Pitfall! [Model AX-018]

Tips from David Crane, designer of Pitfall!
(David Crane is a Senior Designer at Activision. He also designed Dragster, Fishing Derby, Laser Blast, Freeway and Grand Prix)

"As you set off on your first adventure with Harry, you'll notice two important features: that the logs always roll from right to left, and that the replacement Harrys (after Harry loses a life) drop from the trees on the left side of the screen. So, to minimize the number of rolling logs to be jumped and the catastrophic hazards to be re-tried, simply run to the left."

"Pitfall Harry's trip must be made through a maze of surface and underground passages through the jungle. To capture all 32 treasures in under twenty minutes, Harry will have to use some of the underground passages. I'd suggest that you make a map of the terrain each time you play. Knowing the jungle and planning the best route to all treasures is the only way to insure success time after time."

"Until you get really skilled at making Harry jump from croc to croc, you might wait until the crocodiles' jaws are closed, jump to the top of the first croc's head, then wait for the laws to open and close again before jumping to the next one. Soon you'll be skipping across crocs like they were stepping stones in a stream."

"If you can find any writing materials deep in the jungle, drop me a line. I'd love to hear how you and Harry are getting along."