Amidar (Olympia)
Amidar (Olympia): arcade Puzzle
Amidar is a maze video game developed by Konami and released in arcades in 1982. It was distributed in North America by Stern. The game is widely recognized as the first in the grid capture sub-genre of maze games, a format that would later be cloned extensively on arcade boards and home systems. This particular entry, listed as 'Amidar (Olympia)', refers to the original arcade release, likely referencing the manufacturer of the cabinet or PCB for distribution purposes.
In Amidar, the player controls a character that moves through a rectangular grid of paths. The core objective is to trace and fill entire sections of the maze by walking over the outlines. Once a section is fully outlined, it becomes claimed and changes color. The twist is that hostile enemies patrol the maze, and touching them costs a life. The player can fight back temporarily by collecting items like a paint roller or a potion, which allow them to stun or eliminate enemies. The goal is to claim all sections of the maze to complete a level and advance to a more difficult round.
Today, Amidar stands as an important piece of arcade history because it pioneered a unique mechanic that later influenced games like Qix. It is a simple but addictive title that rewards careful pathing and risk management. Compared to contemporary maze games like Pac-Man, Amidar focuses on territory control rather than item collection. While it may not have the same name recognition, it is well worth trying for anyone interested in the evolution of arcade game design or the early work of Konami before their more famous franchises.
How to Play Amidar (Olympia) Online
Getting Started
When you start Amidar, you will see a maze made up of dashed lines. Your character begins at one position and the enemies begin at another. The first step is to move around the maze using the arrow keys. Your goal is to trace the outer path of a section of the maze. When you have completely outlined a section, it fills in with a solid color and becomes captured. Each captured section adds to your score and brings you closer to completing the round.
Be careful not to run into the enemies. They move along the maze paths and will chase you. If they touch you, you lose a life. However, you can find special items in the maze, such as a paint brush or a potion. When you pick up a paint brush, you can temporarily paint over enemies to stun them. A potion gives you invincibility for a short time, letting you safely pass through or even destroy enemies. Use these items strategically to clear large sections of the maze without getting caught.
The core loop is simple: explore, trap sections, and survive. After you capture all sections of the first maze, you advance to a new layout with faster enemies or different obstacles. The game continues until you lose all your lives. There are no continue options, so try to memorize enemy patterns and plan your route to maximize points and minimize risk.
Amidar (Olympia) Keyboard Controls
Controls
- Arrow Keys: Joystick / Movement
- X: Button 1
- S: Button 2
- Z: Button 3
- A: Button 4
- Q: Button 5
- E: Button 6
- Enter: Start / 1P
- V: Coin / Insert
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