Dodgem

Navigate a twisting maze in Zaccaria’s 1979 arcade game, Dodgem. As a lone boat pilot, your objective is to collect all the dots scattered throughout the intricate waterway while skillfully avoiding collisions with an opposing “jam boat” that relentlessly pursues you. The gameplay evokes a nautical chase, demanding careful planning and precise maneuvering as you alter lanes to gather points and outwit your persistent adversary. The game presents a simple control scheme – using a joystick to steer and a single button for acceleration – but mastery requires strategic lane changes and an awareness of the jam boat's movements. Success involves anticipating its path and exploiting opportunities to pass, all while collecting every dot to progress through increasingly challenging maze layouts. Dodgem's design draws clear inspiration from Sega/Gremlin’s Head On, offering a unique blend of arcade driving and puzzle elements that provides a surprisingly engaging experience for solo players.