Q-bert (USA)

In Q-bert, players control the titular character, Q-bert, a small orange creature with a long nose, as he hops around a pyramid of cubes. The primary objective of each round is to change the color of all the cubes on the screen by landing on them. When Q-bert jumps onto a cube, its color changes. Some levels require you to jump on a cube twice to achieve the desired color.

Players move Q-bert using a joystick in four diagonal directions. The challenge comes from various enemies that appear on the pyramid. The most common foe is Coily, a purple snake that relentlessly pursues Q-bert. Other enemies include Ugg and Wrongway, two creatures that slide horizontally along the edges of the pyramid, and Sam and Slick, who will revert the colors of cubes already changed by Q-bert.

To assist Q-bert, there are several special items. Green flying discs located at the edges of the pyramid provide a temporary escape, causing enemies to fall off and disappear. Additionally, a green colored ball will freeze all enemies for a short period, allowing Q-bert to move more safely. However, touching a red colored ball or falling off the pyramid will result in Q-bert losing a life.

The game progresses through multiple rounds of increasing difficulty, introducing more enemies and requiring players to employ quick reflexes and strategic hopping patterns. Q-bert is a game that demands fast reactions and the ability to plan moves to avoid danger and complete the objective.