Hey Arcaders!
In the early days after Pac-Man was released to the world, there were a lot of arcade and home console companies that wanted in on the Pac-profit! This series will focus on these lesser known games. weather it’s an original game, or a Pac-bootleg, we will be touching base with these games that Pac-forgot!
The first game we’re talking about, is one that is in my top five games of all time-
Make Trax started it’s life as a maze chaser called Crush Roller. it was developed by Alpha Denshi and originally published by Kural Samno Electric in Japan. It was also licensed for North American release to Williams Electronics, and in Europe to both Karateco and Exidy.
What makes this game so unique?
You don’t eat dots- you PAINT THE MAZE!
And unlike the ghosts- the fish can see you wherever you are in the maze. So, they can plan an attack- most of the time cornering you.
I love this game. The maze layout, the roller powerups, The hidden WARP HOLES, the sound, and it’s kooky nature keeps me coming back for more! Sadly, it never had a home port until the amazing Crush Roller for the Neo Geo Pocket Color in 1999. Still, I would love to see an Atari 2600 homebrew someday…
I might even do a Coin Up episode soon…
How about you? Have you ever played Make Trax? Love it? hate it? let me know in the comments!
The Arcade Archives! 
Good choice to start with Ray. 😀
And it’s actually thanks to you that I and many other Arcaders discovered this gem back during the DisneyQuest days. It was clearly inspired by Pac-Man yet it had enough of a distinction to where the game stood on its own. And much like Pac-Man it is very addicting.
Definitely gotta check that video. 😁👍
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