Prospector takes place in a mine deep in the depths of the earth. The prospector must search for nuggets of gold, while avoiding the many creatures in the mine and navigating the various machines found there.

Occupying every level of the mine are creatures called snarfs; odd creatures consisting mostly of a big mouth. They stake out a platform as their territory and patrol it diligently. Fortunately, they cannot move up and down the ladders, or jump across the gaps between the platforms.

Found on some levels is a giant rat, affectionately known as Ratty. Unlike the snarfs, he *can* climb up and down the ladders. Luckily for the prospector, the gaps between the platforms are too wide for Ratty to attempt to jump across.

However, the creature with the odd stalk-like eyes, known as Igor, cannot only climb up and down, he also can jump between platforms.

Among the other creatures are the grofs, which lay their eggs in mining carts and come leaping out when they hatch, falling into the depths of the mine. Lastly, there are the giant bats, which are relatively harmless, as long as the prospector doesn't bump into them or walk across an occupied nest.

Contact with any of the creatures is fatal to the prospector.

Aside from the creatures, there are the various machines within the mine, including elevators, teleportation platforms, floating platforms, conveyor belts, and jets of flame.

The prospector does have a few weapons to use against these obstacles. His great jumping ability allows him to leap over the creatures, across the gaps between platforms, and onto elevators and other machinery. Scattered around each level of the mine are gas bombs. When the prospector touches one of these bombs, it goes off, normally knocking out all the creatures on the current level. (Only Igor is unaffected by the gas.) However, bumping into a stunned creature is as fatal as bumping into an unstunned one.

You must gather up all the gold on a level. To do this, position the prospector over each nugget, move him down and then back up. When all the gold has been collected, an exit platform will appear somewhere on the screen. Move the prospector onto this platform to go on to the next level.

Gold nuggets are worth 50 points each. Gas bombs are worth 100 points. When the last gold nugget is picked up, the bonus points will start counting down. Whatever bonus points remain when the prospector reaches the exit are added to your score. A new prospector is awarded every 10,000 points.

The creatures grow more intelligent and faster each time level 10 is completed. If you manage to survive level 10 when they're at their smartest and fastest, they will become stupid and slow again.

Use the joystick and fire button to move the prospector. Pressing the space bar or the fire button will cause the prospector to jump in the direction in which he is moving.

CLOADM (ENTER)
EXEC (ENTER)