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Ports
Over the years, Chip's Challenge has been ported to a variety of systems.
Overview[edit]
| Platform | Release year | Developer | Publisher | Levels |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amstrad CPC | 1990 | Images Software | U.S. Gold | 148 |
| Atari Lynx | 1989 | Epyx | Atari | 148 |
| Atari ST | 1990 | Images Software | U.S. Gold | 148 |
| Amiga | 1990 | Images Software | U.S. Gold | 148 |
| Commodore 64 | 1990 | Images Software | U.S. Gold | 148 |
| DOS | 1990 | Audio Visual Magic | Epyx | 148 |
| NES | N/A | Images Software | N/A | 149 (136 normal, 12 hard-only, 1 exclusive) |
| Windows | 1992 | Microsoft | Microsoft Home | 149 |
| Windows | 2015 | Niffler Ltd. | Steam | 149 |
| ZX Spectrum | 1990 | Images Software | U.S. Gold | 148 |
| SNES & SEGA Genesis | 2021 | RetroRoomGames | RetroRoomGames | 149 |
| Evercade | 2020 | Blaze Entertainment | Blaze Entertainment | 148 |
| Nintendo Switch | 2024 | Imagine Software | Pixel Games | 148 |
Commodore 64[edit]
The Commodore 64, commonly abbreviated as C64 is a personal computer, first released by Commodore international in 1982. The Commodore 64 port of Chip's Challenge was released in 1990. Like most other ports, it was developed by Images Software and released by U.S. Gold.
The C64 ruleset is largely similar to the original Lynx game, but with several differences. Notably, blobs move at full speed, and try to move each tick. If the chosen direction is blocked, they wait one tick, then try again. Also, walkers use a new random seed each try. The port also suffers from a bug that breaks scoring and level skipping.
The PAL version of the port has a few additional issues. Thieves steal keys in addition to boots, which renders All Full unsolvable. Additionally, level 122, Totally Fair, is missing and replaced with level 131, Totally Unfair. The level order otherwise matches the original Lynx game (citation needed).
Amiga & Atari ST[edit]
The Amiga and Atari ST rulesets are nearly identical (notable exceptions being that ST runs at 6 moves per second verses Amiga and other's 5, and ST having fast teeth). Blobs move at full speed except in Blobnet, and block cloners are sometimes glitchy (easiest to see in Tossed Salad and On The Rocks). Monster Lab is actually Colony rotated 180 degrees, likewise Three Doors is Goldkey rotated 180 degrees. Much like the C64 version, and any PAL version handled by U.S. Gold, thieves steal keys and boots.
Interestingly, the game contains a cheat code system, if the player presses the f key during game play, the game will flip upside down, display the message:
"MY HAND-HELD CAN
DO THIS AS WELL!
HI TO RUTH, FLU,
BUFF, EMMA, JESS,
TIM, BEN, ADAM,
PIPPA, IVAN, SCAMP,
WORM, CHRIS, JUDE,
AND DARLING TESSA."
and then allow the player to enter a message.
| Message | Effect |
|---|---|
| "I THINK THEREFORE I AM." | Chips left set to 0 |
| "09/12/57." | Timer frozen |
| "SAGITTARIANS MAKE BETTER LOVERS." | Unlimited keys and items that can't be removed |
These effects persist through level completion and death. The only way to remove them is to exit to the main menu.
NES[edit]
Evercade[edit]
The Evercade released on May 22, 2020. It is a handheld focused on physical rereleases of retro games for prior systems via emulation, and as such, Chip's Challenge is identical to the Lynx original, as it's merely an emulated version of said game.
Nintendo Switch[edit]
The Nintendo Switch port of Chip's Challenge, like the port released on the Evercade, is again an emulation of the Lynx original, and, as such, is identical. However, there is also a unique menu that allows the player to save and load up to four save states at anytime, as well as access the game's manual, change their controls to a left-handed control scheme, and apply three different filters: an antialiasing filter, CRT scanlines, or an LCD grid.