Time Bandit

Time Bandit is a top-down arcade action game originally created by Bill Dunlevy and Harry Lafnear, published by MichTron in 1983 for the TRS-80. The game reached its greatest popularity through 16-bit conversions, with the DOS version arriving in February 1989 via British publisher MicroDeal Ltd. You control a bandit who travels through 16 different "Timegates" across history and future, from medieval arenas and bomb factories to wrecked spaceships and ghost towns. Each location is a labyrinthine maze filled with treasure and monsters—you must dodge enemies or blast them with your weapon while collecting keys, opening doors, and searching for the exit. Each world contains up to 16 sub-levels, reusing mirrored layouts with increased enemy speed. Between levels, you return to a world map to choose your next destination. The game features an unusual fusion of arcade action with text adventure sequences requiring typed commands.

DOS

Released in February 1989 for MS-DOS, this version was ported by Timothy Purves and published by MicroDeal Ltd. The DOS port features the complete 16-world structure and preserves the hybrid arcade-adventure gameplay, including the text parser sequences. The game runs on standard DOS hardware and supports keyboard controls. Review scores for the DOS version included 96% from Génération 4, 74% from Power Play, and 14/20 from Tilt magazine in April 1989. The game contains numerous allusions to arcade classics including Pac-Man, Centipede, and Bomberman. Time Bandit was part of MicroDeal's strategic shift from 8-bit to 16-bit platforms after the company ceased publishing for Dragon and Tandy machines on January 1, 1988.