Lemmings was first released for the Amiga in February 1991 and enjoyed incredible success. Subsequently, it was released for the Atari ST one month later and the MS-DOS version made its debut in May 1991.

The game's stunning commercial success caused it to be released on over 20 different computer & console platforms throughout the following decade.

Gameplay

The aim of the Lemmings game is to save as many lemmings as possible in each of the increasingly difficult 120 levels (MS-DOS version). In each level, a number of lemmings fall out of a trapdoor and onto a landscape. Lemmings will continue walking in a single direction until they hit something, a journey that can often take them to their doom.

By assigning tasks to various lemmings, such as bridge-builder, digger, climber and others (see Skills page for more information), the player must guide a particular number of lemmings to one or more exit points in order to progress to the level. The player is allocated a finite number of each skill at the start of each level.

The allocation of limited resources in more and more hazardous landsdcapes allows the game to become increasingly difficult in the higher levels.

Platforms

The Lemmings game has been released for the following platforms. The second column lists the date of release as accurately as can be determined after so many years. The developer of each version is listed in the third column.

Amiga February 1991 DMA Design Atari ST March 1991 DMA Design MS-DOS May 1991 DMA Design Macintosh October 1992 Presage Super Nintendo 1992 Sunsoft Sega Genesis 1992 Sunsoft Sega Master System 1992 Probe Software Nintendo Entertainment System 1992 Sunsoft/Ocean Sega Mega Drive 1992-1994 Sunsoft Philips CDi no earlier than 1992 DMA Design Amiga CDTV no earlier than 1992 DMA Design Sinclair Spectrum 48k no earlier than 1992 DMA Design Sinclair Spectrum 128k no earlier than 1992 DMA Design ZX Spectrum no earlier than 1992 DMA Design Acorn Archimedes no earlier than 1992 DMA Design SAM Coupe no earlier than 1992 DMA Design Amstrad 464 no earlier than 1992 DMA Design 3D0 no earlier than 1992 Unknown Nintendo Game Boy 1992-1994 Ocean Atari Lynx 1993-1994 Unknown Sega Game Gear 1993-1994 Unknown Commodore 64 1994 DMA Design OS/2 1995 Focus Studios Windows 95 1996 Visual Sciences Sony PlayStation (PS1) 1998 Psygnosis Game Boy Color 2000 Talonsoft