Abmis the Lion

Abmis the Lion (1996), developed by Button Software (specifically by Andre van Wyk), is an incredibly rare and quirky piece of shareware history. You play as King Abmis, a lion whose precious potatoes have been stolen by a "very sly fox."
The objective of each level is to:
- Collect specific items: You need to find all the required objects (often creatures or specific icons) scattered across the screen.
- Unlock the Exit: Once you have everything, a secret gateway or door opens, allowing you to move to the next level.
Manage your Inventory: This was the unique twist—Abmis has a limited "pocket" (usually 3 slots). You have to decide which items to carry, as you might need a key for a door but also a rock to defend yourself.
Unlike most platformers where you just touch an item to use it, here you have to actively manage what you are holding. You can drop items and pick up new ones, which adds a layer of logic to how you navigate the map. Abmis isn't a "pounce and bite" lion. He defends himself by throwing rocks at enemies. You can manipulate certain objects in the environment, which is necessary to reach higher platforms or bypass obstacles. The screens are "fixed" (non-scrolling) or have limited movement, making each level feel like a self-contained logic puzzle rather than a race to the finish line.

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