Snack Attack

Name: Snack Attack
Programmer(s): Dan Illowsky
Publisher: Datamost
Year: 1982

Description:

Released in 1982 by Datamost, Snack Attack puts players in control of a face that moves through a maze eating dots while being chased by fish-like creatures called Gubbles. If this concept sounds familiar, it's because Snack Attack closely follows the Pac-Man formula that was wildly popular in arcades at the time.

Players navigate through four different maze layouts collecting dots for points while avoiding the Gubbles. Special dots called "magic stars" allow players to temporarily turn the tables and eat the Gubbles for bonus points. The game features smooth animation and colorful graphics that pushed the capabilities of the Apple II hardware.

What sets Snack Attack apart from other Pac-Man clones is its unique scoring system and progressive difficulty. Players can earn bonus points by eating Gubbles in quick succession, and the game speeds up significantly as levels advance. The mazes also become more complex, requiring careful planning and quick reflexes to survive.

The game's controls utilize the Apple II keyboard, with players using either the I-J-K-M diamond configuration or the arrow keys to move their character through the maze. The responsive controls and predictable enemy patterns allow skilled players to develop advanced strategies for maximizing their score.

Dan Illowsky programmed Snack Attack as one of the earlier maze chase games available for home computers. The game received positive reviews in computer gaming magazines of the era, with critics praising its smooth gameplay and faithful recreation of the arcade experience on home hardware.

While not as well-remembered as some other Apple II classics, Snack Attack represents an important piece of early home computer gaming history. It demonstrated that arcade-style action games could be successfully adapted to personal computers, paving the way for future developments in the genre.

The game found moderate commercial success and remains a sought-after title among Apple II collectors and retro gaming enthusiasts. Its straightforward gameplay mechanics and increasing challenge continue to provide entertainment value even by modern standards.