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#### xbox 360

## Diggin' Lode Runner XBLA At Games Convention

##### Posted by Michael McWhertor at 2:40 AM on August 26, 2008

Microsoft's Games Convention floor space was dominated by music games. It was, after all, the "Xbox 360 Summer of Music" according to the vinyl banner that loomed overhead. But tucked away next to Disney's Sing It! was Lode Runner, the remake of the classic puzzle platformer, announced for Xbox Live Arcade earlier this year. Having played every other Xbox 360-bound offering on hand at events prior, we decided to dig into it.

The rules haven't changed for the hi-def remake of Lode Runner. Collect gold nuggets, using your platforming wits and your rock-crushing gun to negotiate each maze. Avoid getting killed. That's it. It's still a 2D puzzle platformer with a digging mechanic that will probably seem archaic to those ignorant to Lode Runner's classic gameplay, just in higher resolution.

And that's really the only problem. Lode Runner looks and plays just fine, a serviceable 3D coat of paint applied to the exact same game play you might just go mental for. It doesn't do anything fancy with the formula, a la Galaga Legions.

Unfortunately, we didn't get to take the multiplayer modes for a test drive, as the Games Conventioneers were far too interested in easy access to Guitar Hero World Tour.

It really comes down to this — if you adore Lode Runner, here's some more. If you don't know what a Lode Runner is — or you're wisely concerned about how well the Xbox 360's D-pad will suffice — just wait for the demo.

Tags: games convention 2008 | impressions | lode runner | xbox 360 | xbox live arcade

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### Comments (AU Comments · US Comments)

There are currently no AU comments for this post.

#### Cryoh

##### Posted 10:36 PM 25/8/08

@BigWeather: Yep, there was a gun that shot either the block to the left or right of where you were standing.

Cryoh

#### BigWeather

##### Posted 10:18 PM 25/8/08

Looking forward to it.

Two quick questions:
a) Is there an editor?
b) Can the left stick be used instead of the D-Pad?

Oh, and I guess two last questions:
c) Gun? I don't remember that. I only remember a shovel to dig the holes.
d) Did they keep the egg-shaped wipe between levels?

Thanks.

BigWeather

#### Captain Wrong

##### Posted 10:59 PM 25/8/08

@BigWeather: D is a must. So is a level editor.

Captain Wrong

#### Kyolux

##### Posted 2:54 AM 26/8/08

I remember only being good in the levels I would design myself on the NES (I would design them in cheap way that would let me win easily *evil grins*) or would just test weird stuff in that mode. The normal single player mode, I had a hard time with, always getting stucked.

I remember playing the PC version a few years later, which seemed more forgiving then the NES counterpart. Is this a remake of the PC or NES or another version?

Kyolux

#### Tyrannical

##### Posted 2:54 AM 26/8/08

I remeber this on the old Apple][ too many years ago.

Tyrannical

#### Gofthick

##### Posted 2:51 AM 26/8/08

Falling in your own pits remains to this day the most embarrassing way to die in a game.

Gofthick

#### Sexy.KOT69

##### Posted 2:49 AM 26/8/08

damn i remember this game... never got far in it though lol too bad there is no PC release

Sexy.KOT69

#### 8bitcity

##### Posted 2:47 AM 26/8/08

Funny, I just bought Battle Lode Runner for the TG-16 VC this weekend, and I've been enjoying the hell out of it. My only complaint is that the game only supports 10 custom-stages, but the mechanics of Lode Runner have always been pretty awesome.

8bitcity

#### greeble

##### Posted 2:45 AM 26/8/08

I liked lode runner a lot. (Beat the thing) I'd gladly buy it if it came out on PSN. (But won't since I think its published by MS)

greeble

#### TheWP

##### Posted 3:11 AM 26/8/08

@Cryoh: Maybe its because I played the Mac version, but I remember it looking like he poured green goo onto blocks to make them disappear. Figured it was some sort of acid.

TheWP

#### onlysublime

##### Posted 3:05 AM 26/8/08

The level editor kept the replay level of the old Atari version going forever. My cousins and I designed tons of cool levels.

But from the look of the game on the 360. There's not much room for a level. The blocks are way too big. Some of the intricate designs we made wouldn't fit on this screen.

onlysublime

#### iDeNoh

##### Posted 3:04 AM 26/8/08

sweeeeeeeeeeet, really looking forward to this xbla title.

iDeNoh

#### mind in rewind

##### Posted 3:03 AM 26/8/08

I was more of a Jumpman guy.

mind in rewind

#### BigWeather

##### Posted 3:51 AM 26/8/08

Looking at the old screenshots the original seems to have a play area of about 24 wide by 15 high. The screenshot above looks to be about 22 wide by 9 high. So it is close, and maybe we're just not seing the entire area being used. Michael, did you see any "taller" levels?

Thanks for reminding me about the gun. Been far too long.

And here's hoping we get an editor. =)

BigWeather

#### Numerous

##### Posted 3:36 AM 26/8/08

This could a fun little remake. I hope it is one of the cheaper XBLA games; at 400 points ($5) it could be an impulse buy. $10 would be a hard sell for Lode Runner.

Numerous

#### cduran

##### Posted 3:29 AM 26/8/08

PS3 version?

cduran

#### Gooche

##### Posted 4:08 AM 26/8/08

@mind in rewind:

Jumpman was a fantastic game.

I loved Lode Runner back in the day. It needs to have custom levels. A lot of custom ones like N.

Gooche

#### Cornerb0y

##### Posted 4:08 AM 26/8/08

I would LOVE to see this game get a C64 retro version on xbla, that would be awesome! America needs more C64 conversions! WHERE IS MY MANIAC MANSION Wii game?!?!?!?!

Cornerb0y

#### Playstation

##### Posted 4:01 AM 26/8/08

wow, I'm totally floored.. I'm gonna pick this one right away. It's a great week for gaming :) Lode Runner, Tales of Vesperia, Disgaea 3.. this is just too awesome.

Playstation

#### theTOMSTA666

##### Posted 3:55 AM 26/8/08

COOL!! Played the gameboy version of Lode Runner to death when i were a nipper. id get this deffo.

theTOMSTA666

#### sir_carrot

##### Posted 4:28 AM 26/8/08

I remember playing a Sierra remake of this - well, just a demo.

But it seemed rather fun, if not maddeningly difficult.

Might pick this up.

sir_carrot

#### thegreatseal

##### Posted 4:25 AM 26/8/08

crap..

*it's confounded me

thegreatseal

#### thegreatseal

##### Posted 4:25 AM 26/8/08

I grew up playing Lode Runner on my family's PC..

First game that I ever used a level editor, and it's confounded by ever since that more games don't have them.

thegreatseal

#### UVaDave

##### Posted 4:53 AM 26/8/08

It was most definitely a laser gun that melted the ground...see the box art for reference.

[strategywiki.org]

However back in the day, you definitely had to use your imagination.

UVaDave

#### cduran

##### Posted 4:42 AM 26/8/08

@mind in rewind: Dont get me started....to this day I still play jumpman on emulators.

cduran

#### onlysublime

##### Posted 5:15 AM 26/8/08

@BigWeather: the Lode Runner FAQ says it's 28x16. I personally played the Atari versions (1200XL) but that sounds about right.

onlysublime

#### tehhu1k

##### Posted 11:30 PM 25/8/08

I think I've seen people use either stick in videos, as the 360 D-Pad sucks.

I bet the mutliplayer adds some nice spice to the formula...don't be too fast to judge!

tehhu1k

#### Michael McWhertor

##### Posted 6:15 AM 26/8/08

@BigWeather: On the level editor, I'm not sure, because the menus were in German and I didn't fumble my way through there. It had better have one. You can use analog or digital controls. Yes, it's a gun. Egg-shaped? I don't remember that, actually.

@BigWeather: Everything I saw ran horizontal, but I barely scratched the surface there as a good portion was still locked down.

Michael McWhertor

#### BigWeather

##### Posted 6:12 AM 26/8/08

Awesome, thanks for the find on the 28x16. I was spitballing based on a screenshot and was thinking I had it wrong. Hopefully then the measly 22x9 we (more clearly) see in the new screenshot is not the entire area, as that is quite the difference.

BigWeather

#### Strangelove

##### Posted 7:08 AM 26/8/08

The original Lode Runner on 5.25" floppy was my second videogame of all-time after Frogger, and the first featuring a built-in level editor. What a great game that was.

Strangelove

#### StAidan

##### Posted 7:39 AM 26/8/08

Not terribly impressed by the screenshot. I think the PC version from Sierra had better graphics, albeit 2-D.

Still, if it introduces any cool new play mechanics like Sierra's did, it could be a winner.

StAidan

#### mcdoomer

##### Posted 3:06 AM 26/8/08

I was so addicted to this... one of the best of its kind. Hands down.

mcdoomer

#### BigWeather

##### Posted 8:28 AM 26/8/08

@Michael McWhertor:
Thanks for the information, can't wait for the demo (and I'm sure, eventual purchase).

BigWeather

#### kneehighspy

##### Posted 9:48 AM 26/8/08

loved it to death on the apple2 back in the early 80's. created tons of levels with the editor also. will gladly purchase this on xbl once available.

kneehighspy

#### develin

##### Posted 12:58 PM 26/8/08

Lode runner is simply an undestructable game. Even the incredibly bad DS version (yeah, you can either die because you don't see enough of the level on your nice looking close up or play using the even for a C64 ugly looking map) was incredible fun.

@sir_carrot and @StAidan:
What you talk about is "Lode Runner: The Legend Returns" from Sierra. Greatest version IMHO as it included not only level editor and tons of levels but also one of the best multiplayer modes ever. If they can keep that level, it would be wonderful!

develin

#### Placentasaurus

##### Posted 5:06 AM 27/8/08

If they put Lode Runner: The Legend Returns on PSN /XBLA, with smoothed out graphics, and with online and offline multiplayer, I could die happy. Not only was it the first computer game I ever played, it is still the absolute best 2D puzzle platforming game I've played. The only one that comes close is N.

Placentasaurus

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