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Maze game is a video game genre description first used by journalists during the 1980s to describe any game in which the entire playing field is a maze. The player must escape monsters, outrace an opponent, or navigate the maze within a time limit. After the release of Namco's Pac-Man in 1980, many maze games followed its conventions of completing a level by traversing all paths and a way of temporarily turning the tables on pursuers.
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While the character in a maze would have a limited view, the player is able to see much or all of the maze. Maze chase games are a specific subset of the overheard perspective. They're listed in a separate section.
1959
- Mouse in the Maze, MIT, TX-0 mainframe
1973
- Gotcha, Atari, Inc., Arcade
1976
- Blockade, Gremlin, Arcade
- The Amazing Maze Game, Midway, Arcade
1977
- Comotion, Gremlin, Arcade
- Hustle, Gremlin, Arcade
- Maze, Fairchild, Channel F
1978
- Maze Craze: A Game of Cops and Robbers, Atari, Atari 2600
- Slot Racers, Atari, Atari 2600
- Take the Money and Run, Magnavox, Odyssey²
1979
- Head On, Sega/Gremlin, Arcade
- Space Chaser, Taito, Arcade
1980
- Berzerk, Stern, Arcade
- Car Hunt,[1] Sega, Arcade
- Crazy Balloon
- Lupin III,[2] Taito, Arcade
- Spectar, Exidy, Arcade
- Tank Battalion,[3] Namco, Arcade
- Tranquilizer Gun,[4] Sega, Arcade
- Wizard of Wor, Midway, Arcade
1981
- 005, Sega, Arcade
- A-Maze-Ing, Texas Instruments, TI-99/4A
- The Adventures of Robby Roto!, Bally/Midway, Arcade
- Armored Car, Stern, Arcade
- The Hand,[5] TIC, Arcade
- K-Razy Shoot-Out, CBS Electronics, Atari 8-bit, Atari 5200
- Minotaur, Sirius, Apple II
- Pulsar, Sega, Arcade
- Route 16, Tekhan/Sun, Arcade
- Thunder Island,[6] ANALOG Software, Atari 8-bit
- Treasure Island, Data East, Arcade
1982
- Ali Baba and 40 Thieves, Sega, Arcade
- Anteater, Tago, Arcade
- Bable Terror, Funsoft, TRS-80
- Blue Print, Bally Midway, Arcade
- Dig Dug, Namco, Arcade
- Diggerbonk, Atari Program Exchange, Atari 8-bit
- Entombed, U.S. Games, Atari 2600
- Frenzy, Stern, Arcade
- Garden Wars, Commodore, VIC-20
- K-Razy Antiks,[7] CBS, Atari 8-bit
- Maze Death Race, PSS, ZX81,[8] ZX Spectrum[9]
- Microwave, Cavalier, Apple II
- Mines of Minos,[10] CommaVid, Atari 2600
- Mr. Do!, Universal, Arcade
- Nibbler, Rock-Ola, Arcade
- Night Stalker, Mattel, Intellivision
- Raid on Fort Knox, Commodore, VIC-20
- Robot Killer, Emerson, Arcadia 2001
- Shamus, Synapse, Atari 8-bit
- Star Maze, Sir-Tech, Apple II
- Talbot,[11] Volt, Arcade
- Tax Dodge, Free Fall, Atari 8-bit
- Towering Inferno, US Games, Atari 2600
- TRON Maze-A-Tron, Mattel, Intellivision
- Tutankham, Konami, Arcade
- Zzyzzyxx, Cinematronics, Arcade
1983
- Android Two,[9] Vortex, ZX Spectrum, Amstrad CPC
- Ardy the Aardvark,[12] Datamost, Apple II, Atari 8-bit
- The Birds and the Bees II: Antics, Bug-Byte, C64, ZX Spectrum
- Abracadabra!, TG Software, Atari 8-bit
- Bewitched,[13] Imagine, VIC-20
- Bomberman, Hudson Soft, NEC PC-8001, Sharp X1, others
- Bumpomov's Dogs,[14] Atari Program Exchange, Atari 8-bit
- Castle Keeper,[15] ALA Software, Atari 8-bit
- Cavelon, Jetsoft, Arcade
- Chack'n Pop,[16] Taito, Arcade
- Chase the Chuck Wagon, Spectravision, Atari 2600
- Creepy Corridors, Sierra On-Line, Apple II, Atari 8-bit, others
- Dandy, Atari Program Exchange, Atari 8-bit
- Flappy, DB-SOFT, Sharp X1
- Grabber,[17] Tom Mix, Tandy CoCo
- Intrepid, Nova Games, Arcade
- Key-Quest,[18] Micro-ware, VIC-20
- Lady Tut,[19] Spinnaker, Apple II, C64
- Master Miner, Funtastic, IBM PC
- Mazer Blazer, Stern, Arcade
- Oil's Well, Sierra On-Line, Apple II, Atari 8-bit, others
- Sewermania,[20] Milton Bradley, TI-99/4A
- Space Maze Attack, HAL, MSX
- Splat!, Incentive, ZX Spectrum
- Spy Catcher,[21] ALA Software, Atari 8-bit
- Styx,[9] Bug-Byte, ZX Spectrum
- Time Bandit, MichTron, Tandy CoCo
- Track Attack,[22] Broderbund, Apple II, Atari 8-bit
1984
- 3D Silicon Fish, Thor, VIC-20
- Cybertron Mission, Micro Power, Electron, BBC Micro, C64
- Diamond Mine, MRM Software, Electron, BBC Micro, others
- Fred, Investronica, ZX Spectrum, Amstrad CPC, C64
- Henri,[23] Atari 8-bit, Atari Program Exchange
- Humpty Dumpty Meets the Fuzzy Wuzzies, Artic, C64, ZX Spectrum
- Labyrinth, Acornsoft, BBC Micro
- Maziacs,[9][24] DK'Tronics, ZX Spectrum, C64, MSX
- Mr. Dig,[25] Computerware, Tandy CoCo
- The Tower of Druaga, Namco, Arcade
- Yellow Cab (Kamikaze Cabbie outside of Japan),[26] Data East, Arcade
1985
- Cops 'n' Robbers, Atlantis, VIC-20
- Gauntlet, Atari Games, Arcade
- Lord of the Orb,[27] Antic Software, Atari 8-bit
- King Tut's Tomb,[28] Antic Software, Atari 8-bit
- Maze War, ANALOG Computing, Atari 8-bit
- Project Future,[29] Micromania, ZX Spectrum, Amstrad CPC
- Raiders5,[30] UPL, Arcade
- Wriggler, Devonshire, ZX Spectrum
- Zone X, Gremlin Graphics, Atari 8-bit
1986
- A-Maze, K'Soft, ZX Spectrum
- Aardvark, Bug-Byte, Atari 8-bit, C64
- Gauntlet II, Atari Games, Arcade
- Merlin's Money Maze, Zilec, Arcade
- Snail Maze, Sega, Master System
- Thunder Castle, Intellivision
1987
- Fast Lane, Konami, Arcade
- Phantom,[31] Mastertronic, C64
- Rescue, Mastertronic, ZX Spectrum
- Think Quick!, The Learning Company, Apple II, MS-DOS
- Starbase, Taurus Computing, Tatung Einstein
1988
- Dark Chambers, Atari, Atari 7800, Atari 8-bit
1989
- Cratermaze, Hudson Soft, TurboGrafx-16
- Krazy Mazes,[32] ANALOG Computing, Atari 8-bit
- Tank Action,[33] CP Verlag, C64
1999
- Quest: Fantasy Challenge, Sunsoft, Game Boy Color
2003
- Online Bomberman, Hudson Soft, Windows
2008
- The Last Guy, Sony, PS3
2009
- Robot Rescue, Teyon, DSi
2014
- Pix the Cat, Pastagames, Xbox One, PS4, others
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Differentiated from more diversified first-person party-based RPGs, dungeon crawlers, first-person shooters, and walking sims by their primary emphasis on navigation of largely abstracted maze environments often with little to no texture mapping or in-game objects and props.
1973
- Maze, Steve Colley, Imlac PDS-1
1977
- Mazewar, Jim Guyton, Alto
1978
1979
- Ratrun, Code Works, PET
1980
- Deathmaze 5000,[35] Med Systems, TRS-80
- Labyrinth,[35] Med Systems, TRS-80
1981
- 3D Maze, IJK, BBC Micro, Acorn Electron
- 3D Monster Maze,[9] Sinclair ZX81, ZX Spectrum
- Captivity,[36] PDI, Atari 8-bit
- Space Maze, Program Power, BBC Micro
1982
- 3D Labyrinth,[37] Llamasoft, VIC-20
- 3D Maze,[38] IJK Software, BBC Micro
- Dungeons of Daggorath, Tandy CoCo
- Escape from the Mindmaster, Starpath, Atari 2600[39]
- Maze, Acornsoft, BBC Micro, Acorn Electron
- Monster Maze, Epyx, Atari 8-bit
- Phantom Slayer, Med Systems, Dragon 32, TRS-80
- Spectre, Datamost, Apple II
- Supermaze, Timex, Sinclair 1000, ZX81
- Theseus and the Minotaur, Apple II
- Wayout, Sirius, Atari 8-bit, Apple II, C64
1983
- Alien Maze, CRL Group, ZX Spectrum
- 3-Demon, PC Research, MS-DOS[40]
- Capture the Flag, Sirius, Atari 8-bit, C64
- Caves of Ice,[41] COMPUTE!, Atari 8-bit, Apple II, C64, VIC-20, PET
- Corridors of Genon, New Generation, ZX Spectrum
- Ladder Maze,[42] Superior, BBC Micro
- London Blitz,[43] Avalon Hill, Atari 2600
- Sultan's Maze, Gem, Dragon 32
- Tunnel Runner, CBS, Atari 2600
- Word Maze, Sord, Sord M5-
1984
- 3-D Bomberman, Hudson Soft, MSX, FM-7, NEC PC-6001, others
- 3D Glooper, Supersoft, C64[44]
- 3-D Monster Chase,[45] Romik, ZX Spectrum, Amstrad CPC
- Dedal,[46] Oric-1
- Skull, Games Machine, ZX Spectrum, C64
- Star Maze II,[47] Mastertronic, BBC Micro
- Zig Zag, DK'Tronics, ZX Spectrum
1985
- Gyron, Firebird, ZX Spectrum
- Scarabaeus, Andromeda, C64
1987
- Maze Wars+, MacroMind, Macintosh[48]
- MIDI Maze, Hybrid Arts, Atari ST
1988
1989
- Day of the Viper, Accolade, Amiga, Atari ST, MS-DOS[50][51]
1991
- 3D-Maze, Odin Software Development, Microsoft Windows
- Faceball 2000, Bulletproof, Game Boy
1993
- Master of the Maze, Spice Software, Microsoft Windows
- Super Maze Wars, Callisto Corporation, Macintosh[52]
1994
- MazeWars, Mike Kienenberger, NeXTSTEP
- Netmaze, M.Hipp, X11[53]
- iMaze, Hans-Ulrich Kiel and Joerg Czeranski, X11[54]
- The Maze, Lynn Alford, Microsoft Windows
- 3D Body Adventure, Knowledge Adventure, Levande Böcker, Microsoft Windows
1995
- Amazeing, Happy Puppy Software, Microsoft Windows
1996
- 3D Dinosaur Adventure, Knowledge Adventure, Microsoft Windows
- Logic Quest 3D, The Learning Company, Softkey Multimedia, Microsoft Windows
1998
- MazeWars, IndiVideo, Palm OS
2001
- glMaze, Till Harbaum, Linux
2017
- Screensaver Subterfuge, Poor Track Design, Windows, macOS, Linux[55]
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This subgenre is exemplified by Namco's Pac-Man (1980),[24] where the goal is to clear a maze of dots while being pursued. Pac-Man spawned many sequels and clones which, in Japan, are often called "dot eat games". Some other maze chases don't feature dots, and the goal is to clear the maze of the pursuers themselves (e.g., Pengo, Guzzler, Jungler).
1979
- Heiankyo Alien, University of Tokyo, PC-8001, Arcade
1980
1981
- A-maz-ing, Audiogenic, VIC-20
- Cave Hunter,[56] Mark Data Products, Tandy CoCo
- Chomper,[57] MMG Micro, Atari 8-bit
- Crazy Chicky, VTech, CreatiVision
- Crazy Pucker / Crazy Moonie / Crazy Chewy, VTech, CreatiVision
- Frisky Tom, Nichibutsu, Arcade
- Ghost Hunter, Arcade Plus, Atari 8-bit
- Gobbler, On-Line Systems, Apple II
- The Hand / Got-Ya,[58] T.I.C., Arcade
- Hangly-Man, Nittoh, Arcade
- Jawbreaker, On-Line Systems, Atari 8-bit, Apple II
- Jelly Monsters, HAL Labs, VIC-20
- Jungler, Konami, Arcade
- Lady Bug, Universal, Arcade
- Lock 'n' Chase, Data East, Arcade
- Make Trax / Crush Roller, Alpha Denshi, Arcade
- Mouse Trap, Exidy, Arcade
- Ms. Pac-Man, Bally Midway, Arcade
- Muncher,[59] Astrovision, Bally Astrocade
- Munchkin / KC Munchkin, Magnavox, Odyssey²
- Munchyman, Program Power, BBC Micro
- New Rally-X, Namco, Arcade
- Pac-Tac,[60] Computerware, Tandy CoCo
- Packri Monster, Bandai, Handheld
- Piranha, GL, Arcade
- Radar Rat Race, Commodore, VIC-20
- Round-Up, Centuri, Arcade
- Scarfman,[61] Cornsoft, TRS-80
- Snoggle, Broderbund, Apple II
- Taxman, HAL Labs, Apple II
- Thief, Pacific Novelty, Arcade
- Turtles, Konami, Arcade
1982
- Alien, 20th Century Fox, Atari 2600
- Dung Beetles, Datasoft, Apple II, Tandy CoCo, Atari 8-bit
- Baby Pac-Man, Bally Midway, Arcade
- Byte-Man, Mindseye, ZX81
- CatChum, Kaypro, CP/M
- Cat Trax, Emerson, Arcadia 2001
- Changes,[62] Orca, Arcade
- Clean Sweep, GCE, Vectrex
- Cosmic Cruncher, Commodore, VIC-20
- Crazy Mazey,[63] Datamost, Apple II
- Devil Fish, Arctic, Arcade
- Doodle Bug,[64] Computerware, Tandy CoCo, Dragon 32
- Eyes, Rock-Ola, Arcade
- Gobble a Ghost, CDS Micro Systems, ZX Spectrum
- Gulpman, Campbell Systems, ZX Spectrum
- Hard Hat, Exidy, Arcade
- Hot Lips,[65] London Software, Atari 8-bit
- Hungry Horace, Beam, ZX Spectrum, C64, Dragon 32
- Labyrinth,[66] Broderbund, Apple II, Atari 8-bit
- Lochjaw aka Shark Attack, Games by Apollo, Atari 2600
- Looper, Orca, Arcade
- Mazeman,[67] Abersoft, ZX81, ZX Spectrum
- Money Munchers, Datamost, Apple II
- Mouskattack, On-Line Systems, Atari 8-bit, Apple II
- Munch Man, Texas Instruments, TI99-4A
- Muncher!,[68] Silversoft, ZX Spectrum
- Pack Maze,[69] DSL Computer Products, Tandy CoCo
- Pakacuda, Rabbit, C64
- PC-Man, Orion, IBM PC
- Pengo, Sega, Arcade
- Pig Pen,[70] Datamost, Apple II
- Serpentine, Broderbund, Apple II
- Snack Attack, Datamost, Apple II
- Snack Attack II, Funtastic, IBM PC
- Snapper, Acornsoft, BBC Micro, Acorn Electron
- The Snapper,[71] Silicon Valley Systems, Atari 8-bit
- Spec Man, Jega, ZX Spectrum
- Streaking,[72] Shoei, arcade
- Spookyman, Abbex, ZX Spectrum
- Super Pac-Man, Namco, Arcade
- Super Taxman 2, HAL Labs, Apple II
- VIC-Men,[73] Bug-Byte, VIC-20
- Zuckman, DJL Software, ZX81
1983
- 3-Demon, PC Research, MS-DOS[40]
- 3D Munchy,[74] MRM Software, BBC Micro
- Alien's Return, ITT Family Games, Atari 2600
- Bank Heist, 20th Century Fox, Atari 2600
- Bootleg, Atari Program Exchange, Atari 8-bit
- Botanic, Valadon, Arcade
- Caterpiggle, APX, Atari 8-bit
- Chomper Man, Victory, C64
- Crazy Bugs!,[75] AMA, ZX Spectrum
- Crystals of Zong,[76] Cymbal, C64
- Crystal Castles, Atari, Arcade
- Cyclops,[77] Romik, Tandy CoCo
- Dot Gobbler,[78] Mr. Computer Products, C64
- Drelbs, Synapse, Atari 8-bit, C64
- Felix and the Fruit Monsters, Micro Power, Acorn Electron, BBC Micro
- Getaway!,[79] Atari Program Exchange, Atari 8-bit
- Ghost Hunt,[80] PSS, ZX Spectrum
- Ghost's Revenge,[81] Micromania, ZX Spectrum
- Gnasher,[80] R&R Software, ZX Spectrum, Commodore 16/Plus/4
- Gobble A Ghost, CDS Microsystems, ZX Spectrum
- Guzzler, Tehkan, Arcade
- Hover Bovver, Llamasoft, C64, Atari 8-bit
- Jawbreaker II, On-Line Systems, Atari 8-bit, Apple II, others
- Jr. Pac-Man, Bally Midway, Arcade
- Marvin's Maze, SNK, Arcade
- Maze Chase,[82][83] Hewson, ZX Spectrum
- Maze Man, Creative Equipment, C64
- Miss Gobbler,[84] Spectral, Tandy CoCo
- Monster Munch, Atlantis, C64
- Mouser,[85] IBM, IBM PCjr
- Munch Man 64,[86] Solar Software, C64
- Pacar,[87] Sega, Arcade
- Pacmania,[88] Mr. Chip, VIC-20, C64
- Pac Rabbit, International Publishing & Software, ZX81
- Plaque Man,[89] HCS, Atari 8-bit, C64
- Power Blaster,[90] Romik, VIC-20
- Preppie! II,[91] Adventure International, Atari 8-bit
- Rubbish Monster,[92] Data Becker, C64
- Scooby Doo's Maze Chase,[93] Mattel, Intellivision
- Scrambled Egg, Technos, Arcade
- Snakman,[94] Microdigital, VIC-20
- Supercuda,[95] Comm*Data, C64
- Trashman,[96] Creative, C64
- Traxx, Quicksilva, VIC-20, ZX Spectrum
- Van-Van Car,[97] Karateco, Arcade
- Zappy Zooks,[98] Romik, C64
1984
- Devil World, Nintendo, NES
- Ghost Gobbler,[99] Orwin Software, ZX Spectrum
- Ms. Maze,[100] Tom Mix, Tandy CoCo
- Munch Mania,[101] Mastertronic, C64
- Oh Shit!, Aackosoft, ZX Spectrum
- Pirate Ship Higemaru, Capcom, Arcade
- Spatter,[102] Sega, Arcade
- Spriteman 64,[103] Interceptor, C64
- Squirm,[104] Mastertronic, C64
- Z-Man,[105] ZX Spectrum, DJL Software
- Zulu,[106] Silverbird, C64
1985
- Floppy-Eater!,[107] Floppy Magazine 64, C64
- Fruit Pickin',[108] P.F. Software, Atari 8-bit
- I'm Sorry, Sega, Arcade
- Taxicab Hill,[109] Antic Software, Atari 8-bit
1987
- 3D Dotty, Blue Ribbon, BBC Micro
- Classic Muncher, Bubble Bus, Amstrad CPC
- Cruncher Factory, Kingsoft, Amiga
- Fantasy Zone: The Maze, Sega, Arcade
- Gobbler's Revenge,[110] Commodore Magazine, C64
- Mango,[111] Blue Ribbon, BBC Micro
- Pac-Mania, Namco, Arcade
1988
- Knicker-Bockers,[112] StarSoft, Atari 8-bit
- Mad Mix, Topo Soft, Amstrad CPC, ZX Spectrum, Atari ST, others
- Snowplow,[113] ANALOG Computing, Atari 8-bit
- Yuu Maze, Taito, Famicom Disk System
1989
- Fast Food, Codemasters, C64, ZX Spectrum, others
- Maze Mania, Hewson, ZX Spectrum, C64, Amstrad CPC
- Maze of Flott, Taito, Arcade
1990
- Hacman II, freeware, Atari ST
- Marty's Nightmare,[114] CoCoPro, Tandy CoCo 3
- Perplexity, Superior, BBC Micro, Acorn Electron
- Trog, Midway, Arcade
1991
- Jungle Jim,[115] Energize, Amiga, Atari ST
1992
- GobMan,[116] Shareware, MS-DOS
1993
- CD-Man,[117] Creative Dimensions, MS-DOS
- Mean Arenas, Nite Time, Amiga
- Tinkle Pit, Namco, Arcade
1995
- Go! Go! Mile Smile,[118] Funki, Arcade
1996
- Bubble Trouble, Ambrosia, Mac
- Pac-Man Arrangement, Namco, Arcade
1998
- 3D Maze Man, eGames, Windows
2006
- Pac the Man X,[119] McSebi, OS X
2010
- Pac-Man Championship Edition DX, Namco, Xbox 360, PS3, Windows
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In grid capture games, also called line coloring games, the maze consists of lines, and the goal is to capture rectangular areas by traversing their perimeters. The gameplay is not fundamentally different from Pac-Man (players still have to navigate the entire maze to complete a level) but enough games have used the grid motif that it is a distinct style. One unique element is that it is possible to capture multiple rectangles simultaneously, usually for extra points. Amidar established the model for this subgenre.
1981
- Amidar, Stern, Arcade
1982
- Blade Runner,[120] Wizardsoft, C64
- Demolition Herby, Telesys, Atari 2600
- Jeepers Creepers, Quality, Atari 8-bit
- Jolly Jogger, Taito, Arcade
- Kid Grid, Tronix, Atari 8-bit
- Macho Mouse, Techstar, Arcade
- Radar Zone / Out Line, Century, Arcade
- Pepper II, Exidy, Arcade
- Time Runner, Funsoft, TRS-80
- Triple Punch, KKI, Arcade
1983
- Colour Clash,[121] Romnik, ZX Spectrum
- Cuthbert Goes Walkabout, Microdeal, Dragon, CoCo, C64, Atari 8-bit
- Gridder,[122] Microdigital, VIC-20
- Potty Painter in the Jungle, Rabbit, C64
- Rollin,[123] Atlantis, C64
- Spiderdroid, Froggo, Atari 2600
- Super Gridder, Terminal, C64
1984
- Crazy Tracer, Acornsoft, Acorn Electron, BBC Micro
- Hooper,[124] Calisto, C64
- Oh Mummy, Gem, Amstrad CPC, ZX Spectrum
- Pesky Painter,[125] Supersoft, C64
- Rollo and the Brush Bros., Windmill, MS-DOS
1986
- Gapper, freeware, MS-DOS
- Panel Panic,[126] Aackosoft, MSX
1999
- Live Wire!, SCI, PlayStation
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