Day of the Tentacle is a 2016 remaster of the 1993 graphic adventure game of the same name. While the original game was developed and published for LucasArts, the remaster was developed and published by Double Fine Productions. Notably, developer Tim Schafer was at the forefront of both projects. The 1993 release came to both Mac OS and DOS, but the remaster was able to bring it to PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, PC, Xbox One, and mobile devices.
Upon release of the original game, Day of the Tentacle received critical acclaim but struggled for commercial success, selling just 80,000 copies across its lifetime. The remaster received similarly positive reviews, with its charm holding up after multiple decades.
Day of the Tentacle Premise
Day of the Tentacle plays much like its predecessor, Maniac Mansion, in that it follows the typical 2D point-and-click gameplay formula. Using the mouse, you direct the playable character around the world, interacting with items and characters using set commands. You can pick items up, use them, or speak to characters. This process is streamlined in the 2016 remaster, with slicker interaction systems out of the box. Those wanting the classic experience do have the option to switch back to the original, though.
Day of the Tentacle also introduces time travel as a gameplay concept, with various protagonists spread across different time periods. You can unlock the ability to switch between these characters freely, influencing the world through actions at different points in time. Some puzzles require you to make something happen in one timeline, so that you can do one particular thing there before changing it back. It’s extremely confusing indeed, but makes for great puzzle gameplay.
Day of the Tentacle Main Characters
Day of the Tentacle continues on from the events of Maniac Mansion, with a five-year time jump. Because of this, a few characters return between the two games. Here are some of the main characters in the sequel:
- Bernard Bernoulli: Bernard Bernoulli is one of the protagonists of the game. He’s a nerd who has been called to save the world from Purple Tentacle.
- Purple Tentacle: Purple Tentacle is a lab assistant created by Dr. Fred Edison. After drinking toxic sludge from a river, he turns evil and hatches a plot to take over the world, prompting action from Dr. Fred.
- Dr. Fred Edison: Dr. Fred Edison is a mad scientist who accidentally unleashes Purple Tentacle upon the world.
Day of the Tentacle Titles in the Series
This particular series had always prioritized quality over quantity, a choice necessitated by the series’ commercial struggles. Because of this, Maniac Mansion and its sequel, Day of the Tentacle, remain relics of the time. Director Tim Schafer moved on to bigger and better things, leaving the series silent until the 2016 remaster.
Despite the positive reception to the 2016 remaster, we don’t expect to see much more from Day of the Tentacle or a potential sequel going forward. The audience just isn’t really there to make it worthwhile, although, in the age of gaming nostalgia, anything is possible.
- Maniac Mansion (1987)
- Day of the Tentacle (1993)
- Day of the Tentacle (2016)
Day of the Tentacle Cheat Codes
Unfortunately, Day of the Tentacle doesn’t have any cheats in either the original or remastered version. However, it does have one really cool secret that we can show you instead.
You can actually play the first game in the series, 1987’s Maniac Mansion, within Day of the Tentacle. To do this, head to Weird Ed’s room. Once there, use his computer five times, and Maniac Mansion will launch!
Day of the Tentacle Cheat Code FAQs
Why Are There No Cheats or Mods for Day of the Tentacle?
In terms of cheats, it’s hard to say. They were never included in the original game, so it’s understandable that they were left out of the remaster.
However, in terms of mods, it’s more likely down to the small community for the game. It’s a game that maintains a cult following, but that doesn’t necessarily translate to players willing to create extra content.
Does Day of the Tentacle Have Achievements?
While the original game didn’t feature achievements of any kind, Day of the Tentacle‘s 2016 remaster featured an extensive achievement list to give the game plenty of replayability. See below for the achievement list on the PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One versions of the game:
| Achievement | Achievement Description |
|---|---|
| OCD | Get all other achievements in the game |
| Number One | Power Hoagie’s Chron-o-John |
| Number Two | Power Laverne’s Chron-O-John |
| Flush | Acquire a diamond |
| Yesterday’s News | Defeat Purple Tentacle yesterday |
| Mental Patience | Play the whole game without skipping a cutscene |
| … Take on the Words! | Sit through the end credits |
| Rap Sheet: Trespasser | Find Fred’s basement workshop |
| Rap Sheet: Yegg | Open the safe |
| Rap Sheet: Cheat | Disqualify Harold |
| Rap Sheet: Vandal | Deflate Oozo |
| Rap Sheet: Fraud | Try to alter the contract with Booboo-B-Gone |
| Rap Sheet: Forger | Try to sign the contract yourself with the quill pen |
| Rap Sheet: Thief | Pick up 15 things that don’t belong to you |
| Rap Sheet: Kleptomaniac | Pick up 30 things that don’t belong to you |
| Rap Sheet: Adventure Gamer | Pick up 45 things that don’t belong to you |
| Master Plumber | Flush 50 objects through time |
| Moronic Drone | Get a job |
| Only Hoagie Can Make a Tree | Create a cherry tree |
| Only George Can Destroy a Tree | Destroy a cherry tree |
| Windsock it to Me | Change the flag |
| You Call That a Hint? | Try to wash the dirty car with the brush |
| Obvious, Really… | Make it rain |
| Not Raised in a Barn | Close a door |
| Novelty Enthusiast | Get all six novelty items |
| WWSCD? | Climb through the chimney with all three kids |
| Costume Quest | Clothe Laverne in the costume |
| Chateau Eau Neaux | Make vinegar |
| It’s an Honor Just to Compete | Enter the human contest |
| Can’t Win and Chew Gum at the Same Time | Laverne tries the chattering teeth on her human during the human show |
| Winning Is Better | Win the human contest |
| Only Lazy Speechwriters Didn’t Cover This | Talk to Washington, Jefferson, or Hancock while they’re outside |
| Behind Every Great Man Is a Quality Roadie | Red makes a super battery with only a little help from Hoagie |
| That Should Have Worked | Hoagie uses battery with Chron-O-John instead of plug |
| Coffee Achiever | Wake up Dr. Fred |
| Of Course It Would Still Weigh the Same | Get a tiny sweater |
| Don’t Try This at Home | Microwave the frozen hamster |
| Now You’re Pushing It | Try to microwave the hamster again after he’s thawed out |
| Oh Right, I’m Playing a Cartoon! | Make a skunk |
| You Suck | Vacuum up a hamster |
| Dialog Puzzles Are Hard | Get Fred to sign the contract |
| Dude, It’s Like, Cannibalism | Hoagie eats a Hoagie |
| Music Appreciation Award | Reach yesterday without turning the stereo off |
| Olive Branch | Return the stamp album to Weird Ed |
| Energy Conscious | Turn off the television |
| Games History Major | Play Maniac Mansion |
| We’re All Brothers | Ask the IRS agents if they’re related |
| Are You My Mummy? | Talk to Dead Cousin Ted with all three kids |
| That Joke Never Got Old | Squirt five different people with disappearing ink |
| Missing Pink | Try to mix the red paint and the Booboo-B-Gone |
| And Then the Universe Explodes | Try to mix the decaf and caffeinated coffees |
| And Then the Universe Implodes | Try to mix the disappearing ink with Booboo-B-Gone |
| That Only Works with Alligators | Try to flush the hamster |
| I’m Sure He’d Never Notice | Try to swap the textbook with the stamp album |
| ESRB Violation | Laverne thinks about eating the cat |
| Voiding the Warranty | Try to put something metal in the microwave |
| Most Annoying Guest Ever | Ring the front desk bell 100 times |
| Chef | Cook the hamster in Maniac Mansion (Don’t try this at home, kids!) |
How Do You Play Maniac Mansion in Day of the Tentacle?
Playing Maniac Mansion in Day of the Tentacle is easy. First, go to Weird Ed’s room. Once there, use his computer five times, and Maniac Mansion will open.
The image featured at the top of this post is ©Double Fine Productions.