Super Pitfall

Super Pitfall (スーパーピットフォール, Sūpā Pittofōru) is a 1986 side-scrolling platform game for the Nintendo Entertainment System, PC-8800 series, and TRS-80 Color Computer 3 published under Activision's license. Despite the title screen stating that it was reprogrammed by Pony Inc, the actual development of the NES version was handled by Micronics,[1] with the PC-8801 version being developed by Pony Inc. while the CoCo version is credited as being "Programmed by Steve Bjork of SRB Software".[2] The PC-8801 version released in November 1986, two months after the original release in September 1986,[3] although this variant of the game was limited to single-screen platforming rather than side-scrolling.

Super Pitfall
NES box art
Developer(s)Micronics (NES)
Pony (PC-88)
SRB Software (CoCo)
Publisher(s)
Programmer(s)Color Computer 3
Steve Bjork
Platform(s)NES, PC-88, Color Computer 3
ReleaseNES
  • JP: September 5, 1986
  • NA: November 1987
PC-88
  • JP: November 1986
Color Computer
Genre(s)Platform
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

In addition to being a new entry in Activision's Pitfall series, Super Pitfall was the first game that Activision published as a third-party developer for the NES.[4] A localized version of Sunsoft's Famicom title Atlantis no Nazo was planned for release as Super Pitfall II, but was cancelled.

Gameplay
Screenshot

Super Pitfall is a loose remake of Pitfall II: Lost Caverns, in that the object is to move Harry through the mazes to find the Raj diamond, and rescue his niece Rhonda and sidekick Quickclaw, both of whom have become lost in the caverns. However, Pitfall Harry's quest becomes tougher when he sees that the faithful Quickclaw is imprisoned in a cage and a key must be found – at which point Pitfall Harry finds that Rhonda has been turned to stone; it is here where he must locate a magic potion that will turn her back into a normal girl.

The difference in Super Pitfall, however, is that Harry must also return to his starting point after accomplishing these objectives. Like the original Pitfall, but unlike Pitfall II: Lost Caverns, Harry has a limited number of lives. This time, Harry is also equipped with a gun with which he can shoot the various deadly creatures that inhabit the caverns, but he has limited ammunition and must find additional bullets scattered throughout the game. Arguably the most difficult enemies to beat are the three cavemen – which require more than one bullet to eliminate. Gathering gold bars results in extra points, which grants extra lives. Completion of this game requires the memorization (or mapping) of numerous hidden keys and warp zones to progress – the likes of which can only be reached by jumping at secret hidden spots in the game's levels. Extra lives, ammo, and other helpful items can also be found by jumping in specific zones.

Reception

The NES version was negatively received. A review in Computer Gaming World derided the game as "a [Super Mario Bros.] rehash that most NES users will be able to play in their sleep. Certainly, there is nothing in the game itself to keep them awake." Further complaints were directed at the lack of any credit given to David Crane, the original designer of Pitfall.[5] Brett Alan Weiss of the game database Allgame gave the game a rating of one star out of five, stating that "Pitfall is one of the best Atari 2600 games; Super Pitfall is one of the worst NES games".[6]

References
  1. , Retro Collect
  2. , Moby Games
  3. "Super Pitfall Releases". Moby Games. Retrieved 25 March 2021.
  4. Scullion, Chris (March 2019). The NES Encyclopedia: Every Game Released for the Nintendo Entertainment System. p. 182.
  5. Kunkell, Bill (August 1988). "Video Gaming World". Computer Gaming World. pp. 44–45.
  6. Weiss, Brett Alan. "Super Pitfall - Review - allgame". Allgame. Retrieved August 23, 2009.
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