On the side of the box, Maniac introduces itself: "My heart ... if I have one ... is a microcomputer. I convey intelligence, visibly and audibly. Two to four players match wits against my fiendishly clever, infallible computer brain. Beware! I am tricky and I am, above all, a sore loser. If you start to score too high, I become paranoid and increase the level of difficulty. Do you dare challenge me!!"