Summary
- Release Year: 1981
- Genres: Arcade
- Platforms: Apple II, Atari 2600, Atari 8-bit
- Developers: On-Line Systems, Sierra On-Line
- Publishers: On-Line Systems, Tigervision
Jawbreaker (1981): A Classic Atari Game That’s Still a Blast to Play Today
Jawbreaker is a video game programmed by John Harris and released in 1981 for the Atari 400/800 by On-line Systems. It was originally intended to be a fairly straight Pac-Man clone, but Jawbreaker emerged as a relatively inventive version with unique gameplay. It was widely lauded by reviewers, and became a major seller for Sierra Online. The story of its creation forms a portion of Steven Levy’s book, Hackers.
Gameplay
Jawbreaker is a maze game in which the player controls a spaceship that must eat all of the dots in a maze while avoiding ghosts. The ghosts are constantly chasing the player, and if they touch the player, the player loses a life. The player can shoot the ghosts to stun them, but the ghosts will eventually revive.
In addition to the dots, the maze also contains fruit that the player can eat for points. The fruit is worth more points than the dots, and it can also give the player special abilities, such as increased speed or the ability to shoot through walls.
Jawbreaker has a total of 256 levels, and the difficulty increases as the player progresses. The later levels are very challenging, but they are also very rewarding.
Graphics and Sound
Jawbreaker’s graphics are simple but effective. The maze is rendered in a top-down perspective, and the player’s spaceship and the ghosts are represented by small sprites. The colors are bright and cheerful, and the overall look of the game is very appealing.
The sound in Jawbreaker is also very good. The music is catchy and upbeat, and the sound effects are well-done. The sound of the ghosts chasing the player is particularly effective at creating a sense of tension.
Legacy
Jawbreaker was a critical and commercial success when it was released in 1981. It was praised for its innovative gameplay, its challenging difficulty, and its great graphics and sound. Jawbreaker has been ported to a number of different platforms over the years, and it is still enjoyed by gamers today.
Jawbreaker is a classic Atari game that is still a blast to play today. It is a challenging and rewarding game that is sure to keep you entertained for hours on end.
Tips for Playing Jawbreaker
Here are a few tips for playing Jawbreaker:
- Eat the fruit as soon as you can. The fruit is worth more points than the dots, and it can also give you special abilities.
- Shoot the ghosts to stun them. This will give you time to escape or to eat the dots.
- Be careful not to get cornered by the ghosts. If you do, you will lose a life.
- Use the walls to your advantage. You can shoot through the walls, but the ghosts cannot.
- Don’t give up! Jawbreaker is a challenging game, but it is also very rewarding.
Conclusion
Jawbreaker is a classic Atari game that is still a blast to play today. It is a challenging and rewarding game that is sure to keep you entertained for hours on end. If you are a fan of Pac-Man or other maze games, then you owe it to yourself to check out Jawbreaker.
Review Score
9/10
Art
Cover Art
Screenshots
