DESCRIPTION

Tape Worm is the tale of Slinky, a worm who roams around, attempting to clear the screen of beans in order to eat a piece of fruit. The game is similar to Snake, which was popular on the Apple IIe and other personal computers.

As the game begins, Slinky is about five segments long and on his way to eating a bean that has appeared on the screen. You start the game with three Slinkys, and lose one if you touch the edge of the bean patch, bite your own body, touch one of the obstacles in the middle of the patch on later levels, or get eaten by a spider or bird. These characters can only eat you if they touch your head.

Each time you eat a bean, your body grows longer, making it more difficult to navigate around the screen. As soon as you eat a bean, another one appears elsewhere on the screen.

At the bottom of the screen, there is a timer illustrated by a beetle travelling toward a piece of fruit. If the beetle reaches the fruit before you eat your next bean, two additional beans appear. There can be up to eight beans on the screen at a time. A counter indicates how many beans remain until you are offered a piece of fruit, which when eaten will take you to the next level.

The third level is played at night. You are given two seconds of light every time you eat a bean. If you want additional light, press the fire button for another two seconds worth. This will cost you one bean per use.

Tape Worm contains five different levels to be played. ~ Michael Schwartz/Joan Dykman, All Game Guide