Jungler

Konami’s Jungler, released in late 1981, is a two-player maze shooter where players pilot snake-like ships through interconnected labyrinths. The objective is to hunt down and destroy three computer-controlled enemy ships, also resembling segmented snakes. Players maneuver their vessels using a joystick and fire to reduce the length of these opponents; hitting the tail of an enemy ship causes it to shrink faster. Destroying a complete ship—either by reducing it to zero segments or colliding with another player’s longer vessel—earns points. Gameplay revolves around strategic movement within the maze, anticipating opponent paths, and prioritizing targets based on their size and proximity. Points are awarded for both running over enemies and shooting them, with bonus points given for hitting the “head” of an enemy ship. Collecting fruit throughout each level provides a significant point boost alongside adding to your ship's length. Jungler offers a unique twist on the maze shooter genre through its focus on reducing opponent size rather than outright destruction. With two players competing simultaneously, strategic cooperation or competitive maneuvering is key to achieving a high score.