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Lode Runner

DOS - 1990

Also available on: Mac - Amstrad CPC - Apple II - Atari 8-bit - Atari ST - Commodore 64 - FM-7 - PC-88 - VIC-20 - ZX Spectrum

Alt names ロードランナー, 淘金者, Kong, LR, Lode Runner Classic, Lode Runner for WonderSwan, Miner
Year 1990
Platform DOS
Released in France
Genre Action, Puzzle
Theme Platform
Publisher Brøderbund Software, Inc.
Perspectives Side view, Fixed / Flip-screen
4.72 / 5 - 43 votes

Description of Lode Runner

To describe Lode Runner as just another treasure-grabbing "action game" would be to undermine its ingenuity: suffice to say that it is arguably the world's first action game that combines puzzle elements successfully-- dexterity is required, yet at the same time your exit path (and holes to dig) must be carefully planned lest you get helplessly trapped.

This game truly belongs in the rare breed of timeless classics that remain addictive no matter how old they are.

Review By HOTUD

External links

Comments and reviews

Downunder 2024-02-20 0 point

A programmer from Taiwan created a web version of the game. You can play it at: https://loderunnerwebgame.com/game/

SDO 2024-01-28 0 point Apple II version

Lode Runner was my first arcade like game played in the early 80s on an apple ][ which I thought it compared to which you saw in the arcades. As well editors came about that made it very home competative and fun. Highly recommended.

Motown88 2023-12-16 1 point

Played this on an MSX back in the day...

Fry 2023-09-01 0 point

No Apple 2 version?

gcheeseau 2022-09-13 1 point

i think i used to play this on an apple II europluss , 48k memory , it made the tv reception go blurry in another room . converted black and white tv for a monitor . 8 hours of playing and you have a fight with your brother cause he wants to watch sport

MarkTheMorose 2022-07-29 0 point

Retrogamer2082: I gave instructions on the DOS version keys earlier in the comments. Click 'See Older Comments' below.

General info; this was also available on the BBC Micro, published by Software Projects who were more famous for certain other platform games - Manic Miner and Jet Set Willy - once the author left Bug-Byte.

Retrogamer2082 2021-11-02 0 point

Played today on a DOS emulator for Windows (DosBox), but how do I dig a hole, what keys to press? Please help...

Кашиф 2021-11-02 0 point

Jim the Greek: Джордан Мехнер сделал "Каратеку" и "Принца Персии" с "Последним экспрессом", а ЭТУ игру придумал Дуг Смит.
З. Ы. Спасибо им за великолепные игры!

MarkTheMorose 2020-10-18 1 point DOS version

ALEXD: sadly there isn't an option to save the game. You could try a modified version of DOSbox that has a save feature, called DOSbox SVN Daum. That would theoretically add a save feature for any DOS game, but it's considered an obsolete build.

AlexD 2020-10-02 0 point

Thank you MARKTHEMOROSE.
Now I can play it once again.
I dont remember, but is there a save game key ?

MYMOON 2020-03-28 1 point Commodore 64 version

How I loved this game... Unfortunately Mr. Doug Smith passed away in 2014 and I never had the chance to thank him.

Mr Vampire 2019-02-09 2 points Commodore 64 version

This was a great platform/puzzle style game. Played this for hours while pretending I didn't have any homework due the next day.

Beetle 2018-03-10 1 point

I want this on my android phone at the moment

dfortae 2018-01-12 -1 point DOS version

I review Lode Runner here: http://youtu.be/CSl682xX9zg

Space Man 100789 2018-01-04 1 point

This Does Not Look Like The Original One But The Original One Is AWESOME! It Is The First Game to Have A Level Editor Long Before Super Mario Maker This Is Broderbund's Second Best Selling Commodore Game I Gotta Play Commodore Version The Commodore Is a Amazing Computer I Wish The Commodore Wasn't So Expensive Lode Runner Was by the same guys who did the awesome prince of persia series the first one was AMAZING! I still like my abandonware .com This website has great first person shooters like doom Wolfe stein 3D

hasan khan 2017-01-30 1 point

ohhh i miss this game very much

brick.xiii@gmail.com 2016-12-30 0 point

I have an atari st version. Working 640x400. Released in 1985 as "runner's revenge"

Jim the Greek 2016-09-16 0 point DOS version

Legendary game ! At the same class with Hard Hat Mack and Saboteur II.
Congrats to the big man Jordan Mechner !!

MarkTheMorose 2016-06-26 0 point DOS version

I just found the scanned DOS version manual on replacementdocs.

To redefine keys: when a game is playing push Esc, K, then follow the promps at the bottom of the screen. You can't define Esc, Shift, Ctrl, Alt, Num Lock, Caps Lock, Scroll Lock, Prt Scrn, or Enter, but other than those you can define any key.

Hint: the game see the arrow keys as number keys - remember this game is old, and the cursor keys didn't used to be separate on the original IBM PC, they were on the numeric keypad as 4, 8, 6, and 2. So, don't be alarmed if you try to define the cursor keys and they don't seem to register. They are define already, just press Enter until you see 'dig left', and 'dig right'. I found Z and X worked well.

While the game is joystick compatible, it expects an old analog stick, and didn't see my USB pad; maybe something in DOSBox can be configured to allow it, I've not checked.

MarkTheMorose 2016-06-26 0 point DOS version

To dig in the DOS version: numeric keypad 7 and 9 respectively.

I don't know if this can be changed.

Moron McDerbrain 2015-12-05 0 point

Im from the future and this game isnt compatible with my FutureTron 2000 operating system :( FutureTron usually accepts any file in existence and figures out how to make it go with magical ASCII dust but it looks like I'll have to buy a physical emulation unit and insert DOS-ROMs here. Weeeeee.

Séb 2015-03-03 0 point DOS version

Hi! I downloaded the game, but also Boxer which can emulate my mac to open a DOS window. The game can be launched, but impossible to dig! The keyboards (except the arrows) don't work! Can anybody help me?

dmjack92 2013-10-25 0 point DOS version

Have you tried using dos box? Trust me. It will make a big difference with your gaming experience.

OM 2013-02-03 0 point DOS version

...Jezuz! I remember being sent a beta copy of this for eval, along with a bunch of other BBS sysops. Some of us were sent the C64 version as well. Hell of a fun game, and there was a construction kit app available as well. Good find by the "Euro-Frog" who runs this joint :) :) :)

magilvia 2012-10-13 0 point DOS version

Requires windows 32bit

FreeDragon 2012-06-01 0 point DOS version

always loved this game

toad_ali 2012-02-13 0 point DOS version

Noooo! This game won't play with Windows 7. :(

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Download Lode Runner

We may have multiple downloads for few games when different versions are available. Also, we try to upload manuals and extra documentation when possible. If you have additional files to contribute or have the game in another language, please contact us!

DOS Version

DownloadEnglish version 49 KB DownloadFloppy Disk Image English version 58 KB ManualEnglish version 5 MB

Game Extras

Various files to help you run Lode Runner, apply patches, fixes, maps or miscellaneous utilities.

ModChampionship Lode Runner edition English version 32 KB

Mac Version

Amstrad CPC Version

Apple II Version

Atari 8-bit ROM

Atari ST ROM

Commodore 64 Version

FM-7 Version

DownloadNeo Kobe Release Japanese (ja) version 2 MB DownloadTape Format Japanese (ja) version 1 MB

PC-88 Version

VIC-20 Version

ZX Spectrum Version

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