data/claims/lemmings-history.yamlLemmings (history and reception)
Game: Lemmings.
The One reviewed the Amiga Lemmings in its January 1991 issue, crediting it to DMA Design and Psygnosis at £24.99, out now, with Atari ST and PC versions at the same price. It gave the Amiga game 96% overall (93% for sound, 97% for playability, 94% for value) and counted 100 "situations" to resolve. lemmings-history/amiga-the-one-review
p. 46 (image 46), review boxLEMMINGS DMA Design And Psygnosis PRICE £24.99 OUT NowThe One, issue 28 (January 1991) · p. 46 (image 46), review boxSOUND 93% PLAYABILITY 97% VALUE 94% OVERALL 96 %The One, issue 28 (January 1991) · p. 46 (image 46), review boxATARI ST PRICE £24.99 OUT NowThe One, issue 28 (January 1991) · p. 46 (image 46)There are 100 'situations' to resolve in LemmingsThe One, issue 28 (January 1991) · p. 46 (image 46), review box — the box gives this version the same "PRICE £24.99 OUT Now" lineIBM PC AND COMPATIBLESRevised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: Added the PC box quote; the notes say why the main box is the Amiga's.The main box is the Amiga version's: The One covers Amiga, Atari ST and PC games ("FOR AMIGA, ATARI ST AND PC GAMES" on its cover), and the box names the ST and the PC separately below it. The issue's contents index (data/contents) gives the reviewers as Laurence Scotford, Gary Penn and Kati Hamza and the graphics mark as 88%, read on the page image; this claim quotes only the OCR.
Cited by: Lemmings
The One's feature on the makers names DMA Design as the team behind Lemmings: Dave Jones (programming), Gary Timmons (animation), Scott Johnston (graphics) and Brian Johnston (music). By its account the game began with a DPaint animation by Timmons of a gun on a cliff blasting little men walking up; six months went on designing the play before any code was written, and programming began in June "this year" (the issue is dated January 1991). lemmings-history/amiga-dma-design
p. 50 (image 50), "The Art of Rodent Design"DMA DESIGN is the team behind Lemmings. And they are .. . Dave Jones (Programming) Gary Timmons (Animation) Scott Johnston (Graphics) Brian Johnston (Music)The One, issue 28 (January 1991) · p. 50 (image 50), "The Art of Rodent Design"Then Gary Timmons created a DPaint animation that showed a gun on cliff and lots of little guys walking up and being blasted.The One, issue 28 (January 1991) · p. 50 (image 50), "The Art of Rodent Design"The next six months was spent designing gameplay before any coding was done. The actual programming began in June this yearChecked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.Cited by: Lemmings
Amiga Format's March 1991 issue reviewed the Amiga game (Psygnosis, £24.99, mouse-controlled) under Trenton Webb's name and gave it 92%. It found that Lemmings "thrives on panic, lateral thinking and accurate mouse work", and noted four styles of play plus a two-player mode. lemmings-history/amiga-format-review
p. 62 (image 62), review headingPsygnosis £24.99 MouseAmiga Format, issue 20 (March 1991) · p. 62 (image 62)Lemmings thrives on panic, lateral thinking and accurate mouse work.Amiga Format, issue 20 (March 1991) · p. 63 (image 63)Lemmings is a hoot to play and quickly becomes a dangerous obsession. Four different styles are available plus a two-player mode.Amiga Format, issue 20 (March 1991) · p. 63 (image 63), byline and rating boxTrenton WebbAmiga Format, issue 20 (March 1991) · p. 63 (image 63), rating box92% ♦ Incredibly original conChecked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.Read in the OCR text; the page image hasn't been checked.
Cited by: Lemmings
CU Amiga's February 1991 review (Psygnosis, £24.99) gave the Amiga game 94% overall and its CU Superstar badge, with 78% for graphics, 81% for sound, 95% for lastability and 94% for playability, and called it "the perfect family game". lemmings-history/amiga-cu-review
p. 57 (image 57), rating boxGRAPHICS 78% SOUND 81%CU Amiga (February 1991) · p. 57 (image 57), rating box — the OCR reads "PAYABILITY"PLAYABILITY 94% OVERALL 94%CU Amiga (February 1991) · p. 57 (image 57)Lemmings is the perfect family game.CU Amiga (February 1991) · p. 57 (image 57), rating boxPSYGNOSIS £24.99CU Amiga (February 1991) · p. 57 (image 57), rating boxLASTA&IUTY 95%Our translationLASTABILITY 95%Revised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: Added the publisher, price and lastability quotes.The CU Superstar badge was read on the page image (p. 57, image 57).
Cited by: Lemmings
Nintendo Power's June 1992 issue ran a feature on Sunsoft's NES Lemmings, "Don't let the Lemmings go over the edge!": "Those mindless Lemmings are at it again, this time on your NES." It explained the skills (Climbing and Floating are kept once learned; Bombers count down from five and explode) and walked through several levels. lemmings-history/nes-np-feature
p. 8 (image 10), feature headingDON'T LET THE LEMMINGSNintendo Power, issue 37 (June 1992) · p. 8 (image 10), feature headingGO OVER THE EDGE!Nintendo Power, issue 37 (June 1992) · p. 8 (image 10)Those mindless Lemmings are at it again, this time on your NES.Nintendo Power, issue 37 (June 1992) · p. 8 (image 10)Sunsoft's new mind-boggler makes you responsible for the welfare ofNintendo Power, issue 37 (June 1992) · p. 9 (image 11), skillsLike Climbing, Floating is a skill that … they'll always keep.Nintendo Power, issue 37 (June 1992) · p. 9 (image 11), skillsthey count down from five and explode.Nintendo Power, issue 37 (June 1992) · p. 10 (image 12)Fun Level 13 takes fast fin-Our translationFun Level 13 takes fast fin(gerwork)Revised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: Added a level walkthrough quote.The pages after the heading are image 10 (folio 8) to image 14 (folio 12); Nintendo Power 44's back-issue list gives "Volume 37 (June 92): Lemmings (NES)". Read in the OCR text.
Cited by: Lemmings
Nintendo Power's NES Lemmings feature prints two copyright lines on its first page, "1991 Ocean Software Ltd." and "1991 Psygnosis Ltd". In Britain, Total! gave the NES game as "From Ocean". lemmings-history/nes-copyright-lines
p. 8 (image 10), copyright lines above the heading1991 Ocean Software Ltd.Nintendo Power, issue 37 (June 1992) · p. 8 (image 10), copyright lines above the heading — the OCR reads "Peygnosis"1991 Psygnosis LtdTotal!, issue 11 (November 1992) · p. 78 (image 78), review headingFor NES (1 player) From Ocean Price £43Checked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.Neither source says who programmed the NES version. GamePro calls it "Sunsoft's SNES-to-NES Lemmings translation" (nes-gamepro-review).
Cited by: Lemmings
GamePro reviewed the NES Lemmings in July 1992, a ProReview signed by Slasher Quan that gave the cartridge as one-player with passwords, $39.95, available July 1992, and rated it 4.0 for graphics, 4.0 for sound, 4.5 for control and 4.0 for FunFactor, with the challenge adjustable. It called it "Sunsoft's SNES-to-NES Lemmings translation", found it clean and visible "considering the tiny 8-bit characters", said its catchy theme songs did the cart justice, and closed that it "should find a permanent home in your NES!" lemmings-history/nes-gamepro-review
p. 34 (image 38), bylineBy Slasher QuanGamePro, issue 36 (July 1992) · p. 34 (image 38)Sunsoft's SNES-to-NES Lemmings translationGamePro, issue 36 (July 1992) · p. 34 (image 38)Lemmings looks clean and visible, considering the tiny 8-bit characters. The catchy theme songs do the cart justice.GamePro, issue 36 (July 1992) · p. 34 (image 38)Lemmings does a great job of keeping you busy and should find a permanent home in your NES!GamePro, issue 36 (July 1992) · p. 34 (image 38), information box — folio 32 is on image 36, so image 38 is p. 34One Player Available July 92 PasswordsChecked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.The ratings panel and the price were read on the page image (p. 34, image 38), which the text layer garbles: "Lemmings by Sunsoft", Graphics 4.0, Sound 4.0, Control 4.5, FunFactor 4.0, Challenge ADJ. (adjustable), "$39.95". GamePro 41's annual index lists the review as "Lemmings — N (ProReview)" under July, p. 34.
Cited by: Lemmings
GamePro found that the NES Lemmings follows the Super NES cartridge "to a hair", with four skill settings and passwords, and that its only major loss is the competitive two-player mode. It described a point-and-click system for the command bar. lemmings-history/nes-gamepro-vs-snes
p. 34 (image 38)This version's only major loss is the competitive two-player mode, a shame. Otherwise, game play follows the SNES cart to a hair.GamePro, issue 36 (July 1992) · p. 34 (image 38)with four skill settings and passwordsGamePro, issue 36 (July 1992) · p. 34 (image 38)A point-and click system painlessly interfaces you with the command bar.Checked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.The sentence before the skill settings, "You even get an identical total of 30 levels", was checked on the page image (p. 34, image 38). Total! counts "20-odd" levels for each of four difficulties (nes-total-differences), so the two counts aren't reconciled here and the level count is left out.
Cited by: Lemmings
Nintendo of America's list of NES games gives Lemmings as a Sunsoft release of November 1992. lemmings-history/nes-release-na
PDF p. 8 — the row gives title, licensee, and month, not a dayLemmings Sunsoft November 1992Revised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: Now T2 on Nintendo's list alone; GamePro's and Nintendo Power's dates moved to the notes.Other sources put the cartridge earlier: GamePro gave it as available in July 1992 (nes-gamepro-review), and Nintendo Power's June 1992 issue had already featured it (nes-np-feature). The dates disagree, and no source read explains it; Nintendo's list is a later compilation. Nintendo Power 37's Now Playing chart (p. 105, image 113) lists the game as "LEMMINGS | SUNSOFT | 1P/PASS", read on the page image.
Cited by: Lemmings
The NES manual calls the cartridge "the Sunsoft Lemmings Game Pak"; its back cover names Sun Corporation of America and says the game is published under licence from Psygnosis, and the manual carries a Sunsoft limited warranty. lemmings-history/nes-manual-publisher
Thank You... (image 3) — the OCR reads "SunsoFt Lemmings™ Gare Pak"for purchasing the Sunsoft Lemmings Game PakLemmings NES instruction booklet (USA, Sunsoft) · back cover (image 1)Sun Corporation of AmericaLemmings NES instruction booklet (USA, Sunsoft) · warranty page (image 2)SUNSOFT® Limited WarrantyChecked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.The back cover's licence lines are too garbled in the OCR to quote; they were read on the page image (image 1, the left half): "Published under license from PSYGNOSIS LIMITED. Licensed in conjunction with JPI." and "©1992 Sun Corporation of America." The warranty heading is on image 2.
The NES manual introduces lemmings as small rodents of Northern Europe whose population now and then grows to immense proportions and migrates, until they plunge by the thousands into the sea, and offers the player a part in the phenomenon. Its own definition: "adorable yet incredibly stupid furry creatures", known for walking off cliffs and drowning in small pools of water, with no chance of survival without the player. lemmings-history/nes-manual-premise
What is a Lemming? (image 3)are actually very small rodents that live in Northern Europe.Lemmings NES instruction booklet (USA, Sunsoft) · What is a Lemming? (image 3)They plunge, by the thousands, mindlessly into the sea towards certain annihilationLemmings NES instruction booklet (USA, Sunsoft) · What is a Lemming? (image 3)This is your chance to play a part in a natural phenomenonLemmings NES instruction booklet (USA, Sunsoft) · Our Definition (image 3)adorable yet incredibly stupid furry creatures, lost in a maze of confusion. Known for walking off cliffs, wandering aimlessly into dangerous passageways and drowning by the thousands in small pools of water.Lemmings NES instruction booklet (USA, Sunsoft) · What is a Lemming? (image 3)The Lemming population grows to immenseLemmings NES instruction booklet (USA, Sunsoft) · Our Definition (image 3)they have no chance tor survival.Our translation(Without your help) they have no chance for survival.Revised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: Added the "immense" and "no chance for survival" quotes; dropped "hypnotic", which no quote supports.Quoted from the OCR text, which misreads several letters; the quotes give the words as printed.
Cited by: Lemmings
The NES manual describes a level: lemmings fall from a trap door and walk right, turning back when they hit an obstacle. The player assigns skills to particular lemmings to guide the rest to safety within the time limit; how many must be saved to go on varies by level, and success is measured by the percentage saved. The title screen offers four ratings (Fun, Tricky, Taxing, Mayhem), and finishing a level gives a password for the next. lemmings-history/nes-manual-structure
Let's Go! (image 4)begin to fall from the trap door, they will proceed to the rightLemmings NES instruction booklet (USA, Sunsoft) · Let's Go! (image 4)if they hit an obstacle, they will turn in the opposite directionLemmings NES instruction booklet (USA, Sunsoft) · Let's Go! (image 4)The number of Lemmings you will have to save in order to progress to the next level … will vary depending on the levelLemmings NES instruction booklet (USA, Sunsoft) · Let's Go! (image 4)the others to safety within the time limitLemmings NES instruction booklet (USA, Sunsoft) · Let's Go! (image 4)Your success is measured by the percentage you save.Lemmings NES instruction booklet (USA, Sunsoft) · How to Start the Game (image 4)of four ratings.Lemmings NES instruction booklet (USA, Sunsoft) · password log (image 11)FUN TRICKY TAXING MAYHEMLemmings NES instruction booklet (USA, Sunsoft) · Password (image 6)The password for the following level will be given to you once you have completed the level before itLemmings NES instruction booklet (USA, Sunsoft) · Let's Go! (image 4)assign skills to particular Lemmings to guideRevised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: Added the "assign skills" quote.Cited by: Lemmings
On the NES the control pad moves a cursor in all directions and scrolls the screen when the cursor is at the edge of the play screen. Holding B with the control pad moves a "Selection box" left and right over the tasks at the bottom of the screen, A gives the selected task to the lemming under the cursor, and START starts and pauses play. lemmings-history/nes-manual-controls
How to Use the Controller (image 6)Moves cursor in all directionsLemmings NES instruction booklet (USA, Sunsoft) · How to Use the Controller (image 6)Scrolls screen to the left or right when cursor is placed at the very edge of the playLemmings NES instruction booklet (USA, Sunsoft) · How to Use the Controller (image 6)Moves "Selection box" over Lemming tasks at the bottom of the play screenLemmings NES instruction booklet (USA, Sunsoft) · How to Use the Controller (image 6)Gives Lemming the selected task when the cursor is placed directly over him.Lemmings NES instruction booklet (USA, Sunsoft) · How to Use the Controller (image 6)START Button:Lemmings NES instruction booklet (USA, Sunsoft) · How to Use the Controller (image 6)Starts and pauses game play. Gives you time to think!Checked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.The button names, which the OCR loses, were read on the page image (image 6, printed p. 9): "B Button + CONTROL PAD: Moves "selection box" over Lemming tasks" and "A Button: Gives a Lemming the selected task".
Cited by: Lemmings
The NES manual's skills: a Basher digs horizontally, a Miner digs a sloping tunnel downward in the direction he faces, and a Digger tunnels straight down; some obstacles can't be dug, metal among them. A Blocker stops other lemmings only if they bump into his hands. A Climber or Floater keeps the skill until the level ends or he dies. A Builder stops building when he runs out of bricks, if the bridge hits a solid object, or if he hits his head. lemmings-history/nes-manual-skills
Skills and/or Tasks (image 9)When selected, this Lemming will dig horizontally through obstaclesLemmings NES instruction booklet (USA, Sunsoft) · Skills and/or Tasks (image 9)When selected, this Lemming will pick downward creating a sloping tunnelLemmings NES instruction booklet (USA, Sunsoft) · Skills and/or Tasks (image 9)this Lemming will dig a tunnel straight down through obstaclesLemmings NES instruction booklet (USA, Sunsoft) · Other Points to Note (image 9) — the sentence ends "dug through" on the next line, which the OCR runs together with the next columnMetal shown as square plates and usually used to contain liquids) cannot beLemmings NES instruction booklet (USA, Sunsoft) · Other Points to Note (image 9)will stop other Lemmings from passing only if they bump into his handsLemmings NES instruction booklet (USA, Sunsoft) · Other Points to Note (image 9)A Lemming designated as a Climber or Floater retains these skills … level is ended or until he perishes.Lemmings NES instruction booklet (USA, Sunsoft) · Other Points to Note (image 9)Builders stop constructing bridgesLemmings NES instruction booklet (USA, Sunsoft) · Other Points to Note (image 9)If the bridge hits a solid objectLemmings NES instruction booklet (USA, Sunsoft) · Other Points to Note (image 9)If the Lemming hits his head while buildingRevised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: The "metal" quote's note says the sentence ends "dug through".The first of the three Builder cases, "When they run out of bricks", is garbled in the OCR ("run out of OPicks") and was read on the page image (image 9, printed p. 15).
Cited by: Lemmings
Nintendo Power's January 1993 issue put the NES Lemmings third in its Top 10 NES games of 1992, with Power Meter ratings of 3.8 for graphics, 3.6 for play control, 4.1 for challenge and 4.1 for theme and fun. It chose the NES version over the Super NES one "because it plays the same on an 8-bit machine". lemmings-history/nes-np-top-ten-1992
Super Power Club book, Top 10 Games of 1992, SPC p. 10 (image 125), Lemmings entry — the OCR reads "Grohics"Graphics 3.8 Play Control 3.6Nintendo Power, issue 44 (1993-01) · Super Power Club book, Top 10 Games of 1992, SPC p. 10 (image 125), Lemmings entryChallenge 4.1 Theme, Fun 4.1Nintendo Power, issue 44 (1993-01) · Super Power Club book, Top 10 Games of 1992, SPC p. 10 (image 125), Lemmings entryLemmings possesses that addicting quality that all great puzzle strategy games have. While a Super NES version of this title was also released, we gave the Top 10 nod to the NES version because it plays the same on an 8-bit machineNintendo Power, issue 44 (1993-01) · Super Power Club book, Top 10 Games of 1992, introduction (image 117)So here it is--the definitive list for 1992.Checked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.The rank, 3, was read on the page image (image 125), where the OCR loses it; Darkwing Duck is 2 on the same page. The introduction says the picks weigh the ratings of the pros at Nintendo, readers' Top 20 votes, and the editors' input.
Cited by: Lemmings
Total! reviewed the NES Lemmings in its November 1992 issue: one player, from Ocean, £43, out now. The review, signed James, found it "just as addictive a game as on the 16-bits" and gave it 85 percent, with 8 for looks, 7 for sounds, 9 for gameplay and 9 for life span. Total!'s directory in the next issue repeats the 85% and sums the game up as the "world's most sadistic brain-bender" made onto the NES with its puzzles intact, with fewer levels than other versions but good looks and sound. lemmings-history/nes-total-review
p. 78 (image 78), review headingFor NES (1 player) From Ocean Price £43Total!, issue 11 (November 1992) · p. 78 (image 78)version is just as addictive a game … as on the 16-bits.Total!, issue 11 (November 1992) · p. 79 (image 79), facts boxOut nowTotal!, issue 11 (November 1992) · p. 79 (image 79)I really liked the NES version of this classic game.Total!, issue 12 (December 1992) · p. 133 (image 133), Total! Recall directory, NESLEMMINGS Ocean 1 player £43 The world's most sadistic brain-bender makes it onto the NES with its puzzling gameplay intactTotal!, issue 12 (December 1992) · p. 133 (image 133), Total! Recall directory, NESIt's got fewer levels than other versions, but it looks and sounds good, and with four difficulty levels it's going to last. 85% (Issue 11)Revised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: Dropped the unquoted "a British Nintendo magazine".The score box and the signature were read on the page images (pp. 78-79, images 78-79), which the text layer doesn't carry: Looks 8, Sounds 7, Gameplay 9, Life span 9 (segments of ten), "Final rating 85 Percent", signed "JAMES" with no surname.
Cited by: Lemmings
Total!'s review lists what the NES version gives up. A screenshot caption says a cluster of lemmings that could number up to 100 on other versions is just 14 on the NES, and the reviewer saw at most 14 in play on any level. The speed selection is dropped, and so is a warning for when a Builder is about to stop. Moving along the selector bar with the joypad takes some getting used to. There are four difficulty settings with 20-odd levels each. lemmings-history/nes-total-differences
p. 78 (image 78), captionOn other versions, a cluster like this could … contain up to 100 lemmings. On the NES … there are just 14 - but it's still darn tough!Total!, issue 11 (November 1992) · p. 79 (image 79)only saw a maximum of 14 in play on any of the levels.Total!, issue 11 (November 1992) · p. 79 (image 79)because the speed selection's been … dropped on the NES, 14 is quite enough lemmingsTotal!, issue 11 (November 1992) · p. 78 (image 78), captionOne of the features left out of this version … is a warning for when the builder is about … to down tools and stop doing his thang.Total!, issue 11 (November 1992) · p. 78 (image 78)moving along the selector bar with the joypad … takes some getting used toTotal!, issue 11 (November 1992) · p. 79 (image 79)And with four difficulty settings, and 20- … odd levels to play through onRevised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: "speed selection" kept as the review words it; the 100-lemming cluster attributed to a caption."Speed selection" is read here as the release rate, which the review doesn't spell out; the Amiga reviews describe icons for raising and lowering the release rate (amiga-the-one-review's source, p. 46). Nintendo Power 37 gives an NES level a "release rate of 99" (p. 11, image 13), so the rate is still set by the level.
Cited by: Lemmings
In Total!'s December 1992 guide to the best games on each Nintendo machine, the NES puzzle pick was "Boulderdash or Lemmings". Of the staff quoted, one called the NES Lemmings "a miraculous achievement on the old eight-bit box!" and another "every bit as good as any other version I've seen". A third wasn't enthused, since the original "didn't send me wild with delight", and a fourth liked it despite its 14 lemmings at a time and plainer looks. lemmings-history/nes-total-staff-picks
special feature p. 4 (image 76), the NES column's puzzle entryYou couldn't go far wrong with Boulderdash or Lemmings.Total!, issue 12 (December 1992) · special feature p. 6 (image 78), NES puzzle gamesNo, for long-lasting fun Lemmings is the biz: a miraculous achievement on the old eight-bit box!Total!, issue 12 (December 1992) · special feature p. 6 (image 78), NES puzzle gamesDespite being on an 8-bit machine this is every bit as good as any other version I've seen.Total!, issue 12 (December 1992) · special feature p. 7 (image 79), NES puzzle gamesLemmings isn't bad either but the original didn't send me wild with delight anyway.Total!, issue 12 (December 1992) · special feature p. 7 (image 79), NES puzzle gamesAlthough there are only 14 Lemmings on the go at any one time. It's still got all the puzzle-power of its 16-bit counterparts.Checked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.The feature carries its own page numbers (4-7) inside the issue. The staff are shown by photographs, with no names on these pages.
Cited by: Lemmings