BurgerTime

Burger Time is a 1982 arcade game developed by Data East, well known for its quirky concept and addictive gameplay. It was one of the more original arcade experiences of its time, standing out in an era dominated by space shooters and platformers. The game was ported to several home systems, with the Commodore 64 version being among the most notable.

In the game, the player controls Peter Pepper, a chef tasked with building gigantic hamburgers by walking over the individual ingredients—buns, patties, lettuce, etc.—which then fall to the tray at the bottom. All of this must be done while avoiding relentless enemies like Mr. Hot Dog, Mr. Pickle, and Mr. Egg. The only weapon at Peter's disposal is a limited supply of pepper, which can stun enemies momentarily, or he can cleverly drop ingredients on top of them for extra points.

The Commodore 64 version, published by Interceptor Micro, manages to preserve the arcade’s fast-paced action and charming visuals, despite obvious hardware limitations. The sprites are simpler, and the animation less fluid than in the arcade version, but the feel of the original game is still there. The level design remains the same, and the core mechanics are faithfully reproduced. Sound effects and music are limited but functional, creating a nostalgic atmosphere.

One particularly interesting aspect of Burger Time is how it blends puzzle elements with real-time action. Players must strategize their movements, bait enemies into traps, and time their drops perfectly. This mix of tension and timing gives it a staying power similar to that of other beloved arcade titles like Bubble Bobble, which also offered multi-level, enemy-dodging action with a cute aesthetic.

Peter Pepper has remained something of a cult character over the years. He even made cameo appearances in more recent pop culture: fans with a keen eye might have spotted him in Disney’s Wreck-It Ralph and in the movie Pixels, both of which pay homage to classic arcade games.