Editing Lode Runner (section)

==Release and ports==
{{More citations needed section|date=November 2017}}

''Lode Runner'' was originally released on June 23, 1983.<ref name="Copyright">{{cite web |title=Lode Runner (Registration Number PA0000226732) |url=https://cocatalog.loc.gov |website=[[United States Copyright Office]] |access-date=1 June 2021}}</ref> The original [[microcomputer]] versions were for the [[Apple II]], [[Atari 8-bit computers]], [[VIC-20]], [[Commodore 64]], and [[IBM PC compatible]]s.<ref>{{cite book |title=Software Catalog For Apple, Atari, IBM PC, Commodore 64, and VIC-20 |chapter=Compatibility Chart |year=1983 |publisher=Broderbund Software |pages=8–9 |url=http://www.atarimania.com/catalog-atari-broderbund-software-_196_8.html |access-date=2015-02-08}}</ref> The VIC-20 version was released on cartridge, including the level editor. The Commodore 64 had both a disk and cartridge release, with the latter having 32 levels. The IBM PC port was originally on a [[self-booting disk]] and is incompatible with video cards other than [[Color Graphics Adapter|CGA]].{{Citation needed|date=January 2023}} A 1986 MS-DOS release runs on any video card.

The [[Famicom]] version was released by [[Hudson Soft]] in 1984 (North American [[Nintendo Entertainment System|NES]] release in 1986) and became one of the earliest third-party games made for that system. It has 50 levels, scrolling screens, added music, and graphics redone in a more cartoon-like style. In addition, fruits and vegetables randomly appear which may be grabbed for additional points. A level editor was included, which in Japan used the Famicom's Family BASIC tape drive to save one's work; however, as with many US localisations, the NES lacked the tape drive and thus there is no way to save levels created with the US release.

An [[Arcade video game|arcade]] version of ''Lode Runner'' was produced by [[Irem]] in 1984. It was notably the first time an American computer game was adapted into a Japanese arcade game.<ref name=":0">{{Cite magazine |last=Adams |first=Roe R. |date=September 1985 |title=Come Cast A Spell With Me |url=https://archive.org/details/Computer_Gaming_World_Issue_5.4/page/n20 |magazine=[[Computer Gaming World]] |pages=21, 33 |volume=4 |issue=3}}</ref> It had some added features like the ability to hang off the ends of ladders and an improved enemy AI.

A port for the [[Macintosh 128K]] followed in January 1985;<ref name="CE1985">{{cite magazine |title=1985 Index |magazine=[[Computer Entertainer]] |date=January 1986 |volume=4 |issue=10 |page=6 |url=http://www.ataricompendium.com/archives/newsletters/video_game_update/computer_entertainer_jan86.pdf#page=6}}</ref> it runs on machines up to OS 6 and can be used on System 7 with a patch. Other versions include those for the [[Atari ST]], [[ZX Spectrum]], a licensed version for [[MSX]] published by [[ASCII Corporation]], [[SG-1000]], [[Windows 3.1x]], and [[Game Boy]].

Broderbund released an enhanced version, ''[[Championship Lode Runner]]'', in 1985, with 50 levels and a higher difficulty. The company offered a commemorative certificate to anyone who could submit proof of having beaten the game (and submitted proof of purchase to show that their copy of the game was not pirated). It was ported to the Apple, Atari, C64, MSX, and IBM PC, as well as the NES (although that version did not reach North America).

The Atari 8-bit version of ''Lode Runner'' was converted to cartridge and re-released by [[Atari Corporation]] in 1987, as one of the series of releases for the [[Atari XEGS]] console. This version contains all 150 levels and the level editor, which requires a disk drive.