Pyramid is a real-time puzzle video game developed and published by Taiwanese company Sachen in 1990 for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES). Originally appearing as a minigame in Dong Dong Nao 2, Pyramid was later released as a standalone title. The game draws heavy inspiration from Tetris, but introduces its own gameplay twists through the use of triangular and trapezoidal pieces rather than traditional square and rectangular shapes.
Pyramid (NES)
An improved version, Pyramid II, was later released with additional features and a revised storyline.
The gameplay of Pyramid centers around fitting falling stones of various angular shapes into complete horizontal lines at the bottom of the screen. When a player successfully completes a line, it is cleared, and points are awarded. Unlike Tetris, players can only clear up to two rows at a time; however, doing so grants them a bomb, which can be used to clear a small cross-shaped section of blocks on the field. Bombs offer strategic opportunities but can also create awkward gaps, making the playing field more difficult to manage if used carelessly. As with other puzzle games of its kind, the game ends if the stack of pieces reaches the top of the screen.
The game’s narrative differs depending on the release region. In the original Taiwanese version, players take on the role of a scholar exploring the mysteries of the pyramids. In the AVE and HES localized versions, the player is cast as Dr. Otto Spetalbonky, an explorer who has discovered ancient games once played in the tomb of Queen Lera-Di'-Ty, also known as the Queen of Fun. Pyramid II expands on this, involving an evil presence awakening in the pyramids in the year 20XX, prompting divine intervention by a 'Marvelous Soldier' to prevent its return.
Two distinct versions of Pyramid exist. The standard version, released in most markets, provides additional bombs as gameplay bonuses. Meanwhile, a special release by Hacker International includes adult-themed artwork featuring Cleopatra, illustrated by Yoshimasa Watanabe, shown in cutscenes as an incentive for gameplay progression, along with the extra bombs.
While Pyramid introduces a unique twist on the classic falling block puzzle formula, its non-standard piece shapes, such as triangles and trapezoids, make gameplay less intuitive than Tetris. The game has been described as competent but lacking in polish, with minimal frills and basic audiovisual presentation. Despite these criticisms, it remains a notable entry in Sachen’s library and was also ported to the Watara Supervision along with several other early titles from the company.
More details about this game can be found on
MobyGames.com.
Find digital download of this game on
GOG
or
Steam.
Game controls:
The NES version of Pyramid was originally controlled via the NES controller with a cross-shaped joypad and two action buttons. The basic description of game controls is summarized in the table below. Detailed description of how to play this game can be found a in the attached game manual. Please note that individual
gamepad buttons are emulated by different keys on your PC keyboard depending on the settings of your online emulator (see the table next to the game).
Press left and right to move blocks in the same direction. Press down to make the blocks fall down fast.
Press the A button to rotate falling block 90° clockwise.
Press the B button to rotate falling block 90° counter-clockwise.
Music on / off.
Use to start the game. Press during play to pause. Press again to resume play.
Videogame Console:
This version of Pyramid was designed for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES), which was an eight-bit video game console manufactured
by Nintendo in the years 1983 - 2003. In that time, it was the best-selling video game console for which more than 700 licensed games and a number of non-licensed
games were created. Worldwide, approximately 62 million units of this console were sold at approximately price $ 100 per unit. More information about the
NES console can be found here.
Recommended Game Controllers:
You can control this game easily by using the keyboard of your PC (see the table next to the game). However, for maximum gaming enjoyment, we strongly recommend using a USB gamepad that you simply plug into the USB port of your computer. If you do not have a gamepad, buy a suitable USB controller on Amazon or AliExpress or in some of your favorite online stores.
Available online emulators:
6 different online emulators are available for Pyramid. These emulators differ not only in the technology they use to emulate old games, but also in support of various game controllers, multiplayer mode, mobile phone touchscreen, emulation speed, absence or presence of embedded ads and in many other parameters. For
maximum gaming enjoyment, it's important to choose the right emulator, because on each PC and in different Internet browsers, the individual emulators behave differently. The basic
features of each emulator available for this game Pyramid are summarized in the following table:
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This version of Pyramid was designed for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES), which was an eight-bit video game console manufactured
by Nintendo in the years 1983 - 2003. In that time, it was the best-selling video game console for which more than 700 licensed games and a number of non-licensed
games were created. Worldwide, approximately 62 million units of this console were sold at approximately price $ 100 per unit. More information about the
NES console can be found 
