Amidar

About

Amidar is a 1981 arcade puzzle game where you navigate a grid to collect every tile, dodging enemies. Your goal isn’t just to eat dots but to mark each space, unlocking the next level once the board is fully explored. Unlike straightforward maze-chase titles, the game’s twist comes from how enemies move, they slide along invisible paths that shift based on your actions, creating unpredictable patterns. This mechanic, tied to the traditional Japanese Amidakuji lottery game, adds strategic depth to the chase. The game’s most notable detail is its direct link to Amidakuji, with a bonus round that mirrors the paper lottery’s logic. Though largely forgotten, Amidar earned respect from retro players for its clever take on maze navigation. Its 1981 release on arcades and later ports to Atari 2600 and PC systems kept it accessible, while the unreleased BBC Micro version hints at untapped potential. With simple controls and a brainy twist on classic gameplay, it remains a niche gem for grid-based puzzle fans.