Released: 1980
- Arcade
- Atari 2600
- Atari 5200
Berzerk is a multi-directional shooter game played from a top-down perspective. Developed by Stern Electronics, the game first appeared in arcades before coming to consoles. The gameplay has players guide their avatar through maze-like rooms, shooting robots and avoiding their laser fire, as well as the walls themselves. The player is also hunted by an indestructible boss enemy known as Evil Otto (represented by a smiley face). Berzerk was the subject of controversy when someone playing the game died of a heart attack, later found to be caused by pre-existing conditions. This didn't stop the game from being showered in creepy urban legends, mostly stemming around Evil Otto.