Supaplex

Game review

Supaplex is a timeless classic; by all means, it is the game that defined many children's lives and putting players in front of the monitors for hours. This game has a special place in my heart, as this was the first game ever to be published on this site. This game is responsible for starting the BestOldGames.net You are Murphy, a bug-hunter inside the PC. Your job is to remove bugs from programs inside the computer. To do this, you must collect vital pieces of information, called infotrons. If you have enough, you can fix it, and continue to the next bug.

The game is divided into 111 levels, starting easy, and getting gradually more complicated, and harder to solve. Every level features one or more puzzles, which may require a good deal of thinking, and trying, to find the right solution. A level is made up of 60x24 tiles (squares). Every tile can contain an object, which can be Murphy, an enemy (called sniksnaks and electrons), rocks (called zonks), diamonds (called infotrons), exploding diskettes, and other objects. The object of every level is to collect a fixed number of infotrons, and then get to the exit as fast as possible, without getting killed anywhere.

While there is only one goal to finish the level properly (collect enough infotrons and get to the exit), there are usually several ways to complete that goal, and, unfortunately, also several ways to die. If you die, you have to restart the level from the beginning, but all previously completed levels will be safe (phew!). You can die from making contact with your enemies (sniksnaks and electrons), from an explosion (if you are too close to an exploding object), or by committing suicide when you are stuck.

The charm of Supaplex lies not just in its challenging gameplay but also in its nostalgic appeal, evoking memories of the early days of computer gaming. Its legacy endures, continuing to be a beloved gem for both its historical significance and its engaging, thought-provoking puzzles.