Pushover
Pushover is a classic platform puzzle game created by Red Rat Software and released by Ocean Software in 1992, available on iconic gaming systems like the Amiga, Atari ST, DOS, and Super NES. This nostalgic game is famously associated with Smiths’ snack brand Quavers, where players help the beloved mascot ‘Colin Curly’ retrieve his lost Quavers packets from a formidable ant hill. As G.I. Ant, a brave soldier ant, gamers must navigate through various engaging puzzles to collect the snacks. It’s noteworthy that the Super NES version omits Quavers branding, focusing instead on retrieving cash lost by Captain Rat.
Featuring 100 levels of escalating difficulty across nine uniquely themed worlds, Pushover challenges players to master interconnected platforms filled with colorful “dominoes”. The core gameplay involves strategically pushing dominoes so that they topple in a chain reaction to unveil the exit to the next level. Players encounter 11 distinct domino types, each marked by vibrant red and yellow patterns, with unique behaviors. G.I. Ant can only move one domino at a time, adding a layer of strategy to the gameplay.
To succeed in each level, players must not only topple all dominoes but also ensure that the exit door remains accessible. Obstacles like destroyed ledges or unbridged gaps can obstruct progress, and G.I. Ant faces the risk of losing a life by falling from heights, plummeting off the screen, or being squashed by falling dominoes.
Embark on an exciting journey through 100 thrilling levels, each increasingly challenging, spread across nine unique themed worlds. Each level is a complex puzzle featuring interconnected platforms with various “dominoes.” Your goal is to strategically rearrange these dominoes so that a single push will cause a chain reaction, toppling them all and unlocking the exit to advance to the next level. Players can encounter 11 distinct types of dominoes, marked by vibrant red and yellow patterns, each presenting different gameplay mechanics. Take control of G.I. Ant, who can transport dominoes one at a time to navigate through the challenges.
Success requires more than just toppling dominoes; players must ensure they can access the exit door post-collapse. Be wary, as obstacles can prevent you from reaching the exit—destroyed ledges, unbridged gaps, or dominoes blocking the way can all lead to a game over. G.I. Ant faces hazards like falling from great heights, slipping off-screen, or being crushed under a cascading domino, leading to the dreaded “You Failed, You Died” notification requiring a level restart. A level failure also occurs if any dominoes are destroyed by stacking one atop another.
Each level features a countdown timer, but even if the clock runs out, you can continue solving the puzzle. Utilizing the pause feature after time expires reveals helpful hints for completing the level. Interestingly, the hint for level 98 playfully points out the designer’s memory lapse, advising, “Use
