Introduction
Released in 1990 by Midway, Trog is a colorful and quirky arcade action game featuring claymation visuals and fast-paced multiplayer mayhem. Players control friendly dinosaurs attempting to collect eggs and escape each level, all while being chased by one-eyed cavemen called Trogs. With its blend of arcade-style strategy, comedic animation, and accessible gameplay, Trog earned a spot as one of Midway’s more family-friendly and unique offerings.
Development and History
- Developer: Midway Games
- Publisher: Midway
- Release Date: 1990
Originally conceived as a more complex real-time strategy game with point-and-click controls, Trog underwent a dramatic shift in development after early testing proved confusing to players. Midway redesigned it into a straightforward maze chase game, retaining the unique claymation graphics created using stop-motion techniques. The final product was far more intuitive—and far more fun.
Gameplay Video
Gameplay and Mechanics
Core Gameplay
- Player Roles: Up to four players control dinosaurs (Spike, Bloop, Rex, and Gwen).
- Objective: Collect your color-coded eggs and return to the home base while avoiding or defeating Trogs.
- Enemies: Trogs chase players, set traps, and try to club the dinosaurs into extinction.
- Power-Ups: Includes pineapples (speed boost), hot peppers (fire breath), ice cubes (freeze enemies), and boxing gloves (punch Trogs).
- Combat: Dinosaurs can eat special power-ups to fight back or even eat the Trogs.
Multiplayer Madness
- Up to four-player simultaneous gameplay on one cabinet.
- Competitive and cooperative mechanics: players can sabotage or help each other.
- Increasingly frantic as later stages introduce more hazards and Trogs.
Cultural Impact and Legacy
- Unique Visual Style: One of the few arcade games to use claymation-style sprites.
- Accessible Gameplay: Simple objectives made it appealing to younger and casual players.
- Ported Versions: Released on NES and PC with adjusted graphics and gameplay for home systems.
- Cult Classic: Though not a mega-hit, Trog has gained nostalgic appreciation for its humor and design.
Fun Facts
- Original Concept: Trog was initially intended to be a mouse-controlled game similar to Lemmings.
- Claymation Effort: Real models were built and photographed frame-by-frame to create the animation.
- Name Origin: “Trog” is short for troglodyte, referring to cave dwellers.
- Hidden Humor: The game is filled with comedic animations, such as Trogs getting flattened or dinosaurs pulling faces.
Conclusion
Trog may not have the recognition of Midway’s biggest hits, but its combination of charming animation, frantic multiplayer action, and innovative production techniques make it a standout title of the early ’90s arcade scene. It’s a reminder that even the simplest concepts can become wildly entertaining when executed with creativity and care.