Apple Panic

From an advertisement in 80 Micro

Apple Panic was based on Space Panic, which was released by Universal in 1980. Apple Panic was written by Yves Lempereur, fifth of the nine games that he wrote for the TRS-80. A version of Apple Panic was also written for the Apple II, but by a different author. I personally prefer the TRS-80 version.

The game takes place on a screen of platforms and ladders. For some strange reason, the apples have begun rampaging against you, an apple farmer. The apples constantly roam the screen, even travelling up and down the ladders. If an apple touches you, then you immediately lose your life. You need to avoid the apples by using the ladders to move to different platforms. You are armed solely with a shovel and your only hope is to try to dig holes to stop the apples. If you dig a hole and an apple falls in, then it will be briefly immobilized. You then need to jump up and down on the apple to push it through and destroy it. If you don’t do that soon enough, then the apple will fill in the hole and continue on its way. There is also a time limit; you lose your life if you don’t destroy all the apples within the allotted time.

Title screen

Instructions

The keyboard controls are simple, but appropriate. You use the arrow keys to move and SPACEBAR to dig a hole and also to jump on an apple. Apple Panic also supports a joystick. The game makes good use of music and sound. Be sure to have sound on when you complete a level to hear the musical reward. The game also speaks the one phrase “Apple Panic” at the title screen. The Funsoft logo screen and the animated title screen are impressive, and among the best examples of animated transitions in any TRS-80 game. Apple Panic is one of my favorite TRS-80 games.

Start of play

One apple is captured

Filed Under Arcade Games · Software · Funsoft · Yves Lempereur