Gremlins

About

Gremlins is a 1984 arcade game adapted from the Steven Spielberg film of the same year. Played from a top-down perspective, players control a character tasked with rounding up Mogwai, the mischievous creatures central to the movie. The single-player or co-op mode involves navigating simple mazes while avoiding obstacles and the gremlins themselves. It runs on DOS, Apple II, Commodore 64, and Atari 5200. Gameplay is straightforward, relying on quick reflexes and basic platforming. The goal is to collect all Mogwai without falling victim to the chaotic gremlins that spawn under moonlight. A separate side-view version of the game was released for the Atari 2600, making it one of the few titles to appear on two Atari platforms with entirely different visual styles. While the 5200/64 version leans into the movie's premise, the 2600 edition simplifies the action into a vertical scrolling format. Both versions remain curiosities among retro gaming circles, often cited for their direct connection to the film rather than standout mechanics. The game’s legacy is niche, but it’s a fun artifact for fans of 80s cinema or early Atari experimentation.