Pitfall: The Mayan Adventure

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Pitfall: The Mayan Adventure
North American box art for Game Boy advance version of Pitfall: The Mayan Adventure

Developer(s) Activision/ Redline Games
Publisher(s) Activision
Platform(s) Super NES, Sega Mega-CD, Sega 32X, Mega Drive/Genesis, Jaguar, Windows, GBA
Release date 1994, 1995, 1996, 2001
Genre(s) Platformer
Mode(s) Single player
Rating(s) ESRB: T
ESRB: E (GBA)
OFLC: G

Pitfall: The Mayan Adventure is a video game released in 1994 for the Super NES and Sega Mega-CD by Activision. It was ported to the Sega Genesis (1995), Sega 32X (1995), the Atari Jaguar (1995), PC (1995), and the Game Boy Advance (2001), with the last one published by Majesco. Pitfall: TMA was also the first commercial game released for Windows 95.

In this game, the player takes the role of Pitfall Harry Jr., son of the hero of the original game, who has to find his kidnapped father.

An extra feature in all versions is the ability to play the original Pitfall! (the Atari 2600 version) after finding a secret doorway. The doorway can be found by looking for something that seems out of place. The Mega-CD, 32X and Windows ports contained extra (and expanded) levels and other enhancements over the earlier versions. The Windows port was based on the Mega-CD version, and made using Kinesoft's Exodus game technology, which was later used to make the Windows port of Earthworm Jim: Special Edition.

[edit] Homages to Atari version

In addition to the thematic continuation of the original Pitfall, the game also includes direct references to the original Pitfall.

  • the scorpion enemy appears in the first labyrinth, it uses the original Atari-styled sprite from Pitfall!
  • Sound effects for some collected items are identical to the first game.
  • Forest levels include the growing/shrinking pits, and swinging vines.
  • Waterfall levels includes the crocodiles that pose as platforms. New additions are swimming (moving) crocodiles, and crocodiles that leap out of the water snapping their jaws.
  • After defeating the giant golem, Pitfall Harry Jr rescues his father, Pitfall Harry Sr. The character shows similarities to the original game. the credits screen shows him very skinny, a play on his pixelated looks.
  • The health bar has Harry Jr running away from a crocodile, reminiscent of the first game.
  • All of the golem's guards are jaguars. First is a normal jaguar. Several levels later are two stone cats (similar to gargoyles). Finally, the end boss jaguar can turn into a god-like beast with very long claws.
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