Q*bert is an iconic isometric puzzle-platformer released for the arcade by Gottlieb in 1982. The game challenges players to guide a distinctive, swearing orange creature down a pyramid of cubes, attempting to change the color of every block to a target shade. It stands out as one of the defining titles of the golden age of arcade games, known for its unique pseudo-3D perspective and delightfully strange cast of enemies.
How to Play
Your goal is to hop onto every cube on the pyramid to change its top to the required color, completing the level once the entire board matches. As an arcade title played in the browser, you typically need to press 5 (or Shift) to insert a coin, and 1 (or Enter) to start. Q*bert originally used a diagonally-mounted joystick, so movement is mapped to the Arrow keys—but be careful, as you are moving diagonally along the isometric grid (up-left, up-right, down-left, down-right). You lose a life if you hop off the edge of the pyramid or collide with a deadly enemy.
Tips
- Lure Coily off the edge: The snake Coily will relentlessly chase you. You can trick him into jumping to his doom by hopping onto one of the flying disks near the edge of the pyramid just as he is about to catch you.
- Watch out for Ugg and Wrongway: Unlike most enemies that fall from the top, these two spawn at the bottom of the pyramid and move upwards along the sides of the cubes. They can easily catch you off guard if you only focus on the top of the screen.
- Catch Slick and Sam: These green enemies are harmless to touch, but they revert your colored cubes back to their original state. Catching them stops their mischief and awards bonus points.
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