Now that the New Year is upon us, it seems like a nice time to reflect on some visits from some very cordial visitors in the recent months here at Tozai Games.

It's always a nice surprise to be greeted by Alexey Pajitnov's broad-bearded smile when answering the door. The Tetris creator's love of Lode Runner is no secret and his decade's long friendship with Scott and Sheila are grounds enough for him to swing by for some high-flying coop on Lode Runner for XBLA.

Alexey and Brett kicking some... oh never mind, that's the Game Over screen.

Equally enjoyable was a visit from Doug Smith, the original creator of Lode Runner. After carrying on and reminiscing about the good old days for a while, we got down to business... yep, you guessed it - the frantic yet comical coop mode for Lode Runner XBLA. We then headed out to a sushi bar and refueled!

Doug, a Mad Monk and Sheila hamming it up for the cam.

TRIVIA ALERT: Doug created Lode Runner in 1983 while a student at the University of Washington. Tozai's President Sheila Boughten, also a UW alumni, was happy to participate in the University's 150th anniversary this last November. Congratulations Huskies!

There's no denying that level 56, pictured in all of its Commodore 64 graphic splendor, looks to have been a tribute to the old alma mater.