Luxor (video game)

Lore & Background

Luxor's gameplay involves eliminating colored magical spheres by causing three or more of the same color to collide. When spheres are eliminated, nearby spheres that form a segment of three or more of the same color also explode in a chain reaction. During gameplay, on-screen spheres continuously move forward, pushed by small scarabs. If any sphere reaches the player's pyramid, the player loses a life and must restart the level. If the player eliminates a certain number of spheres without this occurring, new spheres stop arriving and the level can be completed by removing those remaining. Power-ups such as the fireball are awarded if the player makes three consecutive matches.

The first sequel, Luxor: Amun Rising, was released in 2005, followed by Luxor 2 in 2006, which introduced new gameplay, levels, and bonuses. Luxor 3 featured seven gameplay modes and improved graphics. Other titles in the series include Luxor: Quest for the Afterlife, Luxor 5th Passage, and Luxor Evolved.

Reader's Guide

Luxor is significant as the inaugural title of a long-running puzzle game series by MumboJumbo, establishing a formula similar to Puzz Loop and Zuma. Its core mechanic of matching colored spheres and triggering chain reactions became a hallmark of the series. The game's release in 2005 marked the beginning of a franchise that saw multiple sequels and spin-offs over the following years, including Luxor: Amun Rising (2005), Luxor 2 (2006) with new gameplay and bonuses, and Luxor 3 with seven modes and improved graphics. The series also expanded with titles like Luxor: Quest for the Afterlife, Luxor 5th Passage, and Luxor Evolved. Its legacy includes a notable legal dispute: after competitor Codeminion released StoneLoops! of Jurassica for iPhone, MumboJumbo filed a complaint with Apple claiming the game shared many similarities with the Luxor series that could confuse customers. Apple accepted the complaint and removed the game from the App Store.

Did You Know?

• Luxor was developed and published by MumboJumbo, with its initial release in 2005.
• The gameplay is similar to Puzz Loop and Zuma, involving colored magical spheres and chain reactions.
• Power-ups such as the fireball are given if the player makes three consecutive matches.
• MumboJumbo filed a complaint with Apple against competitor Codeminion's StoneLoops! of Jurassica, leading to its removal from the App Store.