Pengi

Infobox VG
title=Pengi


developer = F Knock
publisher = Visions
distributor =
designer =
engine =
version =
released = 1984
genre = Arcade / Maze
modes = One player
ratings=
platforms=Acorn Electron, BBC Micro
media=Cassette tape
requirements=
input=Keyboard

"Pengi" is a computer game for the Acorn Electron and BBC Micro, released by "Visions Software" in 1984. It is based on the "Sega" arcade game "Pengo".

The player takes the role of a penguin named "Pengi" who finds himself in a maze made up of ice blocks that is surrounded by an electric fence. If the blocks are kicked, they will slide along until they hit another block or the fence. If however, the block is already touching something else (in the direction it would slide), it breaks and disappears. Three of the blocks are special 'diamond' ice blocks which cannot break.

The maze is inhabited by 'snow bees' that are deadly so must be avoided. They move around in a semi-random way: a bee may sometimes choose to get away from "Pengi" instead of chasing him (especially on early levels). The bees can be killed by crushing them with a moving ice block (bees do not stop the blocks so more than one bee can be killed with one kick) or by kicking the fence while they are touching it. This momentarily stuns them and they can be crushed by simply walking over them. Only a set number of bees are on the screen at once (eg 3 on level 1) but there are more (a total of 6 on level 1) which emerge from the diamond blocks as others are killed. A level is completed either by killing all of the bees or by lining up the special diamond blocks. This is the preferred way of completing the level because a huge points bonus is awarded (5,000 if they are touching the fence, 10,000 if they are not).

The game continues with different coloured bees in a new maze. The number of bees on screen, the number of 'reserve' bees, the speed of the bees and the intelligence of the bees all increase on each successive level, making it much more difficult to successfully line up the diamond blocks.

As with most popular arcade games of the time, there were many other unofficial clones of "Pengi" released for various home computers. Other BBC/Electron examples include "Percy Penguin" ("Superior Software"), "Pengwyn" ("Postern") and more abstract interpretations like "Rubble Trouble" ("Micro Power") but "Pengi" is generally regarded as the best of its type. Electron User (#2.04, January 1985) gave a particularly favourable review. Though at that time, it did not give out scores, the reviewer said "Visions' Pengi is far superior to any Pac Man program... The graphics are excellent as is the sound... If you're into arcade games, you will love this one." [http://www.acornelectron.co.uk/eu/revs/visions/r-peng.html]