Snail Maze
Snail Maze | |
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Developer(s) | Sega |
Publisher(s) | Sega |
Platform(s) | Sega Master System |
Release date(s) | 1986 |
Mode(s) | Single-player |
Snail Maze is a 1986 video game by Sega, part of the Sega Master System. Instead of being released on a cartridge, it was built into the system's BIOS and could be played by starting the system without a game cartridge inserted and holding Up and buttons 1 and 2 simultaneously. The later "Master System II" model did not include Snail Maze, it instead included a built in Alex Kidd in Miracle World. Snail Maze was never released in cartridge or card format.
Gameplay
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. 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.
Recent releases
Snail Maze fans have worked to keep the game from becoming an obscure footnote in video game history. For example, in 2004 a port of Snail Maze was made for the Japanese MSX computer platform. The port included enhanced graphics as well as a new title screen. A version of Snail Maze was included on the Coleco Sonic handheld system, created in 2006. A port of Snail Maze was released in December 2015 for the TI-84 Plus CE graphing calculator, written in eZ80 assembly language by James Vernon.
External links
- Snail Maze at MobyGames
- Screenshots of original Master System version
- Comparison of Master System BIOS versions
- A Macromedia Flash version of this classic game
- TI-84 Plus CE port by James Vernon