Games Computing


Smurf

Publisher: CBS Electronics
Machine: Atari 2600

 
Published in Games Computing #5

Smurf (CBS Electronics)

In this game the baddy, Gargamel, has captured Smurfette. You must reach the castle avoiding dangers and rescue her, you being a nimble-footed smurf.

Your first mission after coming out of your mushroom house, is to go through a forest. The forest is dangerous because Gargamel can send out his creatures or play tricks on you, so beware!

You can retrace your steps if you see dangers and go back towards your mushroom house, but some creatures may follow you. When creatures do come out, the right kinds of jumps or ducks have to be made to avoid them.. Short jumps bounce Smurf straight up so he can dodge hawks and bats. Walking then jumping quickly makes a bigger jump. Jumping quickly twice in a row makes the second jump even higher.

Smurf

If Smurf falls or is knocked down then he may feel too tired to travel farther. Then another Smurf must try to save Smurfette from Gargamel. There is an energy level indicator on the screen and it drops low when Smurf's feeling tired after walking a long way, but as soon as he enters a new land his energy is restored.

If Smurf reaches the castle he has to jump on to a chair and then a table, and then finally on to ashelf where Smurfette is guarded by a bat. Points are awarded for jumping over obstacles and for reaching Smurfette. If you earn 10,000 points in a game, you win an extra Smurf.

This a colourful game, but the graphics are not as good as the Colecovision 'Smurf'. For example, Smurf's house does not look like a mushroom in this version. There is music playing all the way through the game which is very similar to the Colecovision version's tune.

There are more dangers in the Atari game, including rivers where Smurf could drown just leaving his hat poking out of the water. Another nice touch is that when Smurf finally reaches his beloved Smurfette a red heart appears over the both of them.

Skill level one is easy, probably for younger games addicts, as there are no creatures out to get you. Level four, the highest level, is difficult, although after much practise when your timing has been perfected it can be accomplished fairly.