Hyper Lode Runner

"An Excellent Port of the Apple IIe Puzzle Game"

In 1989, Bandai obtained the rights to produce and release a Game Boy version of the popular Apple IIe computer game "Lode Runner". The result turned out to be "Hyper Lode Runner". Onto my review.

GRAPHICS--10/10

The graphics in "Hyper Lode Runner" exceed that of the original Apple IIe version. The ground that you dig is in a brick pattern. Your character looks good on screen and the enemies look like the deadly skeletons they are. The map looks just as good as the rest of the graphics. Overall, the graphics are excellent.

SOUND--10/10

The sounds are excellent as well. Although the same two songs are being played throughout the entire game, they are very catchy. The sounds of the digging of the ground are very nice as well. As a matter of fact, plug in a pair of stereo headphones and you'll hear the music in stereo. Overall, the sounds are excellent.

CONTROLS--10/10

The controls are easy once you get used to them. You press the B button to dig to your left and A to dig to your right. You can run to the left or right, climb up and down ladders, even intentionally drop down from ropes. You can even access the map by pausing the game and pressing Select. Overall, the controls are excellent.

STORY LINE--10/10

You are a treasure hunter on a unknown planet in which the people are skeletons with hard hats. Those skeletons don't want you, the treasure hunter, to get all of the gold and escape to the top of the surface. It's your job to get all of the piles of gold and get to the top of the surface to go on to the next level.

GAME PLAY--10/10

The game play is excellent. You have to go through 50 levels of gold collecting (The first 16 levels are easily accessible by means of a level select, while the other 34 levels you must beat to receive a pass word to continue). Each level has a certain degree of difficulty. Most of the levels you have to go through require that you use your brain to figure out a solution to that level. Overall, the game play is excellent.

OVERALL--10/10

This game is by far one of the best puzzle game available for the Game Boy. Whether you're a fan of the "Lode Runner" Series or a casual gamer, this is the perfect choice for you Game Boy system.

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 08/24/04