Play X-Man Online

X-Man came out for the Atari 2600 in 1983, published by Atari themselves. It was one of those games from the era that tried to do something a little different, even if it didn't always click with everyone. You could find it tucked between more straightforward arcade ports and ambitious, if sometimes clumsy, attempts at deeper adventures.

You control a small character navigating a series of single-screen mazes filled with odd obstacles like giant scissors and crabs. The goal is to reach the center of each maze before a strict timer expires. Once there, you engage in a strange mini-game that involves awkwardly maneuvering around a central figure. The pacing is relentless due to the constant time pressure, making even simple navigation feel tense. Playing it feels like trying to solve a puzzle while someone is repeatedly tapping you on the shoulder.