Lode Runner Classic shows up for Xbox LIVE on Windows Phone too [Video]

WP Central

You can run, but you can't hide on Xbox LIVE

Although Contract Killer was known to be coming to Xbox LIVE today (and sure enough, it’s out) it looks like Microsoft slipped in a 2nd title—Lode Runner Classic.

The game fetches for $2.99 and is a throwback to the old school arcade games from the 1980s. In fact, many of you will have childhood flashbacks with this one as it was quite popular with home PC systems which include the Apple II series, the Atari 8-bit family, the VIC-20, the Commodore 64 and the IBM PC and it’s known to be the first game with a level editor.

Gameplay is straightforward—run through mazes and do things. Okay, we’re way oversimplifying as this game actually has a lot going on for it (just see the tutorials). There are an included 150 levels which should keep people busy for a long time and it seems like a fair amount of gameplay versus what you’re paying for it.

Check our video hands on and more details after the break...

The music is dark and Sci-Fi and the optional game controls should make everyone happy—heck you can even customize colors in the game. Other features include:

  • 150 puzzling levels – all unlocked and accessible
  • Clever, non-disposable enemies
  • New magnification effect – zoom the action around the Runner
  • Multiple play speeds – super slow to superfast action
  • 2 control schemes – virtual D-pad and touch controls
  • Illustrated How to Play section
  • Xbox LIVE Achievements and Leaderboards

We haven’t had too much time to play with it but as you can see with our video above, so far we’re actually really liking this and we think it’s a keeper. Head here to the Marketplace to pick up the trial of the game. Thanks, Scott W., for the tip!

Daniel Rubino
Editor-in-chief

Daniel Rubino is the Editor-in-chief of Windows Central. He is also the head reviewer, podcast co-host, and analyst. He has been covering Microsoft since 2007, when this site was called WMExperts (and later Windows Phone Central). His interests include Windows, laptops, next-gen computing, and watches. He has been reviewing laptops since 2015 and is particularly fond of 2-in-1 convertibles, ARM processors, new form factors, and thin-and-light PCs. Before all this tech stuff, he worked on a Ph.D. in linguistics, watched people sleep (for medical purposes!), and ran the projectors at movie theaters because it was fun.