Whack-a-mole

Whack-a-mole, sometimes referred to as Mole Hunt, is a video game that was popularized in the late 1970s. The game was invented by a company called Duravex Corporation and is still widely played today.

The game consists of a playing board with two or more moles (or rodents) that randomly pop out of their holes at random intervals. The player is able to whack them with a mallet, pushing them back into the hole in order to score points. The objective of the game is to hit as many moles as possible before the clock runs out.

Whack-a-mole has been widely used as an educational tool in the field of computers, programming, and cybersecurity. It can serve to teach programming fundamentals such as sequencing and flow control; as well as problem-solving and logic. In cybersecurity, the game can help to raise awareness of security threats or holes in software.

The game has seen several incarnations, with various changes and adaptations being made to the rules and mechanics so that each game can be tailored to an individual’s needs. This has allowed the game to remain popular and accessible across age groups and demographics, ensuring that it remains a firm teaching and entertainment staple.