Lemmings Games
Lemmings is a series of video games developed originally by DMA Design (now Rockstar North) and Psygnosis. The goal is to rescue the biggest number of lemmings possible through a set of levels. The player must give simple orders to the lemmings in order to attain the goal. The player gives skills to the carelessly walking lemmings so that they reach the goal of the level unscathed. Each level requires a minimum number of lemmings to be rescued.
How many ports of lemmings are there?[edit | edit source]
- A total shitload of them!
Lemmings[edit | edit source]
- Introduction
- Lemmings is a computer game in which the player often finds a large group of green-haired lemmings, don't mistake them with the animal named lemming. Since the lemmings just walk in the direction they are facing (they turn back when they hit a wall) and do nothing more, it's up to the player to guide the lemmings from the entrance towards the exit. The player can give skills to selected lemmings to overcome traps and other barriers. For instance, the player can make a lemming bash through a wall to reach the other side of that wall. Lemmings is a game that started a completely new genre and is followed by official sequels and has also been cloned numerous times.
- History
- Lemmings first saw light as a simple animation made by DMA Design in August 1989, it showed a little man in just 8x8 pixels with a 10 ton weight. After a while someone said this should be made in a game and so work began. In late September of 1989 they already could show a demo to Psygnosis. During development there were choices to make, like the colors. For the colors, they were limited by the PC EGA palette. This lead to the simple style you see in lemmings and what was part of the success. This limit also lead to the green-haired lemmings instead of lemmings with the blue hair. Somewhere during the development, there was a switch from PC to the Amiga. And while the graphics and animations were created by DMA design employees, a level editor had to be built to make some nice levels. The level editor was actually built around the Deluxe Paint interface. This was a program on the Amiga with which you could very easily create simple and difficult images. So level creating started, many employees made levels. Many of which were thrown in the bin directly because they were to simple, to difficult, had to less detail, etc. When you look at the levels in the final game, you can easily see the different styles used by the employees. Some levels are always very detailed, while others only show the basics for a level. There were four levels made which used completely different graphics. Those graphics came from other Amiga games and the levels were made as some kind of tribute to those games. DMA design got hold of graphics from the games Awesome, Beast, Beast II and Menace. Since the levels used other graphics, there could be no use of traps. The levels were made difficult using different colors etc. The early 90s where the first years where the gaming industry started to worry about copyright. This lead to the choice for old songs to be used in the game. As it turned out, the simplicity of those songs (and the other sound effects) made part of the success of the game. Finally all work was done and the game was released in the winter of 1990 / 1991 by DMA Design and Psygnosis for the Amiga. The following years, the game came out on PC and several other platforms. The following people were the main people involved in the creation of the game Lemmings: Dave Jones (Amiga), Russell Kay (PC), Gary Timmons (Animations), Scott Johnston(Backgrounds), Mike Dailly, Brian Watson (ST), Brian Johnson (Music + SFX) and Steve Hammond (PC EGA/CGA Graphics conversion), Tim Write, Tony Williams (PC Music).
- Gameplay
- The screen consists of a part showing the level in which the lemmings walk and a part where the player see information on the level. The player can also choose skills to asign to the lemmings in this part of the screen. All levels have a name, a total number of lemmings, a minimum percentage off lemmings you need to save, a minimum release rate and a time limit. Sometimes, the name gives away a clue on how to solve the level. When the level starts, the entrance opens and lemmings start falling out for the player to guide to the exit. During this travel the player can choose from a number of skills and asign them to the lemmings. The number of skills is always eight and the types are always the same for every level. But the number of times the player can assign one skill to a level varies in every level. It can even happen, the player can't choose a skill at all. This makes solving some levels a real challenge
- Skills
- Basher - To make horizontal corridors, give a lemming the basher skill. He will bash the way he is facing until he reaches the other end of the obstacle he is bashing. Not all terrain is penetratable, this terrain will make the lemmings stop bashing.
- Blocker - To turn lemmings around, make one lemming a blocker. This can be used to trap lemmings between a wall and a blocker or between two blockers. A blocker can be released by removing the ground underneath him, or you can explode the lemming. In the latter, the lemming keeps blocking lemmings until he explodes.
- Bomber - Sometimes you need to remove a wall and you only can make lemmings an exploder. The lemming dies in the explosion, surrounding lemmings are not affected but a small crater is left after the explosion. When a lemming is given the bomber skill, a countdown number appears above his head, counting down to 1 starting with 5.
- Builder - Sign a lemming to be builder and he will build a 12-step diagonal upwards staircase. If the lemming hits a wall while building, he stops and walks back. Should the lemming hit a blocker, he turns around and continues building.
- Climber - When given to a lemming, he can climb vertical walls. If the lemming encounters some overhang, the lemming falls down and walks back again. He can die when he falls down. The lemming keeps this skill until the level ends.
- Digger - A vertical shaft can be made with a digger. When a lemming is a digger, he digs down until he reaches the bottom side off the floor or platform. And again, not all terrain is penetrable.
- Floater - Any lemming that has been made a floater, will float in the air and can now fall great heights. The lemming keeps this skill until the level ends.
- Miner - A miner makes diagonal downwards corridors the way he is facing. When the lemmings mined through the floor or platform, he stops mining. Again, not all terrain is penetrable.
- Elements
- Emptiness - The bottom and sides of the screen are the entrance to a big emptiness, any lemming entering this emptiness is never heard off again.
- Lava - The lemmings not only drown in lava, they also burn to death.
- Obstacle - Normal obstacles in a level can be over won using the various skills. They are just annoying.
- One-Way Obstacle - Lemmings can only penetrate a one-way obstacle in the direction the arrows are pointing. In most of the cases, the lemmings need to go around it before it can be penetrated.
- Slime - Slime acts the same as water, lemmings will drown when they fall into it, so try to avoid it.
- Steel - No matter what skill the player gives a lemming, steel won't butch. From times, steel can be a very irritating obstacle.
- Water - Lemmings can't swim, so just avoid the water otherwise they will drown.
- Traps
- Bearclaw - Any lemming that will pass a bearclaw will die. However, if many lemmings pass it at one time, some can survive. Avoid the bearclaw if possible.
- Deadly Turner - The deadly turner just disintegrates any lemming in it's way. Just avoid this one.
- Firepit - A horrible way to die, try to avoid that the lemmings walk into a firepit.
- Flamethrower - Fire just kills every lemming in it's way, avoid it when you can.
- Rope - Fun to watch, but still kills lemmings. When a lemming passes the trap, it will get trapped in a rope and pulled into the air after which it is killed. And again, lemmings can survive the trap if they pass it in large groups.
- Spikes - When a lemmings hits this type of wall, spikes come out killing him, just avoid them.
- Stomper - Just like the bearclaw, the stomper kills a lemming when it passes it. Again, in large groups, some lemmings can survive the stomper.
- Weight - The weight just crushes the lemmings underneath it, avoid whenever possible.
- Other
- Decrease Release Rate - With this control, the player can adjust the release rate so the lemmings drop from the entrance with longer intervals. The minimum release rate is a fixed number which can be different in every level.
- Increase Release Rate - With this control, the player can adjust the release rate so the lemmings drop from the entrance with smaller intervals. The maximum release rate is 99.
- Nuke Level - When al hope is lost on finishing the level, the player can nuke the level. This will kill all levels and gives the option to restart the level if not enough lemmings are saved. It's also used to end the level when enough lemmings are saved and the player does not want to save anymore lemmings. Also, use it to kill any remaining blockers when there is no bomber skill (left).
- Pause Level - This control can be used to pause the game and scout the level to come up with a good strategy. With some strategies, the game must be paused to do simultanious actions.
- Entrance/Exit
- Entrance - The entrance always looks like a trapdoor, only the colors can be different in the levels.
- Exit - The levels vary in style, this makes the exit look different from time to time.
- Playing a Level
- With all the skills available, it's up to the player to assign selected skills to selected lemmings at the right time. In some levels, the timing is even more essential for a successful finish of the level. In other levels, you feel like you have all the time of the world. Before the lemmings start falling from the entrance it's wise to pause the game and view the whole level so the player can come up with a strategy. When a suitable strategy is thought up, the player unpauses the game and tries the strategy. Part of a strategy might be setting a higher release rate, in some levels this is even necessary to gain some time. Often, the player has to start all over again with a new strategy, making some levels a real challenge. But when the player finally finishes a level he can happily start a fresh level until the game is finished. At this time, it might be the player doesn't want to play anymore. Luckily there is a password system so you can start the level of your choice. Finishing a level provides the player with the password for the next level.
- Categories
- The levels off the game are divided in 4 or more categories, the amount of levels and categories can be different among the various platforms the game has been ported to. All versions have 4 categories in common, those are: "Fun", "Tricky", "Taxing" and "Mayhem". The common categories are off increasing difficulty, where category "Fun" has the most simple levels and "Mayhem" has the most difficult levels. Even so, the player can find it easier to solve a "Mayhem"-category level then a "Tricky"-category level. This is because people tend to think the solution must be difficult, even when the solution is very simple.
- Versions
- Amiga (February 1991)
- This is the original and first port of Lemmings released in February 1991 for the Amiga. There are 8 skills: A Climber, Floater, Bomber, Blocker, Builder, Basher, Miner, and Digger. And to make a level go faster you can adjust the release rate, and say if theres still blockers on the screen that obviously can't go in the exit now that they have said ability, you assign it the Bomber skill or click the explosion, which will blow up all lemmings on screen. One thing thats really interesting about the game is how it got ported to nearly every damn console and home computer that was available back then. NES? Boom lemmings. Genesis? Boom lemmings. PC? Boom lemmings. Gameboy? Boom lemmings. FM Towns? Boom lemmings. The four different difficulty groups, Fun Tricky Taxing and Mayhem, are to have organised the levels via their difficulty. The game starts with a cool intro sequence where the Lemmings float down and one lemming gets to the top of the logo. Then the menu starts up, showing its nice design. Theres 1 player, where you start the titular game using the Amiga's mouse. Then theres also a 2 player mode where 2 players compete to see who saves the most lemmings, and uses 2 mice. The graphics in the levels are good, the sprites while simple are definitely recognizable and not at all bad, the gameplay is good, and finally the music. The music is an important part for many, it uses many tunes throughout the game, in which different ports rearrange order sometimes. Cloudy's favorite Lemmings tune is Tim 1. Overall, its the original version of Lemmings and pretty much the perfect port for the game, now lets see all those floods of ports. We also like the voice samples such as "Let's Go!" and "Oh No!" in the game. Another thing is the playing value, 6 hours long, a great play value for 1991 standards.
- This is the demo for Amiga, which starts off with the first level in the tricky category rather than the first level in the fun category and also has a different logo that replaces the intro.
- Atari ST (March 1991)
- DOS (1991)
- Lemmings also got a DOS release, however the first con is that it lacks the intro, the second con is that it also lacks 2 player mode, the previous 2 releases had it. Anyway playing this game gives you options, VGA Graphics, EGA Graphics, or for some cases, CGA Graphics. VGA is the option you'd like since it will give out the best graphics. The graphics are good, the tunes are nice, and its definitely playable with mouse and controls good. The voice samples aren't present but atleast theres a sound representing the sample. And the sounds are less lazy. And it still has the 6 hour playing value for if you're able to complete the game.
- On the same release theres is also the option for CGA graphics, this is obviously the worse choice as there are only 4 colors, the soundblaster sound will be there tho, if you were actually able to play the game with PC Speakers, the music wouldn't be present because the developers probably know it'd sound bad with the PC Speaker music, but a couple of the PC Speaker sounds will remain.
- This is the version of the demo for DOS, which starts off with the first level in the fun category rather than the first level in the tricky category, and uses the PC Speaker sounds.
- The DOS version of Lemmings also has an option for Tandy graphics and Tandy 8-bit music, but Cloudy's unable to access that and cannot find a gameplay on YT. So for this occasion, we can only just show the great music which Cloudy likes better than the Soundblaster one.
- Macintosh (1991/1993)
- The Black & White Macintosh version of the game. The graphics being like that is expected since its only a Black & White Macintosh, the music and sounds are terribly compressed if you play it in a Macintosh emulator on websites, but sound fine here.
- The version for B&W Macintosh computers also has a demo, which starts at the 2nd level. However, its completely silent.
- Playing the Macintosh port on a colored Macintosh definitely improves this port alot, the music is cleaner and the graphics are alot better. The sprites also have more effort put into them.
- ZX Spectrum (1991)
- SNES (March 1992)
- Acorn Archimedes (1991)
- Arcade (Prototype, 1992)
- NES (November 1992)
- PC Engine (November 1992)
- Atari Lynx (1993)
- Master System (1992)
- Sega Genesis (1992)
- Amstrad CPC (1992)
- SAM Coupe (1993)
- Commodore 64 (1993/94)
- Amiga CD32 (1994)
- Phillips CD-I (1993)
- Game Gear (December 1994)
- Gameboy (August 1994)
- Tbh this is a crap port. I will not criticize the graphics in-game, as its a Gameboy limitation, which explains both the Black & White and the resolution causing the menu to look lazy. I WILL criticize the gameplay, the game is slow, there is no release rate, and the reactions aren't responsive often, and you can suffer cheap fails that way. The slow gameplay makes for a way less fun port of the game. The best part of this port is the music, it sounds really good in such a crappy port.
- A Prototype of this port exists on archive.org
- Windows 95 (1995)
- [There is also a Windows 95 version, featuring dem MIDI music, it does play well, look good, and sound decent. It also comes with a fast forward button, which speeds up the level, great option for speedrunners. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1m2j6_i8geg]
- Sharp X68000 (April 1992)
- 3DO (1994)
- PC-98 (December 1991)
- FM Towns (FM Towns)
Oh No More Lemmings[edit | edit source]
- Introduction
- As Lemmings, Oh no! More Lemmings is all about guiding lemmings from an entrance towards an exit. Sometimes, Oh no! More Lemmings is called Lemmings 2, but this is wrong as it's merely a level-pack and not a real sequel. The real sequel is named Lemmings 2: The Tribes. Oh no! More Lemmings has the same game-play as Lemmings but do have different graphics. It's also ported to several platforms.
- History
- Oh no! More Lemmings is released in 1991 and was the first additional level pack to the original Lemmings. It needed the either the install disk from the previous Lemmings, or, in a standalone version, the game manual, for use as a copy protector. There is not much different when compared with the original game. The gameplay is completeley the same. There are, however, differences in graphics, music and categories. Oh no! More Lemmings is divided in 5 categories of increasing difficulty, those are: "Tame", "Crazy", "Wild", "Wicked" and "Havoc". Each category has 20 levels, making a total of 100 levels.
- Versions
- Amiga (1991)
- Atari ST (1992)
- DOS (1991)
- Macintosh (1991/1993)
- Acorn Archimedes (1992)
- SAM Coupe (1994)
Lemmings and Oh No More Lemmings[edit | edit source]
- Introduction
- This Lemmings game has both Lemmings and Oh No More Lemmings to extend playtime even further, but just 2 ports.
- PlayStation (October 1998)
- Gameboy Color (2000)
Holiday Lemmings[edit | edit source]
- Holiday-themed Lemmings games Released for the Amiga and DOS
Lemmings 2[edit | edit source]
- Introduction
- In Lemmings 2: The Tribes, the first real sequel for Lemmings (sometimes Oh No! More Lemmings is considered a sequel but it's only a standalone level pack), the player has to guide as much lemmings as possible through the levels. The main difference with Lemmings, is that there are 12 tribes of lemmings, every tribe starts with 60 lemmings.As in Lemmings, also in Lemmings 2: The Tribes, the lemmings still walk in the direction they are facing and need the help from the player to guide them from the entrance towards the exit to finish a level. The player is awarded a bronze, silver or gold medal after the player finishes a level. When the player finishes all levels of a tribe, the player is awarded a piece of a large medal. It depends on his achievements during the tribe levels if the piece is bronze, silver or gold.
- History
Like Lemmings, Lemmings 2: The Tribes is also developed by DMA Design and published by Psygnosis. The game was released on Amiga in 1993 and since then ported to several other platforms. Lemmings 2: The Tribes was changed on a few parts when compared to the original Lemmings. The player can't change the release rate anymore, but is given a fast forward button which makes the game go faster. This feature was derrived from the arcade version of Lemmings. Another change is that the lemmings are now devided into twelve tribes, all these tribes have their own graphics and music. The player can guide the lemmings towards the exit with the use of 51 skills instead of the eight original skills. An overview can be seen in Gameplay. Still, the maximum skills available per level is still eight. With Lemmings 2: The Tribes, even a simple storyline was come up with. It was said that the twelve lemmings tribes of Lemmings Island lived happily and peacefully. On one day, however, an ancient prophecy came true: a great darkness fell upon their land. The prophecy told the only way the lemmings could survive was by evacuating their island, using the power of the Lemmings Talisman. talisman consisted of twelve pieces, one owned by each tribe. With the help of the Guide that has helped them before (the player in the original game), all lemmings must now reach the center point of their island in order to escape their doom.
- Skills
Archer Lemmings 2: The Tribes - Archer skill The archer shoots arrows which can be used to make platforms for the other lemmings to land savely instead of falling a great distance. Shoot the arrow towards a wall to get this result. It's also possible to block lemmings with an arrow by shooting the straight up so it comes down vertical. Attractor Lemmings 2: The Tribes - Attractor skill The attractor will play music, any lemming in a few steps of the attractor will start dancing in place until the attractor is released (ie. by making him jump using the jumper skill). Ballooner Lemmings 2: The Tribes - Ballooner skill Sometimes, a level needs a strategy where a lemmings gets on a higher platform, the ballooner can do this. With the fan (see Other), the ballooner can be guided. Watch out for spikes and walls as this will pop the balloon. Basher Lemmings 2: The Tribes - Basher skill The basher is used to create horizontal corridors through obstacles. When the basher reaches the other side of the obstacle, or when he hits steel, he stops bashing. Bazooker Lemmings 2: The Tribes - Bazooker skill With the bazooker, the player is able to blast away parts of the level. The blast radius effects lemmings in a way that they are blown away a few steps. This can make lemmings land in unwanted places. Blocker Lemmings 2: The Tribes - Blocker skill A group of lemmings can be hold in one place by making one lemming a blocker. A blocker can only be removed by removing the ground underneath him or to explode him. Bomber Lemmings 2: The Tribes - Bomber skill The bomber leaves behind a bomb which will blow up after destroying part of the level in its surroundings. The blast radius blows lemmings into the air. They can land in unwanted places so take care. Builder Lemmings 2: The Tribes - Builder skill Build diagonal stairs into the air with a lemming. When the lemming is out of bricks (he gets 12 bricks), the player can give him another set of bricks providing the skill isn't depleated. Climber Lemmings 2: The Tribes - Climber skill Horizontal walls can be conquered with the climber. He keeps this skill throughout the level. If he hit's his head while he's climbing, he will fall down. If the height is to high, the lemming will die unless he's also assigned the floater skill. Club Basher Lemmings 2: The Tribes - Club Basher skill Assign a lemming a club basher and he will bash a horizontal corridor through obstacles. When the lemming hits steel, or when he reaches the otherside of the obstacle, he will stop bashing. Digger Lemmings 2: The Tribes - Digger skill Sometimes it's needed to dig through a platform, this skill accomplishes just that. The lemming will stop digging when he hits steel or when he's through the platform. If the platform is too high above the ground, the lemming will die when he falls through. Diver Lemmings 2: The Tribes - Diver skill With this skill, a lemming can dive in water from great heights. This is great for a scout lemming. When he enters the water, he will swim to the shore and climb out. Exploder Lemmings 2: The Tribes - Exploder skill Unlike the bomber skill, the exploder skill kills the lemming to whom it's assigned. When assigned, a timer appears above it's head counting down to 1 starting with 5. For a more precise explosion, the lemming can also be made a blocker. Lemmings in the blast radius are blown away and are stunned for a few moments. In the classic tribe, other lemmings are not affected by the blast radius but a small crater is still left behind. Fencer Lemmings 2: The Tribes - Fencer skill The fencer makes a diagonal upwards corridor through penetratable obstacles. He stops when he's throught the obstacle or when he hits steel. Filler Lemmings 2: The Tribes - Filler skill Any pit will be filled by the filler, but he has limited resources so he might be given more resources to completely fill a pit. Flame Thrower Lemmings 2: The Tribes - Flame Thrower skill The flame thrower burns away any penetratable obstacles within a few steps. Lemmings aren't affected by the flame. Floater Lemmings 2: The Tribes - Floater skill Any lemming given the floater skill can survive falling high distances. The lemming keeps this skill throughout the level. Glue Pourer Lemmings 2: The Tribes - Glue Pourer skill Unlike the filler skill, a lemming made a glue pourer can create bridges. This is achieved by pouring on a platform with small endings. The glue goes over the edge until it reaches the bottom of the platform. If there is enough glue left, it will extend the platform with the height of the platform. The lemming has to be given additional resources when needed. Hang Glider Lemmings 2: The Tribes - Hang Glider skill The hang glider gives a lemming the opportunity to get down diagonally through the air. It is possible to use the fan to guide the lemming to a specific place. Hopper Lemmings 2: The Tribes - Hopper skill Make a lemming a hopper and he keeps hopping until he hits a wall or is given another skill. Icarus Wings Lemmings 2: The Tribes - Icarus Wings skill As with the hang glider, the Icarus wings give a lemming the possible to cross distances through the air. Use the fan to guide the lemming. Jet Pack Lemmings 2: The Tribes - Jet Pack skill It's also possible to cross distances through the air with the jet pack, again, the fan can be used to guide the lemming. Jumper Lemmings 2: The Tribes - Jumper skill A lemming can jump one distance at the time with this skill. This can be used to cross small gaps or to stop an attractor from attracting lemmings. Kayaker Lemmings 2: The Tribes - Kayaker skill Does a lemming need to cross some water, make him a kayaker and he will. When he reaches the other side, he will continue walking. Laser Blaster Lemmings 2: The Tribes - Laser Blaster skill The laser blaster creates a vertical beam leaving a shaft above the lemming. It does not affect other lemmings. Magic Carpet Lemmings 2: The Tribes - Magic Carpet skill When a magic carpet is given to a lemming, he will get a magic carpet and sits on it while floating in the air. With the fan, he can then be guided to another place until the magic carpet disappears. Magno Boots Lemmings 2: The Tribes - Magno Boots skill This will make a lemmings walk slowly on every solid surface, even upside down. To stop this lemming from using the magno boots, he has to be given another skill when not on a wall or a ceiling. Miner Lemmings 2: The Tribes - Miner skill To make diagonally downwards corridors, a lemming can be assigned a miner. He will stop mining when he's through the ground or when he hits steel. Mortar Lemmings 2: The Tribes - Mortar skill To blow away penetratable obstacles, a mortar can be used. The lemming will set up a mortar and it shoots one time the way he's facing. Be carefull though, the blast radius causes lemmings to fly into the air and they can land in places where it isn't save. Parachute Lemmings 2: The Tribes - Parachute skill Just like the floater, the parachute makes lemmings float down great heights without dying. This skill is kept throughout the level. Planter Lemmings 2: The Tribes - Planter skill Sometimes the lemmings need to get up higher, ie. to reach a platform. This can be reached by using the planter. Platformer Lemmings 2: The Tribes - Platformer skill A platformer gets 12 bricks which can be used to cross a gap. He will make a horizontal bridge and when he's out of bricks, will continue walking the way he's facing. Pole Vaulter Lemmings 2: The Tribes - Pole Vaulter skill The player has to make sure the lemming to be given the pole vaulter skill has much space ahead of him, in the air and on the ground. He'll be needing this to gain height and speed so he can use a large stick to cross a large distance. Rock Climber Lemmings 2: The Tribes - Rock Climber skill Unlike the normal climber, the rock climber can climb overhang to 45 degrees. This skill lasts throughout the level. Roller Lemmings 2: The Tribes - Roller skill The roller keeps on rolling until he hits a wall. It's usefull to go down a ramp and cross a gap at the end of the ramp since it bounces up. Roper Lemmings 2: The Tribes - Roper skill This skill is very usefull to reach high and low platforms. The lemmings gets a rope which can be shot using the cursor. The lemming can't shoot to far, he has a limited lenght of rope. Runner Lemmings 2: The Tribes - Runner skill A runner keeps on running throughout the level. Can come in handy when time is low or to throw things (like stones / spears) further. To accomplish this, give the lemming the according skill while he's running. Sand Pourer Lemmings 2: The Tribes - Sand Pourer skill The sand pourer starts pouring sand for a few seconds. The sand just falls on the ground and forms kind of a piramid. Scooper Lemmings 2: The Tribes - Scooper skill The scooper creates a diagonally downwards corridor. He will stop scooping when he gets in the open air or when he hits steel. Shimmier Lemmings 2: The Tribes - Shimmier skill With the shimmier, it's possible to cross gaps by grabbing onto the ceiling and shimmier to the otherside. The lemming can't shimmier forever, so large gaps can't be crossed. Skater Lemmings 2: The Tribes - Skater skill The skater is capable of crossing ice, he will keep this skill throughout the level. Skier Lemmings 2: The Tribes - Skier skill The skier can be used to cross gaps. He will ski down a slope and jump when there is an upward ramp ath the bottom. Slider Lemmings 2: The Tribes - Slider skill With the slider, it's possible for a lemming to go down walls and continue walking. This skill lasts througout the level. Spearer Lemmings 2: The Tribes - Spearer skill A lemming assigned the spearer skill, will throw a spear which in turn can be used as a platform when the throw is timed well. Stacker Lemmings 2: The Tribes - Stacker skill To build a vertical wall, a stacker comes in handy. The stacker has 12 bricks and continues walking when he's out of bricks. The player can make the stacker jump to cross gaps etc. He will jump the way he's facing when the player makes him jump. Stomper Lemmings 2: The Tribes - Stomper skill The stomper does more or less the same as the digger, it makes a shaft downwars until he hits steel or when he get's in the open air. Be carefull not to stomp over to great heights as the drop will kill the lemmings. Super Lem! Lemmings 2: The Tribes - Super Lem! skill The Super Lem! is used to go to any place in a level. He follows the cursor while he's flying. When he hits the cursor, or when he hits part of the level, he stops flying. Surfer Lemmings 2: The Tribes - Surfer skill The surfer can cross water, but he needs the fan to do this. If the lemming stays on the water too long, he gets tired and drowns. Swimmer Lemmings 2: The Tribes - Swimmer skill A swimmer can cross water when needed. This skill lasts throughout the level. Thrower Lemmings 2: The Tribes - Thrower skill With a thrown rock, lemmings can be blocked, or some kind of platform can be build with severel rocks. Twister Lemmings 2: The Tribes - Twister skill The twister is very usefull to create corridors which go in different directions (except straight up). Using the fan, a lemming who is a twister, can be guided to where the player wants him to go. When the twister get's loose from the ground, he stops twisting.
- Versions
- Amiga (1993)
- Lemmings 2 was released for multiple systems and is the sequel to the original. The game is divided into tribes that you must save: A beach tribe cavelem tribe circus tribe classic tribe Egyptian tribe highland tribe medieval tribe outdoor tribe polar tribe shadow tribe space tribe and sports tribes. And there are 51 skills in total. The levels replace the release rate with a fast forward button that speeds up the level, and theres a fan option turns the cursor into a fan which pushes around flying lemmings or affecting wind-powered elements. This is the Amiga version, which once again is the original version and perfect version. Most ports also have a practice mode, which you can mess around with 8 skills per practice level in 4 maps via lots of possibilities, a great feature if your skill at the game is bad. A CD32 version was cancelled cuz screw the CD32.
- The demo version brings you to the circus tribe, what a clown move for the demo developers to do.
- Atari ST (1993)
- DOS (1993)
- Another good port of Lemmings that makes good use of the soundblaster tunes and adds the voice samples in, but even better with MT-32, a Tandy version's soundtrack is there but no gameplay exists.
- The DOS demo actually gives you a sound option, on the website tho the Roland and Tandy options don't work, you can play it silent too. This is the result of the PC Speaker being selected, while the looks and gameplay is great, it actually has badly-done clown music via the PC Beeper lol.
- Sega Genesis (1994)
- SNES (1995)
- Gameboy (1994)
- Game Gear (Prototype, 1994)
- Master System (Prototype, 1994)
- Acorn Archimedes (1994)
- FM Towns (1994)
- [There is an FM-Towns version, but no video footage anywhere.]
Lemmings 3[edit | edit source]
(1994)
- Introduction
The third sequel for Lemmings is named The Lemmings Chronicles but is also know as All New World of Lemmings in Europe. Besides the name, there is no change in the game. There are 3 tribes with lemmings for the player to guide to the exit in 30 levels per tribe. The story continues where Lemmings 2: The Tribes stopped, the lemmings escaped their island with their flying ark and have found new land. The 12 tribes, are all going to their own island and it's up to the player to help the Classic, Egyptian and Shadow tribe to make it to their island. The levels they encounter can have lemmings in them before the entrance opens up. These lemmings have fallen out of the ark when it was flying. The gameplay in The Lemmings Chronicles is a bit different as compared to the earlier lemmings games, the lemmings pick up tools in the level which they can use for climbing, building, digging, etc. This can be controlled by the player.
- History
The Lemmings Chronicles is developed by DMA Design (their last lemmings game) and published by Psygnosis, this is the same as Lemmings and Lemmings 2: The Tribes. The game was released in 1994 on the Amiga and the DOS. The gameplay of The Lemmings Chronicles remained more or less similar to the original games. The player still has to lead the lemming from an entrance to an exit assigning skills to the lemmings. The main difference, however, is that a lemming has to pick up tools lying around in a level to gain skills like building or digging. This gives the game an completely other approach on how to solve a level. As the player, you either like or dislike these changes, but still the game is fun to play for the real fan. The storyline of Lemmings 2: The Tribes is continued in The Lemmings Chronicles. The 12 tribes that escaped Lemming Island in the flying ark flew around and found new land that consists of small islands. In The Lemmings Chronicles, 3 tribes are followed in their exploration of the new land. Those tribes are the Classic, Egyptian and Shadow. The 3 tribes in The Lemmings Chronicles have 30 levels per tribe to be solved by the player. Rumour has it that the remaining 9 tribes where to be released has expansions to The Lemmings Chronicles. It's not known why this never happened.
- Gameplay
It's up to the player to assign the standard skills to selected lemmings at the right time. In some levels, the timing is even more essential for a succesfull finish of the level. In other levels, you feel like you have all the time of the world.
When the player starts a level, it's wise to pause the game and come up with a good strategy. Where are the tools in the level, and how to get to them. When the player thought up a suitable strategy, the player unpauses the game and tries the strategy.
Often, the player has to start all over again with a new strategy, making some levels a real challenge. But when the player finally finishes a level he can happily start a fresh level until the game is finished. When the player doesn't want to play anymore, he can save his progress to continue another time.
After finishing a level, the saved lemmings are accounted for and taken to the next level. To finish the game propely, the player has to save as much lemming as possible, otherwise he will have failed.
- Versions
The Adventures of Lomax[edit | edit source]
(October 1996)
- Introduction
Just as Lemmings Paintball, this game is a totally different game as compared to the original Lemmings. This game is a so called platform game where the player guides the lemming Lomax through several side-scrolling levels. The story is about Evil Ed who has turned the lemmings into weird creatures and only the lemming Lomax could escape him. Now it's up to Lomax to rescue the other lemmings and defeat Evil Ed.
- History
The Adventures of Lomax was released in 1997 by Psygnosis on the Sony Playstation and Microsoft Windows. The game was created by Erwin Kloibhofer and Henk Nieborg, who were also responsible for Flink and Lionheart. As compared to the original Lemmings, The Adventures of Lomax is a side-scrolling platform game, much like the early Sonic the Hedgehog or Rayman games. The player now is in control of one lemming, rather then guiding several lemmings. With the control of the lemming, the player has to complete several levels, freeing lemmings and beating bosses. A creature named "Evil Ed" transformed all but one lemming into weird creatures. The lemming that could escape, is named Lomax. This is the lemming that is controlled by the player. It's up to Lomax to save the transformed lemmings by completing several levels. Lomax can use his magic helmet with skills that can be picked up in the levels to defeat the level enemies.
- Gameplay
The whirling attack Basic attack. The magic helmet Allows to destroy remote enemies but can also absorb an attack. When that happens, the helmet will dissapear. The ignited helmet When thrown, it can attack several enemies at ones. The amount is of ignited helmets are limited. The helmet-hook With the helmet-hook, Lomax can grab floating platforms and can cross pits. The amount of helmet-hooks are limited. The helmet-sailplane With the helmet-sailplane, Lomax can jump higher for a certain amount of time, it's use is limited. Construction of bridges A limited amount of bricks can be places on top of eachother to reach high places. Dig away the ground A few moments, Lomax is able to dig away the wall or the floor.
- Versions
3D Lemmings[edit | edit source]
(1995)
- Introduction
After several lemmings games, Psygnosis released a lemmings game that's totally different. This time, the game is in 3D which gives the gameplay an extra dimension. Apart from the switch to 3D, there is no real difference when compared to the original lemmings games.
- History
3D Lemmings is the first lemmings game not developed by DMA Design, but by Clockwork Games. The game is released in 1995 by Psygnosis on the Sony Playstation and for MS-DOS. Since Lemmings is in 2D, the game 3D Lemmings has a great change in appearance. Every level is now a 3D environment in which 3D lemmings walk around. The player must turn the level around so he can see where the lemmings are going. This has given the gameplay an extra difficulty. Luckily there is no real change in the skills available to the player except a new skill to turn lemmings left or right. 3D Lemmings does not continue the storyline started in The Lemmings Chronicles. This could be due that the storyline wasn't really finished and / or that DMA Design wasn't involved in the development. It has somewhat of it's own storyline where the lemmings start in 2D and find a button that makes them 3D. This is shown to the player in a movie, it shows a flat lemming climbing out of a computer-drive and finding a button that says '3D'. When he presses the button, the computer explodes and 3D lemmings walk out of it.
- Gameplay
- New Features:
- Change Height - The height off the viewpoint can be changed with this control.
- Turner - To turn lemmings 90 degrees, make one lemming a turner. This can be used make lemmings go another way. A turner can be released by removing the ground underneath him, or you can explode the lemming. In the latter, the lemming keeps turning lemmings until he explodes.
- Change Camera - Every level has a different camera-points, switch between them with this control.
- Highlight Lemming - To easily give one specific lemming a skill, one can highlight the lemming first with this control.
- Virtual Lemming - It can be fun, or even necessary to wrath a level through the eyes of a lemming, that can be done with this control.
- Versions
Other[edit | edit source]
- Lemmings for Apple IIGS (1996)
- Lemmings Paintball (1996)
- Lemmings for Cambridge Z88 (February 2000)
- Lemmings Revolution (2000)
- DHTML Lemmings (2004)
- Lemmings for PSP (May 2006)
- Lemmings for PS2 (October 2006)
- Lemmings for PS3 (December 2006)
Port Comparison Videos[edit | edit source]
Listen to the Music[edit | edit source]
- Lemmings
- Amiga
- Atari ST
- DOS (AdLib)
- DOS (Tandy)
- Macintosh
- ZX Spectrum (48k)
- ZX Spectrum (128k)
- SNES
- Acorn Archimedes
- Arcade Prototype
- NES
- PC-Engine
- Atari Lynx
- Master System
- Sega Genesis
- Amstrad CPC
- SAM Coupe
- Commodore 64 (Hardware)
- Commodore 64 (Emulation)
- Game Gear
- Gameboy
- Windows 95
- Sharp X68000
- 3DO
- PC-98
- FM Towns
- Oh No More Lemmings
- Holiday Lemmings
- Lemmings 2
- Other
Play Lemmings Games online[edit | edit source]
- Lemmings
- Amiga (Demo)
- Mouse Controls
- DOS (Demo)
- Mouse Controls
- DOS (Archive.org)
- Mouse Controls
- DOS (Classicgames.me)
- Mouse Controls
- Macintosh (Demo)
- Mouse Controls
- Macintosh
- Mouse Controls
- SNES
- 1 - Start
- Space - Select skill and give it to Lemming
- Arcade (Prototype)
- 5 - Insert Coin
- 1 - Start
- Left Ctrl - Fire Button
- NES
- Left Alt - Select options and Lemmings
- Left Ctrl and hold Left and Right - Select skills
- Atari Lynx
- Z - Select Skills
- X - Select Lemmings
- Master System
- Left Alt - Select Skills and Lemmings
- Sega Genesis
- 1 - START button
- Space - Select Skills and Lemmings
- Game Gear
- Left Alt - Select Skills and Lemmings
- Gameboy
- Left Alt - Select options and Lemmings
- Left Ctrl and hold Left and Right - Select skills
- Gameboy (Prototype)
- Left Alt - Select options and Lemmings
- Left Ctrl and hold Left and Right - Select skills
- Windows 95
- Almost never works :/
- 3DO
- You can set up the controls.
- Oh No More Lemmings
- Lemmings and Oh No More Lemmings
- PlayStation
- Left Alt - Select options, skills and Lemmings
- Left Shift - Go Back
- Gameboy Color
- Left Alt - Select options and Lemmings
- Left Ctrl and hold Left and Right - Select skills
- XMAS Lemmings
- Amiga (Demo)
- Mouse Controls
- DOS (Demo)
- Mouse Controls
- Macintosh
- Mouse Controls
- Lemmings 2
- Amiga (Demo)
- Mouse Controls
- DOS (Demo)
- Mouse Controls
- DOS (Archive.org)
- Mouse Controls
- DOS (Classicgames.me)
- Mouse Controls
- Sega Genesis
- Left Ctrl - Select options skills and Lemmings
- SNES
- Left Alt - Select options skills and Lemmings
- Gameboy
- Left Alt - Select options and Lemmings
- Left Ctrl and hold Left and Right - Select skills
- Game Gear (Prototype)
- Left Ctrl - Select options and Lemmings
- Left Alt and hold Left and Right - Select skills
- Master System (Prototype)
- Left Ctrl - Select options and Lemmings
- Left Alt and hold Left and Right - Select skills
- Lemmings 3
- DOS (No Sound)
- Mouse Controls
- DOS (Sound)
- Mouse Controls
- The Adventures of Lomax
- PlayStation
- 1 - Start Button
- Left Alt - Jump and do Spin Attack
- 3D Lemmings
- DOS
- Unplayable due to lag
- PlayStation
- 1 - Start Button and Pause Game
- 5 - Fast Forward Level
- Left Alt - Selection and Continue Button
- Left Shift - Demo Button
- Space - Go Back
- Arrow Keys - Move Pointer
- Left Ctrl, Space, Left Alt, Left Shift - Move Camera Left, Right, Backwards, Forward.
- V - Select Skill
- X while holding an arrow key - Move Camera Up Down Left and Right.
- Z - Give lemmings skill and select in-level options.
- Other
Download Lemmings Games[edit | edit source]
- Lemmings
- Oh No More Lemmings
- Lemmings & Oh No More Lemmings
- Holiday Lemmings
- Lemmings 2
- Lemmings 3
- 3D Lemmings
- Other
