Zak McKracken and the Alien Mindbenders is a 1988 adventure game developed and published by Lucasfilm Games. The game was originally released on platforms such as the Commodore 64, DOS, Amiga, and Atari ST, but can now be played on modern PCs via Steam.
Overall, the critical reception to Zak McKracken and the Alien Mindbenders was extremely strong. It was one of the first adventure games released by Lucasfilm Games (later LucasArts), securing its legacy as a good base that later titles such as The Secret of Monkey Island and Sam & Max Hit the Road would learn from.
Zak McKracken and the Alien Mindbenders Premise
©Screenshot from Zak McKracken and the Alien Mindbenders.
At its core, Zak McKracken and the Alien Mindbenders play extremely similarly to most adventure games of the era. The game is played from a side perspective, placing its protagonists into an explorable room. Items and characters are all interactable, and it’s up to you to find the right combination of items to progress to the next area. In some cases, you need to go back to earlier sections to find important items you may have missed on your first visit.
The big change in this game compared to other adventure games is the use of multiple protagonists. You can switch between four characters and pass items between them, offering up more variety in the way you need to think about how to progress further in the game.
Zak McKracken and the Alien Mindbenders Main Characters
©Screenshot from Zak McKracken and the Alien Mindbenders.
Unlike many adventure games following a single protagonist, Zak McKracken and the Alien Mindbenders have four different characters to choose from. The gameplay allows you to switch between each, and share items between characters to find the perfect place for you to use them. While the titular character, Zak, plays the biggest role, the others are important to the plot, too.
Here are the main characters of Zak McKracken and the Alien Mindbenders:
- Zak McKracken: Reporter Zak McKraken unveils a plot to invade Earth from evil aliens. Once the scheme is revealed, Zak sets out on an adventure to stop it once and for all.
- Annie Larris: Annie is a scientist who works on a freelance basis. After appearing in Zak’s dream, he meets Annie for real, and employs her help in stopping the aliens due to her ability to read old hieroglyphics and ancient languages.
- Melissa China and Leslie Bennett: Melissa and Leslie are both Yale University students. Like Annie, they choose to help Zak on his adventure when they hear what the aliens have planned for Earth.
Zak McKracken and the Alien Mindbenders Titles in the Series
©Screenshot from Zak McKracken and the Alien Mindbenders.
Although Zak McKracken and the Alien Mindbenders never went on to become a series, it still had a massive impact at the time of its release. Lucasfilm Games was about to fully enter into its adventure game era, and this title was one of the earlier attempts. The lessons learned from Zak McKracken and the Alien Mindbenders allowed the studio to go on to create some of the most iconic adventure games of all time, even if this particular series was left in the dust amidst other franchises.
Even if Lucasfilm Games / LucasArts forgot about Zak McKracken, that doesn’t mean its fanbase felt the same way. Over the years, there have been a ton of fan-made sequels that continue the story, including the popular Zak McKracken: Between Time and Space.
- Zak McKracken and the Alien Mindbenders (1988)
Zak McKracken and the Alien Mindbenders Cheat Codes
©Screenshot from Zak McKracken and the Alien Mindbenders.
Sadly, there are no cheat codes for Zak McKracken and the Alien Mindbenders. That includes both base game and third-party, with no fan-made cheats for the game either. However, we can give you a walkthrough of every item in the game for each character, so you know exactly where to find everything you’ll need throughout the game. After all, as an adventure game, collecting these items and finding the perfect use for them is essential to the gameplay.
Zak McKracken and the Alien Mindbenders: Zak Items
| Item | Where to Find |
|---|---|
| Ankh | You can find the Ankh in the statue behind the second door on Marsh. The Ankh is used on the panel behind the third huge door on Mars. |
| Application | This is picked up in the cabinet in the San Francisco phone company office. Use it on the mailbox outside Zak’s flat. |
| Bent Butter Knife | Use the Butter Knife on the loose boards under the rug in Zak’s bedroom, then give the Bent Butter Knife to the shop owner in San Francisco. |
| Bird Nest | Use the Tree Branch on the nest in the cave in Seattle. The Bird Nest can then be used on the fire pit in the cave. |
| Blue Crystal | Pick this up in the cave in Seattle. It can then be used on the drop slot on 14th Avenue in Francisco, on the bird in Lima, on the dolphin in the ocean in the Bermuda Triangle, and on the Glowing Object in the pyramid in Cairo. Multipurpose! |
| Bobby Pin Sign | Use the Wire Cutters on the Bobby Pin Sign on 14th Avenue in San Francisco to obtain this. You can later use this on the keyhole outside the Mars pyramid. |
| Book | Give the Cashcard to the devotee at the San Francisco airport to obtain the Book. You can show this to the bum at the Miami airport to obtain Whiskey, and should later be given to the guard in Katmandu. |
| Bread Crumbs | First, use the Stale Bread on the sink in Zak’s home. Then use the switch to make Bread Crumbs. Later, use these on the bird feeder in Lima. |
| Butter Knife | Pick this up from the counter in Zak’s home. |
| Candelabra | Pick up the Candelabra in the right eye of the statue in Lima. You can use it on the Glowing Object in Cairo. |
| Cashcard | The Cashcard is picked up under the desk in Zak’s home. This has a few different uses. It is first used on the Cashcard reader on the San Francisco bus, and can be given to the devotee at the San Francisco airport to get the Book. It must also be used on reservation terminals at the game’s airports. On top of this, it is also used on the yak in Katmandu, as well as the monolith slot on Mars to receive the Token. |
| Crystal Shard | The first Crystal Shard is obtained by showing the Blue Crystal to Annie in San Francisco. You should then give this to Annie. |
| Crystal Shard | The second Crystal Shard is obtained by finishing the drawing in the Mexico temple. Give this to Annie. |
| Cushion | Obtained on the seat on the flight to Seattle. This has no in-game use. |
| Duct Tape | Obtained in the Tool Kit. Combine this with the Fish Bowl to get the Taped Fish Bowl. |
| Egg | You can find the Egg in the refrigeration in Zak’s home. Use it on the microwave while on the plane. |
| Fan Club Card | After filling in and completing the Application and putting it in the mailbox, you’ll be able to find the Fan Club Card later in the game from the mailbox. You can show this to the King on the ship in the Bermuda Triangle. |
| Fish Bowl | Use Sushi in Fish Bowl on the sink in Zak’s home to get the Fish Bowl. Then, combine this with Duct Tape from the Tool Kit to get the Taped Fish Bowl. |
| Flagpole | Grab the Flagpole from outside the jail in Katmandu, then give it to Annie. |
| Glowing Object | The Glowing Object can be found under the seaweed in the ocean in the Bermuda Triangle. Later, this can be placed on the base in the pyramid in Cairo. |
| Golden Key | Use the Ankh on the statue behind the second huge door on Mars. Later, give the Golden Key to Melissa. |
| Golf Club | Purchase the Golf Club from the shop in San Francisco, and give it to the shaman in Kinshasa. |
| Guitar | Purchase the Guitar from the shop in San Francisco, and show it to the King on the ship in the Bermuda Triangle. |
| Hat | Purchase the Hat from the shop in San Francisco, and wear it before entering the phone company office. |
| Jail Key | You can pick up the Jail Key in the jail in Katmandu, but it has no in-game use. |
| Kazoo | You can find the Kazoo in the desk in Zak’s bedroom. You can use it outside the bus in San Francisco, as well as the ocean in the Bermuda Triangle to call the dolphin. |
| Lighter | Pick up the Lighter under the cushion on the seat in the plane. You can use it on the nest and branch in the fire pit in the cave in Seattle, as well as the hay in Katmandu. It can also be used on the torches in the temple in Mexico. |
| Lit Lighter | You can obtain the Lit Lighter by turning on the Lighter. It’s main purpose is to give you light in the Mars maze. |
| Monkey Wrench | The Monkey Wrench is inside the Tool Kit. You can use it on the pipe under the sink in Zak’s home. |
| Nose Glasses | Purchase the Nose Glasses from the shop in San Francisco, and wear them before entering the phone company office. |
| Oxygen Tank | Grab the Oxygen Tank in the last luggage bin on the plane. Put it on Zak before leaving the huge face on Mars. |
| Parachute | Found on the plane to Seattle. Use it after leaving the alien ship in the Bermuda Triangle |
| Peanuts | Found on the plane to Seattle. You can give the Peanuts to the two-headed squirrel in the hole in Seattle. |
| Phone Bill | The Phone Bill is in the dresser drawer in Zak’s home. Use this on the plastic card under the desk in Zak’s home. |
| Power Cord | Grab the Power Cord from behind the cushion near the television in Zak’s home, and use it on the power outlet. |
| Remote Control | The Remote Control is under the left cushion on the couch in Zak’s home, and its only use is to turn on the television. |
| Rope | The Rope is found in the Tool Kit, but it has no in-game purpose. |
| Scroll | You’ll find the Scroll in the left eye of the statue in Lima, and it should be given to Annie. |
| Small Key | The Small Key is near the door of Zak’s home. You can use it on the mailbox outside. |
| Stale Bread | Use the doorbell three times outside the San Francisco baker to get Stale Bread. Later, use this on the sink in Zak’s home. |
| Sushi in Fish Bowl | Sushi in Fish Bowl is in Zak’s bedroom, and must be used with his sink to get the Fish Bowl. |
| Taped Fish Bowl | Use the Fish Bowl with the Duct Tape from the Tool Kit to get this. Zak must wear this when leaving the big face on Mars. |
| Ticket | You get the Ticket at the start of the game, and is used to travel from San Francisco airport to Seattle airport. |
| Toilet Paper | Toilet Paper is found in the bathroom on the plane, and can be used on the sink in the bathroom. |
| Token | Obtain the Token by using the Cascard on the monolith slot on Mars, then use it on the tram. |
| Tool Kit | Purchase the Tool Kit from the shop in San Francisco, and open it to receive the Duct Tape, Monkey Wrench, Rope, and Wire Cutters. |
| Torn Wallpaper | Grab Torn Wallpaper from the left side of the door in Zak’s bedroom. After this, you can combine it with the Yellow Crayon to get the Wallpaper Map. |
| Tree Branch | The Tree Branch is on the tree outside the cave in Seattle. It is to be used on the dirt above the hole in Seattle, on the Bird Nest in the cave, and on the fire pit in the cave. |
| Wallpaper Map | You get this by combining the Torn Wallpaper with the Yellow Crayon. You can use this to select different locations after using the Yellow Crystal. |
| Wet Suit | Purchase the Wet Suit from the shop in San Francisco, and you should wear it after leaving the alien ship in the Bermuda Triangle, as well as when leaving the face on Mars. |
| Whiskey | The bum at Miami’s airport gives you Whiskey when giving him the book. You can then give the Whiskey to Annie. |
| White Crystal | Pick up the White Crystal while in the pyramid on Mars. Later, use this on the Glowing Crystal in the pyramid in Cairo. |
| Wire Cutters | Wire Cutters are received by opening the Tool Kit. You need to use them on the Bobby Pin Sign on 14th Avenue in San Francisco, and are later given to Annie. |
| Yellow Crayon | The Yellow Crayon is in the cabinet under the sink in Zak’s home. You need to combine it with the Application to complete it. Then, you can use it on the strange markings in Seattle, Mexico, Cairo, and Mars. It can also be combined with the Torn Wallpaper to create the Wallpaper Map. |
| Yellow Crystal | You receive the Yellow Crystal from Annie. You can then use it on the Glowing Object in the pyramid in Cairo. |
Zak McKracken and the Alien Mindbenders: Annie Items
| Item | Where to Find |
|---|---|
| Cashcard | This Cashcard is found under the blotter on the desk inside Annie’s home. You can use it on the Cashcard reader on the San Francisco bus, and can also be used on the reservations terminals at the airports. |
| Crystal Shard | The first Crystal Shard is given to Annie by Zak, and can be used on the altar stone in London. |
| Crystal Shard | The second Crystal Shard is given to Annie by Zak, and can be used on the altar stone in London. |
| Flagpole | The Flagpole is given to Annie by Zak, and can be used on the altar stone in London. |
| Scroll | The Scroll is given to Annie by Zak, and can be read after putting the Crystal Shards and the Flagpole on the altar stone in London. |
| Whiskey | The Whiskey is given to Annie by Zak. It should be given to the sentry in London. |
| Wire Cutters | The Wire Cutters are given to Annie by Zak. They should be given to the fence in London. |
| Yellow Crystal | You can obtain the Yellow Crystal by reading the Scroll in London. Give this to Zak. |
Zak McKracken and the Alien Mindbenders: Melissa Items:
| Item | Where to Find |
|---|---|
| Boom Box | The Boombox can be found above the glove compartment in the shuttlebug. Combine it with the Digital Audio Tape and the Vinyl Tape in your inventory. It can be used to record the sound of the crystal sphere in the huge face, and can also be used to open the second and third doors inside the huge face. |
| Cashcard | You can find the Cashcard in the glove compartment in the shuttlebug, and it should be given to Leslie. |
| Digital Audio Tape | The Digital Audio Tape is located in the radio in the shuttlebug. Combine this with the Vinyl Tape and the Boom Box. |
| Fuse | You can find the Fuse in the glove compartment in the shuttlebug, and it should be given to Leslie. |
| Golden Key | The Golden Key is given to Melissa by Zak. You can use it on the box in the room in the pyramid. |
| Helmet | You can find the Helmet right at the beginning of the Mars section. |
| Ladder | You can find the Ladder in the hostel, and it should be given to Leslie. |
| Token | Obtain the Token by using the Cashcard on the monolith slot on Mars. You can use the Token on the tram. |
| Vinyl Tape | The Vinyl Tape is obtained from Leslie. Combine this with the Digital Audio Tape and the Boom Box. |
Zak McKracken and the Alien Mindbenders: Leslie Items
| Item | Where to Find |
|---|---|
| Broom Alien | You can grab the Broom Alien in the bed in the hostel. You can use it on the sand outside the hostel, as well as the sand pile outside the pyramid. |
| Cashcard | Leslie receives the Cashcard from Melissa. It can be used on the monolith slot on Mars to receive the Token. |
| Flashlight | You can find this in the right locker inside the hostel. |
| Lit Flashlight | Obtained by turning on the Flashlight. Helps you navigate the maze. |
| Fuse | Leslie receives the Fuse from Melissa. It can be used in the fuse box in the hostel. |
| Helmet | You can find the Helmet right at the beginning of the Mars section. |
| Ladder | Leslie receives the Ladder from Melissa. It can be used to on the door at the huge face, and on the pedestals in the huge face. |
| Token | Obtain the Token by using the Cashcard on the monolith slot on Mars. You can use the Token on the tram. |
| Vinyl Tape | You can find this in the right locker inside the hostel. Give this to Melissa. |
Zak McKracken and the Alien Mindbenders Cheat Code FAQ
©Screenshot from Zak McKracken and the Alien Mindbenders.
Does Zak McKracken and the Alien Mindbenders Have Achievements?
Unfortunately not. Despite receiving a Steam rerelease in recent years, there’s no version of Zak McKracken and the Alien Mindbenders that allows you to earn achievements.
The image featured at the top of this post is ©Screenshot from Zak McKracken and the Alien Mindbenders.