Chip desperately wants to join gorgeous Melinda's exclusive Bit Busters Computer Club, and he's ecstatic when she offers him membership! But there's a catch - before Chip can become a card-carrying Bit Buster, he must complete Melinda's challenge...— Game Box

Chip's Challenge is a top-down tile-based puzzle video game created in 1989 by Chuck Sommerville originally for the hand-held Atari Lynx. Chip's Challenge was then later ported to multiple formats including the Amiga, Commodore 64, ZX Spectrum, DOS, and Windows, included in the Microsoft Entertainment Pack and Best of Microsoft Entertainment Pack (the last of which was written by Tony Krueger in 1991). Microsoft licensed Chip's Challenge from Epyx to write a DOS and Windows version of the game; while porting the game, the logic was slightly changed from the original version. It has also been converted to the TI-84+ calculator and the TI-89 Titanium.

Chip's Challenge is one of the most innovative strategy games ever released for any system. Unlike some puzzle games, this title offers a wide range of tasks to perform and goals to reach, and all. When the last window is closed, the image of Chip triumphantly holding a computer chip and being hoisted into the air as one of their own by the Bit Busters club remains as part of the window. The story of Chip's Challenge 1 is 'officially' over, but Chip can return to any level to collect more seconds, level bonuses, or both.

The original game was designed and coded by Chuck Sommerville, who also made about a third of the levels.[3] Most of the conversions from the Atari Lynx original to other formats were carried out by Images Software in the UK.

The premise of the game is that high-school nerd Chip McCallahan has met Melinda The Mental Marvel in the school science laboratory and must navigate through Melinda's 'Clubhouse' (a series of increasingly difficult puzzles) in order to prove himself and gain membership to the very exclusive Bit Buster Club.

Gameplay

Chip's Challenge consists of a series of 148 two-dimensional levels (149 in Microsoft's version) which feature the player character, Nerdy Chip McCallahan, often called just Chip, and various game elements such as computer chips, buttons, locked doors, water and lethal monsters. Gameplay involves using arrow keys, directional pad or mouse to move Chip about each of the levels in turn, collecting enough chips to open the chip socket at the end of each level, get to the exit, and move on to the next level.

While the same set of rules applies to each level, there are many different kinds of levels. Some are action-oriented and some are puzzle-oriented. Most levels have a time limit. Types of levels include solving a block-pushing puzzle to clear a path, dodging enemies, and moving through a maze. Levels can be skipped by entering an appropriate four-letter non-case-sensitive password. For the PC versions, game progress is automatically saved. If one is having a lot of trouble with a level, the game allows the player to skip to the next level. Progress is measured in terms of completed levels and player score, which is a sum of the scores obtained on each level. Level scores for timed levels can be improved by quickly completing the level, and scores on all levels can be improved by using fewer attempts to complete the level.

Source:Wikipedia

Whether it is a remake or an original game, all gamers enjoy an element of nostalgia. Chip’s Challenge originally released in 1989 as a part of the Atari Lynx launch. Since then, the release of Windows saw Chip’s Challenge cement itself in the memory of a whole generation of players. Now, you can experience the nostalgia all over again. Recently, the developer announced on Twitter that Chip’s Challenge is free on Steam.

The mechanics of the game are not difficult to operate. With each level, you will be presented with a tiled grid. The story of the iconic puzzle game requires you to collect computer chips to progress to the next level. However, you have to face various obstacles along the way. Some levels have locked doors, enemies, movable blocks, and more. Throughout your adventure, you will be able to collect various tools to help you along the way. There are a total of 144 puzzles to complete in the original version of the game.

It’s been over 30 years since Chuck Sommerville created Chip’s Challenge. Today is goes free on Steam https://t.co/bSE1sY5dBopic.twitter.com/UqLkXx3ddR

— Chuck's Challenge (@ChucksChallenge) September 21, 2020

Chip 27s Challenge 2019

There are other versions of Chip’s Challenge to enjoy

Although Chip’s Challenge has a sequel, it took a total of 25 years to release. Once the sequel was complete, the trademark had already been sold. As a result, the developers encountered issues with publishing. With the release of Chip’s Challenge 2 in limbo, Chuck Sommerville created Chuck’s Challenge 3D. This was crowd funded by Kickstarter and released on various platforms in 2014. Thankfully, the sequel then released in 2015 with an additional 200 levels to enjoy. So far, all versions have found a degree of success.

Chip 27s Challenges

It is likely that you will enjoy Chip’s Challenge, whether you are in it for the nostalgia, or are a first time player. Also, you have the option to choose between the original Atari look, and the Windows version. Now that Chip’s Challenge is free on Steam, it is likely that the iconic title will gain popularity once again.