Snail Maze
| Snail Maze | |
|---|---|
| Developer(s) | Sega |
| Publisher(s) | Sega |
| Platform(s) | Master System |
| Release | 1986 |
| Genre(s) | Maze |
| Mode(s) | Single-player |
Snail Maze is a 1986 video game by Sega for the Master System. Instead of being released on a cartridge, it was built into the system's BIOS[1] and could be played by starting the system without a game cartridge inserted and holding Up and buttons 1 and 2 simultaneously. Some later console models included a minimal BIOS because of memory constraints, and Snail Maze had to be removed. These systems instead included a built-in Alex Kidd in Miracle World or Sonic the Hedgehog. Snail Maze was never released in cartridge or card format.[2]
Gameplay
[edit]A very simple game, Snail Maze involves navigating a small orange snail with a yellow shell through a blue maze. A goal area is clearly marked, which players must attempt to reach within a time limit.[3] Despite its relative simplicity compared to other games of its era, Snail Maze could be quite challenging. Subsequent levels reduce the time available, giving a progressively lower margin for error.[4]
Legacy
[edit]A version of Snail Maze was included on the Coleco Sonic handheld system, created in 2006. An emulated version of Snail Maze can be played in various entries of the Like a Dragon series by using an in-game Master System without selecting a game.
In 2004 an unofficial port of Snail Maze was made for the Japanese MSX computer platform with enhanced graphics and a new title screen. An unofficial port Snail Maze was released on iOS in January 2013.[5] An unofficial port of Snail Maze was released in December 2015 for the TI-84 Plus CE graphing calculator, written in eZ80 assembly language.[6] In 2020, Genesis Project created and released a Commodore 64 version of Snail Maze.[7]
References
[edit]- ^ The Games Machines, ISBN 978-3-000-15359-4 p. 198
- ^ "Sega Does: Snail Maze". segadoes.com. November 1, 2014. Retrieved September 15, 2021.
- ^ Sega Master System Snail Maze full playthrough, retrieved 2021-09-21
- ^ Service Games: The Rise and Fall of SEGA: Enhanced Edition, ISBN 978-1-494-28835-8 p. 36
- ^ "Snail Maze for iOS (IPhone/IPad) - GameFAQs".
- ^ "Snail Maze v1.0.0". www.cemetech.net. 20 December 2015. Retrieved 2021-09-07.
- ^ "C64 Snail Maze +".