Wizard of Wor

About

Wizard of Wor is a maze-based shooter where two players fight through randomly generated layouts filled with hostile creatures. Each player controls a colored warrior, moving through corridors to eliminate waves of monsters. The goal is to clear each level while avoiding enemy fire and managing limited movement space. In two-player mode combatants can target both monsters and each other shooting across the screen to steal points and force opponents to lose lives. Strategic positioning becomes key as players learn to balance offense and defense within the shifting maze structure. The game's competitive edge comes from its simultaneous threat system where enemies and rival players pose equal danger. Originally released in 1980 it pioneered shared-screen multiplayer mechanics that would influence later co-op shooters. With its simple yet tense gameplay and option for collaborative or adversarial play it remains a notable early example of arcade-era local multiplayer design. The Bally Astrocade version included a light gun adding another layer to the combat dynamics.

Storyline

The players' characters, called Worriors, must kill all the monsters by shooting them. Player one has yellow Worriors, on the right, and player two has blue Worriors, on the left. In a two-player game, the players are also able to shoot each other's Worriors, earning bonus points and causing the other player to lose a life. Team-oriented players can successfully advance through the game by standing back-to-back (such as in a corner) and firing at anything that comes at them.