Play National Lampoons Chess Maniac 5 Billion and 1 Online – MS-DOS Game

Game Overview

National Lampoon’s Chess Maniac 5 Billion and 1 is a satirical take on computer chess, blending serious gameplay with absurd humor. Developed as a spoof of Chessmaster, it offers 10 difficulty levels and a range of gameplay options, catering to both casual players and chess enthusiasts. What sets it apart is its chaotic personality—the game’s unseen host, "The Maniac," taunts players with HAL-like sarcasm, distracting animations, and even cheating by stealing pieces. Victory is rewarded with bizarre cutscenes, from cheesecake to mountain goats, leaning into the game’s irreverent tone.

While the experience can be toned down with a 2D board and muted sound, the game revels in its immaturity, branding itself as "sicker, nastier, and sexier" than traditional chess sims. Its mix of solid chess mechanics and over-the-top humor makes it a cult classic, though its raunchy content—complete with warnings for preteens and televangelists—ensures it’s not for the easily offended. A product of MicroProse/Spectrum Holobyte’s quirky era, Chess Maniac delivers laughs without sacrificing gameplay depth.
Each game uses different controls, most DOS games use the keyboard arrows. Some will use the mouse , "Alt" ,"Enter" and "Space bar".