see if the levels are different..or how many there are..but it is worth checking out..I only recently came across this type of computer, so I know little about it..if you have one..or have info..please share..I'd like to know more..
When the gaming machines took off with the cartridge format..the 8 bit Nintendo system had a version called Hyper Lode Runner. It featured the same style of play..but for some reason, Nintendo felt they needed to make the characters more cartoon looking..So, our loveable, white stick man suddenly became a fat, pudgy cartoon character. Now, I'm sure that die-hard fans like me..will still play this version...simply because it is another Lode Runner game..but..it isn't one of my favorites.
The popularity of the handheld Gameboy system brought out yet another version again entitled Hyper Lode Runner...after it's 8 bit predecessor. This version would push, we die-hard fans, to our absolute limit..we would buy this version and play it on it's miserable pea-green, tiny screen..just so we could have another fix..It features 50 levels, and is an almost identical conversion of the earlier Nintendo version..You have to admit though..it sure is nice to be able to take Lode Runner along on those boring car trips.. 8^)
This beautiful screen and this screenshot was made possible by a gameboy emulator..it makes the game much more playable..You can even add the colors you like!
Ok, this version is no longer in the gray area..but my memory was..It is for the Super Nintendo, and is almost entirely in Japanese..it was also following in the Nintendo tradition by being much more of a cartoon nature..the animation that was added to certain aspects, such as falling through a hole..and your cape flapping behind you, was pretty cool to see..
I haven't played it far enough to see how many levels there are...Look at the beautiful multilayered scrolling background image..really nice..The gameplay is pretty tough..I remember getting caught quite frequently when I played..
I also learned that it is copyright 1993 to good old Douglas E. Smith and 1994 to T&E Soft (makers of all the best golf games! ) This is my favorite of the "cartoon" versions..and one of my favorite versions overall..It is a well done game both graphically and gameplay..and the sounds are really nice..If you are able..play this one..and if you are not able..send me E-mail..maybe I can help..
The IBM & compatible systems recieved their version of Lode Runner as well. It was similar to the Commodore 64 version and both may have come out around the same time..I'm still searching for more info..It's a nice version to play..if all you have is a PC compatible machine..but beware on newer machines..the internal timing wasn't written very well..on a pentium, your little Lode Runner will burn his feet from running so fast! 8^)
The next PC incarnation would be a revelation for die-hard fans..One of our favorite software companies had decided to publish a new & improved version of our old favorite...entitled Lode Runner: The Legend Returns...and how fitting too, and what a legend it has been...They "spared no expense" in re-creating this timeless classic..and I actually like the enhancements they made..our little stick man hero..is now wearing a green jumpsuit, and even black boots..and he even..almost..has a face..Add to this mix..a beautifully detailed backdrop, that changes from time to time, and updated graphics that are awesome..Who can forget the first time you saw a Mad Monk walking across some of the sticky mud..ha ha..the way they lift their feet up and try to shake it off..Wonderful..great touches Sierra..I was so glad to see this version arrive..I ran..(not literally..but close to it)..right out to buy it. Sadly though, it was destroyed accidentally, and I am still looking for a replacement.
The Second Coming! of Lode Runner that is..he he..is a much awaited, and highly anticipated edition to the family...entitled Lode Runner Online: The Mad Monks Revenge it instantly makes your mouth water doesn't it? The mere word..ONLINE jumps out at you..causing wild flights of fancy as to what may lurk inside that box..what could the folks at Sierra and Presage possibly have done to it..to make it any better? Well..I don't know..I can't find it anywhere..I've seen pictures..I've heard about it..but I haven't seen it in stores anywhere. When I get my hands on it..Together we will answer all these questions and more..I can't wait..can you?
I've recently uncovered while searching the Internet, a version of Lode Runner: The Legend Returns for the Sega Saturn system. I would like to play this version, and I hope I can find it soon. It looks as though the Sega Saturn is slowly dissappearing from the realm of the living systems. Maybe I can pick one up cheap before long..Sega has been slowly irritating its former fans to the point of desertion..They recently jipped me out of a "free" game I had coming, after buying (2) of their other games..So..fellow gamers..watch out for this beast called Sega..they are not the Sega of old..they got so big that they think they can turn on their fans..We made them...we can break them..
I just discovered a version for the ZX Spectrum Computer and I believe it came out around 1984 according to this source..it was made by "SOFTWARE PROJECTS BRODERBUND SOFTWARE 1984(C)"..I just finished playing it..pretty nice version. I don't know much about the ZX Spectrum, as I only had the original Timex Sinclair computer, but it looks like they had some nice games for that time period..I hope to be adding links later..so you can all play this version..using a ZX Spectrum Emulator..it works..and real well at that..
Awesome! I just received these screenshots of a *NEW* version of Lode Runner being made by a new Lode Runner Friend, Jason Burke. Jason has a little company he calls "Cyiode". This version is being written for...of all things..the TI-92 calculator...
It doesn't have a name yet, since we don't know if Sierra will hunt him down if he uses their Lode Runner name? anyway, it is being written in Fargo, the version of assembly the TI-92 uses..I may have to go buy a new calculator now..great..ha ha..Check out these screen shots and you'll see why..
There are two versions of Lode Runner for the TurboGrafx-16 by NEC. The first is called Battle Lode Runner and it was released in 1993. This version is more like the Nintendo cartoon versions, but is more fun to play..the screens wrap around, and there are like 3 computer controlled guys trying to kill you all at the same time..The familiar bad guys are non-existant in Battle Mode, but do appear in the puzzle mode of play.
Later another version was released called Lode Runner: Lost Labyrinth. This version is more like the original C-64 version, I'll give a better description once I get a chance to play it again..its been awhile..
For those of you who do not have a TurboGrafx-16, but would like to play these versions, there are TG-16 (or PC Engine as its called in Europe and Japan) emulators out there that play these, and other forgotten favorites, beautifully.
My friend, Sean Kelly and I, were talking the other day, and I was telling him about my new web site. He told me about a flyer he has (He is a classic game fanatic too!) from Atari dated 1986, that shows a version of Lode Runner for the Atari 7800. We don't know if this version was ever started..or even if it was, ever completed. If any of you have it..or have information about it..let me know..I would love to play it..Take a look at this flyer..it even has the original catalog number on it..he he....
While Sean and I were talking it occured to me, thanks to his reminding me.. :) that there was another version created for the Atari XE computers, and the sad thing is..I owned it once..and I was forced to part with it for financial reasons..I'm sure some of you can relate..I would like to get a hold of it again..Anyone have an old XE machine laying around that they want to get rid of? I'll take it..send me E-mail...
Here is another homemade version, written by Kurt Olsen, to
Here on your left is Lode Runner level 2, and on your right is level 29.
These last two levels are level 24 on the left and level 50 on the right. I'm not sure if all the levels of both versions are there or what? I hope to converse with the author via E-mail so I can find out.
