Spelunker (video game)
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Spelunker is a 1983 platform video game developed by Timothy G. Martin of MicroGraphic Image. It is set in a colossal cave, with the player starting at the cave's entrance at the top, and the objective is to get to the treasure at the bottom.
Originally released by MicroGraphic Image for the
Gameplay
The player must walk and jump through increasingly challenging parts of the cave, all while working with a finite supply of fresh air, which can be replenished at various points.
The cave's hazards include
The cave is divided into six
The splash screen of the original Atari version features an excerpt of Modest Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition as title music. All other versions of the game, including the Atari re-release feature a different title theme. The NES and MSX versions have additional music during gameplay.
Development
MicroGraphicImage was founded by former employees of
Martin and Barber's expertise was with the Atari 2600,
Martin and Barber had been developing the Spelunker game design for some time, but it went beyond the specifications for the Atari 2600. Martin was responsible for game logic, Foley developed the graphic engine and game level editor, and Barber was the graphic designer and level editor. As Spelunker was Martin's original idea and he programmed the game logic, the game was issued with his name as the lead game developer, with the intention to alternate this role for subsequent games.[4] However, the short lifespan of the company meant that this did not happen. In 1984, they turned publication over to Broderbund and made a version of the game for Commodore 64, very similar to the original.
Although MicroGraphicImage was able to maintain a steady stream of contract work, the company was not profitable due to the overheads of financial business focus going into publishing. The game recession that started in the winter of 1982 deteriorated, and it was very difficult to find distributors to take games, especially from small publishers. Eventually, MicroGraphicImage ran out of money and ceased operations. Martin continued working with Broderbund on a business level and was able recover all debt through
Martin and Foley continued to work together, including at an
Reception
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The game was met with positive reviews. Bryan Welch reviewed the original Atari-8 bit version of Spelunker for 1984 Antic Magazine Buyers Guide and concluded: "I wholeheartedly recommend Spelunker to anyone who likes arcade-type games and is looking for a challenge. It's one game you'll always come back to".[6] Computer Gaming World of 1985 called Spelunker "a thoroughly enjoyable game ... a class act".[7] In Japan, Game Machine listed the arcade version of Spelunker on their February 15, 1986 issue as being the fourth most-successful table arcade unit of the month.[8]
Legacy
The game was re-released for Virtual Console in Japan on August 28, 2007, North America on March 17, 2008,[9][10] and in Europe on September 5, 2008 for the Wii. It was released in Japan on April 27, 2013, and in North America and Europe on June 6, 2013, for the Wii U Virtual Console. The game was made available for the Nintendo 3DS Virtual Console in Japan on December 19, 2012, in North America on June 27, 2013, and in Europe on July 18, 2013.
Sony Computer Entertainment of Japan released Spelunker HD for the PlayStation 3 on the PlayStation Network Store. It received the PlayStation Store best sales award in 2009 from Sony Computer Entertainment of Japan.[11] The game is a remake of the NES port, with high definition graphics and 10 large caves with 10 levels in each.[12]
In 2015, Square Enix released the free-to-play sequel Spelunker World for PlayStation 4 and PlayStation Vita.[13] A new game based on Spelunker World was released in Japan for the Nintendo Switch in April 2017.[14] It was later released as a download worldwide and physically only in Japan, as Spelunker Party! on October 19 the same year.[15]
In 2016, a collaboration between Spelunker and the Neptunia series resulted to an unlockable minigame mode called "Neplunker" for Megadimension Neptunia VII.[citation needed]
An updated version of the game was announced in 2018 for the Intellivision Amico.[16]
See also
References
- ^ Hague, James. "The Giant List of Classic Game Programmers".
- ^ Reprint of review from Atari Interface, Vol. 4, June 1992 at AtariArchives
- ^ As found by comparing YouTube playthroughs.
- ^ a b c Foley, Cash. "The notso Spectacular Rise and Fall of MicroGraphicImage". Archived from the original on 2008-05-02. Retrieved 2008-01-17.
- ^ Stilphen, Scott (1982-07-23). "DP Interviews ... Ed Salvo". Digital Press. Retrieved 2015-07-16.
- ^ "Spelunker Review". Antic Magazine: 74. December 1984.
- ^ Stone, David (February 1985). "Spelunker and Realm of Impossibility". Computer Gaming World. p. 33.
- ^ "Game Machine's Best Hit Games 25 - テーブル型TVゲーム機 (Table Videos)". Game Machine (in Japanese). No. 278. Amusement Press, Inc. 15 February 1986. p. 21.
- ^ "Wii-kly Update: Two New Classic Games Added to Wii Shop Channel". Nintendo of America. March 17, 2008. Archived from the original on March 21, 2008. Retrieved March 17, 2008.
- ^ "Spelunker". GameSpot. Retrieved May 17, 2020.
- ^ "IREM Home Page". Archived from the original on May 11, 2019. Retrieved February 14, 2015.
- ^ "Spelunker Coming To PS3". October 2008. Retrieved February 14, 2015.
- ^ "Square Enix's PlayStation 4 Exclusive Is Minna de Spelunker Z - Siliconera". Siliconera. 31 January 2015. Retrieved February 14, 2015.
- ^ "A New Spelunker Game Is Headed To Nintendo Switch In Japan In Spring 2017". Siliconera. January 13, 2017. Retrieved January 24, 2017.
- Nintendo Life. Retrieved 26 September 2017.
- ^ "Intellivision® Reveals Initial Details For The Upcoming Amico™ Home Video Game Console!". PR Newswire. October 22, 2018.
External links
- Spelunker at Atari Mania
- Spelunker at Lemon 64
- Spelunker at MobyGames
- Spelunker map, Atari 8-bit version