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Number Munchers (v1.2) (1986) (MECC)

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Number Munchers (v1.2) (1986) (MECC)

by MECC

Published 1986


Munchers was a series of educational/edutainment computer games produced by the Minnesota Educational Computing Consortium (MECC) for several operating systems. They were popular among American schoolchildren in the 1980s and 1990s and were the recipients of several awards. The two original games in the series were Number Munchers and Word Munchers.

In all the Munchers games, the player controlled a green "Muncher" character across a grid of squares containing a short numerical or word expression. The objective is to consume all and only the grids containing information satisfying a specific criterion (determined by the mode of play) while also avoiding the deadly "Troggle" monsters (name probably derived from troglodyte) which roamed the grid.

Eating a grid containing information that did not match the criterion of the play mode chosen or being caught by a Troggle resulted in the loss of a life.
If all grids containing information matching the criterion were eaten from the screen, the level ended and the player was presented with an amusing short scene, similar to Wile E. Coyote and Road Runner scenes, in which the Muncher foils the Troggles' plans to catch it and often destroys the Troggle in some comical manner. The game gets continually faster and harder each level.

Specific to Number Munchers are the five modes of play: Multiples, Factors, Primes, Equality, and Inequality. Players can also choose from a "challenge" mode, which randomizes these modes. In the Multiples mode, Muncher must munch all numbers which are multiples of the number given; for example, if the designated number is 3 then Muncher must eat all 6's, 9's, and 12's and avoid numbers such as 7. In Factors the muncher seeks to ingest the factors of a given number, in Primes he craves prime numbers, and in the Equality and Inequality modes the muncher devours expressions such as 2+4 which are equivalent or not equivalent (respectively) to the designated number.

Game play begins with four Muncher lives (the one currently in play, plus three others in reserve). After scoring a certain number of points, the player gains an extra life. Players lose a life if they swallow an incorrect answer.

Additionally, five different types of enemy (or "Troggle") appear throughout the game. Players lose a life if they make contact with a Troggle.

The highest known level is -127, which is equal to level 129 per wrapping.


Identifier Number_Munchers_v1.2_1986_MECC
Scanner Internet Archive Python library 0.4.4
Mediatype software
Publicdate 2013-10-29 06:49:41
Addeddate 2013-10-29 06:49:41
Creator MECC
Date 1986
Year 1986
Emulator apple2e
Emulator_ext dsk
Backup_location ia905709_3

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Reviews

Reviewer: Clifford OneHundredd Brown - favoritefavoritefavoritefavorite - August 26, 2016
Subject: Excellent Game since the 90's
A very amazing 90's game...I grew up playing this in Elementary...it is one of the most successful educational games I've ever played...I wish the company would remake this game for the new generation and possibly re-revolutionize educational gaming. This game Word Munchers offered unique challenges. The Game came out 5 years before I was born...and I'm thankful I got to relive my childhood...thanks whoever posted this. Number Munchers is really challenging
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