Regular readers of Joystick Jury won't need reminding that yours truly is a bit of a Pitfall fan. Well, I may as well come clean and admit it - yes, it is my favourite video game.
The game has that elusive addictive quality that you can't quite put your fire-finger on. It has cute graphics, a complex challenge and that extra ingredient which I can't quite find a name for. But whatever it is, it keeps me coming back for more.
The ColecoVision version is now available, and is every bit as good as the Atari VCS version.
For those Coleco owners who have never heard of Pitfall Harry and his adventures, here is a potted history: Harry hands out in the jungle trying to find his way out of the maze of thick foliage, snakes, scorpions, rolling logs, crocodiles and flash floods. As he runs through the jungle, he has to collect money bags, silver bars, gold bars and diamond rings to score points.
It's a tough life in the jungle with several traps set to ensnare you, though there are also features designed to help you. Features like the underground corridors which you can use to dodge the gaping jaws of the crocodiles and the ropes which you can use to swing over them.
One slight disappointment with this Coleco version is that the graphics, although every bit as good as those on the Atari VCS, are no better. You would think that the extra capacity of the ColecoVision would have enabled Activision to produce a truly deluxe version of Pitfall. It's still a must buy for every Coleco owner at £29.95.
I'm sorry Q*Bert and Donkey Kong but, for my money, Pitfall is the best game yet for the ColevoVision.