Jumpman
| Jumpman | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Developer(s) | Epyx |
| Publisher(s) | Epyx |
| Designer(s) | Randy Glover |
| Platform(s) | Atari 8-bit family, Commodore 64, Apple II, IBM PC |
| Release | 1983 |
| Genre(s) | Platform, puzzle |
| Mode(s) | Single-player, multiplayer |
Jumpman is a platform game written by Randy Glover and released by Epyx in 1983. Originally developed for the Atari 8-bit family, versions were also released for the Commodore 64 (C64), Apple II and IBM PC. Originally released on diskette, a cut-down version known as Jumpman Jr. was released on cartridge featuring 12 new levels, which was available on the Atari, C64 and ColecoVision.
The game received very favorable reviews when it was released and was a major hit for its publisher, Automated Simulations. It was so successful that the company renamed itself Epyx, formerly their brand for action titles like Jumpman. Its clever level design and difficult play has kept it a favorite in the retrogaming field to the present day. Recreations on other platforms, and new levels for the original versions continue to appear.
According to the story, the base on Jupiter has been sabotaged by terrorists who have placed bombs throughout the base's three buildings. The object of the game is to defuse all the bombs in a platform-filled screen. Jumpman defuses a bomb by touching it. Jumpman can jump, climb up and down ladders, and there are two kinds of rope each allowing a single direction of climbing only.
The game map is organized into a series of levels, representing the floors in three buildings. When all of the bombs on a level have been deactivated, the map scrolls vertically to show another floor of the building. When all of the levels in a building are complete, a screen shows the remaining buildings and moves onto the next one. The order of the maps is randomized so players do not end up trapped on a level they cannot complete.
Hazards include falling "smart darts" (small bullets that fly slowly across the screen, but when orthogonally lined up with Jumpman, greatly speed up and shoot straight in his direction), fall damage and other hazards that are unique to a certain level. Upon being hit or falling from a height, Jumpman tumbles down to the bottom of the screen, with a measure from Chopin's Funeral March being played.
...
Wikipedia