Pitfall II: Lost Caverns - The Atari Times
Swing into this marvel for the classic Atariby David Barna
June 9, 2001Have you stayed up late searching for the end of the game in
Pitfall? Well search no more, you will be fulfilled in
Pitfall 2: Lost Caverns!
Pitfall 2 picks up where part one left off, with Harry swinging on vines and leaping over scorpions. The real adventure begins when you discover the Lost Caverns just after you fall several stories and swim past the deadly electric eels. Can you find the diamond ring, your niece, or the nervous wolf Harry calls a partner? Ever wondered what it would be like to explore the deep jungles of Peru? Dodge bats, and condors? Or avoid deadly frogs? Give it a try, you never know where your imagination and 10k can take you.
The gameplay is exactly the same as Pitfall. It's all about timing, timing, and more timing, especially when you are trying to run underneath those mean
condors. The only major difference is, you do not have to worry about killing yourself. Because Harry never dies in this game! As you progress, you pass red crosses on the ground. These serve as markers and if you touch one of the evil creatures, Harry returns to the last marker you passed. So much for killing yourself when you cannot pass a screen, and having Harry drop down on the other side.
Much like the original Pitfall game, your goal is to collect all the treasures. The hidden treasures in this game are: Gold Bars (don't waste your time), the Raj Diamond Ring, Harry's niece Rhonda, and his scared wolf-like partner Quickclaw. This game is the only one I can think of for the 2600, that actually has background music. It's a very catchy tune that has a circus/adventure feel to it, that only Activision could capture. The music slows down as you die, and energetically speeds up again when you collect a treasure. You know you have played this game too much when you cannot get the tune out of your head.
I recommend this game for anyone who has ever felt the urge to fall down waterfalls, flirt with scorpions, and ride a huge balloon through underground caverns. Overall I give this game a 95%. If only it could have been a little longer. So pack your bags and apply the bug repellent, its time to go on an adventure.
I played this game so much when I was a kid, I actually had a hard time sleeping because I would see Pitfall Harry in my mind! I also played it all the way through without getting hit a single time - which is not easy considering the ordeal you must endure going back and forth up the last sequence to save Quickclaw! (I think the final perfect score was 192,000.) Also, does anyone actually remember the cartoon Quickclaw and Rhonda were used? I think I saw maybe one episode those many years ago... I give Pitfall II a perfect 100% score! :-)
Close, highest possible score is 199,000. Never saw the cartoon though; knew about it, but never saw it.
I have always been terrible at this game. I think my highest points total would be about 32,000. I remember the first time I heard about this game. I was in John Menzies in Glasgow (Scotland) and I saw this game. Well I had enjoyed Pitfall so I was intrigued, what would a sequel be like?
Nothing could have prepared me for the joy of this title. Back in the day this was like having a VCS with Colecovison sound and graphics. A very impressive game which I still play tothis day.
I remember when I first started this game on my 2600...I was amazed immediately with the music (which will NEVER be forgotten) and the game play. It was a tough game to master when I got it and I was very proud to earn my patch (which I still have!). I still play it today and still enjoy the game play and music as if it were the first time... It gets 100% from me!
)
Quickclaw is shaking in his paws waiting to be saved.)
One of the more fascinating graphic effects is the waterfall.)
A daring young man and his flying balloon! This is one of the most exciting sequences in the game.)
Here's Rhonda just standing around, not even trying to rescue herself...
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