Maniac Mansion
Description official descriptions
The Edison mansion has always been a creepy old house on the edge of town. There have been rumors of strange experiments going on and of odd creatures living amongst the Edison family. There is even a story that a meteorite once crashed near the home nearly 20 years ago. More immediately, a girl named Sandy has gone missing from the local highschool and her boyfriend Dave swears that he saw Dr. Fred abducting her. Dave knows that he cannot do it alone and will need help from two other students if he has any hope of infiltrating the mansion and rescuing Sandy.
Players start by choosing two students to accompany Dave to the Edison mansion, and can then switch between these three characters at will. Most actions are carried out by selecting verbs on the screen and applying them to an object (such as "OPEN Door"). Each character maintains a separate personality and may have a different way to solve a problem from his classmates. Thus many of the puzzles can be overcome in different ways depending on the character being used. If any one of the kids are captured by the Edisons, they are thrown into the dungeon and must be rescued themselves by any character who still has their freedom.
GOG release includes both Original and Enhanced game versions.
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Credits (Apple II version)
22 People (20 developers, 2 thanks) · View all
Produced by the |
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Created and Designed by | |
Programmed by | |
Graphic Art and Animation by | |
Sound Effects by | |
Original Music by | |
Apple Conversion Special Support by | |
Creative and Technical support by | |
Lucasfilm Games General Manager | |
Production and Marketing Management by | |
Administrative Support by | |
Lead Playtester | |
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Box Cover Art by | |
Package and manual designed by | |
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Reviews
Critics
Average score: 82% (based on 54 ratings)
Players
Average score: 3.8 out of 5 (based on 282 ratings with 16 reviews)
A Fantastic Game for Those who GET IT!
The Good
What did I like about the game? Everything! In fact, it hurt a lot to read the comments of others (especially considering the poor use of grammar and spelling). So many people missed the point of the game: it's supposed to provide a good time. While others were busy nitpicking the "poor" graphics and bad story line, I was busy having a blast playing the game.
I don't simply like the game because it heralded a new era in graphic adventures. Why do you think all those other graphic adventures came after Maniac Mansion? Because of the precedence set by Maniac Mansion! Do you honestly believe that if Maniac Mansion was a poorly-conceived flop, other graphic adventures, such as the Monkey Island series, would have been released? No! Corporations may not always know what product will turn out to be good or bad until it's released, but sales figures and customer feedback doesn't lie! Maniac Mansion was a solid hit in 1987, and it has left a legacy still being felt today.
The game play is great! Even though the graphics were unrealistic, I was still panicking (and yes, putting an ING after panic includes a "k") when Weird Ed (one of the villains) comes down to get the door and I'm still in the living room.
The creators of "Monkey Island" didn't wake up to a comic epiphany in the middle of the night. The comic genius of the creators is very evident in Maniac Mansion, even though some of it is missing in the watered down NES version (by the way, there is much more to Maniac Mansion than you think. You should read "The Expurgation of Maniac Mansion" at http://dott.mixnmojo.com)
I can't say enough about the game.
The Bad
There's all sorts of reasons why people don't like the game, I'll describe the most common complaints:
THE GAME GRAPHICS ARE BAD! Well, no offense, but "DUH!" The game was made in 1987. Also, if some gamers find that graphics are the sole point of playing a game, then they should probably consider playing more "up to date," "shooter" games. The graphics adventure genre probably goes over their heads anyway.
THE PLOT'S STUPID! And so are the special effects on Mystery Science Theater 3000. Have many gamers missed the point? It's a PARODY of really bad teenage entertainment of the '80s (do I have to bring up "Hobgoblins?"). Obviously people associate bad graphics (due to being dated, not the fact that they were particularly bad in the first place) with a bad plot! If you're not looking for humor in a game, might I suggest "Loom?"
IT'S SO OLD! Well, granted there are nice things about games being new, but who says that old is the same as bad? Is the movie "To Kill a Mockingbird" bad? Is the Mona Lisa or Michaelangelo's "David" lame because they're aged?
The only complaint I've ever had about the game was the fact that you can waste certain objects that will become necessary in a future puzzle. This will just teach you to be careful and save the game often.
The Bottom Line
How would I describe this game to others? I don't know, let's see...will I have to use picture flashcards?
Some think that Maniac Mansion is remembered fondly because it brought about a new age in graphic adventures. On the contrary, Maniac Mansion was so GOOD that it was able to bring about a new age in graphic adventures. If Maniac Mansion really was as bad as some of these reviews describe, most of the games would have been banished to the backs of closets and landfills across the U.S. by now.
Serious graphics adventure gamers who are looking for a campy classic, listen up! Don't let the "McDonalds-esque" instant-gratification gamers deceive you! If you're looking for a solidly built graphic adventure from a long forgotten era where gameplay mattered more than whiz-bang special effects, THIS GAME IS FOR YOU! Get to eBay immediately and pick up a copy. You certainly won't break the bank, they only go for $3-4.
DOS · by X X (3) · 2002
*CENSORED*!!! Maniac Mansion!!!
The Good
Few games can claim to be a revolution in every aspect of it's genre, few games that is, aside from Maniac Mansion. From interface, to plotline, to graphics, to design, etc... MM managed to become the holy grail of adventure games and it's influence can still be felt to this day.
MM's most obvious and well-known contribution to the genre was the inclusion of it's wonderful scripting engine which formed the basis for adventure game interface's for years. No longer you had to contend with a measly text parser and the world of adventure games would change forever to become much more accessible and much easier to develop content for.
Furthermore, it is extremely interesting to note how sophisticated the game is gameplay wise considering it was one of the very first adventure games ever. Maniac Mansion sports multiple characters changeable on the fly (to a total of 13 possible combinations) each with it's distinct puzzles that lead to 4 possible endings, and each with multiple solutions to most puzzles and a completely non-linear structure that allows you to (with some exceptions) try and re-try every aspect of the game without fear of dying or screwing things up (remember that most puzzles have alternate solutions, even if you just screwed up a possible key item!). You can try the "generic Bernard and anyone else" way, or see what the Jeff-Razor combo is all about, it's up to you! Tell me what other adventure game does that?? Before or after!
Now I don't know what the hell some of the people that reviewed this game here on Moby were smoking, but the graphics are just plain awesome. The sprites were the size of supernovas compared to other games and I'd like someone to point out to me which other adventure game had scrolling backgrounds before MM! Heck you even had fully animated cutscenes, and the level of detail in the graphics made it possible for you to actually read what was written on the walls or even make out details like the X-wing model in a certain room. If the characters look phony and cartoony that's maybe just maybe because that WAS THE POINT YOU CENSORED! Point which brings me to the amazingly smart plotline and concept behind MM.
Forgoing any "epic" adventuring (that somehow seems to be the only thing adventure gamers can digest) MM revolutionized adventure games in general by being itself a spoof of cheesy 80's sci-fi/horror movies. I understand how anyone can have his reservations about considering that revolutionary in any way, but that was because this was the first game (at least to my knowledge) that made full use of sarcasm and became one big spoof in itself and not just a regular game with some comedic dialogues and gags.
As I mentioned, the plot in Maniac Mansion takes it's roots in every cheesy sci-fi movie of the 80's you've ever seen, but does so knowingly and exploits every single aspect of it. Everything from the Ed Wood-like plot (mad-scientist, horrible monsters, funky uses of radiation and chemistry, evils from outer space, etc...) to the super stereotyped cartoony characters (the Punk "bad" girl, the nerdy geek, the handsome all-american protagonist, the sensitive girl next door, etc..) to the cheesy dialogues and remarks is exploited to full comedic genius. If you've ever seen movies like "Fright Night" (or better yet, the equaly genius spoof "Return of the Living Dead" [which I suspect was a major influence on Maniac Mansion]) you know what I'm talking about. MM's plot forgoes all the "formal" concepts most CENSORED close-minded people consider when they judge a good storyline and instead turns the cake around and uses it's brains (for a change) in order to spoof the living daylights out of the definitive pop-culture mainstay of the 80's. Proof positive of it's comedic genius is that as the years go by, and the "nostalgia curve" closes in (15 years or so usually, [if you don't know what I'm talking about go ask someone that knows demographics about the cycling nature of pop culture... basic marketing concepts folks]) Maniac Mansion's plot remains charged with all it's irreverent wittysism, and sarcastic edge. Just look for all it's parallels in the cheesy contemporary teeny-bopper pop-corn horror flicks (you known, the Scream clones) and you'll see that what goes around, comes around... and standing firm among it all, there's Maniac Mansion.
The Bad
Well it's just too smart you know? And smart things are dangerous! No seriously, look at the reviews in here, I don't want to turn this into a forum complete with insults and trolls and flames, but the CENSORED of some persons amaze me. The thing with sarcasm is, that it doesn't work its magic on CENSORED! Since sarcasm works indirectly it's up to the audience to use his/her brains and figure out that "A-ha!! It's not that this thing is super-cheesy, it's that it is intentionally over-the-top to spoof and make fun of said cheesy stuff!! Ha!! Now I get it!!! Ho-Ho-Ho!!!
If the audience doesn't use his/her brains instead you get: "Uh... This is cheesy!! How come this is so cheesy?? There's nothing but cheese here!! duh!! this must be stupid, I shall now turn off my computer and resume banging my head against a wall!
Is this really a lack of brainpower or simply an effect of the locked-down close minded perspective of some individuals (as Dr. Einrich Von Doomstein theorized in his seminal work: "Why adventure gamers are nothing but prissy little CENSORED") I pressume the later, since I was a frigging kid when I played this around 1989/90 and I still got it.
...Geez, that will get enough spam to last a lifetime, but what the heck right? Want to point out some really bad points of MM? The puzzles could get pretty wicked at some points (so keep a walkthrough handy if you value your sanity) and I agree with some people that the game has some "inconvenient" parts, like waiting around for a package to be delivered when playing with the writter chick, etc... but quite frankly I preffer that timing "inconvenience" to the "inconvenience" of having to type everything you do in the game.
The Bottom Line
Imitated by everyone, loved by millions, misunderstood by some few sorry dudz. That's Maniac Mansion, the Street Fighter 2 of adventure games. Truly one of the finest games ever conceived and arguably one of the best adventure games ever made. Fortunately for us the few misguided souls that didn't get this game are indeed few and misguided, and MM was a blockbuster hit in it's time and remains to this day a pinnacle of interactive entertainment.
Besides any game with characters named Syd and Razor is a winner in my book. Heck, just mentally change the names of some characters, add a "Scud" and a "Suicide" and play it with 45 Grave's "Partytime" in the background and you'll have the closest thing to a game of Return of the Living Dead only without the zombies! Don't bother to get it, tough: it comes free of charge with Day of the Tentacle, which makes 2 killer games for the price of 1.
DOS · by Zovni (10504) · 2003
When This Games A Rockin Don't Come A Knockin
The Good
Maniac Mansion, was the first adventure game from LucasArts. As well as the first game to use the now infamous S.C.U.M.M. design. That would later be implemented by the Monkey Island series. The NES port is surprisingly an excellent port of the PC classic.
In Maniac Mansion, Daveās girlfriend Sandy, is taken by the loony Dr. Fred. To be used in an experiment. āWeird Fredā, will take her brain! Dave and two of his friends of your choosing, must infiltrate the mansion and rescue Sandy.
Each of Daveās friends has there own unique talents and abilities. Michael for instance, is the only one that can develop Weird Edās secret spy film. While Wendy is the only one that can re-write the memoirs of the tentacle.
Depending on how you solve the puzzles will result in the various different endings. These add to the replay value of the game. And make Maniac Mansion, the only LucasArts adventure with multiple endings.
In the game you explore the house, collecting items, using them to solve problems, and avoiding being caught by the members of the house. Some items are implemented very well, while others tend to be more off-beat. The way Ed reacts to the doorbell ringing is genius.
The Graphics are good for a NES game. But compared to other versions of the game they are more of a mixed bag. The Commodore 64 version for example, features bigger more detailed sprites. But they tend to be less colorful. But overall they are good, practically considering the weakness of the NES.
The Music really shines here. All the kids and situations have a theme song. All of which are very catchy. I have not played this game in years, yet, I can remember the music as if it was yesterday. Why doesnāt all NES music sound this good?
There are very few sound effects to speak of. But the very few there are fit the context, and the game as well as possible.
The Bad
The controls suffer on the NES. A mouse would be ideal for a game like this. And of course there is not one for the NES. You can only save one game. In the Commodore 64 version you could not save at all, so I guess this is an improvement, yet more save slots would have been nice.
This version is pretty obsolete, with the LucasFan Games version. Which is freeware by the way. Thatās the one I play when I have a hankering for some Maniacing.
The Bottom Line
Overall this is one of the best games of the NES. Despite the fact that the free remake is available. Try it if you are one of those types that must play every version of a game that you like.
NES · by MasterMegid (723) · 2006
Discussion
Subject | By | Date |
---|---|---|
Famicom version -- new entry? | Pseudo_Intellectual (66360) | Jul 21, 2012 |
Trivia
1001 Video Games
Maniac Mansion appears in the book 1001 Video Games You Must Play Before You Die by General Editor Tony Mott.
Chuck the plant
In the mansion's library, there is an un-useable plant called "Chuck the Plant" The plant also appears in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade in Henry's room, and Day of the Tentacle in the lobby.
Copy protection
The computer versions featured an humorous copy protection scheme. In a new game a player entered the house, walked upstairs and are confronted by a giant iron bolted door which opens after entering four correct symbols on the keypad as shown in "Nuke'm Alarms - Nukes Burglars in their tracks: Owner's Disarmament Quick Reference Guide" included with the game. The wrong answer proved fatal!
Day of the Tentacle
Maniac Mansion is included as a bonus game inside Day of the Tentacle (on Ed's computer).
Hamster in the microwave
Players can microwave the hamster in any of the computer releases (but not the European NES version), but they have to use a sick-minded character (such as Syd or Razor) when doing it. Showing the exploded hamster to Weird Ed will make him kill that character.
NES version
The game was ported not once, but twice, to the NES. One version was made in America, while another one was made by Jaleco in Japan. The two versions look very different. It was one of the very few NES games to be translated into Spanish.
Many things had to be censored/changed to comply with Nintendo's policies: * Some of the language was toned down, for example: "The meteor is going to be pissed" was changed to "The meteor is going to be mad." * The "KILL THRILL" arcade game was changed to "TUNA" * "For a good time EDNA 3444" was changed to "Call Edna 3444"
A complete list of changes and more info can be found at http://www.crockford.com/wrrrld/maniac.html
In the European NES version, additionally the possibility to microwave the hamster was removed. In turn, at least in the German version, some linguistic points from the above list are closer to the original.
References
- The name of Razor's punk band is "Razor and the Scummettes", a reference to the SCUMM graphical interface used by LucasArts adventures.
- There is an X-Wing model in Ed's room.
- The speakers in the green tentacle's room are "THX" sound speakers. THX is a high-quality sound technology developed by Lucasfilm.
Zak McKracken
Connections between Maniac Mansion and Zak McKracken (based on Amiga version): * In the game room there's a Zak McKracken poster. * In Maniac Mansion there's a chainsaw that has no gas. In the game Zak McKracken there is a can of gas on Mars. The can reads, "For use with chainsaws only". When trying to pick it up the character says, "I don't need it. It's for a different game." * "Tuna head" is said in both games. One of the aliens in Zak McKracken is always saying, "Tum de dum." In Maniac Mansion when Weird Ed is walking through the kitchen to get his cheese he says, "Tum te dum." * It appears that Zak happens to be going out with Sandy from Maniac Mansion. In Zak McKracken, if players go away and come back home enough times and keep checking the answering machine they will soon get a message from Weird Ed from Maniac Mansion. He calls up about going to a monster truck show, and that he'll come by with Sandy at 6:00 in the Edsel. * In Zak McKracken, at the police station in Nepal: there is a wanted poster for the purple meteor.
Remake
The German LucasFan Games developed a freeware 256-colour remake called Maniac Mansion Deluxe.
TV series
The game spawned a comedy series on the Family Channel in the early 90's.
Awards
- Commodore Format
- April 1991 (Issue 7) - listed in the A to Z of Classic Games article (Great)
- GameStar (Germany)
- Issue 03/2013 ā One of the "Ten Best C64 Gamesā
- Happy Computer
- Issue 01/1988 - Best Game Idea in 1987
- Power Play
- 1987 - #2 Best C64 Game '87
Information also contributed by ŠŠ³Š³Šø ŠŃŃŠ³Šµ, Der.Archivar, Garcia, Jason Harang, kelmer44, Hitman23, Ricky Derocher, Tiago Jacques, whatt, Ye Olde Infocomme Shoppe
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AtariMania (Lucasfilm Games, USA, Atari ST)
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Hints for Maniac Mansion
These hints by Kevin Carnes will get you through the game and help you solve the puzzles on your own. -
Howard & Nester do Maniac Mansion
A regular feature in Nintendo Power magazine, Howard & Nester was a comic strip about two game whizzes who would one-up each other, while disclosing hints and tips, in the settings of various recently-released games for the NES platform. In Volume 18's two-page installment, they explore Maniac Mansion with Razor, encountering Dead Cousin Fred, Green Tentacle, and Nurse Edna (the blue-skinned one, of course, from Jaleco's NES release.) -
IGCD Internet Game Cars Database
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Lemon Amiga
For Amiga: game database entry; magazine reviews; music; manual; additional material. -
LucasArts' Secret History
A multi-article feature about the game by the LucasArts news site, The International House of Mojo. The feature article includes an unscored review, short responses written by members of the site's community, trivia, easter eggs and other small details in the game, commentary from the developers, a transcription of the original hint book, a long feature article by one of the programmers, and an interview with one of the project leaders. -
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The Maniac Mansion Fan Site
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Contributors to this Entry
Game added by Tony Van.
Amiga added by POMAH. Commodore 64 added by Rebound Boy. Linux, Windows, Macintosh added by Sciere. NES added by jeremy strope. Antstream added by lights out party. Atari ST, Apple II added by Servo.
Additional contributors: Jason Harang, Jeanne, tFX, Shoddyan, Sciere, Pseudo_Intellectual, Ricky Derocher, Zeppin, Patrick Bregger, Maniac Mansion Fan, Izmir Egal, Fred Zanfardino, Victor Vance, FatherJack, ZeTomes.
Game added January 10, 2000. Last modified April 1, 2024.