Page 23 - OSG Presents Classic Gamer Magazine #3

Pitfall

Created by: Activision
Designed by: David Crane
Platforms: Atari 2600, Intellivision, ColecoVision
Released: 1982

There may not be a person alive who hasn’t played “Pitfall.” This is the
game that put Activision on the map. Race against time as you guide the
legendary Pitfall Harry through the jungle in his quest to find a fortune in hid-
den treasure. Snapping crocs, rolling logs, fires, deadly scorpions, and hiss-
ing cobras block our hero’s efforts.
Odds are if you bought Pitfall when it was originally available, you couldn’t
get the cellophane off fast enough to pop the game in your 2600. And what a
treat! Vibrant greens, smooth animations, no screen flicker, and best of all,
Harry lets out a Tarzan yell while swinging on vines.

Memorable moments: Finding your first treasure, jumping clear of a scor-
pion, and learning where to stand on the crocodile’s head so you don’t be- Pitfall
come breakfast.
Pitfall II: The Lost Caverns
Overall Rating: A
Created by: Activision
Designed by: David Crane
Platforms: Atari 2600, Atari 5200, ColecoVision
Released: 1984

If you’ve never played “Pitfall II: The Lost Caverns,” do yourself a favor and
find a copy immediately. Believe it or not, it’s better than the original.
This time around, Pitfall Harry descends deep into the caverns of Peru in
order to rescue his cat, Quickclaw, his girlfriend, Rhonda, and recover the Raj
Diamond. To fulfill his goals, Harry must contend with electric eels, swooping
bats, attacking condors, and deadly toads.
The Atari 2600 version has several groundbreaking elements. First, this
game is huge! You would never think an Atari cartridge could cover so much
territory. Second, magic red crosses work as “save points” so you won’t have
to start over from scratch if you die. Third, Pitfall Harry gets a recurring
snappy new theme song, which surprisingly never becomes annoying.
The Atari 5200 version features a second, different adventure once you
Pitfall II: The Lost Caverns complete the first.

Memorable moments: Falling down the waterfall. Catching your first balloon
Jungle Hunt/Jungle King ride.

Overall Rating: A+
Produced by: Taito, Inc.
Platforms: Arcade, Atari 2600, Atari 5200, ColecoVision
Released: 1982

When this game was originally released in the arcades as “Jungle King,” the folks
who owned the “Tarzan” copyright felt the likeness to the vine swinger was violating
their turf. So, the “Tarzan” theme was scrubbed, the game was renamed “Jungle
Hunt,” and Tarzan was swapped for an explorer sporting a pith helmet. Not as excit-
ing, but it will do in a pinch.
The idea is to time swing your way from vine to vine, swim up a crocodile-infested
river, dodge rolling boulders, and save your lady love (who has been busy partying
with the natives in their cool, jet black hot tub).
In the arcade version of Jungle King, our hero manages to get his hair dyed for
every new level. It goes from black, to blonde, to red. I’m not sure about the pith hel-
met guy’s hair since it’s covered. Only his hairdresser knows for sure.
Surprisingly, the home versions are remarkably strong conversions. Even the Atari
2600 version manages to pack in all the levels.

Memorable moments: Walking into the arcade and finding “Jungle King” replaced
by “Jungle Hunt.” Something was definitely lost in the conversion.

Classic Gamer Magazine Spring 2000 23 Jungle King (arcade)
Overall Rating: B