Catch 23

About

Catch 23 is a brain-teasing shooter puzzle game from 1987 that swaps action for strategy. Players guide a character through grid-based levels, using precise shots to disrupt sequences of numbered tiles. Each level requires calculating moves to avoid overshooting targets while clearing obstacles. The Atari ST version popularized a mechanic where bullet trajectories alter puzzle layouts in real time. Controls feel clunky by modern standards but fit the game's methodical pace. What catches attention is its ahead-of-its-time approach to combining arithmetic and spatial reasoning. Community archives show players still debating optimal solutions for level 13’s looping corridor puzzle. While simplistic by today’s standards, the game’s rigid logic challenges remain satisfying for puzzle enthusiasts. Its limited color palette and blocky sprites have developed a nostalgic following among retro computing fans. With only 23 levels and no sequel, Catch 23 remains a niche curiosity in 80s PC gaming history.