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]
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]
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]
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