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Burger Time
Burger Time - Arcade Classic
Burger Time is an arcade classic from Data East, originally released in 1982. This MSX 1 version brings the action home, retaining the same core premise as the coin-op. The game was designed in-house by Data East but the actual development was outsourced to another company, a common practice at the time. On the MSX, the graphics and sound are simplified to match the hardware, but the gameplay remains intact.
You play as chef Peter Pepper, navigating a vertical series of platforms. The goal is to walk over the ingredients - buns, lettuce, tomato, patty, and cheese - to push them down onto the plates below. Each ingredient must be dropped in the correct order to build a complete burger. Meanwhile, enemies like Mr. Hot Dog, Mr. Pickle, and a fried egg chase you. You can temporarily stun them by sprinkling pepper from the bottom of the screen, but this is limited.
Burger Time holds up as a simple, addictive challenge even today. It was one of the few arcade ports on the early MSX 1 that captured the original's frantic pace. If you enjoy quick thinking and memorizing patterns, this is a satisfying title to revisit. It isn't flashy but its straightforward design has a timeless appeal.
You play as chef Peter Pepper, navigating a vertical series of platforms. The goal is to walk over the ingredients - buns, lettuce, tomato, patty, and cheese - to push them down onto the plates below. Each ingredient must be dropped in the correct order to build a complete burger. Meanwhile, enemies like Mr. Hot Dog, Mr. Pickle, and a fried egg chase you. You can temporarily stun them by sprinkling pepper from the bottom of the screen, but this is limited.
Burger Time holds up as a simple, addictive challenge even today. It was one of the few arcade ports on the early MSX 1 that captured the original's frantic pace. If you enjoy quick thinking and memorizing patterns, this is a satisfying title to revisit. It isn't flashy but its straightforward design has a timeless appeal.
How to Play Burger Time Online
When you start a game, you are on a ladder-like structure of platforms with ingredients scattered across them. The first thing to do is move right or left across the platforms, walking over each ingredient layer. As you step on a layer, it moves down one step toward the plate at the bottom. You must loop around to drop all parts of the burger. Watch out for the wandering enemies that spawn from the sides. Use the arrow keys to move Peter Pepper left, right, up and down ladders. The A button (X key) allows you to jump over enemies in some versions, but the primary action is dropping ingredients by walking over them. The B button (S key) can be used to use pepper to stun enemies. Each time you drop all ingredients of a burger, you progress to a harder level with faster enemies and more complex platform layouts. Collect bonus items like coffee or eggs that appear for extra points. If an enemy catches you, you lose a life. The game ends when all lives are gone.
Burger Time Keyboard Controls
Controls
- Arrow Keys: D-Pad / Movement
- X: Trigger 1
- S: Trigger 2
- Enter: Start
Frequently Asked Questions
Who developed Burger Time?
Data East developed Burger Time, though the actual programming was outsourced to another company. The game's director was Hiroshi Suzuki.
What makes Burger Time stand out among MSX 1 titles of its era?
Its unique burger-building mechanic was unlike any other platform game of the time. The combination of puzzle-like ingredient dropping and enemy evasion created a tense, engaging loop that still feels fresh.
Is Burger Time exclusive to MSX 1 or did it appear on other systems?
Burger Time was ported to numerous home systems, including the Atari 2600, ColecoVision, Intellivision, NES, and many late 80s computers. The MSX 1 version is just one of many, but it represents a faithful adaptation with the limitations of the hardware.
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