Play Lode Runner II - The Bungeling Strikes Back Online

Lode Runner II: The Bungeling Strikes Back came out in 1984 for arcades, developed and published by Broderbund. It was a direct follow-up to the original Lode Runner, arriving at a time when maze and platform games were common, but few offered the same mix of strategy and dexterity. The game built on its predecessor's ideas with new mechanics and a persistent antagonist, giving players a reason to come back for more.

You control a small character who must collect all the gold on each screen while avoiding enemy guards. Your main tool is a laser gun that digs temporary holes in the floor; these can trap enemies or create paths, but they refill after a few seconds, so timing is critical. The levels are single-screen puzzles that require planning routes and quick reactions, especially as the number and speed of enemies increase. Later stages introduce elements like conveyor belts and ladders, adding complexity to the spatial problem-solving. It feels tense and cerebral, demanding both foresight and fast fingers to outmaneuver ever more aggressive opponents.