Balloon Challenge

Shareware
OLDGAMES.ARCHIVEverified browser DOS & homebrewBALLOONC.EXE
←Select a balloon↑Select a balloon↓Select a balloon→Select a balloonSpaceRelease the selected balloonDShow directionsOOpen options, including soundNStart a new gameQQuit

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Player notes

About this game

Balloon Challenge turns a sky full of obstacles into a turn-based puzzle. You and the computer each begin with 25 balloons. Select a balloon along the bottom of the board and release it; the height it reaches determines its value. Each row is worth five points, with 75 points available at the top. The game ends after both sides have released their balloons.

Dark clouds stop a climb, while airplanes destroy balloons and move one space each turn. Arrow clouds redirect a balloon, then reverse their own direction. Hurricanes send it to a random position, and clouds marked 10 offer a one-use bonus. A good launch therefore depends on the route above the balloon as well as the height of the nearest opening.

The included v2.0 instructions describe the shareware game against the computer. Two human players were a registered-version feature. Use the arrow keys to choose a balloon and Space to launch it; D opens the directions if you need a reminder.

Start here

Quick tips

Check how an arrow cloud will reverse after your launch.

A balloon blocked directly above its launch pad is removed as grounded.

Arrow keys
Select a balloon
Space
Release the selected balloon
D
Show directions
O
Open options, including sound
N
Start a new game
Q
Quit

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Archive notes

Rights and Source Notes

Browser play uses the archived Shareware release.

Distribution
Shareware
Browser player
js-dos · Browser play
Added to archive
2026-07-28
SYSTEM ONLINE

CTRL+K COMMAND MODE

Archive Commands

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