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Labyrinth

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MSX 2 Adventure Pub Activision Dev Lucasfilm Games 1986 1 Player 5 (0) 2

Labyrinth

About Labyrinth

Compiled by the Retro Games Online Editorial Team · Updated June 28, 2026

Labyrinth: The Computer Game arrived on the MSX 2 in 1986, bringing Lucasfilm Games' graphic adventure to a Japanese audience. It's based on Jim Henson's fantasy film Labyrinth and represents a unique chapter in adventure gaming. Instead of the typical text parser, this version uses a clever word-wheel system that made it stand out from other point-and-click adventures of the era.

The player controls Sarah, the protagonist from the film, as she navigates a sprawling maze to reach Jareth's castle. The core loop involves exploring environments, solving puzzles by constructing sentences from two scrolling word wheels on screen, and avoiding hazards like goblins and traps. There's a real-time 13-hour countdown that adds pressure, though the game can be finished well within that window with careful play.

Today, Labyrinth on MSX 2 is worth a look for anyone curious about how iconic films were adapted into interactive experiences. It's a faithful translation of the movie's setting and tone, and the word-wheel interface is a relic of experimentation before point-and-click became standard. If you enjoy classic graphic adventures from the mid-80s, this is a solid, if niche, entry that captures a specific moment in game design.

How to Play Labyrinth Online

Getting Started

When you start Labyrinth, you'll be at the beginning of the maze just outside Jareth's castle. The first thing to do is examine your surroundings using the word wheels. Use the D-Pad to move around and press the confirm button to interact with objects or characters. The word-wheel menu is always visible at the bottom of the screen; scroll through verbs and nouns to form actions like "look at" or "take".

Your main goal is to navigate through the labyrinth to reach the center, solving puzzles and avoiding dangers like goblins. Pay attention to the environment and any items you find; they are often used later to unlock paths or disarm traps. The 13-hour real-time clock is generous, but don't dawdle too long.

Because this is a Japanese release, the menu text is in Japanese. However, the word wheels use English words, so you can still navigate by recognizing common verbs like "GIVE" or "USE". If you get stuck, try combining every object with every action - old adventure game logic applies here. Save often using the in-game save function (likely mapped to a key, check the manual if available).

Labyrinth Keyboard Controls

Controls

Arrow Keys: D-Pad / Movement
X: Trigger 1
S: Trigger 2
Enter: Start

Frequently Asked Questions

Who developed Labyrinth?

Lucasfilm Games handled development, with Activision publishing the original 1986 release. The same team worked on other classic adventures like Maniac Mansion.

What type of game is Labyrinth?

It's a graphic adventure game that uses a word-wheel interface instead of a text parser. The player explores a maze, solves puzzles, and avoids dangers to progress through the story based on the film.

Is Labyrinth considered easy to pick up or challenging?

The word-wheel system is straightforward once you understand it, but some puzzles can be obscure by modern standards. The 13-hour time limit adds pressure, though it seldom becomes a problem for patient players.