Cat & Mouse Maze Games to Play

"Cat and Mouse"

• In "Cat and Mouse," the player assumes control of a small gray mouse in his quest to gather cheese. In the process, he&'ll have to navigate puzzling mazes and evade ruthless felines. Although the game does challenge the player&'s reflexes, emphasis falls on planning. Cats follow visible patterns, and survival requires careful observation followed by a thoughtful plan. If executed perfectly, you might just bring your mouse to the other end of the hole alive.

"Ratmaze" 1 and 2

• Pixeljam is a developer of low-fi games that often harken back to old-school aesthetics and challenge. In "Ratmaze," you once again control a small rodent in his quest to gather cheese. Speed is of the essence in his game, as a clock is ticking the whole time. When it runs out, the game is over and your final score is tallied. Only the fastest players will gather all the cheese in time. "Ratmaze" challenges not only your reflexes, but also your memory. The extensive maps for both the original and the sequel require players to carefully note the locations of each piece of cheddar and Gouda, as well as to plot out the optimal route to retrieve the whole collection.

"Maze Ways Cat and Mouse"

• A departure from its digital cousins, "Maze Ways Cat and Mouse" is not a computer program but a physical book and game. Players interactively create maps using a variety of tiles with the goal of connecting various predators with their prey. This game resembles a jigsaw puzzle more than a traditional arcade platform, but unlike jigsaw puzzles, every layout of the tiles works. The challenge is to lay your tiles in such a way as to satisfy every animal&'s needs, which will require a great deal of forethought and experimentation. For parents who want their child to grow up to become an urban planner, this tricky game of routes and resources could be just the right brain teaser.