---
name: "trackballs"
section: "6"
platform: "linux"
package: "trackballs"
version: "1.3.4-2"
release: "Debian 13 (Trixie)"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/trackballs"
---

# trackballs(6)

marble game similar to the classic arcade game 'Marble Madness'

## NAME

Trackballs - marble game similar to the classic arcade game 'Marble Madness'

## SYNOPSIS

**trackballs \[-w\] \[-m\] \[-y\] \[-f\] \[-e -l\<level\> -t\<level\>\] \[-r\<width\>\] \[-s\<sensitivity\>\] ...**

## DESCRIPTION

Trackballs is a simple game inspired by the classic Atari 1980's arcade game 'Marble Madness' (later released by Electronic Arts for the Amiga and other platforms).

By steering a marble ball through a labyrinth filled with sharp objects, pools of acid and other obstacles the player collects points. When the ball passes through the goal it continues to the next, more difficult track - unless the time runs out.

It should be noted that this game is \_not\_ intended to be a replica of Marble Madness but rather merely inspired by it. For instance the game uses 3D graphics even though the original game had no real use for it. Also the game is fully programmable with a scripting extension (Guile), and includes a level editor with which to easily create new levels.

## OPTIONS

- **-h , --help**

  Display usage information.

- **-l , --level**

  Start from level.

- **-w , --windowed**

  Run in window (Default is fullscreen)

- **-m , --mute**

   Mute sound.

- **-y , --low-memory**

  Attempt to conserve memory usage

- **-s , --sensitivity**

  Mouse sensitivity, default 1.0

- **-f , --fps**

  Displays framerate

- **-v , --version**

  Indicate the current version number

- **-9 , --debug-joystick**

  Debug joystick status

- **-j , --repair-joystick**

  Correct for bad joysticks

- **-t , --touch**

  Updates a map to the latest format

## ENVIRONMENT

- **GUILE\_LOAD\_PATH**

  Specifies the directory where the guile files are

- **TRACKBALLS**

  Specifies a preferred share directory; this is ignored if invalid

## FILES

- /usr/bin/trackballs

  The executable file for trackballs

- /usr/share/games/trackballs

  Necessary shared files for trackballs

- /usr/share/locale

  Location of the locale files, if applicable

- /usr/share/doc/trackballs

  Detailed package documentation

- \~/.trackballs/

  Per user settings directory

## EXAMPLE

To run this program the standard way type:

    trackballs

To disable audio and start in windowed mode

    trackballs -m -w

Alternatively you can test a level with:

    trackballs -l steep

## NOTES

Full documentation for the game and the editor can be found in the detailed package documentation or at ⟨https://trackballs.github.io/docs/index.html⟩

## AUTHORS

See the AUTHORS.md file in the source package for a detailed list of authors.