Hunchback (video game)

Hunchback refers to a series of video games based loosely on Victor Hugo's novel The Hunchback of Notre-Dame. The most well-known title is a 1983 arcade game developed by Ocean Software.

The game features Quasimodo, the hunchback, who must rescue Esmeralda from her prison cell at the top of Notre Dame Cathedral. Gameplay typically involves guiding Quasimodo across a series of obstacles and platforms, avoiding guards and other dangers. The player earns points by collecting keys and performing acrobatic feats. Upon reaching the top of the cathedral, Quasimodo rescues Esmeralda.

The original arcade game was successful and was subsequently ported to various home computer systems, including the Commodore 64, ZX Spectrum, and Atari 8-bit family. It spawned a sequel, Hunchback II, also developed by Ocean Software, which featured similar gameplay mechanics and a new storyline. Hunchback II typically involved Quasimodo rescuing a different character, often a gypsy woman or a maiden, from various dangers.

The Hunchback games are remembered for their simple yet challenging gameplay and distinctive character design. While not direct adaptations of Hugo's novel, they captured a broad, if simplified, interpretation of the story's setting and hero. The games' popularity established them as notable titles within the early history of platform games.