The Amazing Shrinking Man

About

The Amazing Shrinking Man tasks you with guiding Professor Nitro through a chaotic lab after a potion shrinks him to ant-sized proportions. Your goal is to collect scattered pieces of his antidote formula while dodging crawling insects, buzzing flies, and corrosive acid spills. The action unfolds on a single screen cluttered with hazards and obstacles, demanding quick reflexes to navigate without getting squished or dissolved. A retro oddball with a frantic energy, this 1986 title stands out for its absurd premise and relentless difficulty. Players juggle avoiding critters, grabbing ingredients, and fending off environmental dangers, all while wrestling with the Amstrad CPC’s controls. Though its mechanics feel rudimentary by modern standards, the game’s chaotic charm and retro aesthetics have earned it a niche following among vintage gaming enthusiasts. The original manual even warns of potential joystick-related blisters, setting expectations for its punishing pace.

Storyline

Professor Nitro has put a potion in it that allows the reduction of living cells. But, by mistake, he swallows his preparation and becomes so small that he falls into the trash! That's the whole story. How can you help him get out of there? Finding the pieces of his antidote formula and the ingredients that compose it. The whole screen is dotted with apple stones, various flasks, ants, papers and flies! (Yes, some laboratories are not always as clean as we want to say!). Our little teacher walks through this maze (too quickly) and must avoid the critters and the acid. When all the pieces of formula are gathered, you will be entitled to the following table, the laboratory. But before, you will have time to make a few blisters to your hands with your joystick. Good courage!