Old Games: Encyclopedia Bombastica: Lode Runner

@ravelle: @nmarchan:

Same. The '95 remake is one of my earliest and most favorite games. Same gameplay as the original with a new device introduced every 20 levels. The devices fit in well with the gameplay, the music was great, and the editor was easy-to-use even for my dumbass 12-year old self.

This was my version of Lode Runner. So good. I spent so many hours in the level editor. I wonder if there is a way to get this version of the game.

I played a ton of the original on Apple 2e. It blew my mind when I found out it came with a level editor. Also, the Apple joystick had 2 buttons for bi-directional digging mastery.

Reminds me of Jetpack. Which caused me to look up Jetpack. Found out that a Kickstarter to make a sequel was successful in 2012, raising almost $14,000 from a $10,000 goal. The sequel still has no release date and the developers have long since stopped making updates. Through their website you can still pay them $300 to get your name in the opening credits though!

Pretty good game but the Lode times kill it for me.

I remember hearing about this when I was a kid in the 80's. Someone described it as "playing as a character who ran on top of buildings, climbed ropes and ladders, dropped bombs..." For some reason I was thinking something like Mirror's Edge, and when I finally played the C64 version it was a huge letdown.

...It's funny Jeff mentions Jumpman, a C64 game I played/enjoyed way more than Lode Runner.

Someday I hope we get to see some SSI/Goldbox/D&D on Bombastica. Probably my favorite games on Commodore (at least until Wizardry on Amiga).

I really enjoy the home-shot Bombasticas. Thanks for sharing this one Jeff, I knew very little about Lode Runner aside from hearing it mentioned on occasion. You made a compelling case for why you think it's one of the best games of all time, and really sold me on your argument!

(Also this video was just an all-around fun time.)

The first proper computer I had (as opposed to a console, had those from an early age) was a Mac Classic. This was in the late 90s, so that thing was 7 or 8 years old. Anyway one of the very few games I had that ran on it was Lode Runner. Was really addictive even then, spent ages making levels for it. That level editor was so simple and powerful.

And yes it was black and white and really crisp graphically, much more so than this version, but the Mac Classic was a much more powerful bit of hardware. Looked like this: http://www.myabandonware.com/media/screenshots/l/lode-runner-3qc/lode-runner_2.gif

The other game I played on that Mac was Prince of Persia.

Lode Runner: The Legend Returns apparently had a CD soundtrack?

I thought there was only the midi version.

@naion: the XBLA Lode Runner was just added to Xbox One backwards compatibility, and it has a great level editor (and multiplayer!) but sharing or playing levels online requires people to host their own lobbies so I couldn't find any levels or games at all

I remember playing Runner, which came with the Microsoft Entertainment Pack. It had kicking MIDI beats.

I had a color version of this game for my Apple IIc, and it looked pretty much identical to this, antialiasing on the sprites and all. The only differences that I can pick out are different sound effects, and the HUD text at the bottom was blue/orange instead of green.

Great game, and fond memories of my childhood! I would love to see a look at classic Prince of Persia sometime, speaking of great Apple II games.

@gimbal_lock: This is the version I had. Also the little dude that drags in the Sierra logo had voice. All hail Lode Runner.

First game I ever played. Oh.

Thanks Jeff!

I got ASMR when Jeff was making his own level, so maybe I should toss myself into a landfill.

The most hallowed of Thanksgiving traditions: watching Jeff play Lode Runner.

@jeff So... What was the third game that you got deep into the level editor on?

@jeff Do you have Battle Lode Runner for the PC-Engine? I always thought the mix of Hudson style graphics and lode runner gameplay was a neat fit.

I love these old school retrospectives... re-watched the Law of the West one not too long ago.

I was aware of Lode Runner (as it was plastered all over the computer gaming mags of the time), but never played it when it was "current."

Played a lot of lode runner on the gameboy with a bootleg mutlicart. Always gave me anxiety as a kid with all those guys chasing you and getting myself trapped.

I played an NES version of this. I don't recall liking it very much, but that might have been because I didn't understand it. I liked making my own levels though.

In this one you could kill enemies cause the holes would fill back up with them inside. This would also kill you if you got stuck in a hole.

It's a shame the Broderbund rights have been splintered off so much over the years as its unified "Bungeling Empire" was a neat conceit for several of its games.

The weirdest entry I've played in the series — which actually reeks of an unrelated game with the "Lode Runner" branding slapped on — was "Lode Runner's Rescue." You controlled not LR but his daughter as she traveled around an isometric playfield that was almost like a flatter version of "Crystal Castles."

Giantbomb makes lode runner

Good Jump-Man shout-out in this video. I played the hell out of that game on my PC Jr.

Endless-runner style remake:

Crossy Lode

I don't usually watch this, but while inspecting the screen trying to figure why the blocks formed the star wars rebels icon, I realized I had actually played this game. Mind blown. I was like 5 when I played Atari games. Remembered none of them before today.

God, I even remember making levels in this game. It mario makered its way into my tiny heart.

This game is pretty great.

I think this was the first video game I ever saw...

I always adored this game. Played it on the Apple II and the C64. A pixel-perfect Vita version would be much appreciated.

There is something soothing about watching these videos

I love typing on a mechanical keyboard and the sound makes it way more satisfying to use.

EB is my favorite feature on this site.

The feel of typing is one thing, but I don't understand the whole annoying sound thing. Then again, I might be the weird one. I think the hissing and pops you hear with vinyl destroys music, or the sound of someone eating makes me want to jump out a window. Either way though, in this video that keyboard sound is louder than the game and almost louder than Jeff. Super annoying.

I rented Lode Runner on N64 when I was a kid, I thought it was disgusting because I couldn't jump. My eyes are opened. Thanks Jeff.

This was one of the only games that I owned at our family Apple 2E when I was a kid. We didn't have much money so I played the hell out of this version. It brings back a lot of good memories watching the video. Thanks Jeff!

I've missed Jeff Bombasticas so much.

I remember occasionally seeing other kids play this game on PCs in the 1980s and thought it looked so cool. I think eventually I got my own copy on my old Mac Plus.

Later they made one for the Game Boy called Hyper Lode Runner. I remember calling up Toys R Us to see if they had it, and when they finally got it in stock, I rushed over there and picked it up thanks to my mom. I seem to recall it was a bit weirder in that you couldn't see the whole level and the screen scrolled around.

The mechanics of Lode Runner seem fun. Kind of timeless.

jeff talking about these crazy old ass games that were before my time is always fun

I played a lot of this on a Macintosh Plus as a kid. Probably my first experience with level creation. Monochrome gaming for life.

Just more proof that graphics and music do not make a good game (although these were decent graphics and music for its time). Solid gameplay and design hold up better than anything else.