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The Incredible Machine

Last updated: January 9, 2026

Overview

The Incredible Machine is a physics-based puzzle game where players arrange a given collection of objects in a needlessly complex fashion to perform simple tasks1. The goal of the game is to build strange complicated contraptions using the few pieces at your disposal2. Players must construct cause and effect contraptions with working pulleys, levers, conveyor belts, motors, balloons and more3.

The game challenges players to build elaborate contraptions using a variety of objects, all governed by real-world physics4. Each object behaves according to real-world physics, adding an extra layer of complexity5. The engine does not use a random number generator in its simulation of physics, assuring that the results for any given ‘machine’ are reproducible1.

Gameplay

Interface and Controls

The game features a Parts Bin interface element for selecting game components9. Players can use keyboard controls, with keys 1-9 and a-g changing music in Freeform Mode10. The interface uses a point and select system with fixed/flip-screen visual perspective from a side view11.

Structure and Progression

The original game contains 87 puzzles12 with an additional 22 tutorial puzzles13. Players can engage in two ways: solving any one of 200 fully animated puzzles or using the level creation capabilities14. The game includes an “Easy Start” mode, likely serving as a tutorial for beginners9.

Puzzles and Mechanics

Typical puzzle objectives include putting a baseball into a basket or turning on a fan15. Players build monkey or mouse-powered machines, use lasers and fire fireworks, and start fires using a bowling ball and flint16. The experience of working through the stages of a solution, getting a little closer each time, is almost indescribably satisfying for anyone with the slightest hint of a tinkering spirit17.

Reception

Contemporary Reviews

PublicationScoreNotes
Computer Gaming WorldPositiveCalled it “fresh in concept and long on gameplay”18
Dragon4/5 stars1993 review18
Electronic Gaming Monthly7.25/101994 review18
MobyGames Critics82%Critics average score19
IGN8.4/10Professional review score20

Modern Assessment

The game has maintained strong reception in modern times, with GOG.com users rating it 4.5/521 and MyAbandonware users giving it 4.42/5 based on 646 votes22. Steam users rate it “Very Positive” at 94%23. Computer Gaming World retrospectively ranked it #62 in their Hall of Fame24 and awarded it Classics/Puzzles Game of the Year in 199625.

Development

Origins

Jeff Tunnell developed The Incredible Machine after leaving Dynamix in 1990, hoping to innovate by returning to the guerrilla model of game development26. The game was designed to make STEM learning fun and accessible for students27.

Production

Kevin Ryan programmed The Incredible Machine in nine months on a budget of US78,361 in 2024)28. Ryan used coding expertise and actual code from vehicular simulators built at Dynamix, getting the basic engine working within a handful of months29. The game was developed using integer-based calculations due to 1990s hardware limitations30.

The collaborative project between Kevin Ryan and Jeff Tunnell’s team resulted in Jeff Tunnell earning a patent for the game concepts31. Composers for the game included Brian Hahn, Christopher Stevens, Jan Paul Moorhead, Ken Rogers, Randy Dersham, and Timothy Steven Clarke32.

Technical Achievements

The original game required a 386SX processor, 2MB RAM, DOS 5.0+, 4.5MB hard drive space, VGA graphics, and mouse input33. The physics simulation featured simulated physical interactions, air pressure, and gravity34. The deterministic physics engine ensured reproducible results without random number generation1.

Legacy

Computer Gaming World noted that the game reawakened “the curious, tinkering 10-year-old” and described it as “a vintage blend of educational and entertainment software at their finest”18. TIM was described as “a genre defining franchise” by Jeff Tunnell himself35. The game spawned numerous sequels including The Even More Incredible Machine (1993), The Incredible Machine 2 (1994), and The Incredible Machine 3 (1995)36.

A spiritual successor, Contraption Maker, was released in 2014 by some of the original team members37. The game’s influence can be seen in modern indie games that continue to copy this age-old formula38. The game was selected for inclusion in “1001 Video Games You Must Play Before You Die”39.

Downloads

Purchase / Digital Stores

Download / Preservation

Series Continuity

References

Footnotes

  1. Academic Kids encyclopedia - Description of Rube Goldberg device gameplay and physics engine ↩ ↩2 ↩3

  2. Abandonware DOS - Gameplay description ↩

  3. Internet Archive Description - Game mechanics description ↩

  4. Games Nostalgia - Game mechanics description ↩

  5. ClassicReload.com - Game mechanics explanation ↩

  6. Wikipedia - Development and publication information ↩ ↩2

  7. Wikipedia - Designer credits ↩

  8. MobyGames - Platform information ↩

  9. Game Manual - Interface elements ↩ ↩2

  10. Archive.org - Keyboard control instructions ↩

  11. Pixelated Arcade - Technical specifications ↩

  12. Archive.org - Puzzle count from Mobygames description ↩

  13. Sierra Chest - Tutorial puzzle information ↩

  14. GameFAQs - Game mode description ↩

  15. Archive.org - Example puzzle objectives ↩

  16. Disney Support - Gameplay mechanics description ↩

  17. The Digital Antiquarian - Gameplay analysis ↩

  18. Wikipedia - Contemporary reviews and retrospectives ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4

  19. MobyGames - Critics average rating ↩

  20. IGN - Professional review score ↩

  21. GOG.com - User ratings ↩

  22. MyAbandonware - User ratings ↩

  23. Choice Games - Steam user ratings ↩

  24. Grokipedia - Computer Gaming World Hall of Fame ranking ↩

  25. Awards data - Computer Gaming World award ↩

  26. The Digital Antiquarian - Development motivation ↩

  27. Development notes - Educational purpose ↩

  28. Wikipedia - Development budget and timeline ↩

  29. Development notes - Technical development details ↩

  30. Technical specifications - Hardware limitations ↩

  31. Development notes - Patent information ↩

  32. Credits data - Music composers ↩

  33. Technical specifications - Minimum requirements ↩

  34. Technical specifications - Physics simulation details ↩

  35. Games Industry - Jeff Tunnell quote ↩

  36. Version history - Series progression ↩

  37. Development notes - Spiritual successor information ↩

  38. GOG.com user review - Modern influence ↩

  39. Awards data - Cultural recognition ↩

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