''Kick'' is an action

video game Video games, also known as computer games, are electronic games that involves interaction with a user interface or input device such as a joystick, controller, keyboard, or motion sensing device to generate visual feedback. This fee ...

where the player controls a clown on a unicycle catching falling balloons and '' Pac-Man'' characters on the clown's hat. It was released in arcades by Midway in 1981. The game was later renamed ''Kick Man'' (sometimes written as ''Kick-Man''). Commodore published a Commodore 64 port in 1982 without the space in the title as ''Kickman''.

Gameplay

The player controls a clown on a unicycle who moves left and right along the bottom of the screen. Balloons dislodge from several rows at the top and fall. The goal is to catch them on the clown's hat. As the stack of caught ballons grows taller, it becomes more difficult to catch them on the first try. If a balloon falls below the top of the stack, pressing the "kick" button when near the clown's feet launches it back into the air. The main character and ghosts from ''Pac-Man'' sometimes stand-in for balloons, having different effects. If an object hits the ground, then the player loses a life. ''Kick'' also has a

bonus stage A bonus stage (also known as a bonus level, bonus round, or special stage) is a special level within a video game designed to reward the player or players, and typically allows the player to collect extra points or power-ups. Bonus stage eithe ...

Ports

In 1982, an

Atari 2600 The Atari 2600, initially branded as the Atari Video Computer System (Atari VCS) from its release until November 1982, is a home video game console developed and produced by Atari, Inc. Released in September 1977, it popularized microprocesso ...

version of the game was commissioned by Midway as part of a planned attempt at entering the home video game market. Ultimately deciding against it, Midway sold the port to

CBS Electronics CBS Broadcasting Inc., commonly shortened to CBS, the abbreviation of its former legal name Columbia Broadcasting System, is an American commercial broadcast television and radio network serving as the flagship property of the CBS Entertainmen ...

, where, despite being nearly complete, it was cancelled for unknown reasons. In 2019, a prototype cartridge was discovered and the ROM was released online.

Reception

Electronic Games An electronic game is a game that uses electronics to create an interactive system with which a player can play. Video games are the most common form today, and for this reason the two terms are often used interchangeably. There are other common ...

'' wrote in 1983 that the game had been unsuccessful despite "top-notch background graphics and special sounds for effects. Can you imagine a game featuring Pac-Man that ''didn't'' make it? ''Kick Man'' is it." The Commodore 64 version was somewhat better received, gaining a Certificate of Merit in the category of "1984 Best Arcade-to-Home Video Game/Computer Game Translation" at the 5th annual

Arkie Awards An electronic game is a game that uses electronics to create an interactive system with which a player can play. Video games are the most common form today, and for this reason the two terms are often used interchangeably. There are other common ...

Legacy

Utopia Software published a clone called ''Pinhead'' for the Atari 8-bit family in 1982.

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Kick (Arcade Game) 1981 video games Action games Arcade video games Cancelled Atari 2600 games Commodore 64 games Midway video games North America-exclusive video games Trackball video games Video games developed in the United States Video games about clowns