Sam and Max Hit the Road

(LucasArts, 1993)

This was based on an underdog comic strip that rose in popularity, thanks to this hilarious game. It even inspired LucasArts' "Hidden Max" in all later games (see mini-story below). It's also the funniest game I ever played; one of many reasons for its prominent place among Techtite's list of Top 50 Multimedia Classics. One can only assume that this is the type of cartoon Sierra Online hoped to create, in lackluster titles like King's Quest 7 and Space Quest 6. By contrast, Sam & Max had amusing puzzles, numerous locales to explore, hilarious humor, and even three built-into-the-adventure "mini games" that could be played and re-played at any time. So witty was the storyline, it's one of the few games to deliver one or two unforgettable quotes and quips. When a possible villain makes a cryptic threat, Max the Bunny retorts, "Yeah, I'd be wetting my pants...if I was wearing any!" Bugs Bunny couldn't have said it any better.

The Dawn of LucasArts' "Hidden Max" Easter Eggs! So popular was Max the Bunny to LucasArts, they have put a "hidden Max" in every game they made since Sam and Max Hit the Road, and continued to do so until only very recently. In Outlaws, search for a varmin' critter nicknamed Bandito Max! In Dark Forces 2, enter a special room (shown here) to see Star Wars Max, laser pistol in hand! Cool idea for an "Easter Egg" in all their games, if you ask me...

Rating : Deep Impact.

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