Difference between revisions of "Marble Madness"

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[[Image:Marble Madness - ARC - USA.jpg|thumb|256x256px|North American arcade cabinet.]]
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{{Video Game
 +
| Title            = Marble Madness
 +
| Image           = Marble Madness - ARC - USA - Cabinet.jpg
 +
| ImageDescription = Arcade - USA - Cabinet.
 +
| Developer        = {{VideoGameDeveloper|Atari Games}}
 +
| Publisher        = {{VideoGamePublisher|Atari Games}}
 +
| PublishedYear    = 1984
 +
| PublishedMonth  = ??
 +
| PublishedDay    = ??
 +
| Platforms        = {{Platform|Amiga}}, {{Platform|Apple II}}, {{Platform|Apple IIgs}}, {{Platform|Arcade}}, {{Platform|Atari ST}}, {{Platform|Blackberry}}, {{Platform|Commodore 64}}, {{Platform|FM Towns}}, {{Platform|Game Boy}}, {{Platform|Game Boy Advance}}, {{Platform|Game Boy Color}}, {{Platform|Game Gear}}, {{Platform|Genesis}}, {{Platform|Master System}}, {{Platform|NES}}, {{Platform|PC Booter}}, {{Platform|PC-9800}}, {{Platform|PCjr}}, {{Platform|Sharp X68000}}
 +
| Genres          = {{VideoGameGenre|Racing video game|Racing}}
 +
| Themes          = {{MediaTheme|Toys}}
 +
| Series          = ''[[Marble Madness (universe)|Marble Madness]]''
 +
| Multiplayer      = {{GameMultiplayer|Simultaneous versus}}
 +
| Distributions    = {{VideoGameDistribution|Commercial}}
 +
}}
  
'''''Marble Madness''''' is an action video game where you must guide a marble down a dangerous course to a goal at the bottom while avoiding hazards and not falling off the track. The game was developed and published by [[Atari|Atari Games]] and first released in the [[Arcade]] in 1984, and then ported to about 20 different platforms. This is the first game in the [[Marble Madness (universe)|''Marble Madness'' series]]. The arcade game used a large rotating ball for a controller which gave fairly precise control over the marble's speed and direction, but was lost on most ports.
+
'''''Marble Madness''''' is an action video game developed and published by [[Atari Games]] and first released in the [[Arcade]] in 1984, and then ported to about 20 different platforms. This is the first game in the [[Marble Madness (universe)|''Marble Madness'' series]]. The arcade game used a large rotating ball for a controller which gave fairly precise control over the marble's speed and direction, but was lost on most ports.
 +
 
 +
In the game, you must guide a marble down a dangerous course to a goal at the bottom while avoiding hazards and not falling off the track.
  
 
The game saw a lot of technical firsts for the arcade. It was the first published arcade game written in the C programming language, the first to feature stereo sound (by using two mono sound boards), and the first to use the [[Atari System 1]] hardware.
 
The game saw a lot of technical firsts for the arcade. It was the first published arcade game written in the C programming language, the first to feature stereo sound (by using two mono sound boards), and the first to use the [[Atari System 1]] hardware.
  
 
==Personal==
 
==Personal==
Being a fan of toys like [[marble run]]s, I was immediately attracted to this game. I presume I saw it in a magazine before buying it, but I did buy it new in stores. However, when I began playing it at home, I discovered that the game wasn't all that interesting and very repetitive. I never got that great at it, and, even at my best, I could only reach level 5.
+
{{VideoGameStatus
 +
| Own      = Yes. US NES.
 +
| CantOwn  =
 +
| Won      =
 +
| CantWin  =
 +
| Finished =
 +
}}
  
==Status==
+
Being a fan of toys like [[marble run]]s, I was immediately attracted to this game. I presume I saw it in a magazine before buying it, but I did buy it new in stores without ever having played it before. However, when I began playing it at home, I discovered that the game wasn't all that interesting, very repetitive, and extremely difficult. I never got that great at it, and, even at my best, I could only reach level 5.
I own this game on the NES, but I have not beaten it.
 
  
 
==Review==
 
==Review==
Line 23: Line 45:
  
 
===Bad===
 
===Bad===
* With only six short courses, the entire game can be beaten by an expert player in about 4 minutes!
+
* With only six short courses, the entire game can be beaten by an expert player in about 4 minutes! I understand this is expected for arcade machines, but I would prefer if the home versions created more levels that were easier.
 
* Although there are a couple sections of the game where there are multiple paths and expert control allows for shortcuts, most of the game relies on following a very strict path.
 
* Although there are a couple sections of the game where there are multiple paths and expert control allows for shortcuts, most of the game relies on following a very strict path.
  
 
===Ugly===
 
===Ugly===
 
* The game is far too hard to beat with the allotted time.
 
* The game is far too hard to beat with the allotted time.
* Despite the intricacies, the game is terribly repetitive. Due to it's shortness and high difficulty level, most new players will see a game over on level 2 and require a lot of refinement to reach the later levels where they're just playing the same thing over and over again. It's really boring.
+
* Despite the intricacies, the game is terribly repetitive. Due to its shortness and high difficulty level, most new players will see a game over on level 2 and require a lot of refinement to reach the later levels where they're just playing the same thing over and over again. It's really boring.
  
 
==Media==
 
==Media==
 
===Box Art===
 
===Box Art===
 
<gallery>
 
<gallery>
 
+
Marble Madness - ARC - USA - Cabinet.jpg|Arcade cabinet.
 +
Marble Madness - ARC - USA - Marquee.svg|Arcade marquee.
 +
Marble Madness - C64 - USA.jpg|This cover was used on the Electronic Arts ports: Amiga, Apple II, Apple IIgs, Commodore 64, and PC Booter. I love the high contrast, reflection in the marbles, and simulated motion. I'm not crazy about the lettering though. This is my second-favorite cover.
 +
Marble Madness - NES - USA.jpg|This art was used on the NES, Game Boy, Game Gear, Master System, and Japanese Mega Drive releases. This art also has great simulated motion and marble reflection, but I think the collision and background ramps better illustrate the game, and I also like the lettering more. This is my favorite cover.
 +
Marble Madness - GEN - USA.jpg|This art was on the US Genesis box. Although it shows a lot of what the game has to offer, it's too busy for my taste.
 +
Marble Madness - MD - Europe.jpg|The same art was used for the European Mega Drive releases, only cropped tighter and with a different placement of the logo.
 +
Marble Madness - PC98 - Japan.jpg|The Japanese PC-9800 box uses a photograph of marbles with a sculpted muncher. It's certainly cute.
 +
Marble Madness - GBC - USA.jpg|This rather dull box was used for only the Game Boy Color port.
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
  
 
===Documentation===
 
===Documentation===
 
<gallery>
 
<gallery>
 
+
Marble Madness - ARC - USA - Manual - Operator's Manual.pdf|Operator's manual - Arcade - USA.
 +
Marble Madness - ARC - USA - Manual - Schematic Package.pdf|Schematic Package - Arcade - USA.
 +
Marble Madness - ARC - USA - Manual - Self Test.pdf|Self test manual - Arcade - USA.
 +
Marble Madness - AMI - USA - Manual.pdf|Manual - Amiga - USA.
 +
Marble Madness - GB - USA - Manual.pdf|Manual - Game Boy - USA.
 +
Marble Madness - GB - USA - Manual.pdf|Manual - Game Boy Color - USA.
 +
Marble Madness - GEN - USA - Manual.pdf|Manual - Genesis - USA.
 +
Marble Madness - GG - USA - Manual.pdf|Manual - Game Gear - USA.
 +
Marble Madness - MD - Japan - Manual.pdf|Manual - Mega Drive - Japanese.
 +
Marble Madness - NES - USA - Manual.pdf|Manual - NES - USA.
 +
Marble Madness - ARC - USA - Flyer.jpg|Advertisement - Arcade - USA.
 +
Electronic Arts - Marble Madness Ad - 1986-Q4.jpg|Advertisement - Electronic Arts - USA.
 +
Milton Bradley - NES Ad - 1991-Q4 - Germany.jpg|Advertisement - NES - Germany.
 +
Mindscape - Game Boy Ad - 1991-Q4.png|Advertisement - Game Boy - Mindscape.
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
  
 
===Maps===
 
===Maps===
 
<gallery>
 
<gallery>
 
+
Marble Madness - ARC - USA - Maps.png|Arcade - All maps (not pixel perfect).
 +
Marble Madness - GEN - USA - Practice Race.png|Genesis - Practice Race.
 +
Marble Madness - GEN - USA - Beginner Race.png|Genesis - Beginner Race.
 +
Marble Madness - GEN - USA - Intermediate Race.png|Genesis - Intermediate Race.
 +
Marble Madness - GEN - USA - Aerial Race.png|Genesis - Aerial Race.
 +
Marble Madness - GEN - USA - Silly Race.png|Genesis - Silly Race.
 +
Marble Madness - GEN - USA - Ultimate Race.png|Genesis - Ultimate Race.
 +
Marble Madness - MS - USA - Practice Race.png|Master System - Practice Race.
 +
Marble Madness - MS - USA - Beginner Race.png|Master System - Beginner Race.
 +
Marble Madness - MS - USA - Intermediate Race.png|Master System - Intermediate Race.
 +
Marble Madness - MS - USA - Aerial Race.png|Master System - Aerial Race.
 +
Marble Madness - MS - USA - Silly Race.png|Master System - Silly Race.
 +
Marble Madness - MS - USA - Ultimate Race.png|Master System - Ultimate Race.
 +
Marble Madness - NES - USA - Practice Race.png|NES - Practice Race.
 +
Marble Madness - NES - USA - Beginner Race.png|NES - Beginner Race.
 +
Marble Madness - NES - USA - Intermediate Race.png|NES - Intermediate Race.
 +
Marble Madness - NES - USA - Aerial Race.png|NES - Aerial Race.
 +
Marble Madness - NES - USA - Silly Race.png|NES - Silly Race.
 +
Marble Madness - NES - USA - Ultimate Race.png|NES - Ultimate Race.
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
  
 
===Videos===
 
===Videos===
{{#ev:youtube|Nfa2etJ84_8|256|inline|Longplay, Amiga.|frame}}
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{{YouTube|PUPcrTL5_oU|Review - NES Works.}}
{{#ev:youtube|XzlA1JTPMto|256|inline|Longplay, Arcade.|frame}}
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{{YouTube|Nfa2etJ84_8|Longplay, Amiga.}}
{{#ev:youtube|-9tb20fZ1iQ|256|inline|Longplay, Atari ST.|frame}}
+
{{YouTube|XzlA1JTPMto|Longplay, Arcade.}}
{{#ev:youtube|uhTHIZfP2FY|256|inline|Longplay, Commodore 64.|frame}}
+
{{YouTube|-9tb20fZ1iQ|Longplay, Atari ST.}}
{{#ev:youtube|rLw0vccvpeA|256|inline|Longplay, Game Boy.|frame}}
+
{{YouTube|uhTHIZfP2FY|Longplay, Commodore 64.}}
{{#ev:youtube|Zm3kDvzw_v8|256|inline|Longplay, Game Boy Color.|frame}}
+
{{YouTube|rLw0vccvpeA|Longplay, Game Boy.}}
{{#ev:youtube|h1T1Si20KuU|256|inline|Longplay, Game Gear.|frame}}
+
{{YouTube|Zm3kDvzw_v8|Longplay, Game Boy Color.}}
{{#ev:youtube|Ef8YXB_Qe7I|256|inline|Longplay, Genesis.|frame}}
+
{{YouTube|h1T1Si20KuU|Longplay, Game Gear.}}
{{#ev:youtube|hAsMBJbITyM|256|inline|Longplay, Master System.|frame}}
+
{{YouTube|Ef8YXB_Qe7I|Longplay, Genesis.}}
{{#ev:youtube|CvlbZwoWMgA|256|inline|Longplay, NES.|frame}}
+
{{YouTube|hAsMBJbITyM|Longplay, Master System.}}
{{#ev:youtube|e-ee1x4Mnok|256|inline|Longplay, PC Booter.|frame}}
+
{{YouTube|CvlbZwoWMgA|Longplay, NES.}}
{{#ev:youtube|jJ1cAj4Qcjg|256|inline|Game play, Apple II.|frame}}
+
{{YouTube|-ehaYfwwWjY|Longplay, NES - 2 player.}}
{{#ev:youtube|nKMHXIIgsCY|256|inline|Game play, Apple IIgs.|frame}}
+
{{YouTube|e-ee1x4Mnok|Longplay, PC Booter.}}
{{#ev:youtube|d7aKVYfw94w|256|inline|Game play, FM Towns.|frame}}
+
{{YouTube|jJ1cAj4Qcjg|Game play, Apple II.}}
{{#ev:youtube|cFl1QwjVf3E|256|inline|Game play, Game Boy Advance.|frame}}
+
{{YouTube|nKMHXIIgsCY|Game play, Apple IIgs.}}
{{#ev:youtube|cRxoySlOI8E|256|inline|Game play, PC-9800.|frame}}
+
{{YouTube|d7aKVYfw94w|Game play, FM Towns.}}
{{#ev:youtube|O4N7A3ijUnA|256|inline|Game play, Sharp X68000.|frame}}
+
{{YouTube|cFl1QwjVf3E|Game play, Game Boy Advance.}}
 +
{{YouTube|cRxoySlOI8E|Game play, PC-9800.}}
 +
{{YouTube|O4N7A3ijUnA|Game play, Sharp X68000.}}
 +
 
 +
==Play Online==
 +
{{PlayOnline|https://www.retrogames.cc/arcade-games/marble-madness-set-1.html|Arcade}}, {{PlayOnline|https://www.retrogames.cc/gameboy-games/marble-madness-usa-europe.html|Game Boy}}, {{PlayOnline|https://www.retrogames.cc/gameboyadvance-games/marble-madness-klax-u-trashman.html|Game Boy Advance}}, {{PlayOnline|https://www.retrogames.cc/gameboycolor-games/marble-madness-usa.html|Game Boy Color}}, {{PlayOnline|https://www.retrogames.cc/gamegear-games/marble-madness-usa-europe.html|Game Gear}}, {{PlayOnline|https://www.retrogames.cc/genesis-games/marble-madness-usa-europe.html|Genesis}}, {{PlayOnline|https://www.retrogames.cc/genesis-games/marble-madness-usa-europe.html|Master System}}, {{PlayOnline|https://www.retrogames.cc/mastersystem-games/marble-madness-europe.html|Master System}}, {{PlayOnline|https://www.retrogames.cc/nes-games/marble-madness-europe.html|NES (Europe)}}, {{PlayOnline|https://www.retrogames.cc/nes-games/marble-madness-usa.html|NES (USA)}}
 +
 
 +
==Representation==
 +
{{Representation
 +
| Media                      = Video games
 +
| StrongFemaleCharacterStatus = Fail
 +
| StrongFemaleCharacterNotes  = There are no characters.
 +
| BechdelTestStatus          = Fail
 +
| BechdelTestNotes            = There are no characters.
 +
| StrongPOCCharacterStatus    = Fail
 +
| StrongPOCCharacterNotes    = There are no characters.
 +
| QueerCharacterStatus        = Fail
 +
| QueerCharacterNotes        = There are no characters.
 +
}}
  
 
==Titles==
 
==Titles==
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{{Link|MobyGames|https://www.mobygames.com/game/marble-madness}}
 
{{Link|MobyGames|https://www.mobygames.com/game/marble-madness}}
 
{{Link|Wikipedia|https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marble_Madness}}
 
{{Link|Wikipedia|https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marble_Madness}}
 +
{{Link|SegaRetro|https://segaretro.org/Marble_Madness}}
 
{{Link|StrategyWiki|https://strategywiki.org/wiki/Marble_Madness}}
 
{{Link|StrategyWiki|https://strategywiki.org/wiki/Marble_Madness}}
 
{{Link|VGMPF|2=http://www.vgmpf.com/Wiki/index.php?title=Marble_Madness}}
 
{{Link|VGMPF|2=http://www.vgmpf.com/Wiki/index.php?title=Marble_Madness}}
{{Link|NESHacker|2=http://www.romdetectives.com/Wiki/index.php?title=Marble_Madness}}
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{{Link|ROMDetectives|2=http://www.romdetectives.com/Wiki/index.php?title=Marble_Madness_(NES)}}
 
{{Link|TCRF|https://tcrf.net/Category:Marble_Madness_series}}
 
{{Link|TCRF|https://tcrf.net/Category:Marble_Madness_series}}
 
{{Link|TVTropes|https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/VideoGame/MarbleMadness}}
 
{{Link|TVTropes|https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/VideoGame/MarbleMadness}}
  
  
[[Category: Games]]
 
[[Category: Video Games]]
 
[[Category: 1984 Video Games]]
 
 
[[Category: Video Game Prime Order - Action, Strategy, Adventure]]
 
[[Category: Video Game Prime Order - Action, Strategy, Adventure]]
[[Category: Video Game Genre - Action]]
 
[[Category: Amiga Games]]
 
[[Category: Apple II Games]]
 
[[Category: Apple IIgs Games]]
 
[[Category: Arcade Games]]
 
[[Category: Atari ST Games]]
 
[[Category: Blackberry Games]]
 
[[Category: Commodore 64 Games]]
 
[[Category: FM Towns Games]]
 
[[Category: Game Boy Games]]
 
[[Category: Game Boy Advance Games]]
 
[[Category: Game Boy Color Games]]
 
[[Category: Game Gear Games]]
 
[[Category: Genesis Games]]
 
[[Category: Master System Games]]
 
[[Category: NES Games]]
 
[[Category: PC Booter Games]]
 
[[Category: PC-9800 Games]]
 
[[Category: Sharp X68000 Games]]
 
[[Category: Multi-Player]]
 
[[Category: Multi-Player Versus]]
 
 
[[Category: 4-bit Color Graphics]]
 
[[Category: 4-bit Color Graphics]]
 
[[Category: Monochrome Graphics]]
 
[[Category: Monochrome Graphics]]
[[Category: Video Games That Fail the Bechdel Test]]
 

Latest revision as of 16:27, 14 March 2024

Marble Madness

Marble Madness - ARC - USA - Cabinet.jpg

Arcade - USA - Cabinet.

Developer Atari Games
Publisher Atari Games
Published 1984-??-??
Platforms Amiga, Apple II, Apple IIgs, Arcade, Atari ST, Blackberry, Commodore 64, FM Towns, Game Boy, Game Boy Advance, Game Boy Color, Game Gear, Genesis, Master System, NES, PC Booter, PC-9800, PCjr, Sharp X68000
Genres Racing
Themes Toys
Series Marble Madness
Multiplayer Simultaneous versus
Distribution Commercial

Marble Madness is an action video game developed and published by Atari Games and first released in the Arcade in 1984, and then ported to about 20 different platforms. This is the first game in the Marble Madness series. The arcade game used a large rotating ball for a controller which gave fairly precise control over the marble's speed and direction, but was lost on most ports.

In the game, you must guide a marble down a dangerous course to a goal at the bottom while avoiding hazards and not falling off the track.

The game saw a lot of technical firsts for the arcade. It was the first published arcade game written in the C programming language, the first to feature stereo sound (by using two mono sound boards), and the first to use the Atari System 1 hardware.

Personal

Own?Yes. US NES.
Won?No.

Being a fan of toys like marble runs, I was immediately attracted to this game. I presume I saw it in a magazine before buying it, but I did buy it new in stores without ever having played it before. However, when I began playing it at home, I discovered that the game wasn't all that interesting, very repetitive, and extremely difficult. I never got that great at it, and, even at my best, I could only reach level 5.

Review

Video Game Review Icon - Enjoyment.png Video Game Review Icon - Control.png Video Game Review Icon - Appearance.png Video Game Review Icon - Sound.png Video Game Review Icon - Replayability.png
4 6 6 6 2

Best Version: Arcade

— This section contains spoilers! —

Good

  • Using a ball controller was a great way to allow for precise control over your marble, and a nice gimmick.
  • The game's graphics, drawn by Sam Comstock, looked amazing in 1984, and stand up well to this day. The heavy shadow makes the game look surreal.
  • Hal Canon composed some unique and enjoyable music for the game. The every increasing tempo of the Silly Race was interesting indeed.
  • The game's design, by Mark Cerny, has some pretty creative aspects to it like the acid puddles and marble munches, and I like the Rube Goldberg style mechanics of the levels. I also like the little broom that cleans up a shattered marble.

Bad

  • With only six short courses, the entire game can be beaten by an expert player in about 4 minutes! I understand this is expected for arcade machines, but I would prefer if the home versions created more levels that were easier.
  • Although there are a couple sections of the game where there are multiple paths and expert control allows for shortcuts, most of the game relies on following a very strict path.

Ugly

  • The game is far too hard to beat with the allotted time.
  • Despite the intricacies, the game is terribly repetitive. Due to its shortness and high difficulty level, most new players will see a game over on level 2 and require a lot of refinement to reach the later levels where they're just playing the same thing over and over again. It's really boring.

Media

Box Art

Documentation

Maps

Videos

Review - NES Works.
Longplay, Amiga.
Longplay, Arcade.
Longplay, Atari ST.
Longplay, Commodore 64.
Longplay, Game Boy.
Longplay, Game Boy Color.
Longplay, Game Gear.
Longplay, Genesis.
Longplay, Master System.
Longplay, NES.
Longplay, NES - 2 player.
Longplay, PC Booter.
Game play, Apple II.
Game play, Apple IIgs.
Game play, FM Towns.
Game play, Game Boy Advance.
Game play, PC-9800.
Game play, Sharp X68000.

Play Online

Arcade, Game Boy, Game Boy Advance, Game Boy Color, Game Gear, Genesis, Master System, Master System, NES (Europe), NES (USA)

Representation

Strong female character?FailThere are no characters.
Bechdel test?FailThere are no characters.
Strong person of color character?FailThere are no characters.
Queer character?FailThere are no characters.

Titles

Language Native Transliteration Translation
English Marble Madness
Japanese マーブルマッドネス Maburu Maddonesu Marble Madness

Links

Link-MobyGames.png  Link-Wikipedia.png  Link-SegaRetro.png  Link-StrategyWiki.png  Link-VGMPF.png  Link-ROMDetectives.png  Link-TCRF.png  Link-TVTropes.png