Classic Games Database
ClassicGames DB

Maniac Mansion

Review
Also known as
MM

This point-and-click adventure requires solving puzzles to rescue a kidnapped friend.

Maniac Mansion was originally released for Commodore 64 and Apple II in 1987. The NES version was released in North America in September 1990 by Jaleco.

About Maniac Mansion

Maniac Mansion is a game where players attempt to rescue a missing high school student named Sandy from the Edison family home. The setting is a local mansion rumored for strange experiments and odd inhabitants, with a backstory involving a meteorite impact decades prior. Dave, Sandy's boyfriend who witnessed the abduction, serves as the central character.

Gameplay involves selecting two additional student characters to assist Dave, each possessing distinct personalities and potential solutions to obstacles. Control can be switched between the three characters freely. Interactions are primarily conducted through a verb-based interface, where commands are applied to objects in the environment. This design allows many puzzles to be solved through different means depending on which character is active.

A captured character is imprisoned in a dungeon, requiring rescue by one of the remaining free party members. The GOG release provides access to both the Original and Enhanced versions of the game.

Maniac Mansion Screenshots

10 images
Title screen
Intro
Choosing the two supporting characters
Starting the game
In front of the mansion
In the hall
Gotcha!
Imprisoned...
Nice room
A typical dark room: you have to locate a lamp and turn it on