Catch the Dots: Loderunner

When Lode Runner went to Japan in 1984, Hudson handled the Famicom conversion and the company designed a cutesy elf-like hero for the main character to replace the stick-like figure used in the original game. On the adversarial side of things, Hudson created helmeted hunters who chased the hero across levels and up and down ladders. The adversaries would eventually get their own game - Bomberman, where they dropped bombs to derail each other.

Tomy shows love to Lode Runner with a pair of Catch the Dots toys which each feature a single pegboard and roughly 200 pegs to create recognizable Lode Runner characters in various action poses. By plugging the pegs into the board, artwork may be produced at a slow and deliberate pace. The (A) Runner kit includes enough pegs to create four depictions of hero boy but we're sure we can think of a lot more positions to put him in. The (B) Robot kit includes enough pegs to create four interpretations of the original Bomberman character in various poses and action shots. Preorders will ship today and new orders are welcome at US$8.50 per kit. «more»