Zzyzzyxx

About

Steer clear of the Rattifers. No really. In this 1982 arcade maze runner you control Zzyzzyxx, who darting through shifting brick corridors to snag gifts for his crush Lola. Three antagonists chase you through the grid, Boris, Bluto and Smoot, and you need to outmaneuver their traps. Grab a helmet to either trap enemies in blocks or smash the row above you. Later stages throw in bricks that crumble, bombs that fall and rockets that rise, forcing you to zigzag faster. The game’s charm is its chaotic timing. Early levels feel frantic as Rattifers circle like hawks. The co-op mode lets two players battle separately, though your scores stay distinct. Despite being over 40 years old, the tight controls and escalating hazards still feel punchy. You’ll miss the helmet more than you expect.