Ludography
53/100
Players5 ratings
62/100
Critics1 review
Lode Runner 3-D cover

1999 · Platformer · Puzzle

Lode Runner 3-D

Nintendo exclusive

The game mechanics are similar to the original; you outrun 'monsters' by using alternate routes, sliding on ropes, climbing ladders or drilling holes in the ground to trap them. This game differs from the other incarnations of games from the series because of its apparent three-dimensional perspective. While essentially running in 2-dimensional space, the player has an option to move in another direction every so often. The levels are mostly spirals that require climbing to complete.

Released
30 July 1999
Platforms
Nintendo 64
Genres
PlatformerPuzzle
Developers
—
Publishers
Bandai Namco Entertainment
Series
Lode Runner
Modes
Single-player
Perspective
Side view
Themes
Action
Country
United States
Age ratings
ESRB E
Languages
English

About

Lode Runner 3-D is a Nintendo 64 game in the Lode Runner franchise. The game was developed by Big Bang and was released in 1999 in North America and Europe by Infogrames, and in Japan by Banpresto. It is the first 3D game in the Lode Runner series.

Keywords

  • retroachievements
  • nintendo 64 exclusive

Media

Lode Runner 3-D screenshot 1

The articlegameplay, story, development, reception

Gameplay

The game mechanics are similar to the original: players must outrun enemies by using alternate routes, sliding on ropes, climbing ladders, or drilling holes in the ground to trap them. This game differs from earlier titles in the series due to its three-dimensional perspective. Although the gameplay largely occurs in two-dimensional space, players occasionally have the option to move in a third direction. The levels are primarily structured as spirals that involve climbing to progress.

There are five worlds, each of which must be unlocked by finding five cards in the previous world, excluding the first. Each world is divided into five stages, and each stage is further split into four levels. The main objective of each level is to collect a certain amount of gold to activate a portal, which allows players to proceed. As the game progresses, new worlds introduce additional interactive objects, tools, and obstacles.

Story

After the events of Jake Peril's previous adventures, he has been living a relatively peaceful life on his home planet with his wife, Jane Peril. However, the Mad Monk Emperor of Planet Pandora finally reveals himself, stealing all of Earth's gold resources. Once again, it falls to Jake Peril to defeat the Mad Monks and, ultimately, their leader.

Reception

The game received average to positive reviews. IGN gave it a score of 7 out of 10, praising the game for successfully taking the original concept and adapting it into a new format that enhances the experience. GameSpot noted that the game was slower and more difficult compared to previous entries in the franchise.

Releases by platformdates and regions as published

PlatformReleasedRegions
Nintendo 6426 March 1999North America

In the same series

Games like this

Collections1 collection

Platform libraries

Description adapted from its source, CC BY-SA 4.0.