Lode Runner

From Sega Retro

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LodeRunner title.png

Lode Runner
System(s): SG-1000
Publisher: Sega
Developer:
Licensor: Brøderbund Software
Genre: Action[1]

















Number of players: 1
Release Date RRP Code
SG-1000
JP
¥3,8003,800[1] G-1031
SG-1000
EU
G-1031
SG-1000
FR
370F370[3] G-1031
SG-1000
IT
61,500£61,500[4] G-1031
SG-1000
NZ
SG-1000
TW
Non-Sega versions

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Lode Runner (ロードランナー) is a puzzle/action game originally developed by Douglas E. Smith and published by Brøderbund Software in 1983. It made its way to many home computers and video games consoles of the day including the SG-1000. This version only has 80 levels instead of 150 in the original Apple II version, but is much faster. A planned release[6][7] in Australia was cancelled.

Synopsis

In this game, the player is required to repeatedly "think" and "take action" to go through and clear the maze scenes by solving their mysterious riddles while averting the enemy's guards who are relentlessly in pursuit of him.

After collecting all of the gold chests, you must come up with new fresh ideas in order to successfully challenge the next level scene.

Although your experience gained from the previous play action will help you overcome some of the future maze scenes, you still have to be constantly on the alert. You can also enjoy creating your own games by using the keyboard.

This is an intriguing game which requires intellectual depth to skillfully maneuver the unknown maze structures that consecutively develop one after another.

— EU SG-1000 box backcover [8]


Gameplay

The SG-1000 version of Lode Runner eschews the plot seen in other versions of the game, and instead just features the "player" traversing levels collecting "gold chests". Once all the chests are collected, a ladder will appear, which if climbed will load the next level.

The player can navigate the level with Left and Right, using Up and Down to climb ladders. Horizontal bars also exist to allow the player to clear gaps, with Down letting go. Typically a level has a number of computer-controlled enemies which obide by the same rules, attempting to catch the player and cause a life to be lost.

The player has no offensive attacks so cannot defeat enemies, however by pressing 1 or 2 where allowed, holes can be drilled on to left and right and right hand side of the player, respectively, which can temporarily trap enemies or offer a route downwards. Trapped enemies can be walked on, but will re-emerge from the ground after a few seconds. Holes drilled will also re-fill after a few seconds, potentially killing the player, or temporarily dispatching enemies (who will re-spawn shortly afterwards).

Enemies can also pick up and move gold chests, but will drop them shortly afterwards.

The game also includes a level editor, and the ability to save and load levels to and from compact cassette.

Objects

LodeRunner SG1000 Sprites.png
Player
LodeRunner SG1000 Sprites.png
Enemy
LodeRunner SG1000 Sprites.png
Gold chest
LodeRunner SG1000 Sprites.png
Ladder
LodeRunner SG1000 Sprites.png
Bar
LodeRunner SG1000 Sprites.png
Diggable block
LodeRunner SG1000 Sprites.png
Undiggable block

Levels

Main article: Lode Runner/Maps.

Magazine articles

Main article: Lode Runner/Magazine articles.

Physical scans

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
{{{{{icon}}}|L}} Division by zero.
Based on
0 review
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
(AU)
100
[9]
SG-1000
100
Based on
1 review

Lode Runner

SG-1000, JP (Type B)
Lode Runner B SG1000 JP Top.jpg
LodeRunner SG1000 JP Box B Back.jpgLode Runner B SG1000 JP Spine.jpgLodeRunner SG1000 JP Box B Front.jpgLode Runner B SG1000 JP Spine2.jpg
Cover
LodeRunner SG1000 JP Cart B.jpg
Cart
LodeRunnerSGJPManual.pdf
Manual
SG-1000, JP (Type C)
Lode Runner SG1000 JP Top.jpg
Lode Runner C SG1000 JP Back.jpgLode Runner SG1000 JP Spine.jpgLodeRunner SG1000 JP Box C Front.jpgLode Runner SG1000 JP Spine2.jpg
Cover
Lode Runner C SG1000 JP Carttop.jpg
Lode Runner C SG1000 JP Cart.jpg
Cart
LodeRunnerSGJPManual.pdf
Manual
SG-1000, EU
LodeRunner SG1000 EU Box Back.jpgLodeRunner-SG-EU-Side.jpgLodeRunner SG1000 EU Box Front.jpg
Cover
SG-1000, FR
LodeRunner SG1000 FR Box Back.jpgLode Runner SG1000 FR Spine.jpgLodeRunner SG1000 FR Box Front.jpgLode Runner SG1000 FR Spine2.jpg
Cover
Lode Runner SG1000 FR Carttop.jpg
Lode Runner SG1000 FR Cart.jpg
Cart
Lode Runner SG1000 FR Manual.pdf
Manual
Lode Runner SG1000 FR Inside.pdf
Inside
SG-1000, NZ

SG-1000, TW

Technical information

ROM dump status

System Hash Size Build Date Source Comments
SG-1000
 ?
CRC32 00ed3970
MD5 4b4f02eb3cf7d5f9dcd1311d72e6d742
SHA-1 f14f216edfda7dfd113f5cb32375a27be8a6409d
32kB Cartridge (EU/JP)
SG-1000
 ?
CRC32 d953bdb7
MD5 2bea9ee88e177a13d7961017dd4f6120
SHA-1 fb226a489e5a47eb0182a067fa1031ec944ab455
32kB Cartridge (TW)

References

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NEC Retro has more information related to Lode Runner


Lode Runner

LodeRunner title.png

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Lode Runner games for Sega systems
Lode Runner (1984) | Championship Lode Runner (1985) | Lode Runner: The Legend Returns (1996) | Lode Runner Extra (1997)