13 min read

Apple Cider Spider

Last updated: January 22, 2026

Overview

Apple Cider Spider is a 1983 action platformer developed by Ivan Strand and published by Sierra On-Line for the Apple II computer, requiring a minimum of 48K of RAM1. The game casts players as a spider navigating through the hazardous machinery of an apple cider factory, making it one of the more unusual and creative premises in early home computer gaming2. Before Sierra On-Line became famous for the King’s Quest series and its landmark adventure games, the company produced several excellent arcade-style titles, with Apple Cider Spider standing as one of their more original offerings3.

The game was ported to the Commodore 64 in 1984, with R.B. Stuart handling the conversion programming and music4. Contemporary reviewers praised the title for its inventive concept and well-animated graphics, though some noted it was better suited for younger players due to predictable enemy patterns5. Of all the Donkey Kong clones for home computers during this era, Apple Cider Spider has been called “by far the most creative and forward-thinking” due to its integration of logic puzzles into the platforming gameplay6.

Story Summary

Apple Cider Spider places the player in the role of a spider who has become trapped in an apple cider factory2. The spider’s goal is deceptively simple: navigate through the dangerous factory machinery to reach the attic at the top of the building, where a community of other spiders awaits2. The journey requires ascending through three distinct screens, each representing a different stage of the cider production process.

The game’s structure follows the apple cider production cycle in reverse order2. The spider begins at the bottling and sealing area, where finished cider is being prepared for distribution. As the spider climbs higher, it progresses through the pressing and processing areas, finally reaching the delivery zone where fresh whole apples are first brought into the factory2. This clever design means that while the spider struggles upward, apples are constantly being carried downward past it on conveyor belts.

Throughout the journey, the spider must avoid various hazards including the apples themselves rolling down conveyors, mechanical squeezing mechanisms, and living creatures that prey on spiders9. Frogs, birds, and wasps patrol the factory, each presenting unique threats to the arachnid protagonist5. Upon successfully completing the three screens, the spider is reunited with its fellow spiders in the attic, only for the cycle to begin again at increased difficulty10.

Gameplay

Interface and Controls

Apple Cider Spider is a single-player platformer controlled via joystick on the Commodore 64 version, using Port 14. The Apple II version offers customizable control keys, allowing players to configure their preferred input method5. The spider can move in all four cardinal directions, climb thick threads that span the factory screens, and jump over obstacles9.

The game supports optional sound enhancement through the Mockingboard add-on card for Apple II systems5. Without this expansion, the game produces standard Apple II-quality beeps and buzzes that were typical of the era11. Players can toggle sound effects on or off according to their preferences5.

Structure and Progression

The game consists of three non-scrolling screens, each representing a different section of the apple cider factory2:

  • Screen 1 (Bottling Area): The spider begins at the lowest level where finished cider is bottled and sealed for distribution
  • Screen 2 (Processing Area): The middle section where apples are pressed and processed into cider
  • Screen 3 (Apple Delivery): The top section where fresh whole apples arrive at the factory

Due to the placement of platforms, ropes, and obstacles, each screen has one safe path through that players must discover10. Sometimes the route is clear, but trial and error is often necessary to determine the correct sequence of movements10. After completing all three screens, the game repeats at a higher difficulty level10.

The game features seven difficulty levels, numbered 0 through 612. Level 0 is designated as the “Teddy Bear” level, designed specifically for young children or beginners5. Players can select their starting difficulty and even change levels during gameplay5.

Puzzles and Mechanics

Unlike typical platformers of the era, Apple Cider Spider incorporates logic puzzle elements into its gameplay6. The factory machinery acts as interactive puzzle components, forcing players to think carefully about which path to take through the multiple alternate routes available6. Moving belts carry objects through the factory, and players must time their movements to avoid being swept away or crushed5.

The game features drop-lines that the spider can use to descend between platforms, adding a vertical dimension to navigation5. Conveyor belts move at varying speeds, and the spider must account for their direction when planning routes. The mechanical squeezing mechanisms present timing-based obstacles that require precise movement to bypass safely9.

A scoring system rewards players for progress and skill, with a Hall of Fame tracking the top ten scores5. The game includes a score wiping facility for those who wish to reset the leaderboard5.

Reception

Contemporary Reviews

Apple User magazine reviewed Apple Cider Spider in their January 1984 issue, with Cliff McKnight awarding the game 65%5. McKnight praised the title, noting “any new game from Sierra On-Line is worth investigating and Apple Cider Spider is well written and well animated”5. However, he characterized it as “a game for children really, easily mastered because the predators move in predictable patterns”5. He elaborated: “I think it is most a game for children, because they didn’t seem to tire of it at all. I enjoyed it until I had mastered it, and if it had more screens or levels and some randomness, I’d be playing it still”5.

The game received mixed responses from the Commodore 64 community. One reviewer at C64-Wiki noted it was “playable for my taste, but not really good, on the one hand too fiddly and on the other hand too short to rate above average”12. Another C64-Wiki reviewer was more positive: “A cute little game, which has the lot, if you want to make it to the attic of the cider factory in the highest level”12. This same reviewer praised the era’s creativity: “I like these inventive Hi-Res games of the early 80s! One realizes, that the programmers could not bring the new computer to its limitations yet, but they had a lot of funny ideas as a chance to prevail”12.

Modern Assessment

Modern players have offered varied perspectives on Apple Cider Spider. One Lemon64 user recalled: “Enjoyed this unique game on its release but by god was it hard”4. Another challenged this assessment: “This was the first video game that I ever managed to beat. I’m surprised everyone found it so hard!“4. My Abandonware users have praised the game, with one noting: “Very decent game. I still love to watch how the factory works. Should have been played by more people”13. Another commented: “Used to laugh about the name of this game. It’s a pretty decent platformer and had a nice challenge that wasn’t based on terrible controls”13.

The game has been characterized as a notable Donkey Kong-style platformer: “Of all the Donkey Kong clones for the home computer this one is by far the most creative and forward-thinking. Your spider needs to travel through various machinery which also act as logic puzzles, thus forcing you to think carefully about which path you’re going to take (of which there are many alternate ones!). It is short and sweet, and easily beatable in 15 minutes”6.

Aggregate Scores:

  • MobyGames: 62% (1 critic)3
  • C64-Wiki: 6.40/10 (15 votes)12
  • Lemon64: 6.60/10 (42 votes)4
  • Ready64: 8.00/10 (2 votes)12
  • Glitchwave: 2.83/5.06
  • My Abandonware: 5/5 (4 votes)13
  • GameFAQs: Outstanding (12 ratings)14

Development

Origins

Apple Cider Spider was created by Ivan Strand and published by Sierra On-Line during the company’s early period of arcade-style game production1. Before Sierra became synonymous with adventure games through the King’s Quest series, they produced numerous action titles, many of which were clones of popular arcade games3. Apple Cider Spider stood out as one of their more original concepts, featuring a unique premise that one reviewer described as “an almost minteresque idea”12.

The choice of a spider as protagonist was noted as unusual for the time. One reviewer remarked: “Poor, but very funny! Never seen a game with a spider as main character!“4. The game’s title plays on the double meaning of “spider” and “cider,” creating a memorable name that some players found amusing13.

Production

The original Apple II version was programmed entirely in machine language by Ivan Strand7. The game required 48K of RAM, which was standard for Apple II software of the period1. The Commodore 64 port, released in 1984, was developed by R.B. Stuart (also known as Rich & Rich Enterprises or Syndein Systems), who handled both the coding and music adaptation414.

The game was released under Sierra’s SierraVision label, which was used for their arcade-style action games as distinct from their adventure game line7. The C64 version was distributed on both disk and tape formats, with PAL compatibility for European markets415.

Development Credits:41

  • Designer/Original Programmer: Ivan Strand
  • C64 Coder: R.B. Stuart
  • C64 Musician: R.B. Stuart

Technical Specifications

Apple II Version:15

  • Memory Required: 48K minimum
  • Resolution: Hi-Res graphics
  • Audio: Standard speaker (Mockingboard optional)
  • Media: 5.25” Floppy Disk

Commodore 64 Version:412

  • Format: PAL compatible
  • Resolution: Hi-Res with unicolored game figures
  • Audio: SID chip
  • Media: Disk and Compact Cassette
  • Control: Joystick (Port 1)
  • Players: 1 or 2

Other Versions:8

  • Atari 8-bit: 5.25” Floppy Disk
  • ColecoVision: Compact Cassette

Technical Issues

The Commodore 64 version has some documented issues with different cracked releases. The version released by German Cracking Service has a broken highscore saver12. The Desperado (ASS) version from Gamebase64 has been verified to work correctly with no mistakes found and proper highscore saving functionality12.

Some users noted the controls as “slightly fiddly” and the gameplay “perhaps somewhat unfair here and there”4. The game’s short length (completable in approximately 15 minutes) was seen as both a positive for casual play and a negative for those seeking longer experiences614.

Easter Eggs and Trivia

  • Spider Design: One player observed that “the spider looks a lot like the secret ‘owl’ printed on a $1 bill”4
  • Spider Appearance: Some players noted the spider character “looks more like an octopus” than an actual spider3
  • Educational Element: The game provides insight into the apple cider making process, with one reviewer claiming “anyone who has completed its three levels will know how to make apple cider by themselves”3
  • Unique Concept: Described as “which game idea is more obvious than the spider in the apple cider factory” with ironic appreciation for its unusual premise12
  • End Sequence: The ending sequence that reunites the spider with others in the attic only plays once, after which the game simply returns to level one at higher difficulty3

Version History

VersionDatePlatformNotes
1.0September 1983Apple IIInitial release by Ivan Strand16
1.01984Commodore 64Port by R.B. Stuart4
1.01983Atari 8-bitAtari conversion8
1.01983ColecoVisionColeco conversion8

Preservation Notes:1 The Apple II version was preserved as part of the “woz-a-day” collection, cracked by 4am and san inc in 2018 for archival purposes.

Legacy

Sales and Commercial Impact

Apple Cider Spider was one of numerous arcade-style games Sierra On-Line produced in the early 1980s before shifting focus to their more famous adventure game line3. While not a major commercial success compared to Sierra’s later titles, the game has maintained a small but dedicated following among retro gaming enthusiasts. The game appeared on GOG.com’s wishlist (dreamlist) as a requested title for re-release, indicating continued interest from collectors17.

The game has been preserved through various abandonware archives and emulation projects. It is playable through Virtual Apple for Apple II emulation18 and is included in Commodore 64 game collections15. GameFAQs users rated the game’s length at approximately 2 hours for full completion and its difficulty as “Just Right”14.

Collections

Apple Cider Spider has not appeared in official Sierra compilation releases, remaining one of the company’s more obscure early titles. However, it is preserved in various fan-maintained archives and emulation collections, including the Internet Archive’s software library119.

Fan Projects

The game has been preserved through multiple community efforts. The “woz-a-day” project cracked and preserved the Apple II disk image in 20181. Various Commodore 64 preservation groups have maintained playable versions, though as noted, some cracked versions have issues with the highscore saving feature12.

Critical Perspective

Apple Cider Spider represents an interesting footnote in Sierra On-Line’s history, showcasing the company’s range before they became synonymous with graphic adventure games. While King’s Quest would launch in 1984 and define Sierra’s future direction, titles like Apple Cider Spider demonstrate the experimental nature of the early home computer game market3.

The game’s creative premise—controlling a spider through cider factory machinery—was unusual enough to merit comment from nearly every reviewer who encountered it412. Its integration of puzzle-solving elements into platforming gameplay was ahead of its time, even if the brief length (only three screens) limited its lasting appeal6. The game stands as an example of the inventive hi-res games of the early 1980s, when programmers were still discovering what home computers could achieve and compensated for technical limitations with creative concepts12.

Downloads

Download / Preservation

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References

Footnotes

  1. Internet Archive – Apple Cider Spider (woz-a-day) – release date, developer, publisher, system requirements, preservation information ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5 ↩6 ↩7 ↩8 ↩9 ↩10 ↩11

  2. Wikipedia – Apple Cider Spider – plot summary, game structure, screen descriptions ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5 ↩6

  3. MobyGames – Apple Cider Spider – critic score, developer info, user review, historical context ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5 ↩6 ↩7 ↩8

  4. Lemon64 – Apple Cider Spider – C64 credits, user ratings, community reviews ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5 ↩6 ↩7 ↩8 ↩9 ↩10 ↩11 ↩12 ↩13 ↩14

  5. Apple User – January 1984 Review – Cliff McKnight review, gameplay features, Mockingboard support ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5 ↩6 ↩7 ↩8 ↩9 ↩10 ↩11 ↩12 ↩13 ↩14 ↩15 ↩16

  6. Glitchwave – Apple Cider Spider – user rating, Clownboss review comparing to Donkey Kong ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5 ↩6 ↩7

  7. Sierra Chest – Apple Cider Spider – engine type, SierraVision classification, genre ↩ ↩2 ↩3

  8. VideoGameGeek – Apple Cider Spider – platform list, media formats, game description ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4

  9. TASVideos – Apple Cider Spider – gameplay description, obstacle types ↩ ↩2 ↩3

  10. PixelatedArcade – Apple Cider Spider – level structure, path mechanics, difficulty progression ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4

  11. Consolidated research data – audio quality description ↩

  12. C64-Wiki – Apple Cider Spider – user ratings, difficulty levels, version issues, user reviews ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5 ↩6 ↩7 ↩8 ↩9 ↩10 ↩11 ↩12 ↩13 ↩14

  13. My Abandonware – Apple Cider Spider – user ratings, reviews, file sizes ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4

  14. GameFAQs – Apple Cider Spider – user ratings, developer attribution, length/difficulty ratings ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4

  15. Commodore Games Network – PAL format, platform type ↩ ↩2

  16. MobyGames Search Results – September 1983 release date ↩

  17. GOG.com Dreamlist – wishlist entry, platform confirmation ↩

  18. Virtual Apple – Apple II/IIgs compatibility, disk format ↩

  19. Internet Archive – C64 Version – C64 technical specs, file format ↩

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