Q*bert (1989-)

• Developer: Gottlieb

• Publisher: Ultra Games

• Genre: Puzzle

Qbert* for the NES was developed by Gottlieb and released in 1989, with Ultra Games serving as its publisher. It is a home adaptation of the 1982 Gottlieb arcade classic, which had already appeared on numerous computers and consoles throughout the early and mid-1980s. The NES version sought to preserve the core gameplay and visual identity of the original while presenting a smoother, more polished console interpretation. By the time it reached the NES, the game was already a well-established property, known for its distinctive pyramid of cubes and its unusual cast of characters.

The game places players in control of Q*bert as he hops diagonally across a series of stacked cubes, changing their colours while avoiding enemies such as Coily, Ugg, Wrongway and Slick. Its design grew out of early experiments with isometric-style arcade layouts and gravity-defying movement, offering a perspective that stood out from other titles of its time. The NES port remains faithful to this concept, retaining the puzzle-action structure in which player movement, timing and anticipation are essential. Difficulty increases as more hazards appear, introducing faster enemies and additional colour-change requirements to keep each stage challenging.

Gameplay features include precision hopping across cubes, pattern memorisation, and the use of floating discs that rescue Q*bert from the pursuing Coily. The controls were adapted to the NES controller’s layout, with diagonals mapped to the D-pad to replicate the arcade’s joystick movement. The soundtrack consists of short musical cues and the series’ trademark sound effects, including the iconic garbled “voice” created through synthesised noise bursts. These audio elements were designed to echo the arcade’s quirky personality while fitting within the NES’s hardware capabilities.

There is no prequel in the series, but Qbert* did later receive sequels, including Qbert’s Qubes* and Qbert 3*, which expanded the formula with new cube arrangements and mechanics. Promotion for the NES release emphasised its status as a trusted conversion of a well-known arcade hit, presenting it as a staple for fans of classic action-puzzle games. Critical reception was generally favourable, with reviewers praising its faithful gameplay, recognisable characters and the successful transfer of the arcade experience to a home console.

Images from MobyGames