Windows’ Classic 3D Maze Screensaver Revived as Playable Game

A nostalgic piece of computing history has been brought back to life, and this time, it's interactive.

A developer known as “x86matthew” has turned the classic Windows 9x 3D Maze screensaver into a fully playable game. The project, which was shared in a tweet over the weekend, is a re-engineered version of the original screensaver, now allowing users to navigate the maze themselves.

Reverse-engineering a classic

“Another pointless weekend project – a playable version of the old 3DMaze screensaver from Windows 9x,” the developer tweeted. “I reverse-engineered the original screensaver binary and added user-input functionality for the controls (and fixed some other minor issues!).”

Another pointless weekend project – a playable version of the old 3DMaze screensaver from Windows 9x.

I reverse-engineered the original screensaver binary and added user-input functionality for the controls (and fixed some other minor issues!)https://t.co/1X44ubggB2 pic.twitter.com/bwwkmheyuo

— x86matthew (@x86matthew) February 16, 2025

Unlike previous attempts that recreated the experience in modern game engines, x86matthew's approach involved modifying the actual screensaver's executable. By injecting a custom DLL into the original ssmaze.scr file, the project patches out the automatic navigation and replaces it with user-controlled movement. This means players can finally explore the nostalgic corridors of the 3D Maze under their own direction.

The project includes a loader executable (Playable3DMazeLoader.exe) that launches the modified screensaver and enables user input. Players can navigate the maze using the arrow keys, and an overhead map view can be toggled with the Tab key. The original screensaver's configuration options were stored in an INI file, but the new version hardcodes the necessary values for convenience.

As a bonus, the developer also fixed some minor bugs present in the original executable, making the experience smoother than ever. However, due to the nature of DLL injection, some antivirus programs might mistakenly flag the project as a potential threat.

Getting “lost” in the maze

For many who grew up with Windows 95 and 98, the 3D Maze screensaver was a mesmerizing display of early 3D rendering on home computers. While Microsoft never released an interactive version, many users often imagined what it would be like to actually play it. Thanks to x86matthew's efforts, that childhood dream has become a reality.

The project is available on GitHub, where users can download and try it themselves. With just a few files placed in the right directory, anyone can take a trip down memory lane and finally take control of the maze that once roamed the screen on its own.

For those eager to relive a slice of computing nostalgia, this project offers a delightful mix of retro aesthetics and modern interactivity. Whether it's a “pointless weekend project” or a brilliant revival of a lost classic, it's a must-try for fans of old-school Windows experiences.

Be warned, though, that CyberInsider has not tested the project and cannot guarantee its safety. Always treat files downloaded from GitHub repositories with extra caution and run antivirus scans before executing them on your system.