If you had a home computer in the 1980s, chances are you played the game Zork. Zork is a computer game that first appeared on home computers back then. Unlike arcade inspired games, however, Zork is a text adventure game. Using just a keyboard and text screen, you could type in sentences like “open mailbox and read leaflet” and the computer would understand and respond to it. Despite the apparent simplicity, stories grew out of the text adventure with puzzles to solve, making Zork a compelling game to play.
Zork sequels and other text adventure games appeared on home computers, thanks to the Z Machine, an interpreter for running text adventure games. With the release of a Z Machine for Adafruit's Fruit Jam (CPZ Machine), owners can now play these text adventures in their original full text glory!
Read more for a brief history of Zork and the Z Machine and how to install it and play it on your Fruit Jam.
As of November 2025, Microsoft's Open Source Programs Office has made Zork I, Zork II and Zork III available under the MIT License, citing its historical significance (link).
Page last edited January 14, 2026
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