Gamechanger – Spy vs. Spy

by Mike Knotts · Published November 14, 2013 · Updated April 7, 2024

“Spy vs. Spy”, by First Star Software.

Antonio Prohias was the most celebrated cartoonist in Cuba, winner of multiple awards, and especially known for his biting political cartoons. In 1959, Fidel Castro honored Prohias personally, but by 1960, Castro had himself been the subject of too many cartoons. Prohias was looking-to-get-out-of-Dodge quickly, so on June 1, 1960 he left Cuba. Just ten weeks later, he sold his first cartoon to Mad Magazine. His most famous strip, “Spy vs. Spy” would debut in January 1961 in Number 60 of Mad. As a kid, I loved Mad and Spy vs. Spy was always one of the highlights for me; I had several of their books. So, in 1984, when I happened across the official Spy vs. Spy video game, I had to have it.

Spy vs. Spy title screen

In 1984, First Star Software released Spy vs. Spy for the Atari 8-bit line, Commodore 64, and Apple II. It was an incredible and revolutionary game. Head-to-head play was nothing new in 1984, most video and computer games had some kind of ‘Player 1 vs Player 2’ element to their design. What differentiated Spy vs. Spy was that it required detailed planning from players, who could now effect the environment and gameplay through sabotage.

Setting a trap for an unsuspecting spy to find

Setting a trap for an unsuspecting White Spy to find

Lode Runner popularized the ability to set traps for A.I. opponents in 1983. Spy vs. Spy turned that around, allowing players to set traps against other players, in addition to real-time head-to-head combat. The basic premise for the game is both the White and Black spies are in an embassy looking for four items. The first player to exit the building with all four, wins. To find the items, each Spy must search the building, rifling through desks and filing cabinets, looking behind pictures, etc, all places the opposing player can set traps. If the Spies encounter each other in the same room, they can fight it out, or run away. If they encounter a trap – boom – they die. While reasonably simple at its heart, the game allowed for building with large layouts, and multiple floors.

Carrying the loot

Single player, Spy vs. Spy was lots of fun. Multiplayer, the game became a frenzied race to search the embassy, interrupted by sporadic combat and surprise at – say – getting dowsed by electrified water when opening a door. Oh, and the horror of dying with everything – the key, the map, the secret files, etc, only to see your rival scoop it all up and run for the exit for the win. Spy vs. Spy took head-to-head gaming, and added the necessity to plan, as well as the ability to effect the game-environment as a strategy. And everything from Call of Duty, to Red Dead Redemption and beyond, owes it a debt of gratitude.