The first versions were written in the late 1960s and early 1970s by Jim Storer, Eric Peters, and William Labaree II for DEC minicomputers, and published as BASIC type-in programs. The earliest version was created in 1969. The first version with graphics was released in 1973 as a Tech-Demo Game for a DEC's new GT40 vector graphics terminal. Atari released an Arcade Game version in 1979. This version featured one of the first examples of Bribing Your Way to Victory, or at least more gameplay, because it's an Endless Game: You could insert coins during gameplay to buy more fuel.
It later became a Mini-Game in other games, and was ported to every platform imaginable, even pocket calculators. There are now several free versions online. Atari released Lunar Lander Beyond in 2024, an reimagined version which added revamped graphics, a basic plot involving trading and rescue missions, plus selectable pilots and ships.
Lunar Lander provides examples of:
- Alliterative Title
- Bribing Your Way to Victory: Assuming your definition of victory is the highest score, the Atari version lets you buy more fuel.
- Endless Game: You play until you run out of fuel.
- Fan Remake: Numerous versions, especially since the 1990s.
- Game Mod: The original version. Since it's a type-in BASIC program, you can modify it any way you like.
- Game Over: The game ends when the ship runs out of fuel, which causes your ship to explode.
- Have a Nice Death: Notably the Atari version. "You just destroyed a 100 megabuck lander", etc.
- No Plot? No Problem!: There's no story to the game. All you do is land as many rockets as possible.
- Simulation Game: The game simulates Newtonian-like physics, involving forces such as the gravity of the Moon and the thrust of your lander.
- Status Line: Starting with the 1973 version. Could be the Ur-Example.