Klax

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This article is about the arcade and computer game. For other uses, see KLAX.

Template:Infobox Arcade Game

Klax is a 1989 arcade game by Atari Games. The object of the game is to line up colored blocks into rows of similar colors to make them disappear, similar to Columns. The game has been converted for several home computers and game consoles after its success.

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Description

A conveyor belt at the top of the screen constantly rolls toward the well-like playing area, delivering a steady supply of coloured blocks. The player controls a small device which sits at the interface between the conveyor belt and the playing area. By moving this left and right, the player can catch the blocks and deposit them in the playing area.

Failure to catch any block results in it falling down the gap between the conveyor belt and playing area and one drop being used. Once all of the drops are used, the player is given a chance to continue. Otherwise, the game ends.

At the beginning of the game, the player can choose to start at level 1 and get 3 drops; level 6 with a bonus of 100,000 points and 4 drops; or at level 11 with a bonus of 200,000 points and 5 drops. At the end of every 5 level section, the player gets the same choice, except that the no bonus choice is the next level, the 100,000 bonus is 5 levels ahead and the 200,000 bonus 10 levels ahead.

The block-catching device can hold up to five blocks at any time, in the form of a stack. It can also eject the uppermost block a short distance back up the conveyor belt; this can, however, be a risky move if not judged correctly, for a block might land directly beside another coming down, making it difficult or impossible to catch both at the same time.

In the playing area, blocks can be eliminated in the same manner as in Columns: by getting three or more of the same colour in a line. Each one of these finished groupings are called a "Klax". As well as the standard colour blocks, there is also a multicoloured flashing block which can be used as any colour.

The player advances to the next level through one of several methods, depending on the level. Each 5 level sequence usually has one level where you just have to get a certain number of Klaxes, usually a multiple of 5. Then there is a level where you have to get a certain number of diagonal Klaxes, usually a multiple of 3. Then there is usually a level where you have to survive a certain number of falling tiles. Then there is usually a level where you have to score a certain number of points. Finally, there is a level where you have to get so many horizontal Klaxes. If you group 4 or 5 similar tiles together, it counts as more than 1 Klax.

There are 99 levels in Klax. The final level requires 1,000,000 points to complete.

Some levels allow the player to warp to level 56 if they build a large X with five blocks for each diagonal. Doing so awards a 700,000 point bonus.

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Catchphrase

Klax spun off the catchphrase "It is the 90's and there is time for Klax," which was omnipresent in Chicagoland hipster areas, such as Wicker Park, for a brief period of time during 2001. The catchphrase is displayed during the game's attract mode. The catchphrase has found a new birth on college campuses.

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Ports

Atari Lynx port

Game Boy port

SAM Coupé port

In addition to these consoles, Klax was included in Midway Arcade Treasures; a compilation of arcade games available for the Nintendo GameCube, PlayStation 2 and Xbox consoles and also for PC, released in 2003, and prior to that, "Arcade Party Pak" for the original PlayStation.

The Atari 2600 version of Klax is notable in that it was the last game ever produced for the 2600 system by Atari themselves, instead of a Third Party company.

Some 16-bit conversions, like an Amiga version, feature improved graphics.

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External links

fr:Klax

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