Pitfall: The Mayan Adventure

Pitfall: The Mayan Adventure

Developer(s) Activision/ Redline Games

Imagitec Design (Jaguar)
Kinesoft (Win95)
Kroyer Films (animation)
Soundelux (CD audio)

Publisher(s) Activision

JapanGAMEBANK Corp. (Win95)

Platform(s) Super NES, Sega CD, Sega 32X, Sega Genesis, Jaguar, Windows, GBA, PC, Virtual Console
Release date(s) SNES
  • JP July 14, 1995
  • NA November 1994
  • EU November 1994
Windows
  • NA August 1995
Jaguar
  • NA October 1, 1995
Genesis
Sega CD
Game Boy Advance
  • NA June 11, 2001
  • EU September 21, 2001
32X
  • NA September 1995
Genre(s) Platformer
Mode(s) Single player
Distribution Cartidge
CD-ROM

Pitfall: The Mayan Adventure is a 1994 video game developed and published by Activision. A sequel to Activision's 1982 Pitfall! for the Atari 2600, the player controls Pitfall Harry, Jr., son of the protagonist of the original game, as he attempts to rescue his father from a Mayan jungle setting.

Activision developed the game in partnership with Redline Games. It was first released for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System, Sega Genesis/Mega Drive and Sega CD in 1994, followed by releases for the Sega 32X, Atari Jaguar, and PC the following year. The PC release was the first commercial release for the recently debuted Windows 95 operating system. Publisher Majesco Entertainment ported the game for the Game Boy Advance in 2001; a downloadable version appeared on the Nintendo Wii's Virtual Console in 2009.

An extra feature in all versions is the ability to play the original Pitfall! (the Atari 2600 version) after finding a secret doorway within the game. The Sega CD, 32X and Windows ports contained extra (and expanded) levels and other enhancements over the other versions.

The Windows port was based on the Sega 32X version, and was made using Kinesoft's Exodus game technology, which was later used to make the Windows port of Earthworm Jim: Special Edition.[1] It includes 256-colour art, in-game CD music and effects by SOUNDELUX Media Labs. SoftKey version includes America Online free trial software for Windows 3.1/95, Internet Explorer 3.02, Cyber Patrol demo for Windows 3.1/95.

On April 13, 2009, the Sega Genesis/Mega Drive version of Pitfall: The Mayan Adventure was released on the Virtual Console in North America and later in the PAL regions on May 15, 2009 and in Japan on August 25, 2009. It was later delisted on December 26, 2013 in Japan and at the end of 2013 in North America and the PAL regions.

Reception

Reviewing the Genesis version, GamePro criticized the lag in the controls, elaborating that "the split-second lag time between his jump and your ability to control his movements again is the difference between a narrow escape and losing a life. The same problem occurs whenever he changes direction - he pauses, you can't control him, and Harry Jr. takes a hit." However, they praised the graphics, the intense action, the music, and the inclusion of the original Pitfall!, and gave the game an overall recommendation, particularly for hardcore platforming gamers.[2]

On release, Famicom Tsūshin scored the Super Famicom version of the game a 30 out of 40.[3] GamePro applauded the SNES version as having "some of the best character animations ever seen in an SNES game." They also praised the distinctive enemies, realistic sound effects, and entertaining challenge.[4]

GamePro gave the Sega CD version a positive review as well. They remarked that the new levels, full motion video sequences, and improved graphics all add to the game, which they noted has the same high challenge, realistic sound effects, and difficult controls as in previous versions.[5]

Electronic Gaming Monthly gave the 32X version a 6.625 average, praising the large number of secrets but criticizing the difficult controls and the lack of significant improvement from the Genesis version.[6]

References

  1. ↑ Andy Glaister - Work History
  2. ↑ "ProReview: Pitfall: The Mayan Adventure". GamePro (64) (IDG). November 1994. p. 80.
  3. ↑ NEW GAMES CROSS REVIEW: ピットフォール マヤの大冒険. Weekly Famicom Tsūshin. No.344. Pg.30. 21 July 1995.
  4. ↑ "ProReview: Pitfall: The Mayan Adventure". GamePro (65) (IDG). December 1994. p. 162.
  5. ↑ "ProReview: Pitfall: The Mayan Adventure". GamePro (68) (IDG). March 1995. p. 52.
  6. ↑ "Pitfall Review". Electronic Gaming Monthly (75) (EGM Media, LLC). October 1995. p. 38.

External links