MAP

An in-game collectible item that reveals the layout of levels, dungeons, or buildings to assist player navigation.

Action

Role-playing (RPG)

19

Games

1992–2009

Years

5

Platforms

$33.08

Ø CIB

-46%

24M change

About

In survival horror titles like Resident Evil 2 and its Dual Shock Edition, finding a Map reveals the floor plans of complex areas like the RPD station. In retro action games such as Kid Icarus: Of Myths and Monsters and Super 3D Noah's Ark, maps help players navigate maze-like stages by displaying unexplored rooms. These items are crucial for tracking the player's current location and identifying locked doors or hidden paths.

During the 1990s, the collectible Map item reflected a major shift in game design toward non-linear environments. In early 16-bit action titles such as Soldiers of Fortune, Legend, and the movie tie-in No Escape, acquiring a map provided immediate tactical orientation, allowing players to plan routes through hostile territory. Handheld releases like Kid Icarus: Of Myths and Monsters and Looney Tunes adapted this mechanic to side-scrolling formats, while the first-person shooter Super 3D Noah's Ark used it to render complex corridors manageable.

The item achieved its most significant mechanical legacy within the Resident Evil franchise. In Resident Evil 2 and Resident Evil 2: Dual Shock Edition, maps are physical assets hidden within the environment. Rather than granting a passive radar, these items require players to brave dangerous, unexplored rooms to update their interface. This design choice heightened the survival horror atmosphere by forcing a risk-reward calculation, establishing cartographic discovery as a core progression milestone that influenced level design across the franchise.