Circus Charlie
Step right up: one clown, one lion and a ring of fire in the center ring of the arcade.
Coming soon to UsuArcade
Votes to bring it to the arcade: 0
In the meantime, head into the arcade and play the cabinets that are already there
- Year
- 1984
- Manufacturer
- Konami
- Players
- 2 players, alternating turns
- Genres
- Platformers, Vintage classics
- Decade
- '80s arcade games
Circus Charlie turned an arcade cabinet into a night at the big top. You're Charlie the clown, working through stunts that get riskier every time: jumping through flaming hoops on the back of a lion, walking a tightrope while monkeys charge at you, hopping from ball to ball and swinging trapeze to trapeze. All set to a carnival tune that stuck in your head for days.
It was a perfect corner-arcade game: you got it just by watching, but mastering it was another story. Every act had a trick, and whoever figured it out was happy to show it off.
History
Konami released Circus Charlie in 1984, around the same time it was cleaning up with timing-and-reflex games like Track & Field. The idea was simple and fresh: a platformer built around separate acts, each based on a classic circus routine.
It did really well at home too, especially on MSX computers and Japanese consoles, and became one of the best-loved games in Konami's 80s lineup.
How to play
Charlie moves with the joystick and jumps with the button. The secret is timing, because every act has its own rhythm.
The first act has you riding a lion and jumping through rings of fire and over flaming pots. Then come the tightrope with monkeys heading your way, the bouncing-ball act, the horse with obstacles, the trampolines and the trapeze. Reach the finish of each act and you score based on how much time you have left, and items like money bags are worth extra points.
Fun facts
- Every stage is a different circus act, from the lion and flaming hoops to the flying trapeze.
- It was a big hit on MSX computers in Europe and Japan.
- Its carnival soundtrack is one of Konami's most memorable from the 80s.
In the arcade
Circus Charlie isn't on the UsuArcade floor yet, but it's on our wish list. If you want the clown in the arcade, hit Want to Play on this page. The most-voted games get added first.
In the meantime, the arcade has other skill games from the same era: Track & Field, also from Konami, for some serious button mashing; Bomb Jack with its sky-high jumps; and Kung-Fu Master for a pure reflex test.
FAQ
Can I play Circus Charlie on UsuArcade?
Not yet. It's on the wish list and you can vote for it with Want to Play. In the meantime, try Track & Field, Bomb Jack or Kung-Fu Master in the arcade.
What year did Circus Charlie come out?
The Circus Charlie arcade game came out in 1984, made by Konami.
How many players is Circus Charlie?
Up to two players, taking turns.
How do you play Circus Charlie?
Move with the joystick and jump with the button to get through each circus act: flaming hoops, tightrope, balls, horse, trampolines and trapeze.
