The original. What more can be said? This was the first adventure game; the whole genre is named after it. Without it, Infocom would have been just another maker of business software, Sierra On-line would be primarily known for adaptations of coin-op videogames, and Volker Blasius would have a life. A detailed description of this game's history and significance can be found in Graham Nelson's "The Craft of Adventure".

Ignoring the profound historical significance for a moment, it's a treasure hunt in a cave, like most of the early adventures (including Zork). It has a verb-noun parser, minimal detail, two big annoying mazes, magic words, nonsense puzzles, and occasional death without warning. None of this matters. Download it anyway. You cannot consider yourself a true adventurer until you've played this game.

There are many different versions of this game, some of which include additions by later authors. The original gave a total of 350 points. Later additions usually award a higher final score.

Rating: ***

Reviewed by Carl Muckenhoupt (03 Jul 2000)

1997-12-04 adventions.tar.gz (1.08 MB)

TADS executable (version: 2.0G, additional material by David Baggett, full-sentence parser, all the Adventions games gzipped together)

1997-12-04 adventions.zip (1.08 MB)

TADS executable (version: 2.0G, additional material by David Baggett, full-sentence parser, all the Adventions games zipped together)

1993-10-26 ccr.sit.bin (481.13 KB)

Macintosh executable, TADS source code (version: 1.0, additional material by David Baggett, full-sentence parser)

1993-10-26 ccr.sit.hqx (655.11 KB)

Macintosh executable, TADS source code (version: 1.0, additional material by David Baggett, full-sentence parser)

1993-07-25 ccr.oldtr.tar.Z (352.14 KB)

TADS 2.1 or earlier executable, TADS source code (version: 1.0, additional material by David Baggett, full-sentence parser)

1993-07-10 ccr.tar.Z (264.27 KB)

TADS executable, TADS source code (version: 1.0, additional material by David Baggett, full-sentence parser)

1993-07-10 ccr.zip (374.29 KB)

MS-DOS executable, TADS source code (version: 1.0, additional material by David Baggett, full-sentence parser)

1993-07-22 firstadv.zip (159.08 KB)

AGT executable (version: 1.4, ported by David Gasior, bundled with MS-DOS runtime, full-sentence parser)

1993-08-04 hugecave.zip (437.88 KB)

AGT executable (version: 2.0, additional material by David Malmberg, bundled with MS-DOS runtime, full-sentence parser, 1000 points)

1996-07-02 adv350.lha (68.28 KB)

Amiga executable (ported by Don Ekman and David Kinder, 350 points)

1996-11-20 adv350jg.lha (82.26 KB)

Amiga executable (ported by Jim Gillogly and David Kinder, 350 points)

1997-08-03 adv350r4.lha (69.92 KB)

Amiga executable (version: DECUS release 4, ported by David Kinder, 350 points)

1996-02-06 adv430.lha (161.50 KB)

Amiga executable (version: 2.5, ported by David Kinder, additional material by Donald Woods, 430 points), C source code

1996-01-08 adv550.lha (201.46 KB)

Amiga executable (ported by David Kinder, additional material by Ken C. Wellsch, 550 points), C source code

1996-05-28 adv551.lha (123.36 KB)

Amiga executable (ported by David Kinder, additional material by Doug McDonald, 551 points)

1996-01-08 adv660.lha (274.78 KB)

C source code, Amiga executable (version: 10.06, ported by David Kinder, additional material by Mike Arnautov, 660 points, requires Kicksart 2.04)

1996-11-20 Adventure.lha (644.33 KB)

Amiga executable (ported by David Kinder, contains all of Kinder's amiga ports listed below)

1993-06-30 hugecave.lzh (237.20 KB)

Amiga executable (additional material by David Malmberg, 1000 points)

1995-11-17 atari8gm.zip (790.45 KB)

Atari 800 executable

1992-12-06 adventr.arc (64.75 KB)

Atari ST executable (ported by Marvin W. Rasmussen)

2003-07-06 beebgames.zip (1.32 MB)

BBC executable (additional material by Mike Austin, Nick Austin, and Pete Austin)

1997-02-13 ColossalAdventure.zip (19.77 KB)

BBC executable (additional material by Mike Austin, Nick Austin, and Pete Austin)

1995-03-19 advc64.zip (88.38 KB)

Commodore executable (ported by Jim Butterfield), BASIC source code (version: 4)

1997-06-09 C64adv.zip (2.78 MB)

Commodore executable

1997-05-17 Int-Fic.zip (96.11 KB)

Commodore executable

2005-02-11 cpm-advent-b03.zip (118.01 KB)

CP/M executable (version: B03, ported by Mike Goetz, 580 points)

2000-08-13 cpm-advent.zip (736.95 KB)

CP/M executable (version: A02, ported by Mike Goetz, 350 points), FORTRAN source code, CP/M executable (version: B00, 550 points), CP/M executable (version: B01, 550 points), CP/M executable (version: A02, 580 points)

2002-11-15 advent.blb (190.83 KB)

Glulx executable (version: 5, ported by Simon Baldwin, GUI enhancements)

2000-04-01 advent.ulx (163.50 KB)

Glulx executable (version: release 5, ported by Andrew Plotkin)

1997-01-03 colossal.hex (121.24 KB)

Hugo 2.2a executable (ported by Kent Tessman)

2001-12-19 adv440-linux.tgz (98.93 KB)

Linux executable (ported by Mike Arnautov, 440 points)

2002-01-04 adv550_glk_linux.tar.gz (146.54 KB)

Linux executable, Linux executable (ported by Mike Arnautov)

2002-01-04 adv660_glk_linux.tar.gz (213.96 KB)

Linux executable (ported by Mike Arnautov, 660 points)

2006-12-30 adv770-1.80-linux-glk.tgz (717.16 KB)

Linux executable (version: 1.80, additional material by Mike Arnautov, 770 points)

1993-01-13 adventure-11.hqx (134.81 KB)

Macintosh executable (version: 1.1, ported by Anthony C. Ard, 550 points)

1999-01-29 Adventure.sit (100.93 KB)

Macintosh executable (version: 2.5.m2, ported by Jacob Munkhammar, additional material by Donald Woods, 430 points)

2005-12-02 HCMacPkg.sit (710.41 KB)

Macintosh executable (version: 1, ported by Al Golden, additional material by David Malmberg, 1000 points), hints, maps in GIF format

1994-04-29 advos2.zip (70.15 KB)

OS/2 2.x executable (ported by John W. Kennedy, additional material by Jerry D. Pohl, three-score version)

1992-11-12 adv.arc (55.75 KB)

MS-DOS executable (ported by Jerry D. Pohl, three-score version)

1992-11-12 adv350de.zip (138.78 KB)

MS-DOS executable (ported by Don Ekman), FORTRAN source code, walkthrough

1997-03-05 adv350kb.zip (76.99 KB)

MS-DOS executable (ported by Kevin Black, 350 points)

1994-10-11 adv350kp.zip (220.38 KB)

FORTRAN source code, MS-DOS executable (ported by Ken Plotkin)

1996-09-16 adv370.zip (56.05 KB)

MS-DOS executable (ported by Paul Munoz-Colman, 370 points)

1999-08-21 adv375.zip (60.00 KB)

MS-DOS executable (additional material by Walt Bilofsky and Jim Gillogly, 375 points)

2001-12-30 adv440.zip (124.20 KB)

MS-DOS executable (ported by Mike Arnautov, 440 points)

2002-10-19 adv550_glk.zip (886.27 KB)

MS-DOS executable (ported by Mike Arnautov and David Kinder, 550 points)

1993-07-22 adv550.zip (115.75 KB)

MS-DOS executable (version: B00, ported by Steve Dover, 550 points)

1993-03-25 adv551.zip (118.40 KB)

MS-DOS executable (version: 6.6, ported by Magnus Olsson, additional material by Doug McDonald, 551 points)

2002-10-19 adv660_glk.zip (468.19 KB)

MS-DOS executable (ported by Mike Arnautov and David Kinder, 660 points)

1995-11-29 adv660.zip (199.93 KB)

MS-DOS executable (version: 10.06, additional material by Mike Arnautov, 660 points)

2006-12-30 adv770-1.80-dos.zip (732.34 KB)

MS-DOS executable (version: 1.80, additional material by Mike Arnautov, 770 points)

2006-12-30 adv770-1.80-win-glk.zip (1.17 MB)

Windows executable (version: 1.80, additional material by Mike Arnautov)

1996-06-16 advbds.zip (140.99 KB)

C source code, MS-DOS executable (ported by Bob Withers, three-score version)

1996-02-05 advent25.zip (95.56 KB)

MS-DOS executable (version: 2.5, additional material by Donald Woods, 430 points)

1993-03-25 advtc2.zip (98.40 KB)

MS-DOS executable (by Jerry D. Pohl, three-score version), C source code

2006-10-17 CCave.zip (1.57 MB)

Windows executable (version: V2006.1.2, ported by C. Young, relies on graphics, music, primitive parser, GUI version)

2005-12-02 HCWinPkg.zip (774.07 KB)

1000 points, hints in Z-code format, maps in GIF format

2004-11-01 advent_rus.zip (259.05 KB)

MS-DOS executable in Russian, C source code in Russian

1992-11-12 winadv21.zip (127.25 KB)

Windows executable (version: 2.1, ported by Wolfgang Strobl and Ken C. Wellsch, additional material by David Platt, 550 points)

2000-12-28 adv350-pdp10.tar.gz (48.85 KB)

FORTRAN source code

2003-04-08 adv350-php.zip (54.47 KB)

PHP source code (ported by Matt Cox, requires MySQL)

1996-11-13 adv350jg.zip (62.31 KB)

C source code (version: 1.2, ported by Jim Gillogly, 350 points)

1997-03-05 adv350kb-src.zip (64.56 KB)

FORTRAN source code (ported by Kevin Black)

2002-11-01 adv350r4_f77.tar.gz (51.85 KB)

FORTRAN source code (version: DECUS release 4, ported by Linards Ticmanis)

1996-12-12 adv350r4.tar.gz (51.06 KB)

FORTRAN source code (version: DECUS release 4, ported by Kevin Black)

1996-09-16 adv370s.zip (181.10 KB)

FORTRAN source code (ported by Paul Munoz-Colman, 370 points)

2001-12-17 adv440.tgz (156.53 KB)

FORTRAN source code (additional material by Peter Luckett and Jack Pike, 440 points)

1993-03-25 adv550s.zip (131.48 KB)

C source code (ported by Ken C. Wellsch, additional material by David Platt, 550 points)

1995-11-29 adv660.tar.Z (227.66 KB)

C source code (version: 10.06, additional material by Mike Arnautov, 660 points)

2006-12-28 adv770-1.80-C-src.tgz (619.12 KB)

C source code (version: 1.80, additional material by Mike Arnautov)

2002-01-04 advent_acode.tar.gz (778.67 KB)

A-code source code (ported by Mike Arnautov, 550 points), A-code source code (ported by Mike Arnautov, 660 points), solution

2003-08-20 advent_forth.zip (56.92 KB)

Forth source code (350 points, compatible with Gforth, Win32Forth, bigFORTH, VFX Forth, Swiftforth, and PFE)

2002-09-30 advent_unisys2200.zip (24.95 KB)

MAPPER source code (ported by Jared Mathes)

2003-03-18 advent-5.2.2-5.tar.gz (161.34 KB)

FORTRAN source code (version: 5.2/2, ported by Johann Gunnar Oskarsson, additional material by David Long)

2003-03-19 advent-orig550.tar.gz (115.35 KB)

FORTRAN source code (additional material by David Platt, 550 points), PL-6 source code, A-code source code

1996-03-18 advent-original.tar.gz (50.42 KB)

FORTRAN source code (This is the ur-text from which most other versions are derived.)

1992-12-21 advent.tar.Z (155.56 KB)

FORTRAN source code (version: 5.2/2, additional material by David Long, 501 points)

1996-01-29 Adventure2.5.tar.gz (67.18 KB)

C source code (version: 2.5, additional material by Donald Woods, 430 points)

1994-04-29 advos2s.zip (58.45 KB)

C source code (ported by John W. Kennedy, additional material by Jerry D. Pohl, three-score version, for OS/2)

1994-02-16 advqnx.tar.gz (38.63 KB)

C source code (additional material by Jerry D. Pohl, three-score version, for Unix)

1992-12-16 advsrc.zip (115.03 KB)

FORTRAN source code (version: 6.6, additional material by Doug McDonald, 551 points)

1993-03-18 cave.zip (45.12 KB)

AGT source code (350 points)

1995-12-29 hugecv-s.zip (216.23 KB)

AGT source code (additional material by David Malmberg, 1000 points), solution

2000-10-12 colossal.hug (121.68 KB)

Hugo source code (version: Release 2.2a, ported by Kent Tessman)

2003-04-26 Avontuur.inf (149.62 KB)

Inform source code in Dutch (version: 8, translated by Yuri Robbers)

2006-11-12 polyadv_320a.zip (1.22 MB)

TADS source code (version: 3.20a, ported by David Baggett, David Picton, and Bennett Standeven, original 350-point version, 550-point version by David Platt, 551-point version by David Long, 580-point version by Mike Goetz, and combined 701-point versions)

2003-07-22 level9.zip (1.26 MB)

Spectrum executable (optional graphics)

1997-11-27 zx.zip (2.88 MB)

Spectrum executable (optional graphics)

2006-11-12 polyadv.gam (849.18 KB)

TADS executable (version: 3.20 Rev. A, ported by David Baggett, David Picton, and Bennett Standeven, original 350-point version, 550-point version by David Platt, 551-point version by David Long, 580-point version by Mike Goetz, and combined 701-point versions)

2006-06-12 Advent.z5 (135.00 KB)

Z-code 5 executable (version: 9, ported by Graham Nelson, 350 points)

2001-11-23 advent.z6 (115.50 KB)

Z-code 6 executable (version: 10, ported by Jason C. Penney)

2003-04-26 Avontuur.z5 (150.00 KB)

Z-code 5 executable in Dutch (version: 8, translated by Yuri Robbers)

2000-05-17 aventure.z5 (126.50 KB)

Z-code 5 executable in French (translated by Jean-Luc Pontico)

1998-04-19 abent.z5 (123.50 KB)

Z-code 5 executable in German (version: 5, translated by Toni Arnold, full-sentence parser)

2005-12-02 HugeCave.z8 (325.00 KB)

Z-code 8 executable (version: 1, ported by Al Golden, additional material by David Malmberg, 1000 points)

2005-12-02 HugeHint.z5 (122.00 KB)

hints in Z-code format for Humongous Cave 1000-point version

2002-12-10 nuntalylihu.z5 (144.50 KB)

Z-code 5 executable in Lojban (version: 5)

1997-12-09 aventura.zip (79.16 KB)

Z-code executable in Spanish (version: 1, translated by José Luis Díaz)

1995-01-19 Craft.Of.Adventure.txt (96.89 KB)

essay by Graham Nelson, containing quite a bit of background on this game

1996-09-24 ColossalAdventure.clues (18.34 KB)

clue sheet

1995-11-24 col-adv.step (6.45 KB)

solution

1998-02-07 Adv_walk.zip (7.51 KB)

solution and map in GUEmap format for 350 point version

1997-09-12 adv660-hints.txt (23.86 KB)

hints for 660-point version

1993-08-02 adven550.sol (25.93 KB)

solution for the 550-point version

1997-08-17 adventure-walkthrough.txt (13.75 KB)

solution for the 350-point version

1992-12-31 adventure.step (10.29 KB)

solution for the 350-point version

1999-12-26 hcavesol.zip (68.01 KB)

solution to 1000-point "humongous" version

1995-11-21 jgunness.zip (159.04 KB)

Walkthrough for Level 9 version

1996-10-15 Sols1.zip (213.57 KB)

solution

1992-12-02 winadsol.zip (29.96 KB)

solution to the 550-point version

A small unofficial sequel to Infocom's Enchanter trilogy, based partly on their sample transcripts and partly on the need for a better look at the last four cubes in Spellbreaker. The main reason this game was written was to show off the more advanced features of Inform, such as dynamic vocabulary and indistinguishable objects. It's still a pretty good little game in its own right, with loads of clever spellcasting. One required action is completely motivationless and somewhat suicidal, but you might hit on it if you try things just to see what happens.

Rating: ****

Reviewed by Carl Muckenhoupt (30 Jun 2000)

2002-03-21 balances.blb (374.55 KB)

Glulx executable (version: 5, ported by L. Ross Raszewski, optional graphics, GUI enhancements)

1996-12-19 Balances.z5 (73.50 KB)

Z-code 5 executable (version: 5)

1994-12-13 Balances.solve (8.37 KB)

solution

1996-12-12 Exorcism_gfx.lha (454.10 KB)

optional graphics (not compatible with AGA chipset)

1996-12-12 Exorcism.lha (101.32 KB)

Amiga executable

1996-12-12 Box.lha (145.36 KB)

Amiga executable

A treasure hunt set in the Australian outback, mostly in an abandoned gold mine. Contains puzzles, but you'll spend most of your time running from randomly-distributed monsters through undistinguished tunnels. Treasures and junk are also randomly distributed. There's no real "save game" feature. Invoking the game with a special flag gives you a "data recorder" with which you can store sequences of moves to a file, but the random aspects limit the utility of this item. Also, using it at all locks you out of the endgame. Apparently, the author wants you to play the whole thing in one sitting. (Why?)

Rating: **

Reviewed by Carl Muckenhoupt (30 Jun 2000)

1996-12-08 Dinkum_2.14.lha (539.11 KB)

Amiga executable (version: 2.14)

1995-12-14 dinkm214.zip (80.03 KB)

MS-DOS executable (version: 2.14)

1995-12-07 dinkum-2.14.tar.gz (95.50 KB)

C source code (version: 2.14)

Another of the growing pile of games set in the Zork universe (or its twin brother), this time long after the Old Underground Empire has faded from memory. As an ambassador and spy from a small duchy, you must investigate rumors of the rediscovery of magic, and ultimately master its power in order to destroy it. Set mostly underground, but with enough plot to give it a sense of intrigue. Good design, with nicely cohesive geography. Features in-game hints.

Rating: ****

Reviewed by Carl Muckenhoupt (30 Jun 2000)

1996-10-16 sherbet.z5 (154.00 KB)

Z-code 5 executable (version: Release 1, original competition entry)

1996-12-19 sherbet.z5 (170.50 KB)

Z-code executable (version: Release 2)

A small game set in a tiny solar system, where the mechanism that powers the rotation of the Earth (approx. diameter 8 feet) has broken down and must be repaired. Has an excellent sense of humor that derives more from the absurdity of the game mechanics than the prose, as you wade through oceans and leap to other planets. Puzzles are simple but numerous. A lot of the standard TADS verbs are disabled to make the game easier. Features adaptive hints.

Rating: ****

Reviewed by Carl Muckenhoupt (30 Jun 2000)

1996-10-26 BugHints.txt (1.26 KB)

correction of error in in-game hints for original release

1996-10-17 smallwld.gam (205.97 KB)

TADS executable (version: Release 1, original competition entry)

1998-11-29 SmallW3.sit (405.79 KB)

Macintosh executable (version: Release 3)

1998-11-29 SmallW3.gam (255.92 KB)

TADS executable (version: Release 3)

1996-12-17 smallwld.sol (4.63 KB)

Walkthrough

An introductory course in the Scheme programming language (a dialect of Lisp) presented as a text adventure - or, to put it another way, a Scheme interpreter with a wee scrap of text adventure wrapped around it. Since it's Z-code, and the first Z-code games were written in another Lisp variant, there's an odd circularity to it all. Not all of Scheme's syntax is represented, but it's still a good show-off piece. Hardly interactive fiction, though.

Rating: Not rated

Reviewed by Carl Muckenhoupt (30 Jun 2000)

1996-10-16 lists.z5 (113.50 KB)

Inform source code (version: 3, as entered in 1996 competition)

1996-12-05 lists.tar.Z (54.47 KB)

Inform source code (version: Release 3)

1996-12-05 lists.z5 (113.50 KB)

Z-code 5 executable (version: Release 3)

In this haunting and dreamlike work, you discover unnatural shadows that allow you to travel to a variety of strange places, each with a different prevailing mood. A sprawling work, thick with prose, variously enchanting and disturbing. Has a definite recurring theme of near-misses and creative tension, as well as numerous less-identifiable undercurrents with plenty of room for interpretation and speculation. (Is the tribal dance you witness in the grasslands just another retelling of the play you watch in the prologue? Is there some connection between the sculpture in the park and the coming lunar conjunction?) Excellent puzzles, chiefly based on experimenting with unfamiliar objects. Lots of attention to detail, especially irrelevant detail, with the effect that the world seems much larger than it is. Highly emotional and pleasantly confusing.

Rating: *****

Reviewed by Carl Muckenhoupt (30 Jun 2000)

1996-12-19 SoFar.z8 (293.00 KB)

Z-code 8 executable (version: 6)

1996-07-19 SoFar.sol (7.07 KB)

solution

1996-07-14 SoFar.step (9.48 KB)

solution

1998-03-10 sofar.zip (18.21 KB)

THL hint file

A sequel to the Doctor Who episode "The Brain of Morbius". You play the Doctor (4th incarnation, just after "The Invasion of Time"), sent by the Time Lords to make sure that galactic megalomaniac Morbius is actually dead this time (which, of course, he isn't). A bit spare for my tastes - true to its source, the two main environments are a barren alien wasteland and a series of corridors. Holds together pretty well, though. Puzzles can be tough, especially if you miss something. Some elementary knowledge of Doctor Who helps, but is not absolutely necessary. Has many timed events.

Rating: ****

Reviewed by Carl Muckenhoupt (30 Jun 2000)

1996-12-07 karn.z5 (162.00 KB)

Z-code 5 executable (version: 2)

1997-02-21 karn.sol (6.61 KB)

solution

1996-12-12 Gory_Story.dms (529.28 KB)

Amiga executable

1996-12-12 Hazardous_Holiday.dms (596.47 KB)

Amiga executable

1996-12-05 Napoleon_1.02.lha (454.29 KB)

Amiga executable (version: 1.02, ported by Bill Hoggett)

1995-12-06 napoleon-1.02.tar.gz (50.07 KB)

C source code (version: 1.02, needs yacc or bison)

1996-12-12 Thrallbound.lha (269.87 KB)

Amiga executable

1996-12-12 ZutAlors.lha (70.10 KB)

Amiga executable

This game is a much shortened German remake of Melbourne House's The Hobbit. It was first published in a special edition of the German computer magazine 64'er. While the main theme stays the same, the plot and writing are much simplified and not very faithful to the original game.

Dieses Spiel ist eine stark gekürzte Adaption von Melbourne Houses The Hobbit und wurde zuerst in einem 64'er Sonderheft veröffentlicht. Mit dem Original kann es in keiner Beziehung mithalten, da die Geschichte und die Texte sehr vereinfacht wurden.

Rating: **

Reviewed by Matthias Oborski (20 Dec 2002)

1996-12-21 klhobbit (24.48 KB)

Commodore executable in German

1996-12-21 klhobbit.txt (685 bytes)

Description

1996-12-07 amnesia.exe (63.60 KB)

MS-DOS executable in Spanish

2003-10-24 espacial.zip (69.08 KB)

Amstrad executable in Spanish

2003-10-24 espacial.zip (89.73 KB)

Commodore executable in Spanish

2007-04-05 AventuraEspacial.zip (55.89 KB)

MSX executable in Spanish

1996-12-07 espacial.exe (392.96 KB)

MS-DOS executable in Spanish

2003-03-05 Aventura_Espacial.zip (75.30 KB)

Spectrum executable in Spanish