Play Ballyhoo Online

Ballyhoo came out in 1986 for the Amiga, developed by Asgard Software and published by Infocom. It was a time when text adventures still held a strong presence, even as graphical games were gaining ground. This one stood out by dropping you into a circus setting, a refreshing change from the usual fantasy or sci-fi themes.

You play as a detective trying to solve the mystery of a missing magician. You move from screen to screen, typing commands to examine objects, talk to circus performers, and pick up items that might help. The puzzles are logical but demand attention; you need to notice small details and think about how characters and objects connect. Progress feels earned, and the circus atmosphere—with its oddball cast and hidden spaces—makes the investigation absorbing. It feels like untangling a clever, satisfying knot.