Chip's Challenge (1989-)

• Developer: Epyx

• Publisher: Atari

• Genre: Puzzle

Chip’s Challenge on the Atari Lynx was developed by Epyx, designed by Chuck Sommerville, and published by Atari in 1989 as part of the handheld’s launch line-up. The game introduced players to Chip McCallahan, a nerdy student trying to prove himself by navigating a series of puzzle-filled stages. Each level required collecting a set number of computer chips to unlock the exit, with the design clearly influenced by grid-based logic titles such as Sokoban but given more variety and personality to suit the Lynx’s strengths.

The gameplay unfolds across nearly 150 tile-based levels, each introducing new mechanics to keep the challenge fresh. Players contend with sliding ice, teleporters, pushable blocks, toggle doors and keys, water and fire hazards, as well as enemies with distinct movement patterns. Special boots grant Chip temporary abilities such as walking on fire or resisting conveyor belts, and timers add urgency to puzzle-solving. Passwords were included to let players resume progress without starting over, making it a more forgiving experience than many of its contemporaries.

Sound design on the Lynx gave Chip’s Challenge a unique atmosphere for a puzzle game. Short, looping melodies accompanied play, while sound effects emphasized key interactions, such as unlocking doors, slipping on ice, or encountering enemies. These audio cues were functional as well as entertaining, reinforcing the mechanics and making the increasingly complex levels easier to read and react to. The overall presentation was simple but effective, emphasizing clarity and logic over spectacle.

Following its release on the Lynx, Chip’s Challenge was ported to numerous platforms, most famously included in the Microsoft Entertainment Pack on Windows in the early 1990s, which significantly expanded its audience. No prequel exists, but a long-awaited sequel, Chip’s Challenge 2, eventually launched in 2015 after years of licensing issues, along with Chuck Sommerville’s related project Chuck’s Challenge. Promotion in its original era came through print advertising and trade show demonstrations that positioned it as one of the standout titles for Atari’s handheld. Reception was strong, with critics praising the variety and depth of puzzles, and it has since gained recognition as one of the Lynx’s signature games and a classic of the puzzle genre.

Images from MobyGames