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List of maze video games
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This is a list of maze video games by type.
Top-down maze games
[edit]While the character in a maze would have a limited view, the player is able to see much or all of the maze. Maze chase games are a specific subset of the overhead perspective. They're listed in a separate section.
- Mouse in the Maze, MIT, TX-0 mainframe
1973
- Gotcha, Atari, arcade
1976
- The Amazing Maze Game, Midway, arcade
1977
- Maze, Fairchild, Channel F
- Minesweeper, AmuTec, arcade
1978
- Maze Craze: A Game of Cops and Robbers, Atari, Atari 2600
- Slot Racers, Atari, Atari 2600
- Take the Money and Run, Magnavox, Odyssey²
1979
- Car Hunt,[1] Sega, arcade
- Head On, Sega/Gremlin, arcade
- Head On 2, Sega/Gremlin, arcade
- Space Chaser, Taito, arcade
1980
- Berzerk, Stern, arcade
- Crazy Balloon
- Lupin III,[2] Taito, arcade
- Spectar, Exidy, arcade
- Tank Battalion,[3] Namco, arcade
- Tranquilizer Gun,[4] Sega, arcade
- Wizard of Wor, Midway, arcade
1981
- 005, Sega, arcade
- A-Maze-Ing, Texas Instruments, TI-99/4A
- The Adventures of Robby Roto!, Bally/Midway, arcade
- Armored Car, Stern, arcade
- The Hand,[5] TIC, arcade
- K-Razy Shoot-Out, CBS Electronics, Atari 8-bit, Atari 5200
- Minotaur, Sirius, Apple II
- Pulsar, Sega, arcade
- Route 16, Tekhan/Sun, arcade
- Thunder Island,[6] ANALOG Software, Atari 8-bit
- Treasure Island, Data East, arcade
1982
- Ali Baba and 40 Thieves, Sega, arcade
- Anteater, Tago, arcade
- Bable Terror, Funsoft, TRS-80
- Blue Print, Bally Midway, arcade
- Dig Dug, Namco, arcade
- Diggerbonk, Atari Program Exchange, Atari 8-bit
- Entombed, U.S. Games, Atari 2600
- Frenzy, Stern, arcade
- Garden Wars, Commodore, VIC-20
- K-Razy Antiks,[7] CBS, Atari 8-bit
- Maze Death Race, PSS, ZX81,[8] ZX Spectrum[9]
- Microwave, Cavalier, Apple II
- Mines of Minos,[10] CommaVid, Atari 2600
- Mr. Do!, Universal, arcade
- Nibbler, Rock-Ola, arcade
- Night Stalker, Mattel, Intellivision
- Raid on Fort Knox, Commodore, VIC-20
- Robot Killer, Emerson, Arcadia 2001
- Shamus, Synapse, Atari 8-bit
- Star Maze, Sir-Tech, Apple II
- Talbot,[11] Volt, arcade
- Tax Dodge, Free Fall, Atari 8-bit
- Towering Inferno, US Games, Atari 2600
- TRON Maze-A-Tron, Mattel, Intellivision
- Tutankham, Konami, arcade
- Zzyzzyxx, Cinematronics, arcade
1983
- Android Two,[9] Vortex, ZX Spectrum, Amstrad CPC
- Ardy the Aardvark,[12] Datamost, Apple II, Atari 8-bit
- The Birds and the Bees II: Antics, Bug-Byte, C64, ZX Spectrum
- Abracadabra!, TG Software, Atari 8-bit
- Bewitched,[13] Imagine, VIC-20
- Bomberman, Hudson Soft, NEC PC-8001, Sharp X1, others
- Bumpomov's Dogs,[14] Atari Program Exchange, Atari 8-bit
- Castle Keeper,[15] ALA Software, Atari 8-bit
- Cavelon, Jetsoft, arcade
- Chack'n Pop,[16] Taito, arcade
- Chase the Chuck Wagon, Spectravision, Atari 2600
- Creepy Corridors, Sierra On-Line, Apple II, Atari 8-bit, others
- Dandy, Atari Program Exchange, Atari 8-bit
- Flappy, DB-SOFT, Sharp X1
- Grabber,[17] Tom Mix, Tandy CoCo
- Intrepid, Nova Games, arcade
- Key-Quest,[18] Micro-ware, VIC-20
- Lady Tut,[19] Spinnaker, Apple II, C64
- Master Miner, Funtastic, IBM PC
- Mazer Blazer, Stern, arcade
- Money Money, Zaccaria, arcade
- Oil's Well, Sierra On-Line, Apple II, Atari 8-bit, others
- Sewermania,[20] Milton Bradley, TI-99/4A
- Space Maze Attack, HAL, MSX
- Splat!, Incentive, ZX Spectrum
- Spy Catcher,[21] ALA Software, Atari 8-bit
- Styx,[9] Bug-Byte, ZX Spectrum
- Time Bandit, MichTron, Tandy CoCo
- Track Attack,[22] Broderbund, Apple II, Atari 8-bit
1984
- 3D Silicon Fish, Thor, VIC-20
- Cybertron Mission, Micro Power, Electron, BBC Micro, C64
- Diamond Mine, MRM Software, Electron, BBC Micro, others
- Fred, Investronica, ZX Spectrum, Amstrad CPC, C64
- Henri,[23] Atari 8-bit, Atari Program Exchange
- Humpty Dumpty Meets the Fuzzy Wuzzies, Artic, C64, ZX Spectrum
- Labyrinth, Acornsoft, BBC Micro
- Maziacs,[9][24] DK'Tronics, ZX Spectrum, C64, MSX
- Mr. Dig,[25] Computerware, Tandy CoCo
- The Tower of Druaga, Namco, arcade
- Yellow Cab (Kamikaze Cabbie outside of Japan),[26] Data East, arcade
1985
- Cops 'n' Robbers, Atlantis, VIC-20
- Gauntlet, Atari Games, arcade
- Lord of the Orb,[27] Antic Software, Atari 8-bit
- King Tut's Tomb,[28] Antic Software, Atari 8-bit
- Maze War, ANALOG Computing, Atari 8-bit
- Project Future,[29] Micromania, ZX Spectrum, Amstrad CPC
- Raiders5,[30] UPL, arcade
- Wriggler, Devonshire, ZX Spectrum
- Zone X, Gremlin Graphics, Atari 8-bit
1986
- A-Maze, K'Soft, ZX Spectrum
- Aardvark, Bug-Byte, Atari 8-bit, C64
- Gauntlet II, Atari Games, arcade
- Merlin's Money Maze, Zilec, arcade
- Snail Maze, Sega, Master System
- Thunder Castle, Intellivision
1987
- Fast Lane, Konami, arcade
- Phantom,[31] Mastertronic, C64
- Rescue, Mastertronic, ZX Spectrum
- Think Quick!, The Learning Company, Apple II, MS-DOS
- Starbase, Taurus Computing, Tatung Einstein
1988
- Dark Chambers, Atari, Atari 7800, Atari 8-bit
1989
- Cratermaze, Hudson Soft, TurboGrafx-16
- Krazy Mazes,[32] ANALOG Computing, Atari 8-bit
- Tank Action,[33] CP Verlag, C64
1998
- Get Medieval, Monolith, Windows
1999
- Quest: Fantasy Challenge, Sunsoft, Game Boy Color
2003
- Online Bomberman, Hudson Soft, Windows
- The Maze,[34] Winterrowd, Web browser
2008
- The World's Hardest Game, Windows
- The Last Guy, Sony, PS3
2009
- Robot Rescue, Teyon, DSi
2014
- Pix the Cat, Pastagames, Xbox One, PS4, others
2021
- Labyrinth City: Pierre the Maze Detective, Darjeeling; Nintendo Switch, Mac OS, Windows.
First-person maze games
[edit]These are games where the player moves through a maze while attempting to reach the exit, sometimes having to avoid or fight enemies. Despite a 3D perspective, the mazes in most of these games have 2D layouts when viewed from above. Some first-person maze games follow the design of Pac-Man, but from the point of view of being in the maze.
First-person maze games are differentiated from more diversified first-person party-based RPGs, dungeon crawlers, first-person shooters, and walking sims by their emphasis on navigation of largely abstracted maze environments.
- Maze, Steve Colley, Imlac PDS-1
1977
- Maze War, Jim Guyton, Alto
1978
1979
- Ratrun, Code Works, PET
1980
- Deathmaze 5000,[36] Med Systems, TRS-80
- Labyrinth, Med Systems, TRS-80
1981
- 3D Maze, IJK, BBC Micro, Acorn Electron
- 3D Monster Maze,[9] ZX81, ZX Spectrum
- Asylum, Med Systems, TRS-80
- Captivity,[37] PDI, Atari 8-bit
- Space Maze, Program Power, BBC Micro
1982
- 3D Labyrinth,[38] Llamasoft, VIC-20
- 3D Maze,[39] IJK Software, BBC Micro
- Escape, Nukefop, VIC-20
- Dungeons of Daggorath, Tandy CoCo
- Escape from the Mindmaster, Starpath, Atari 2600[40]
- Maze, Acornsoft, BBC Micro, Acorn Electron
- Monster Maze, Epyx, Atari 8-bit
- Phantom Slayer, Med Systems, Dragon 32, TRS-80
- Spectre, Datamost, Apple II
- Supermaze, Timex, Sinclair 1000, ZX81
- Theseus and the Minotaur, Apple II
- Wayout, Sirius, Atari 8-bit, Apple II, C64
1983
- Alien Maze, CRL Group, ZX Spectrum
- 3-Demon, PC Research, MS-DOS[41]
- Capture the Flag, Sirius, Atari 8-bit, C64
- Caves of Ice,[42] Compute!, Atari 8-bit, Apple II, C64, VIC-20, PET
- Corridors of Genon, New Generation, ZX Spectrum
- Ladder Maze,[43] Superior, BBC Micro
- London Blitz,[44] Avalon Hill, Atari 2600
- Sultan's Maze, Gem, Dragon 32
- Tunnel Runner, CBS, Atari 2600
- Word Maze, Sord, Sord M5
1984
- 3-D Bomberman, Hudson Soft, MSX, FM-7, NEC PC-6001, others
- 3D Glooper, Supersoft, C64[45]
- 3-D Monster Chase,[46] Romik, ZX Spectrum, Amstrad CPC
- Dedal,[47] Oric-1
- Skull, Games Machine, ZX Spectrum, C64
- Star Maze II,[48] Mastertronic, BBC Micro
- Zig Zag, DK'Tronics, ZX Spectrum
1985
- Gyron, Firebird, ZX Spectrum
- Scarabaeus, Andromeda, C64
1986
- Maze Wars+, Macromind, Mac
1987
- Maze Wars+, MacroMind, Mac[49]
- MIDI Maze, Hybrid Arts, Atari ST
1988
1989
- Day of the Viper, Accolade, Amiga, Atari ST, MS-DOS[51][52]
1991
- 3D-Maze, Odin Software, Windows
- Faceball 2000, Bulletproof, Game Boy
1993
- Master of the Maze, Spice Software, Windows
- Super Maze Wars, Callisto Corporation, Mac[53]
1994
- MazeWars, Mike Kienenberger, NeXTSTEP
- Netmaze, M.Hipp, X11[54]
- iMaze, Hans-Ulrich Kiel and Joerg Czeranski, X11[55]
- The Maze, Lynn Alford, Windows
1995
- 3D Maze, Microsoft, Windows
- Amazeing, Happy Puppy, Windows
1996
- Logic Quest 3D, Learning Company, Softkey, Windows
1998
- MazeWars, IndiVideo, Palm OS
Maze chase games
[edit]This subgenre is exemplified by Namco's Pac-Man (1980),[24] where the goal is to clear a maze of dots while being pursued. Pac-Man spawned many sequels and clones which, in Japan, are often called "dot eat games". Other maze chases aren't about getting all the dots or items, and the goal is to clear the maze of the pursuers themselves (e.g., Pengo, Guzzler, Jungler).
- Heiankyo Alien, University of Tokyo, PC-88, arcade
1980
1981
- A-maz-ing, Audiogenic, VIC-20
- Cave Hunter,[56] Mark Data Products, Tandy CoCo
- Chomper,[57] MMG Micro, Atari 8-bit
- Crazy Chicky, VTech, CreatiVision
- Crazy Pucker / Crazy Moonie / Crazy Chewy, VTech, CreatiVision
- Frisky Tom, Nichibutsu, arcade
- Ghost Hunter, arcade Plus, Atari 8-bit
- Gobbler, On-Line Systems, Apple II
- The Hand / Got-Ya,[58] T.I.C., arcade
- Hangly-Man, Nittoh, arcade
- Jawbreaker, On-Line Systems, Atari 8-bit, Apple II
- Jelly Monsters, HAL Labs, VIC-20
- Jungler, Konami, arcade
- Lady Bug, Universal, arcade
- Lock 'n' Chase, Data East, arcade
- Make Trax / Crush Roller, Alpha Denshi, arcade
- Mouse Trap, Exidy, arcade
- Ms. Pac-Man, Bally Midway, arcade
- Muncher,[59] Astrovision, Bally Astrocade
- Munchkin / KC Munchkin, Magnavox, Odyssey²
- Munchyman, Program Power, BBC Micro
- New Rally-X, Namco, arcade
- Pac-Tac,[60] Computerware, Tandy CoCo
- Packri Monster, Bandai, Handheld
- Piranha, GL, arcade
- Radar Rat Race, Commodore, VIC-20
- Round-Up, Centuri, arcade
- Scarfman,[61] Cornsoft, TRS-80
- Snoggle, Broderbund, Apple II
- Taxman, HAL Labs, Apple II
- Thief, Pacific Novelty, arcade
- Turtles, Konami, arcade
1982
- Alien, 20th Century Fox, Atari 2600
- Dung Beetles, Datasoft, Apple II, Tandy CoCo, Atari 8-bit
- Baby Pac-Man, Bally Midway, arcade
- Byte-Man, Mindseye, ZX81
- CatChum, Kaypro, CP/M
- Cat Trax, Emerson, Arcadia 2001
- Changes,[62] Orca, arcade
- Clean Sweep, GCE, Vectrex
- Cosmic Cruncher, Commodore, VIC-20
- Crazy Mazey,[63] Datamost, Apple II
- Devil Fish, Arctic, arcade
- Doodle Bug,[64] Computerware, Tandy CoCo, Dragon 32
- Eyes, Rock-Ola, arcade
- Gobble a Ghost, CDS Micro Systems, ZX Spectrum
- Gulpman, Campbell Systems, ZX Spectrum
- Hard Hat, Exidy, arcade
- Hot Lips,[65] London Software, Atari 8-bit
- Hungry Horace, Beam, ZX Spectrum, C64, Dragon 32
- Labyrinth,[66] Broderbund, Apple II, Atari 8-bit
- Lochjaw / Shark Attack, Games by Apollo, Atari 2600
- Looper, Orca, arcade
- Mazeman,[67] Abersoft, ZX81, ZX Spectrum
- Money Munchers, Datamost, Apple II
- Mouskattack, On-Line Systems, Atari 8-bit, Apple II
- Munch Man, Texas Instruments, TI99-4A
- Muncher!,[68] Silversoft, ZX Spectrum
- Munchmaid!,[69] Wunderware, VIC-20
- Pack Maze,[70] DSL Computer Products, Tandy CoCo
- Pack'n Boy, PSK, PC-88, others
- Pakacuda, Rabbit, C64
- PC-Man, Orion, IBM PC
- Pengo, Sega, arcade
- Pig Pen,[71] Datamost, Apple II
- Serpentine, Broderbund, Apple II
- Snack Attack, Datamost, Apple II
- Snack Attack II, Funtastic, IBM PC
- Snapper, Acornsoft, BBC Micro, Acorn Electron
- The Snapper,[72] Silicon Valley Systems, Atari 8-bit
- Spec Man, Jega, ZX Spectrum
- Streaking,[73] Shoei, arcade
- Spookyman, Abbex, ZX Spectrum
- Super Pac-Man, Namco, arcade
- Super Taxman 2, HAL Labs, Apple II
- VIC-Men,[74] Bug-Byte, VIC-20
- VikMan, Nukefop, VIC-20
- Zuckman, DJL Software, ZX81
1983
- 3D Munchy,[75] MRM Software, BBC Micro
- Alien's Return, ITT Family Games, Atari 2600
- Bank Heist, 20th Century Fox, Atari 2600
- Bootleg, Atari Program Exchange, Atari 8-bit
- Botanic, Valadon, arcade
- Caterpiggle, APX, Atari 8-bit
- Chomper Man, Victory, C64
- Crazy Bugs!,[76] AMA, ZX Spectrum
- Crystals of Zong,[77] Cymbal, C64
- Crystal Castles, Atari, arcade
- Cyclops,[78] Romik, Tandy CoCo
- Dot Gobbler,[79] Mr. Computer Products, C64
- Drelbs, Synapse, Atari 8-bit, C64
- Felix and the Fruit Monsters, Micro Power, Acorn Electron, BBC Micro
- Getaway!,[80] Atari Program Exchange, Atari 8-bit
- Ghost Hunt,[81] PSS, ZX Spectrum
- Ghost's Revenge,[82] Micromania, ZX Spectrum
- Gnasher,[81] R&R Software, ZX Spectrum, Commodore 16, Plus/4
- Gobble A Ghost, CDS Microsystems, ZX Spectrum
- Guzzler, Tehkan, arcade
- Hover Bovver, Llamasoft, C64, Atari 8-bit
- Jawbreaker II, On-Line Systems, Atari 8-bit, Apple II, others
- Jr. Pac-Man, Bally Midway, arcade
- Marvin's Maze, SNK, arcade
- Maze Chase,[83][84] Hewson, ZX Spectrum
- Maze Man, Creative Equipment, C64
- Miss Gobbler,[85] Spectral, Tandy CoCo
- Monster Munch, Atlantis, C64
- Mouser,[86] IBM, IBM PCjr
- Munch Man 64,[87] Solar Software, C64
- Pacar,[88] Sega, arcade
- Pacmania,[89] Mr. Chip, VIC-20, C64
- Pac Rabbit, International Publishing & Software, ZX81
- Plaque Man,[90] HCS, Atari 8-bit, C64
- Power Blaster,[91] Romik, VIC-20
- Preppie! II,[92] Adventure International, Atari 8-bit
- Rubbish Monster,[93] Data Becker, C64
- Scooby Doo's Maze Chase,[94] Mattel, Intellivision
- Scrambled Egg, Technos, arcade
- Snakman,[95] Microdigital, VIC-20
- Supercuda,[96] Comm*Data, C64
- Trashman,[97] Creative, C64
- Traxx, Quicksilva, VIC-20, ZX Spectrum
- Van-Van Car,[98] Karateco, arcade
- Z-Man,[99] DJL, ZX Spectrum
- Zappy Zooks,[100] Romik, C64
1984
- Devil World, Nintendo, NES
- Ghost Gobbler,[101] Orwin Software, ZX Spectrum
- Ms. Maze,[102] Tom Mix, Tandy CoCo
- Munch Mania,[103] Mastertronic, C64
- Oh Shit!, Aackosoft, ZX Spectrum
- Pirate Ship Higemaru, Capcom, arcade
- Spatter,[104] Sega, arcade
- Spriteman 64,[105] Interceptor, C64
- Squirm,[106] Mastertronic, C64
- Z-Man,[107] ZX Spectrum, DJL Software
- Zulu,[108] Silverbird, C64
1985
- Floppy-Eater!,[109] Floppy Magazine 64, C64
- Fruit Pickin',[110] P.F. Software, Atari 8-bit
- I'm Sorry, Sega, arcade
- Taxicab Hill,[111] Antic Software, Atari 8-bit
1987
- 3D Dotty, Blue Ribbon, BBC Micro
- Classic Muncher, Bubble Bus, Amstrad CPC
- Cruncher Factory, Kingsoft, Amiga
- Fantasy Zone: The Maze, Sega, arcade
- Gobbler's Revenge,[112] Commodore Magazine, C64
- Mango,[113] Blue Ribbon, BBC Micro
- Pac-Mania, Namco, arcade
1988
- Knicker-Bockers,[114] StarSoft, Atari 8-bit
- Mad Mix, Topo Soft, Amstrad CPC, ZX Spectrum, Atari ST, others
- Snowplow,[115] ANALOG Computing, Atari 8-bit
- Yuu Maze, Taito, Famicom Disk System
1989
- Fast Food, Codemasters, C64, ZX Spectrum, others
- Maze Mania, Hewson, ZX Spectrum, C64, Amstrad CPC
- Maze of Flott, Taito, arcade
1990
- Hacman II, freeware, Atari ST
- Kwik Snax, Codemasters, ZX Spectrum, C64, others
- Marty's Nightmare,[116] CoCoPro, Tandy CoCo 3
- Perplexity, Superior, BBC Micro, Acorn Electron
- Trog, Midway, arcade
1991
- Jungle Jim,[117] Energize, Amiga, Atari ST
1992
- GobMan,[118] Shareware, MS-DOS
1993
- CD-Man,[119] Creative Dimensions, MS-DOS
- Mean Arenas, Nite Time, Amiga
- Tinkle Pit, Namco, arcade
1995
- Go! Go! Mile Smile,[120] Funki, arcade
1996
- Bubble Trouble, Ambrosia, Mac
- Pac-Man Arrangement, Namco, arcade
1997
- Freddi Fish and Luther's Maze Madness,[121] Humongous Entertainment
1998
- 3D Maze Man, eGames, Windows
2000
- Ms. Pac-Man Maze Madness, Namco, PlayStation
2006
- Pac the Man X,[122] McSebi, OS X
2007
- Pac-Man Championship Edition, Namco Bandai Games, Xbox 360, PS3, PSP, Windows, iOS, Android
2010
- Pac-Man Championship Edition DX, Namco Bandai Games, Xbox 360, PS3, Windows, iOS, Android
2016
- Pac-Man Championship Edition 2, Bandai Namco Entertainment, Xbox One, PS4, Windows, Nintendo Switch
Grid capture games
[edit]In grid capture games, also called line coloring games, the maze consists of lines, and the goal is to capture rectangular areas by traversing their perimeters. The gameplay is not fundamentally different from Pac-Man (players still have to navigate the entire maze to complete a level) but enough games have used the grid motif that it is a distinct style. One unique element is that it is possible to capture multiple rectangles simultaneously, usually for extra points. Amidar established the model for this subgenre.
- Amidar, Stern, arcade
1982
- Blade Runner,[123] Wizardsoft, C64
- Demolition Herby, Telesys, Atari 2600
- Jeepers Creepers, Quality, Atari 8-bit
- Jolly Jogger, Taito, arcade
- Kid Grid, Tronix, Atari 8-bit
- Macho Mouse, Techstar, arcade
- Radar Zone / Out Line, Century, arcade
- Pepper II, Exidy, arcade
- Time Runner, Funsoft, TRS-80
- Triple Punch, KKI, arcade
1983
- Colour Clash,[124] Romnik, ZX Spectrum
- Cuthbert Goes Walkabout, Microdeal, Dragon, CoCo, C64, Atari 8-bit
- Gridder,[125] Microdigital, VIC-20
- Potty Painter in the Jungle, Rabbit, C64
- Rollin,[126] Atlantis, C64
- Spiderdroid, Froggo, Atari 2600
- Super Gridder, Terminal, C64
1984
- Crazy Tracer, Acornsoft, Acorn Electron, BBC Micro
- Hooper,[127] Calisto, C64
- Oh Mummy, Gem, Amstrad CPC, ZX Spectrum
- Pesky Painter,[128] Supersoft, C64
- Rollo and the Brush Bros., Windmill, MS-DOS
1986
- Gapper, freeware, MS-DOS
- Panel Panic,[129] Aackosoft, MSX
1994
- Painter, Sinistar, Atari ST
1999
- Live Wire!, SCI, PlayStation
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List of maze video games
View on GrokipediaTop-down maze games
Early examples (pre-1990)
The emergence of top-down maze video games in the 1970s marked a pivotal shift in early video gaming, drawing inspiration from traditional board games and labyrinth puzzles that emphasized spatial reasoning and pathfinding. These titles appeared primarily on arcade cabinets and the nascent home console market, utilizing rudimentary hardware to render pixelated 2D grids of static walls that confined player movement to predefined corridors. Basic artificial intelligence was limited to unchanging barriers, fostering a focus on solitary or competitive exploration rather than dynamic interactions.[3] The first maze game on commercial arcade hardware was Gotcha, released by Atari in 1973, featuring two-player navigation through a simple labyrinth where one participant pursued the other to score points, highlighting pure chase-based pathfinding without additional objectives.[5] This was followed by The Amazing Maze Game from Midway in 1976, an arcade title that pitted two players against each other in a race to locate and reach the maze exit first, underscoring competitive navigation on black-and-white vector displays.[6] On home consoles, early examples included Slot Racers (also titled Maze), developed by Atari for the Atari 2600 and released in 1978, where players maneuvered vehicles through fixed maze patterns to outmaneuver opponents via strategic positioning, relying on the system's limited sprite capabilities for grid-based movement.[7] By the early 1980s, arcade innovations introduced dot-collection mechanics while maintaining a navigation core, as seen in Lady Bug by Universal in 1981, where the player guided an insect through static mazes to gather dots and reach an exit, avoiding hazards in a manner reminiscent of emerging chase genres but without direct confrontation.[8] Similarly, Lock 'n' Chase from Data East in 1981 involved traversing predefined labyrinths to collect coins and treasures, using door-closing as a defensive navigation aid in fixed environments.[9] These pre-1990 titles established the genre's foundational emphasis on intuitive control schemes and level design, influencing subsequent developments in maze-based gameplay across platforms.[1]Modern developments (1990–present)
The modern era of top-down maze games, beginning in the 1990s, marked a significant expansion from the fixed-layout arcade origins, incorporating deeper level design, genre hybridization, and accessibility across consoles, PCs, and mobile devices. Developers leveraged advancing hardware to introduce dynamic elements like destructible environments and cooperative play, while indie creators revitalized the genre through innovative puzzle integration and procedural generation techniques. This period saw maze mechanics blend with adventure and action titles, enhancing strategic navigation in overhead views. Key titles from the 1990s exemplified this shift toward console-based experiences with maze-focused gameplay. The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening, released in 1993 for the Game Boy, featured prominent maze elements, including the Signpost Maze in the Mysterious Forest, where players decipher directional signs to navigate a looping path and learn the Frog's Song of Soul. Similarly, Quest: Fantasy Challenge (1999, Game Boy Color) presented a puzzle-maze structure inspired by classics like Mr. Do!, requiring players to collect all diamonds across levels while avoiding enemies and using power-ups to progress through 20 stages.[10] These games emphasized exploration and item collection in compact, top-down layouts tailored for portable play. Into the 2000s and 2010s, the genre evolved with procedural generation, particularly in indie roguelike titles that generated randomized mazes for replayability. This technique, rooted in early dungeon crawlers but popularized in indie scenes, allowed for endless variations in level layouts, enemy placements, and traps. Bomberman variants continued to thrive, with Super Bomberman R (2017, Nintendo Switch) introducing 3D-rendered top-down mazes supporting up to eight players in battle mode and a co-op story mode across over 50 levels, featuring destructible blocks and power-ups for strategic bomb placement.[11] The 2010s indie boom further amplified this, with titles emphasizing cooperative problem-solving in abstract environments.[12] Post-2020 developments highlighted continued hybridization, such as metroidvania-style mazes on PC. Mobile ports also influenced accessibility, with remakes of classic maze games like Pac-Man Championship Edition (2007, adapted for iOS in the 2010s) bringing touch-controlled top-down navigation to smartphones, broadening the audience for procedural and fixed mazes alike. Recent indie releases include Maze Mice (2025, PC Early Access), a top-down puzzle game where players guide mice through procedurally generated mazes to collect cheese while solving environmental challenges.[13] Overall, these advancements underscore the genre's adaptability, from procedural indies to cross-platform hybrids, sustaining top-down mazes as a core of strategic gaming.First-person maze games
Pioneering titles (pre-1990)
The pioneering first-person maze games of the pre-1990 era emerged on early home computers, leveraging constrained hardware to simulate 3D navigation through innovative rendering techniques such as wireframe graphics and ray-casting approximations. These titles emphasized exploration, survival, and tension in labyrinthine environments, often without advanced sound or color, marking the transition from text adventures to immersive spatial experiences. Key examples include 3D Monster Maze and Dungeons of Daggorath, each pushing the boundaries of what limited 8-bit systems could achieve in first-person perspectives.| Game | Year | Platform | Key Mechanics |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3D Monster Maze | 1981 | ZX81 | Procedurally generated maze; first-person view using ASCII art for walls and simple character sprites; player hides from a pursuing Tyrannosaurus rex, with random monster appearances and an exit search objective.[14][15] |
| Dungeons of Daggorath | 1982 | TRS-80 Color Computer | Wireframe 3D dungeon rendering; real-time combat and spell-casting via text commands; multi-level procedural layouts with monsters, treasures, and a wizard boss; character stats like strength and power level influence survival.[16][17] |
