Popular games built on game engine PICO-8
A hardcore platform game for the PICO-8 fantasy console.
Tutankham is a combination of the maze, action and shoot 'em up genres. Taking on the role of an explorer grave robbing Tutankhamun's tomb, the player is chased by creatures such as asps, vultures, parrots, bats, dragons, and even curses, all that kill the player on contact. The explorer can fight back by firing lasers at the creatures, but he can only cover the left and right directions. The player is also endowed with a single screen-clearing "flash bomb" per level or life. Finally, each level has warp zones that teleport the player around the level, which enemies cannot use. To progress, the player collects keys open locked doors throughout the levels, searching for the large exit door. Optional treasures can be picked-up for bonus points. Each level has a timer; when it reaches zero the explorer can no longer fire lasers, and once a level is cleared the remaining time is converted to bonus points.
In 2021, the last time I taught the class, I didn’t want to hide the homework in the games. Instead I used the games as ways of presenting ideas. I made several, but I like this one, a reinterpretation of the fortune-telling minigame from Ultima IV.
An 8-bit homage to the original Superhot game created by three members of the Superhot Team.
Pico Snail is a Pico-8 game inspired by the musician Snail's House You play as Snail-Chan, and are tasked with defending the Dream castle! You can run, jump, thwack enemies, and use stars you collect for special powers!
This is 2018’s assignment, a diabolical puzzle. You’re a monk who has forgotten where his cell is in the monastery, and who must walk the labyrinth in order to remember it. If you can find his room, you’ll find out what the assignment prompt is. I was a bit worried the students would be unable to find the prompt hidden in this one, but about half of them got there eventually. (The rest were expelled from the university.) 2018’s class was 100% Pico-8 so it seemed appropriate that the prompt game should be in Pico-8 too. Pico-8 is so great for prototyping — as a case in point, it builds to a single JS and HTML file which loads quite happily in the browser from a local file, so you don’t get annoying permissions or crossdomain problems.
In Astropocalypse you take control of a hotshot meteor bent on destroying the galaxy. Use your directional pad to steer your meteor buddy and ram it into nearby planets in the current solar system. Once all planets are destroyed, it's time to go for the finishing blow... destroy the sun!
The evil Chiro Empire has captured all of the other Dragon Eggs! It's your job to save them!
An explosive homage to the old-time multiplayer classic made with PICO-8! In this game, your goal is to drop bombs on the battlefield to eliminate all other players in time and be the last manbomber standing. The game can be played with up to 4 players battling each other. While in the 2-player mode, both players can use the same keyboard to control their manbomber, a controller for each player is required for all other modes. Any Controller which can be connected to your device will do!
Enjoy a sunny day at the golf course. Improve your putting skills and take the cart for a spin.
A tiny challenging arcade shoot’em up where you shoot down quirky aliens to save your planet. Evade bullets, shoot enemies, get upgrades, survive through challenging waves to defeat the final boss, "The Monke".
The Shadow King has invaded the castle belonging to the Knights of Valor and they need your help to get it back! Explore the massive castle in this metroidvania and help the fallen knights back to their former glory! Upgrade your moves and weapons along the way as you fight minions, defeat bosses, find secrets, and unravel what has happened.
A "One Level Concept" Demake of Contra for PICO-8!
A demake of Castlevania in PICO-8
A Pizza Tower Demake for PICO-8.
An action puzzle game with the concept of "recording and replaying movements."
Astra is the smallest star in Constellation Station. Tired of being picked on, she sets off an adventure to build a new constellation of her own! Run, jump, slide, and float across the galaxy while collecting stardust to build your new home in this retro-inspired Pico-8 platformer.
Try to get the frogs to the top of the screen to fed, by playing cards
2018 7DRL You are an elven hunter on quest to defeat whatever beast has been terrorising the forest, armed with you bow and a couple of arrows you set out.
Yep, just a normal day. Nothing weird is going to happen at all.
A difficult platform game, prove you are a Pumpking!
A browser based holiday themed bowling game.
My version of the Atari's arcade game Night Driver and Dr. Reiner Foerst's Nürburgring 1.
A Pico-8 Celeste mod featuring a lovable pink character who can fly and inhale items!