Chips Challenge

Chip's Challenge is a game that I have always had a soft spot for. Back in 1992, I wanted an Atari Lynx so bad. I got one and ended up only getting four games for it. Batman Returns, California Games, Bill & Ted and the pick of the buck, Chip's Challenge! If you love Puzzle games, Chips Challenge is a game that will really test your mental skills. Thankfully, Chip's Challenge did make its way to PC as well as other platforms over the years.

A Puzzle Game With A Story

While this is a puzzle game it actually has more of a story than you would think. You play as Chip who is a bit of a nerd, but he really wants to join the Bit Buster Club. In order to do this, he must prove himself by going through all the challenges in the main member, Melinda’s Clubhouse.

Collect Them All

No, we are not talking about Pokémon here, but microchips. The idea of Chip's Challenge is that Chip needs to collect all of the microchips on each level and then get to the exit. The game actually has close to 150 levels so there is a lot of challenge to keep you here and occupied for a very long time. On the flip side of that, the levels despite being challenging are also quite small which is great as this is intended as a pickup and play style game. So, you can fire it up, play a level or two and then put it back down.

Watch Where You Step!

Each of the levels us full of hazards that Chip must deal with. These range from spiders to fire pits. Platforms and other moving things that you need to worry about. Each level puts forward a different challenge and it is up to you to figure out how to get all of the microchips and make it to the exit without dying. Part of what can help you with this is your boots. Chip can put on different boots that will let him pass through certain obstructions. I really like how while the game at its core is a puzzle game, there are also some more action-packed levels for you to deal with as well. It helps keep you on your toes and also prevent the game from getting too boring.

What Is The Point?

While there is a story in Chip's Challenge the main point of the game is all about getting the best high score that you can. Also, there is a time limit on each level so you are also racing against the clock. I found the game to be very challenging as a kid and when I played the most recent version that was on Steam, the game is still really hard!

The difficulty though I feel is fair and I did find myself wanting to beat my times and high scores so they clearly did something right

Chip's Challenge I feel is one of the more forgotten and underrated puzzles games of the 80s. While I have very strong nostalgia feelings for the Atari Lynx version. The PC version is the way to go. It is easier to see what you are doing and the game is just more fun all around. If you like puzzle games, Chip's Challenge is well worth giving a try.

8.5/10

Pros:

• The old school graphics have a lot of charm
• There are close to 150 levels
• The controls are much better than you would think
• It even has some more action-based levels
• Some of these puzzles are really tough

Cons:

• Some levels are really, really tough
• A few folks may struggle with those retro visuals

Chip's Challenge dares you to explore and find your way through 150 different puzzles loaded with hazards, dangers, and rewards. Only by securing the objective in each round, either retrieving target items and/or reaching a target location, will permit you to move ahead to more difficult rounds. Obstacles, puzzles, and multiple types of surfaces all combine to make Chip's Challenge a noticeable puzzler for this new system.

Chip is a computer nerd with a heavy crush on Melinda the Mental Marvel. He'd do anything to join her computer club, even subject himself to 144 levels of challenging mazes. Is this love, or what? Chip must traverse water traps, avoid cherry bombs, and find colored keys that open the door leading to the next level. Then he's got to do the whole thing again with a different maze.