"Lode Runner made me run to the store and buy it."

Ok, it didn't really make me run to the store to go and buy it. I actually just bought it about a week ago when I walked into a Gamestop and bought 3 random NES games. The other 2 were Ultima and The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. But those 2 don't compare to Lode Runner. This game is sooo cool! Ok, time to start the review.

Concept- 7/10
I'm sure they could've made a better plot line in the game. Basically, all you do is just run around getting the gold piles avoiding the monster people. And you can also climb up ladders and hang on ropes. Another thing you can do is make the ground disappear and make the monster people fall in and get stuck for a short amount of time. Neato.

Graphics- 8/10
Ok, of course when compared to the graphics of today's games, they look pretty bad and stuff. But back in the day, they were about a little more than average. They matched Super Mario Bros. And Super Mario Bros came out in 1985. This game was out in, I think 1985 also but came out in arcades in 1984 or 1983 so that means they were a year ahead. So , hat's not too bad.

Music/Sound- 7/10
Ok, I'm trying as best as I can to go easy on such an old game but its kinda hard. I mean, I can except the sounds in the game because they couldn't make complex sound effects back then. But I do like the gold sound affects. They sound exactly like when you got coins in Super Mario Bros. Gave me memories. But the music was the bad part of this section. The level songs were just the same 15 beats just in different pitches, but then went over again. So basically, it was a run on song of the same different pitched beats. But it could've been worse.

Controls- 10/10
These controls are so simple to master with only 2 buttons(3 if you include the start button) and a control pad. One button makes the ground to your left disappear and the other makes the ground on your right disappear. WOW!!!! And the start buttons pauses just like in most games. And of course the up, down, left, and right buttons explain themselves just like that. So, only really stupid people or some certain animals or even insects won't be able to play this game.

Replay Value- 8/10
This game won't really keep you coming back to play it but once you get with maybe one more friend you can do the 2 player option or even let them try your own custom level in Editor Mode. That is pretty cool and I was the only one out of my cousin, my bro, and myself to actually beat the level I made. I felt so powerful.

Rent or Buy?
Well obviously, buy. You can't rent this game anymore unless you find some old game store that lets you do that. But this game isn't worth renting. Might as well just buy it. I only got mine for about 2 dollars. But I like the game. Kept me occupied for a few minutes; maybe even a half hour, but not forever.

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 07/29/03, Updated 07/11/04