Oink! (1983) for Atari 2600: A Classic Video Game Adventure
Oink! is a beloved Atari 2600 video game that was designed by Mike Lorenzen and released by Activision in 1983. Inspired by the fairy tale The Three Little Pigs, it casts players in the role of a pig trying to defend its home from the Big Bad Wolf.
Game Overview
In Oink!, players control one of the three little pigs, each residing in a house made of different materials: straw, sticks, and bricks. The wolf, known as Bigelow B. Wolf (or B.B. Wolf for short), attempts to blow down the pigs' houses by blowing air at the walls. Your task is to patch holes in the walls before the wolf's breath causes the pig to fall out of the house. The game progresses as the difficulty increases with faster wolf attacks and higher point multipliers.
Gameplay Features
Oink! features a few interesting gameplay variations, making it ideal for both single and multiplayer experiences:
- Single-player mode: One player controls the pig and defends the house from the wolf.
- Two-player alternate mode: Two players take turns playing as the pigs defending their homes from the wolf.
- Two-player competitive mode: One player plays as the pig while the other controls the wolf. The roles alternate every time the wolf catches a pig.
As you defend your pig's house, you earn points for every patch successfully placed on the wall. The more rows of patches you complete, the higher the point value per patch, with multipliers kicking in for subsequent rows.
Fun Facts
Did you know that if you scored over 25,000 points in Oink!, you could photograph your screen and send it to Activision for an "Oinkers" patch? This fun reward system made the game even more memorable for its players.
Oink! was even awarded the "Most Humorous Video Game/Computer Game" at the 5th Annual Arkie Awards in 1984, solidifying its place as one of the most entertaining and quirky games of its era.
Oink! Today
While Oink! was originally released for the Atari 2600, you can still enjoy it today in collections like Activision Anthology. Whether you're a retro gamer or a newcomer to the world of classic games, Oink! offers a fun experience that showcases the charm of early video games.
Where to Find Oink!
If you're looking to try this classic game, you can find the manual for Oink! to help you get started, and check out the game cover image to relive the nostalgia.
Conclusion
Oink! may have been released decades ago, but its whimsical and humorous gameplay still holds up today. Whether you're revisiting a classic or discovering it for the first time, there's no doubt that this Atari 2600 gem is worth playing. Have you played Oink!? Let us know what you think in the comments below!
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