Runaway (Atari, prototype)

Runaway is a single-player maze and collection game created by Atari in 1982. Players navigate a horizontal screen to gather items while avoiding obstacles within a confined space. The gameplay unfolds on a display with a resolution of 256 x 240 pixels, utilizing a palette of sixteen colors and refreshing at sixty hertz. This title represents an early prototype that saw limited field testing in August of 1982 before being shelved; it reappeared publicly years later at the 1998 California Extreme show. The game’s internal workings rely on a MOS Technology M6502 processor and two POKEY sound chips, contributing to its distinct auditory experience. Runaway features three buttons for player control as they maneuver through the maze-like environment.