Take a deep dive into Dot Gobbler, a rare Pac-Man-style clone released for the Commodore 64 during the early years of home computer gaming. In this video, I showcase multiple original Dot Gobbler cartridges including releases from Machine Language Games and OEM / Mr. Computer Products while exploring gameplay, cartridge label variations, publishing history, and the fascinating origins of this obscure Commodore 64 title.
The video includes close-up views of original Dot Gobbler cartridge releases, gameplay demonstrations running on Commodore 64 hardware, and comparisons to Atari Soft's official Pac-Man cartridge released for the Commodore 64 in 1983. The video also explores gameplay differences, visual variations, and the unique history surrounding the various cartridge versions distributed during the early 1980s.
Dot Gobbler was originally programmed in 1981 by Dr. Karl Stapelfeldt while attending college. During that same period, Stapelfeldt worked at Your Basic Computer Store in Fort Pierce, Florida, owned by Blake Wilson. Wilson's company, Machine Language Games, published several early Commodore software titles before later partnering with Carl Kennaugh of OEM / Mr. Computer Products, creating an interesting connection between the two software publishers.
This video also highlights the broader era of early Commodore 64 cartridge gaming, Pac-Man-inspired arcade clones, and the independent software scene that flourished during the rise of home computing in the early 1980s.
Dot Gobbler represents a fascinating and rarely discussed piece of Commodore gaming history, sitting at the crossroads of Pac-Man clones, rare C64 cartridge releases, Atari Soft, early home computer gaming, and obscure 8-bit software preservation.