Faster, Harder, More Challenging Q*bert (prototype)

Players navigate a shifting pyramid structure in Faster, Harder, More Challenging Qbert, a 1983 prototype from Mylstar Electronics. As Qbert, players hop between platforms, changing their colors to achieve level goals while avoiding enemies like the familiar Coily—here known as Qbertha—and other hazards. The gameplay emphasizes speed and reflexes, presenting a noticeably accelerated challenge compared to the original Qbert. Two players can compete simultaneously in this vertical-screen game, adding another layer of complexity to the already demanding platforming action. Bonus rounds are incorporated after completing levels two and five, offering brief respites from the core objective. The game’s sound features a Votrax SC-01 speech synthesis chip which generates unusual vocalizations during gameplay, along with limited scripted phrases upon startup and at the end of the session. Notably, Faster, Harder, More Challenging Qbert remained an unreleased prototype; no dedicated arcade cabinets are known to exist. Built around an Intel 8086 processor and a MOS Technology M6502 sound CPU, this elusive title provides a unique glimpse into potential directions for the classic Qbert franchise.