For the Steven Universe episode, see Marble Madness (Steven Universe).
1984 video game
Marble Madness
North American arcade flyer
Developer(s)
Atari Games
Publisher(s)
Atari Games
Designer(s)
Mark Cerny
Programmer(s)
Bob Flanagan
Artist(s)
Mark Cerny Sam Comstock
Composer(s)
Brad Fuller Hal Canon
Platform(s)
Arcade, Amiga, Apple II, Apple IIGS, Atari ST, Commodore 64, Game Boy, Game Boy Advance, Game Gear, Java ME, Master System, Nintendo Entertainment System, IBM PC, Sega Genesis, X68000, ZX Spectrum
Release
NA: December 15, 1984
Genre(s)
Platform, racing
Mode(s)
Up to 2 players simultaneously
Arcade system
Atari System 1
Marble Madness is an arcade video game designed by Mark Cerny and published by Atari Games in 1984. It is a platform game in which the player must guide a marble through six courses, populated with obstacles and enemies, within a time limit. The player controls the marble by using a trackball. Marble Madness is known for using innovative game technologies: it was Atari's first to use the Atari System 1 hardware, the first to be programmed in the C programming language, and one of the first to use true stereo sound (previous games used either monaural sound or simulated stereo).
In designing the game, Cerny drew inspiration from miniature golf, racing games, and artwork by M. C. Escher. He aimed to create a game that offered a distinct experience with a unique control system. Cerny applied a minimalist approach in designing the appearance of the game's courses and enemies. Throughout development, he was frequently impeded by limitations in technology and had to forgo several design ideas.
Upon its release in arcades, Marble Madness was commercially successful and profitable. Critics praised the game's difficulty, unique visual design, and stereo soundtrack. The game was ported to numerous platforms and inspired the development of other games. A sequel was developed and planned for release in 1991, but canceled when location testing showed the game could not succeed in competition with other titles.
MarbleMadness is an arcade video game designed by Mark Cerny and published by Atari Games in 1984. It is a platform game in which the player must guide...
watching old episodes of their favorite sitcom Li'l Butler. 44 44 "MarbleMadness" Elle Michalka Joe Johnston & Jeff Liu March 5, 2015 (2015-03-05) 1026-044...
Productions. He has also developed several games, notably the arcade game MarbleMadness and the Knack series, and credited on many more for his consulting work...
Archon: The Light and the Dark: Lode Runner: M.U.L.E.: Star Wars: Elite: MarbleMadness: Gauntlet: Ghosts 'n Goblins: Super Mario Bros.: Tetris: Ultima IV:...
(1983) for the OMNI Jordan vs Bird: One on One (1989) for the NES MarbleMadness (1989) for the NES Spitfire Attack (1983) for the Atari 2600 Survival...
is presented in an isometric perspective, and has been compared to MarbleMadness. Series villain Dr. Robotnik has tricked Sonic the Hedgehog into wearing...
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Sonic games with the SegaSonic name and was inspired by the 1984 game MarbleMadness. SegaSonic the Hedgehog was released in Japanese arcades in late 1993...
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Marble Man may refer to: Man of Marble, a 1977 Polish film Marble Man: MarbleMadness II, an unreleased video game Robert E. Lee or Marble Man (1807–1870)...
visuals and design, but criticized its audio. Similarities were drawn to MarbleMadness, which was released in arcades two years earlier. Spindizzy was followed...
Marble It Up! game), PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Epic Games Store on August 17, 2023. Video games portal MarbleMadness Switchball...
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Cabal1 California Games1 Captain Skyhawk Digger T. Rock Jordan vs Bird: One on One1 MarbleMadness Race America Time Lord World Games1 Consoles Vectrex...
machines. Orland, Kyle (4 March 2011). "GDC 2011: Mark Cerny Discusses MarbleMadness' Turbulent Development". Gamasutra. Archived from the original on 20...
the success of Music Construction Set, Harvey ported Atari Games's MarbleMadness to the Apple II and the Commodore 64 (1986) and developed two original...
Cabal1 California Games1 Captain Skyhawk Digger T. Rock Jordan vs Bird: One on One1 MarbleMadness Race America Time Lord World Games1 Consoles Vectrex...
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