Q*Bert

Q*Bert is a 1984 arcade classic that takes a small orange creature, places him on a pyramid of colorful cubes, and then makes the entire structure a surprisingly dangerous workplace. The objective is simple: jump across the cubes and change their colors while avoiding enemies and other hazards. Naturally, the cubes are not arranged on a nice flat surface, because that would be far too convenient. Q*Bert must bounce around the pyramid while dealing with creatures that seem to have nothing better to do than ruin his afternoon. The game is easy to understand but increasingly difficult to master, which is the secret behind its enduring appeal. It is a wonderfully compact piece of arcade design: colorful, frantic, and proof that even changing the color of a cube can become a life-or-death situation.