3D Tic Tac Toe, developed by Cees Kramer and published by RadarSoft for the Commodore 64, is a three-dimensional adaptation of the classic Tic Tac Toe game. Released in the 1980s, it challenges players to think spatially by extending the traditional 3x3 grid into a 4x4x4 cube. Players take turns marking spaces, aiming to create a line of four identical symbols (X or O) in any direction—horizontally, vertically, or diagonally—across the cube's layers.
The game features a simple yet effective visual representation of the 3D grid, with layers stacked vertically and displayed on the screen. Players navigate the cube using keyboard inputs to select their desired space, adding a layer of strategy as they must anticipate moves in three dimensions. The AI opponent offers varying difficulty levels, making it accessible for beginners while still challenging for experienced players.
RadarSoft's implementation for the Commodore 64 was praised for its clean design and intuitive controls, which made the complex 3D gameplay manageable on the hardware limitations of the time. The game's minimalist aesthetic and straightforward mechanics ensured it was easy to pick up but difficult to master, appealing to fans of both traditional Tic Tac Toe and puzzle enthusiasts.
While 3D Tic Tac Toe was not the first game to explore this concept, it stood out for its execution on the Commodore 64, a popular home computer of the era. The game remains a notable example of how classic board games were reimagined for early computer systems, showcasing the creativity of developers like Cees Kramer in adapting familiar concepts to new formats.