Summary
- Release Year: 1981
- Genres: Arcade, Puzzle
- Platforms: Arcade, Atari 2600, NEC PC-6000 Series
- Developers: Konami
- Publishers: Konami, Parker Brothers, Stern Electronics
Amidar: A Retro Classic with Unique Gameplay
Released in 1981 by Konami, Amidar is an arcade game that combines elements of Pac-Man and Amidakuji, a Japanese lottery game. The player controls a small character that must navigate a maze, visiting every square while avoiding enemies. Once all the squares have been visited, the player moves on to the next level.
Gameplay
Amidar is played on a fixed rectilinear lattice, similar to Pac-Man. The player character can move up, down, left, or right, and must visit every square on the board to complete the level. However, unlike Pac-Man, the player cannot move through walls.
The player is pursued by four enemies, which move according to the Amidakuji rules. This means that they can only move in one direction at a time, and they will always turn right when they reach a wall. The player can defeat the enemies by trapping them between two walls or by luring them into a corner.
Levels
Amidar has 32 levels, each with a different layout. The first few levels are relatively easy, but the difficulty increases as the game progresses. The later levels feature more complex mazes and faster enemies.
Bonus Level
The bonus level in Amidar is a nearly exact replication of an Amidakuji game. The player must trace a path from the top of the screen to the bottom, avoiding the lines that are already drawn. If the player successfully completes the path, they will be awarded a bonus score.
Legacy
Amidar was a popular arcade game in the early 1980s, and it has since been ported to a variety of home platforms. The game is still enjoyed by retro gamers today, and it is considered to be one of the classics of the arcade era.
Critical Reception
Amidar was well-received by critics upon its release. The game was praised for its unique gameplay mechanics, its challenging difficulty, and its addictive nature. Amidar was also a commercial success, selling over 100,000 arcade cabinets worldwide.
Cultural Impact
Amidar has had a lasting impact on popular culture. The game has been referenced in numerous other video games, TV shows, and movies. Amidar has also been featured in several video game museums and exhibitions.
Conclusion
Amidar is a classic arcade game that is still fun to play today. The game’s unique gameplay mechanics, challenging difficulty, and addictive nature make it a must-play for fans of retro gaming.
Review Score
7.5/10
Art
Cover Art
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