How to Play the Snake Game in the Terminal Using 'snake4' (with examples)

The snake4 command offers a nostalgic experience by allowing users to play a classic Snake game directly in their terminal. This terminal-based game brings a retro feel with simple graphics and controls that let you navigate a snake to eat food and grow longer. The challenge is to avoid colliding with the walls or your own tail.

Below, we explore how to play Snake using the snake4 command, and how to customize your gaming experience through various options.

Use Case 1: Start a Snake Game

Code:

snake4

Motivation for using this example:
Starting the snake game in the terminal is the gateway to enjoying a nostalgic gaming experience. It enables users to easily launch the game without needing a graphical user interface or complex configurations. This is perfect for a quick diversion or stress relief.

Explanation:
The command snake4 is the simplest way to initialize the game. No arguments or options are necessary when you just want to dive straight into the action and start playing a standard game.

Example output:
Upon executing the command, a window appears in the terminal, presenting you with a game screen where the snake starts moving, and you can control it with the arrow keys.

Use Case 2: Choose Level

Code:

1|2|3|4|5

Motivation for using this example:
Choosing a game level allows players to adjust the difficulty according to their personal skill level or preference. It caters to both beginners, who might find slower speeds more manageable, and seasoned players seeking a challenge with faster gameplay.

Explanation:
The numbers represent different difficulty levels you can select once the game is launched. The scale from 1 to 5 dictates the speed of the snake:

• Level 1 is the easiest, with slow movement.
• Level 5 offers the highest difficulty due to faster speed.

Example output:
A prompt within the game interface that allows you to choose a level by entering a number, affecting how quickly the snake moves.

Use Case 3: Navigate the Snake

Code:

Up|Down|Left|Right arrow key

Motivation for using this example:
Navigating the snake is the core mechanic of the game, where players must direct the snake to consume food and grow while avoiding collisions. The ability to control the snake’s direction is essential to progress in the game.

Explanation:
The arrow keys on your keyboard (Up, Down, Left, Right) are used to guide the snake in the corresponding direction. This intuitive control scheme is easy to grasp, making it accessible for players of all ages.

Example output:
The snake moves in the direction of the arrow key pressed, responding instantaneously to the player’s inputs.

Use Case 4: Pause Game

Code:

<Spacebar>

Motivation for using this example:
Pausing the game provides flexibility, allowing players to temporarily halt the game if they need to take a break without losing progress. This is particularly useful during longer gaming sessions or if an interruption arises.

Explanation:
Pressing the Spacebar pauses the game. The snake will stop moving and remain in its current position until you unpause by pressing Spacebar again.

Example output:
The game screen freezes, indicating that the game is paused, with typically no change in the visual state of the game until resumed.

Use Case 5: Quit Game

Code:

q

Motivation for using this example:
Knowing how to exit the game is essential for users who need to finish their playing session. This allows for graceful termination of the game without needing to forcibly close the terminal.

Explanation:
Pressing ‘q’ on your keyboard will exit the game immediately, returning you to the command line prompt. This provides a quick method to leave the game once you’ve finished playing.

Example output:
The terminal clears the game window, and the user is returned to the command prompt ready for the next command or task.

Use Case 6: Show the High Scores

Code:

snake4 --highscores

Motivation for using this example:
Viewing high scores adds a competitive element, encouraging players to continually improve and beat their previous records or those of others who have played on the same system. It’s a great way to track progress and share achievements.

Explanation:
By adding the --highscores option to the snake4 command, the game will display a leaderboard featuring the highest scores achieved, showcasing player accomplishment and setting benchmarks for new challenges.

Example output:
A list of scores appears in the terminal, showing the top scores from previous gameplay sessions along with any associated player names or dates.

Conclusion:

The snake4 command brings the charm of the classic Snake game to the terminal, offering a range of options to enhance gameplay. Whether you’re looking to adjust difficulty, pause, quit, or compete for high scores, these examples demonstrate the functionality and versatility of the command. Enjoy the simplicity and challenges of the Snake game at your command line interface.