To win Reverse you must order the list of numbers with 1 on the left and 16 on the right, by choosing how many number from the right you want to reverse. Choose 16 and you’ll reverse the whole list.

This game can be a practical example of algorithms vs heuristics. An algorithmic approach guarantees a solution in a fixed number of moves and the program could be modified to do the solution itself. A heuristic approach takes advantage of partial orderings already in the list at any moment. The number of moves it will take is less predictable with a heuristic approach. Programming the game to solve itself this way would require a fairly robust grasp of mathematical and logical thinking to pull off.

Reverse is written by Joseph Larson inspired by a BASIC program by Peter Sessions as found in ‘BASIC Computer Games’ edited by David H Ahl (c) 1978.