Jumpman - Personal Computer News 21

Computer: Commodore 64
Price: £27.50 (Cassette)
Publisher: Maplin Electronics
Reviewers: Bob Chappell, Pete Gerrard
Rating: 5/5

Jumps For Jupiter

Jumpman, supplied on disk for the Commodore 64, owes a little to Donkey Kong, the game that has you leaping over barrels and climbing girders to rescue the maiden in distress.

Objectives

Your joystick controls a little man, whose job is to climb to the top of all thirty one levels of play, and thus save Jupiter Headquarters from destruction.

On your way you have to climb up and down ropes, ladders, girders, take flying leaps into space and avoid a hail of missiles, dragons, gun-fighters and many other hazards, while still managing to pick up treasures.

First Impressions

The initial screen gives you a 5 option 'menu' before play can commence.

You can start the game at a beginners, intermediate or an advanced level, progress through all the levels in sequence, or take a random option and just be swept along, never knowing which level you're going to encounter next.

Up to four players can join in the fun, and each individual level also has a choice of eight playing speeds, ranging from slow to suicidal.

The helpful manual supplied, as well as telling you how to play the game, contains a number of valuable hints for achieving vast scores.

In Play

Making wonderful use of graphics and sound, the game requires much more than just quick reactions. As you start being chased by robots, or collecting treasures that render you invisible, you also have to be able to think, and solve the problems presented to you logically as well as quickly.

Perhaps two girders don't quite join up, the ladder snaps in two after you've climbed it, treasures hang in mid-air seemingly beyond reach, or any one of a hundred other problems face you as you go through the levels.

All of them can be solved, but it will take some time, and your seven lives seems a meagre allowance.

Verdict

Jumpman is the best arcade game I've seen for the Commodore 64, and one that will have you playing well into the early hours of the morning. Fast and frustrating it is simply brilliant!

Rating

Lasting Appeal 5/5
Playability 5/5
Use Of Machine 5/5
Overall Value 5/5