Play Snake Rattle 'n' Roll Online

Summary

Snake Rattle 'n' Roll is a quirky isometric platformer that lets you control two snakes, Rattle and Roll, as they slither through a series of oddly shaped levels. The core loop is simple yet addictive: lash out with your tongue to snatch the colorful Nibbley Pibbleys, watch your snake grow, and aim for the flashing tail that signals you’re heavy enough to hit the scale and ring the exit bell.

What really sets the game apart is its clever use of limited NES memory – Mark Betteridge stripped the code down to the bare essentials while Tim Stamper crafted the angular graphics, borrowing the high‑speed scrolling feel of Marble Madness. The soundtrack, a twelve‑bar rock‑'n‑roll homage by David Wise, even sneaks in a nod to the Jaws theme.

When Sega ported the title to the Mega Drive, they tacked on a secret twelfth level that launches the snakes into space, only to have a meteor crash their ship and force a crash‑landing on a new planetoid. The extra stage feels like a hidden reward for anyone who discovers the warp tunnels scattered throughout the game.

Critics loved the tight controls and inventive level design, earning a 94% score in Mean Machines and a spot on IGN’s Top 100 NES Games. Decades later the game resurfaced in Rare Replay and even got a vinyl soundtrack release, proving that its blend of retro charm and clever design still slithers into the hearts of new players.

Storyline

In Snake Rattle 'n' Roll, the duo of snakes—Rattle and Roll—traverse eleven isometric stages. Their goal is to gobble enough "Nibbley Pibbleys" to bulk up, then ring a weighing bell that unlocks the exit door and lets them advance.

The game’s conclusion teases a follow‑up called Snakes in Space. The Sega Mega Drive version even adds a secret 12th level where the snakes finally reach space, crash onto a planetoid, and later return home aboard a new spaceship.