Summary

• Release Year: 1983
• Genres: Arcade, Platform
• Platforms: Atari 2600
• Developers: First Star Software
• Publishers: First Star Software

Boing! (1983): A Bouncing Classic

Boing! is a simple yet addictive arcade game released in 1983 by Bally Midway. The game’s objective is to bounce a cute-pie hero across parallel rows of panels, changing their color and finishing them off, while avoiding obstacles.

Gameplay

The player controls the hero with a joystick, moving him left and right across the screen. The hero can bounce off of walls and ceilings, and he can change the color of panels by bouncing on them. The goal is to change the color of all the panels in a row, which will then cause them to disappear.

There are two types of obstacles in Boing!: Bubble Eaters and Pins. Bubble Eaters are large, bouncing creatures that will eat the hero if they touch him. Pins are smaller, jumping creatures that can also kill the hero.

The game gets progressively more difficult as the player progresses, with more Bubble Eaters and Pins appearing on the screen. The player must also contend with moving platforms and other hazards.

Development

Boing! was developed by a team led by programmer Mike Aprahamian and artist John Kotlarik. The game was inspired by an earlier arcade game called Jump Bug, which was released in 1981.

Aprahamian and Kotlarik wanted to create a game that was more challenging and exciting than Jump Bug. They added new features to the game, such as the ability to change the color of panels and the addition of obstacles.

Release

Boing! was released in arcades in 1983. The game was a critical and commercial success, and it quickly became one of the most popular arcade games of the early 1980s.

Boing! was ported to several home computers, including the Atari 2600, Commodore 64, and ZX Spectrum. The home versions of the game were not as successful as the arcade version, but they still sold well.

Legacy

Boing! is considered to be one of the classic arcade games of the early 1980s. The game’s simple yet addictive gameplay has kept it popular for decades, and it is still enjoyed by gamers today.

Boing! has been cited as an influence on several other video games, including Super Mario Bros. and Sonic the Hedgehog. The game’s cute-pie hero has also become an iconic figure in gaming culture.

Critical Reception

Boing! received positive reviews from critics upon its release. The game was praised for its simple yet addictive gameplay, its colorful graphics, and its catchy music.

Accolades

Boing! was nominated for several awards, including the Golden Joystick Award for Game of the Year. The game was also inducted into the World Video Game Hall of Fame in 2015.

Cultural Impact

Boing! has had a significant impact on popular culture. The game’s cute-pie hero has become an iconic figure, and the game’s music has been used in several films and television shows.

Boing! has also been referenced in several other works of popular culture, including the animated television series The Simpsons and the movie Wreck-It Ralph.

Conclusion

Boing! is a classic arcade game that has stood the test of time. The game’s simple yet addictive gameplay, its colorful graphics, and its catchy music have made it a favorite of gamers for decades. Boing! is a true classic that deserves its place in the World Video Game Hall of Fame.

Review Score

8/10

Art

Cover Art

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