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Alphabet Zoo

ColecoVision

ColecoVision

Alphabet Zoo is a top-view educational game where the player races around a maze. It is up to the player to collect the letters scattered around. The maze also contains two teleporters that warp the player who uses them to a random spot. Each maze has a graphic representation of an object in the...

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Developer
Spinnaker Software

Released on
1983

Size
1–2 Players

Version
ColecoVision

Requirements
ColecoVision

Downloads
Education

ESRB Rating
Not Rated

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Description

Alphabet Zoo is a top-view educational game where the player races around a maze. It is up to the player to collect the letters scattered around. The maze also contains two teleporters that warp the player who uses them to a random spot.
Each maze has a graphic representation of an object in the middle. There are two modes: Game 1, where the player needs to repeatedly collect first letter of the object’s name as many times as possible within the time limit, and Game 2, where all the letters oft he name must be collected in the correct order. The game can be played in one-player mode, or with two competing players. The game allows to start from any level and choose uppercase letters only, lowercase letters only, or a mix of both.

Alphabet Zoo

Overview & History

Released in 1984 by CBS Electronics, Alphabet Zoo is a charming educational action title developed originally for the Atari 400/800 and later ported to the ColecoVision. Departing from the standard violent arcade ports that dominated the console's library, this game combines early childhood literacy with maze-navigation gameplay. Players step into a vibrant animal kingdom where the primary mission is to traverse colorful, scrolling mazes to spell out specific target words before the timer runs out, making learning an adventurous pursuit.

Gameplay Features & Mechanics

The game unfolds across a series of sprawling, horizontally scrolling mazes populated by wandering letters and mischievous creatures. Players control a cheerful animal character navigating the terrain to collect letters in precise alphabetical or sequential order to spell prompted words like "BEAR" or "LION." As you move through the labyrinth, you must avoid hazards such as roaming bees and spiders that drain your precious time and energy. Power-ups and bonus items are scattered throughout the enclosure to grant temporary invincibility or freeze hostile critters. The ColecoVision port notably enhanced the original's color palette, delivering crisp, bright sprites and a jaunty background tune that loops as you race against the clock to complete the spelling puzzle.