To describe Lode Runner as just another treasure-grabbing "action game" would be to undermine its ingenuity: suffice to say that it is arguably the world's first action game that combines puzzle elements successfully-- dexterity is required, yet at the same time your exit path (and holes to dig) must be carefully planned lest you get helplessly trapped.
This game truly belongs in the rare breed of timeless classics that remain addictive no matter how old they are.
Review By HOTUD
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Comments and reviews
Used to play this when I was young. Then I became an alcoholic and didn't play anything.
First played the freeware of this on an old Mac Plus. It was one of my first games as child. Played for countless hours, sometimes skipping levels (with some cheat codes), only to come back over and over till I had mastered every level. Some are so insidious that there is only one practical solution requiring timing precise to the quarter second. This game is brilliant, timeless, addictive, and frustrating. Will keep playing, and totally recommend to everyone. You may scream in frustration, but find yourself unable to stop. You have been warned.
I still play this on my Linux box. Hard is an understatment, but such a great game.
Arrow keys for up down left right
End to dig left
PgDn to dig right
A programmer from Taiwan created a web version of the game. You can play it at: https://loderunnerwebgame.com/game/
Lode Runner was my first arcade like game played in the early 80s on an apple ][ which I thought it compared to which you saw in the arcades. As well editors came about that made it very home competative and fun. Highly recommended.
Played this on an MSX back in the day...
No Apple 2 version?
i think i used to play this on an apple II europluss , 48k memory , it made the tv reception go blurry in another room . converted black and white tv for a monitor . 8 hours of playing and you have a fight with your brother cause he wants to watch sport
Retrogamer2082: I gave instructions on the DOS version keys earlier in the comments. Click 'See Older Comments' below.
General info; this was also available on the BBC Micro, published by Software Projects who were more famous for certain other platform games - Manic Miner and Jet Set Willy - once the author left Bug-Byte.
Played today on a DOS emulator for Windows (DosBox), but how do I dig a hole, what keys to press? Please help...
Jim the Greek: Джордан Мехнер сделал "Каратеку" и "Принца Персии" с "Последним экспрессом", а ЭТУ игру придумал Дуг Смит.
З. Ы. Спасибо им за великолепные игры!
ALEXD: sadly there isn't an option to save the game. You could try a modified version of DOSbox that has a save feature, called DOSbox SVN Daum. That would theoretically add a save feature for any DOS game, but it's considered an obsolete build.
Thank you MARKTHEMOROSE.
Now I can play it once again.
I dont remember, but is there a save game key ?
How I loved this game... Unfortunately Mr. Doug Smith passed away in 2014 and I never had the chance to thank him.
This was a great platform/puzzle style game. Played this for hours while pretending I didn't have any homework due the next day.
I want this on my android phone at the moment
I review Lode Runner here: http://youtu.be/CSl682xX9zg
This Does Not Look Like The Original One But The Original One Is AWESOME! It Is The First Game to Have A Level Editor Long Before Super Mario Maker This Is Broderbund's Second Best Selling Commodore Game I Gotta Play Commodore Version The Commodore Is a Amazing Computer I Wish The Commodore Wasn't So Expensive Lode Runner Was by the same guys who did the awesome prince of persia series the first one was AMAZING! I still like my abandonware .com This website has great first person shooters like doom Wolfe stein 3D
ohhh i miss this game very much
I have an atari st version. Working 640x400. Released in 1985 as "runner's revenge"
Legendary game ! At the same class with Hard Hat Mack and Saboteur II.
Congrats to the big man Jordan Mechner !!
I just found the scanned DOS version manual on replacementdocs.
To redefine keys: when a game is playing push Esc, K, then follow the promps at the bottom of the screen. You can't define Esc, Shift, Ctrl, Alt, Num Lock, Caps Lock, Scroll Lock, Prt Scrn, or Enter, but other than those you can define any key.
Hint: the game see the arrow keys as number keys - remember this game is old, and the cursor keys didn't used to be separate on the original IBM PC, they were on the numeric keypad as 4, 8, 6, and 2. So, don't be alarmed if you try to define the cursor keys and they don't seem to register. They are define already, just press Enter until you see 'dig left', and 'dig right'. I found Z and X worked well.
While the game is joystick compatible, it expects an old analog stick, and didn't see my USB pad; maybe something in DOSBox can be configured to allow it, I've not checked.
To dig in the DOS version: numeric keypad 7 and 9 respectively.
I don't know if this can be changed.
Im from the future and this game isnt compatible with my FutureTron 2000 operating system :( FutureTron usually accepts any file in existence and figures out how to make it go with magical ASCII dust but it looks like I'll have to buy a physical emulation unit and insert DOS-ROMs here. Weeeeee.
Hi! I downloaded the game, but also Boxer which can emulate my mac to open a DOS window. The game can be launched, but impossible to dig! The keyboards (except the arrows) don't work! Can anybody help me?
Have you tried using dos box? Trust me. It will make a big difference with your gaming experience.
...Jezuz! I remember being sent a beta copy of this for eval, along with a bunch of other BBS sysops. Some of us were sent the C64 version as well. Hell of a fun game, and there was a construction kit app available as well. Good find by the "Euro-Frog" who runs this joint :) :) :)
Requires windows 32bit
always loved this game
Noooo! This game won't play with Windows 7. :(
No comment nor review for this game at the moment.