Shamus (1982). Play online

Summary

Shamus, the 1999 Game Boy Color remake of the 1982 Atari shooter, still feels fresh thanks to its blend of arcade‑style maze combat and light adventure. Written by Cathryn Mataga, the game earned Synapse Software a reputation for quality and even opens with the eerie “Funeral March of a Marionette” from Alfred Hitchcock Presents. You guide a robotic detective through four flip‑screen levels, each a 128‑room maze of electrified walls that kill on contact, collecting keys, extra‑life bottles, and the trademark Ion SHIVs to blast spiral drones and snap‑jumpers.

What keeps the tension high is the ever‑speeding pace: after every cleared room the whole maze ticks faster, and lingering too long summons the menacing Shadow. Despite the GBC’s humble hardware, the visuals were praised as “superb” and the game sold 60,000 copies, cementing its cult status. Ports to the Apple II, C64, and later iOS spread its quirky charm, proving that a 1980s maze shooter can still captivate modern players.

Storyline

Shamus puts you in control of a tiny robotic detective as you explore a massive 128‑room maze on the Game Boy Color. The maze is divided into four skill levels, each layout borrowing its name from a classic fictional sleuth or secret agent. Your ultimate destination is the ominous Shadow’s Lair, where the final confrontation awaits.
The Shadow patrols the corridors; linger too long in a room and he will materialise off‑screen and charge straight at you, ignoring the electrified walls. A single hit freezes him briefly, giving you a narrow window to press on.