RISE OF THE UNDERGROUND
MANIC MINER
CLASSIC GAMEPLAY
REBUILT FOR THE FUTURE
MANIC MINER
You play the role of Miner Willy, a bold explorer and adventurer. He discovers a network of underground caverns used by an advanced but now extinct civilization, and realizes that the mines contain lucrative metal ores. Through 20 caverns, Willy must collect all treasures before the time (air) runs out, watching out for the nasty guardians, the obstacles, long falls, quicksands and all elements to be found in a classic platform game.
The game is linear, and each room’s exit only beco-mes available once all the items have been collected. Close contact with an enemy or stationary hazard, or falling a great distance, causes the player to lose a life and restart the level.
SCREENSHOTS
TRAILER
NEWS & UPDATES
We got nominated for the Retro Prize at the Game Awards.
Munich, Germany – October 10, 2025 – BBG Entertainment is delighted to announce that BOULDER...
We’re showcasing our work at Gamescom 2025.
Munich, Germany – August 26, 2025 – A wonderful gamescom 2025 concluded on Sunday, and for BBG Entertainment,...
Manic Miner wins another award and receives extensive content update
Munich, Germany – February 25, 2026 – At the turn of the year, the cult title was named the winner in...
The game is out!
Munich, Jan 1st 2020 – After a couple of months of tinkering, tweaking, and the occasional coffee spill,...
USER REVIEWS & TESTIMONIALS
4/5 ★★★★☆
Awesome remake!
A delightful experience that constantly nudges you to recall old memories while creating new ones. The gameplay is smooth, the puzzles are clever, and every moment feels meaningful.
John Smith, Jan 15th 2026
5/5 ★★★★★
Thanks for bringing back those wonderful memories.
This game surprised me with how often it made me stop and remember things from my own life. It blends fun mechanics with heartfelt moments, turning simple interactions into powerful memories.
John Smith, Jan 15th 2026
4/5 ★★★★☆
Great retro game
A charming adventure that sparks joy and brings forgotten memories back to the surface.
John Smith, Jan 15th 2026
5/5 ★★★★★
Couldn’t resist!
Playing Manic Miner felt like opening a time capsule. Every screen, sound effect, and perfectly timed jump recalled memories of discovering games for the first time. It’s simple, tough, and endlessly charming.
John Smith, Jan 15th 2026
AVAILABLE IN YOUR FAVORITE APP STORE
The legendary Manic Miner returns—rebuilt for a new generation while honoring the charm of the 1983 original. Our modern edition brings a vibrant cartoon look, smoother controls, and a refreshed presentation shaped by more than 40 years of game‑development experience. It’s a faithful revival with the polish and accessibility of a contemporary platformer.
You can play the new Manic Miner on all major platforms, making it easier than ever to jump into Miner Willy’s underground adventure. Whether you prefer console, PC, or mobile, the game is ready for you.
THE HISTORY OF MANIC MINER
A DEFINING CLASSIC OF THE 8‑BIT ERA
Manic Miner, released in 1983, stands as one of the most influential platform games of the early home‑computer era. Designed and programmed by Matthew Smith, it debuted on the ZX Spectrum and quickly became a landmark title in British gaming history.
ORIGINS AND DEVELOPMENT
The game was created after Bug‑Byte’s despatch manager, Alan Maton, requested a Donkey‑Kong‑style arcade game. Smith, already known for his earlier title Styx, began development and initially produced 16 levels, later expanding the game to 20 caverns after discovering a way to fit more content into memory. The final version was completed in August 1983.
Manic Miner was first published by Bug‑Byte in mid‑1983 and later the same year by Software Projects, after Smith left Bug‑Byte and used a legal loophole to cancel the original license.
PLATFORMS
Although born on the ZX Spectrum, the game’s popularity led to ports across a wide range of 8‑bit and later platforms, including:
• Amstrad CPC
• BBC Micro
• Commodore 64 / Plus/4 / 16
• Dragon 32/64
• MSX
• Oric
• SAM Coupé
• Tatung Einstein
• PMD 85
Later: Game Boy Advance, Xbox 360, and mobile platforms
This broad availability helped cement its status as one of the most widely recognized Spectrum‑era games.
STORY AND SETTING
Players control Miner Willy, an explorer who discovers a vast underground mine filled with hazards, strange creatures, and valuable items. The objective in each cavern is simple but tense: collect all flashing objects before Willy’s oxygen runs out, then reach the exit portal to progress.
The game’s quirky enemies – Poisonous Pansies, Spiders, Slime, and Manic Mining Robots – gave it a distinctive personality.
GAME DESIGN AND MECHANICS
Manic Miner is notable for its:
• Single‑screen level design: Each cavern fits entirely on one screen, allowing players to study hazards and plan routes.
• Precision platforming: Willy must avoid enemies moving on fixed paths and cannot fall too far without dying.
• Resource pressure: A constantly depleting oxygen bar adds urgency.
• Musical innovation: It was one of the first Spectrum games to feature continuous in‑game music, including In the Hall of the Mountain King and The Blue Danube.
The game contains 20 caverns, each with unique layouts, hazards, and collectible items. This was an expansion from the originally planned 16 levels.
RECEPTION AND PLAYER IMPRESSIONS
Upon release, Manic Miner received critical acclaim and quickly became a bestseller. It won:
• Golden Joystick Award (1983) – Best Arcade‑Style Game
• Golden Joystick Award (1983) – 3rd place, Game of the Year
• C&VG Spectrum Top Ten (1983) recognition
Players praised:
• Its originality compared to other early platformers
• The tight, challenging controls
• The humor and personality of its enemies and level names
• The groundbreaking music and polish
Retro Gamer later called it one of the most influential platform games of all time, reflecting its long‑lasting legacy.
Original instructions
CONTACTS
BBG-Entertainment
BBG Entertainment is a games developer and publisher headquartered in Munich, Germany. The founder and staff of BBG Entertainment have years of experience in the market for computer and mobile games, especially in the area of retro and casual gaming, and excellent contact with many renowned gaming companies for well over 25 years. BBG Entertainment is privately owned, with more than 10 employees and freelancers at the Munich headquarters. Also works with external development studios as needed. BBG Entertainment offers famous games like Boulder Dash®, Dynablaster®, Astrosmash®, Shark! Shark® and Einstein™ Brain Trainer.
In 2017 BBG Entertainment acquired the Boulder Dash® intellectual property, with all rights pertaining thereto, from First Star Software, Inc. The original Boulder Dash® is a pioneering interactive game dating back to the early times of the home computer and video game era being first launched in 1984. Boulder Dash® and its many sequels have delighted and challenged casual and hard-core players of all ages and sexes for over three decades. The original Boulder Dash® was created by Peter Liepa with Chris Gray and published by First Star Software, Inc. Boulder Dash® is an innovative action-puzzle digging and collection game responsible for launching its own game genre.
BBG Entertainment announced on May 24th, 2023 the acquisition of the ASTROSMASH® and SHARK! SHARK!® intellectual properties with all rights pertaining thereto, from Intellivision® Entertainment, LLC. Under this new ownership arrangement, Intellivision® Entertainment, LLC will retain any preexisting activations of the original versions of ASTROSMASH® and SHARK! SHARK!® as well as any versions for future platforms from Intellivision®.
CONTACTS
Cuvilliesstr. 14 – 81679
Munich
Germany
info@bbg-entertainment.com
+49 (0)89 35498-100
+49 (0)89 35498-499