Pitfall (Activision) Review | Home Computing Weekly - Everygamegoing

Home Computing Weekly


Pitfall
By Activision
Commodore 64

 
Published in Home Computing Weekly #84

Harry is in the jungle, searching for hidden treasures. If you think that sounds like the scenario for an adventure - then you're wrong, this is an arcade game. The treasures are not really hidden, you just have to negotiate swamps and crocodiles in order to reach them.

You run along above ground, jumping crocodiles, snakes and rolling logs, and swinging on ropes over swamps and quicksand; or below ground, jumping scorpions.

Success requires careful timing rather than fast reactions, and you cannot take too long as there is a time limit on collecting all the treasures. However, as you start with only three lives and cannot earn any more, the 20-minute time allowance is unlikely to concern you.

It's rather reminiscent of Jet Set Willy in the skills it needs, though this game has less variety despite its high price. The jungle location is nicely drawn but the background doesn't change; it merely has different obstacles imposed on it, and there are only a small number of different obstacles to master.

Not a bad game, but not worth the money.

M.N.

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