Ludography
Marble Drop cover

1997 · Cinematronics · Puzzle · Strategy

Marble Drop

Players are given an initial set of marbles that are divided evenly into six colors: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple, with two more colors available to purchase: black and silver (steel). These marbles are picked up and dropped by the players into funnels leading to a series of rails, switches, traps and other devices which grow more complex as the game progresses. The aim is to ensure that each marble arrives in the bin of the same color as the marble. Players must determine how the marble will travel through the puzzle, and how its journey will change the puzzle for the next marble.

Released
28 February 1997
Platforms
Windows
Genres
PuzzleStrategy
Developers
CinematronicsCinematronics, LLC
Publishers
Maxis
Themes
Sandbox
Country
United States
Age ratings
ESRB E

About

Marble Drop is a puzzle video game published by Maxis on February 28, 1997.

Keywords

  • traps
  • abstract
  • single-screen level

Media

Marble Drop screenshot 1

The articlegameplay, story, development, reception

Gameplay

Players are given an initial set of marbles that are divided evenly into six colors: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple, with two more colors available to purchase: black and silver (steel). These marbles are picked up and dropped by the players into funnels leading to a series of rails, switches, traps and other devices which grow more complex as the game progresses. The aim is to ensure that each marble arrives in the bin of the same color as the marble. Players must determine how the marble will travel through the puzzle, and how its journey will change the puzzle for the next marble.

When a marble runs over certain sections of the puzzle, the paths may be rerouted or cut off, either temporarily or permanently. For example, if the marble runs over a button, it might hop, skip and jump a diversion that sends the next marble down a different road.

Reception

Marble Drop received lukewarm reception upon release. It received a ranking of 5.2 out of 10 from GameSpot, considering it dull. Computer Games Magazine gave it a 2.5 out of 5.

Releases by platformdates and regions as published

PlatformReleasedRegions
Windows28 February 1997North America

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