Back in early 2023, I posted the code & hardware plans for a modernized clone of Sokoban, an obscure but *really* fun logic-puzzle game from the 1980s.

[lcamtuf@infosec.exchange]

Back in early 2023, I posted the code & hardware plans for a modernized clone of Sokoban, an obscure but *really* fun logic-puzzle game from the 1980s. Unlike most of the other "retro nostalgia" pieces, the game holds its own today.

Sir Box-a-Lot XL: an 8-bit Sokoban clone

A project page for a polished, full-color Sokoban clone on an 8-bit AVR microcontroller. Includes plans and source code.

(lcamtuf.coredump.cx)

I handed it out to a bunch of friends. Few had heard of the game before; just as few could put it down once they started.

Unfortunately, because Sokoban is not exactly Pac-Man, Space Invaders, or Tetris, the project never garnered much attention from strangers. And keeping the project alive proved to be a chore because of post-COVID shortages. The MCU I relied on soon went out of stock. I redesigned for another chip... only for the OLED vendor to tell me they're discontinuing the display b/c *they* can't find the chips.

Anyway, I have a revised PCB and code for a new display ready to go, just need to test it IRL. And hey - have you considered a nice game of Sokoban?

[todb@infosec.exchange]

@lcamtuf 100% of my Sokoban experience is via #nethack.

I kinda knew that it was a game before Nethack, but today is the day I ran into it “in the wild“ and not in a roguelike way.

Also, I hate Sokoban. So frustrating.

[lcamtuf@infosec.exchange]

@todb The problem with the original game is that, much like most other computer titles of the era, it was supposed to be very, very hard by today's standards.

I put quite a bit of effort to rebalance it and gently ramp up the difficulty. There is an extended intro section made out of Sokoban Jr levels, for example:

Sōkoban

(borgar.net)

(These are playable via JS, by the way.)

[ori@mastodon.social]

@lcamtuf are you joking about sokoban being obscure? Most of the modern indie puzzle games are sokoban-likes, and much of the innovation is thanks to the ease of use of puzzlescript, a sokoban game engine.

[lcamtuf@infosec.exchange]

@ori Of course it's obscure. Ask an average online person about what retro games they're aware of. Many will mention Pac-Man, Mario, Tetris. Many geeks know Space Invaders and Pong. Approximately no one will mention Sokoban, or have any idea what you're talking about if you bring it up.

[lcamtuf@infosec.exchange]

@ori Like, these gadgets are really well-done and I had a hard time *handing two dozen out out for free*. And almost all my friends are nerds.

[ori@mastodon.social]

@lcamtuf the name might be obscure but I think more average video game players will understand what is meant by "block pushing puzzle game" today than say 10 years ago.
I admit I'm probably self-selecting who I'm introducing these games to.

[lcamtuf@infosec.exchange]

@ori The only point I'm making is that if you put a hardware project described as a "retro-modern Sokoban clone" on the internet, no one will come looking for it

[jeffgrigg@mastodon.social]

@lcamtuf

It's a cute little puzzle game.

Not sure why you would want dedicated hardware for it.

But a nice diversion, nonetheless.

[lcamtuf@infosec.exchange]

@JeffGrigg Why would you want a dedicated hardware for any game? Pac-Man handhelds are selling like hot cakes on Amazon.

Single-purpose devices are just nice. You can also give them to kids and not worry they're gonna be watching weird auto-generated videos on YouTube all night.