Head On (2 players)

Navigate a twisting maze while avoiding a persistent rival vehicle in Gremlin’s 1979 arcade game, Head On. As a single player, you maneuver your car counterclockwise through the enclosed space, collecting dots scattered throughout each level to progress. The opposing car moves clockwise and presents a constant threat; collisions result in restarting the current maze. Success depends on careful planning and lane changes as the number and speed of pursuing cars increase with each completed stage. The gameplay emphasizes strategic acceleration and deceleration to manage lane transitions effectively, especially when multiple adversaries are present. Mastering this balance is key to clearing mazes and achieving a high score, which rewards players for collecting all the dots within a given level. Head On represents an early example of the "eat-the-dots" style gameplay that would later become popularized by games like Pac-Man. A sequel, also titled Head On, followed shortly after its initial release. The game has seen several ports to various platforms over the years, including versions for the Nintendo Game Boy and Commodore 64.