Lock'n'Chase (DECO Cassette) (US)

In Lock'n'Chase, two players navigate interconnected mazes to collect items while being pursued by four patrolling officers named Spiffy, Smarty, Scaredy, and Silly. Players score points for gathering dots scattered throughout the maze, alongside special collectibles like hats, crowns, suitcases, and watches, each worth varying point values. A key feature of this 1981 Data East game is the ability to strategically block the pursuing officers with walls – trapping them can earn significant bonus points. Once all the items in a maze are collected, players must find one of two exits to escape their pursuers and advance to the next stage. Lock'n'Chase utilizes the DECO Cassette System hardware, marking it as the eleventh game released on this platform. The gameplay shares similarities with classics like Pac-Man but introduces unique strategic elements focused around manipulating the environment to outwit the pursuing cops. Players can earn points by trapping officers within the maze’s layout; successfully cornering multiple cops yields increasingly higher scores.