Overview and Gameplay
Recover every pile of stolen gold while evading the Bungeling Empire’s robots in this demanding Japanese Famicom adaptation of Brøderbund’s advanced Lode Runner level set. Hudson Soft built the game for experienced players, filling 50 stages with false floors, hidden escape routes, scrolling layouts, and puzzles that depend on precise timing and enemy manipulation.
After collecting all available gold, the player must reach the newly accessible exit. Later stages use eight-symbol passwords, while the first ten can be selected directly.
Controls And Mechanics
- Use the directional pad to run, climb ladders, cross bars, and drop down.
- A digs immediately to the right; B digs immediately to the left.
- Bricks regenerate after a delay, trapping robots or the player.
- Robots can carry gold, fall into holes, and serve as temporary platforms.
- Start pauses the action. While paused, the directional pad scrolls around the stage.
- Select opens stage selection, where A and B change the stage and can adjust game speed when combined with Select.
Version Notes
This Japan-only Famicom release features Hudson’s redesigned presentation, four-direction scrolling, stage passwords, speed adjustment, and no documented level editor.
Release And Credits
- Released: April 17, 1985
- Developer and publisher: Hudson Soft
- Original game lineage: Brøderbund, based on Doug Smith’s Lode Runner
- Japanese title: チャンピオンシップ・ロードランナー
