Introduction
Released in 1984 by Bally Midway, Zwackery was a unique arcade platformer that combined sword-and-sorcery themes with puzzle-solving and arcade action. Built on the Dragon’s Lair LaserDisc cabinet architecture, it was an unusual blend of action gameplay with fairy tale fantasy and was one of the more eccentric entries in Bally Midway’s library.
Development and History
- Developer: Midway Games
- Publisher: Bally Midway
- Release Date: 1984
- Hardware: Modified LaserDisc arcade system (originally designed for Dragon’s Lair)
Zwackery was created by Larry DeMar and Eugene Jarvis’s team at Midway, known for hits like Robotron: 2084 and Defender. While DeMar and Jarvis themselves were not the main designers of Zwackery, their technological legacy influenced its underlying hardware.
Instead of using the LaserDisc for video playback like Dragon’s Lair, Zwackery adapted the hardware for standard game graphics, repurposing the cabinet for a whimsical, narrative-driven action title.
Gameplay Video
Gameplay and Mechanics
Players control a young wizard’s apprentice named Zwackery, who must rescue a kidnapped princess and defeat the evil warlock responsible for the kingdom’s plight.
Gameplay features:
- Multi-level side-scrolling stages filled with magical creatures and traps
- Use of a wand and sword to defeat enemies and interact with objects
- Light puzzle elements, such as collecting keys and solving environmental challenges
- A unique spell-casting mechanic tied to item collection
- One-button joystick control scheme with contextual actions
Each stage is themed with fantasy elements: talking trees, animated gargoyles, magic carpets, and cursed platforms. Progression required memorization, reflexes, and experimentation.
Cultural Impact and Legacy
- Considered a commercial flop but has since gained cult status
- Noted for its quirky art direction and fairy tale aesthetic
- Rarely seen in arcades, making it a collector’s item today
- Represents Midway’s experimental phase after early '80s arcade success
- Often cited as one of the most unusual platformers of its time
Fun Facts
- The game was released in a modified Dragon’s Lair cabinet to reduce production costs
- Zwackery’s title screen features a rhyme that sets up the whimsical tone of the game
- Some levels included obscure magical item usage that puzzled many players
- Because of its limited run, original arcade units are now highly sought after
Conclusion
Zwackery was a bold experiment in combining fantasy storytelling with arcade action. Though it didn’t achieve commercial success, its ambition and strangeness make it a standout in Bally Midway’s catalog. It remains a hidden gem among collectors and arcade historians.