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Bounty Bob is not just another boring platforms and ladders game, it is the sequel to the original platforms and ladders game. Contrary to popular belief 'Manic Miner' was not the first game of this type, Miner 2049'er was. The author, Bill Houge, is reputed to have earned Ulm from that game, I can only assume that he wrote this one for the fun of programming.

The plot is pretty familiar, you control a man who has to explore an undergound cavern, pickup objects and get from room to room. Each screen is inhabited by a variety of nasties which become vulnerable for a short time after you have collected an object (or treat as it is known in the instmctionsl. The game is very similar to Manic Miner, however instead of picking up all the objects to complete a screen you need to walk on all the bits of floor. While there is a greater variety of things to do the exploits of Bounty Bob lack the humor of Miner Willys' escapades, all the obstacles are deadly serious, not a rampaging telephone or deadly toilet to be seen.

There is nothing technically very clever about the game, it has been converted for the Amstrad by Abersoft. famous for their Forth, Classic Adventure and soon-to-be-released Basic Compiler. Utilities are obviously what they do best, there is nothing wrong with the conversion but it could have been a lot better. The graphics are poor with little use of colour and no attempt at stippling or shading. The movement is not very smooth. Bounty Bob himself walks with only two frames of animation, with a few more for climbing and jumping. The sound effects are probably a straight lift from the Spectrum conversion, the overall effect is of a very wooden game.

Behind the ordinary dressing is a very good game. Each screen is well designed. Working out how to make the most of the large number of lifts, transporters and vacuum tubes can be most challenging. Unfortunately quite a lot has been lost in translation, including a high score table and a difficulty adjustment. On balance Bounty Bob is an average game, which is a shame, it could have been an excellent one.

Could have been so much better.