Random Game O' the Day: Montezuma's Revenge

[digitalpress]

The DP Random Adventure Exploring Machine (tm) has churned out Parker Bros' Montezuma's Revenge for us on this fine day.

One of the early non-arcade cross-platform platformers (nearly rivalling the exposure of Miner 2049'er for that era) is still one of the best. The game mixes fast action and very tight controls with puzzle elements. How deep can you get? Can you FINISH it?

Write your mini-review here!

DP Guide sez:

U.S. Game Releases
Montezuma's Revenge (Atari 2600, by Parker Bros) $18/R4 +
Designed by Robert Jaeger. #PB5760.

http://www.digitpress.com/dpsightz/atari2600/montezumasrevenge.gif

Montezuma's Revenge (Atari 5200, by Parker Bros) $25/R6 +
Developed by Utopia Software. This is easily one of the best platform games ever made. The box for this one is tough to find. #9460.

http://www.digitpress.com/dpsightz/atari5200/montezumasrevenge.gif

Montezuma's Revenge (ColecoVision, by Parker Bros) $20/R5 +
c1984 Parker Bros. #9660.

http://www.digitpress.com/dpsightz/colecovision/montezumasrevenge.gif

Montezuma's Revenge (Sega Master System, by Parker Bros) $18/R6 +
Another "popular" third party title released for the SMS, and a great game too! This game works fine on the Power Base Converter, if you use a SMS controller that is. If you use a Genesis controller with this game, Panama Joe will act like you are holding left, and not allow you to start the game.

http://www.digitpress.com/dpsightz/segamaster/montezumasrevenge.gif

Non-U.S. Game Releases
Montezuma's Revenge / Return of the Jedi (Atari 2600, by Rentacom) $10/R3

Montezuma's Revenge (ColecoVision, by Mania) $35/R7

[Dire 51]

I own the 2600 version, and I've played the SMS version. I have to say that I like 'em both a lot. Eventually I'll have to track down the SMS version...

I recommend trying it (any version) if you haven't already.

[Sotenga]

Oof. Either I just drank the water, or I REALLY suck at this game. Then again, I only played it twice, ten minutes ago, on the PC Atari emulator. I must say, however, that I like its design. I'll get serious with it later.

[AB Positive]

I really really really liked this game back when I had a SMS, and if I get another I'll track it back down. For now, I'll try to find the CV version. I'd say this is one of the games everyone must play before they die.

-AG

[Lady Jaye]

The Sega Master System version is the best, IMO. In this port, Panama Joe controls like a charm! Too bad that this game is hard to find (and that there aren't too many copies on Ebay)!

I swear that, one day, I will lay my hands on the SMS version. For keeps! :D

[Raccoon Lad]

I like it on the SMS, can't say I've played the other versions though. Fun old-school style gameplay, but I think Panama Joe moves a touch too fast for his own good.

[NE146]

How about the 400/800 version which has a couple of differences from the 5200 version.. including (or so I hear.. "bosses") and special rooms

By the way.. anyone ever get to the point in 5200 M.R. where ALL the rooms are invisible? O_O

[Mayhem]

Love the C64 version to death also. Shame an original copy of it is so hard to find... worth $$$ complete if people can get it.

http://62.168.142.47/~mayhem/photos26.jpg

[davidbrit2]

The 2600 version is absolutely fantastic once you get the hang of the controls. I think I've made it to the 4th or 5th pyramid in that one.

And I seem to remember that either the C64 or the Atari 800 had two different versions of the game with totally different levels (one was much simpler). Which computer am I thinking of? It's been too long since I've played it.

[Felixthegamer]

This is one of those games that I wished I had. I remember playing it growing up. I'd sit there and play all day long. I really loved this game. It is lots of fun! Great game!

[ManekiNeko]

The Sega Master System version is the best, IMO. In this port, Panama Joe controls like a charm! Too bad that this game is hard to find (and that there aren't too many copies on Ebay)!

Funny, when I tried to sell my copy of the game, all anyone would offer for it was a handful of magic beans and some belly button lint.
I probably still have the game lying around somewhere in my parents' tractor shed. If you want it, PM me and I'll try to dig it up. It's in pretty good shape... I know I had the box for it and I think the instructions are in there as well.

JR

[Lady Jaye]

PM sent your way!!!

[digitalpress]

Love the C64 version to death also. Shame an original copy of it is so hard to find... worth $$$ complete if people can get it.

It's not on cart for C64, correct, Mat?

[Daniel Thomas]

Until I saw the 5200 screens, I never realized where the "second" Montezuma's game came from. I had both games on my Atari computer years ago; the computer original had a neat title sequence and was a little slower (jumping could be a pain now and then). "Montezuma's Revenge 2" (as the copy on my disk was called) had the hero with the smaller hat and invisible rooms on later pyramids.

I remember I could never finish the Atati 800 original. I found a room with a giant Pharoah statue that stomped his foot, but I never figured out what the point was. Did that game have an ending, or did I just have a bad pirate copy? Oh, well.

Now, of course, I have copies of both games on my PC for the Atari800Win emulator. Not bad, all in all.

[Flack]

I first played Motezuma on the Apple II, and then later on the C64. Awesome, awesome game.

[chaoticjelly]

I have two copies for SMS, it's pretty good, not played any other versions though!

[Arqueologia_Digital]

A good game, not very adictive, but good for collecting...

[Flack]

Not very addictive? Must be playing a different game!

To me, this is one of those games where game play takes precidence over graphics. Give me Montezuma over Tomb Raider anyday.

[Daniel Thomas]

Not very addictive? Must be playing a different game!

To me, this is one of those games where game play takes precidence over graphics. Give me Montezuma over Tomb Raider anyday.

I dunno. I remember the graphics being pretty cool back then. Graphics ALWAYS mattered, despite what nostalgia says. The game still looks good, to be honest.

[Ze_ro]

Hot damn! This is one of those games that will forever be a classic to me, and one that I always felt was underappreciated. I got a LOT of play out of this game on the C64. Unfortunately, I have no cartridge versions of it at all. I especially hope to get the ColecoVision and Master System versions. The 2600 port is well done, although limited.

--Zero

[Sotenga]

Okay, so I suck at this game. It's still a solid title. I've only played the 2600 and SMS versions, and I like the SMS just a tad better. It's really cool, but the game does end, right?

[digitalpress]

You know, my favorite version of the game "back in the day" was the ColecoVision one. I played the 2600 and 5200 versions (and back then there was no SMS) but thought the CV version had the most precise controls and best graphics. Yep, even with that stubby little stick. Now, years later, I can play it via emulator and use an arcade stick... it's still one of the best platform games I've ever played.

[Flack]

Our Apple II added another level of difficulty that most other versions didn't have. Since our computer was monochrome, the keys were bright green, medium green, and dark green. :) The keys were pretty easy to tell apart but the doors sometimes weren't.

[Mayhem]

Love the C64 version to death also. Shame an original copy of it is so hard to find... worth $$$ complete if people can get it.

It's not on cart for C64, correct, Mat?

No, just disc. But it's one of those non-cart C64 originals (including MULE, Ultima 1/2, Last Ninja 3 and the other game featured in the photo, Mr Do's Castle) that do fetch $$$ on eBay when it turns up complete... I believe the last one went for over $60.

[Nature Boy]

Love the C64 version to death also. Shame an original copy of it is so hard to find... worth $$$ complete if people can get it.

It's not on cart for C64, correct, Mat?

No, just disc. But it's one of those non-cart C64 originals (including MULE, Ultima 1/2, Last Ninja 3 and the other game featured in the photo, Mr Do's Castle) that do fetch $$$ on eBay when it turns up complete... I believe the last one went for over $60.

I believe I have this on disk too (disk only, not complete) - and it has the Atari 8-bit version on the other side! (Fantastic bonus for those of us with both machines :) ).

Loved this game on the 8-bit growing up. We had (still have :) ) pirated versions of it and I never did figure out which was the 5200 and which was the 8-bit version. Never cared. I remember the graphics being sharper on the one but it never seemed to work properly (go figure, it was pirated :) ).

Very important game in the evolution of the platformer IMO.

[Jorpho]

Anyone try the GBC remake?

[davidbrit2]

Yeah, that one's pretty cool, though slightly unwieldy because of the small screen.

[Mayhem]

I believe I have this on disk too (disk only, not complete) - and it has the Atari 8-bit version on the other side! (Fantastic bonus for those of us with both machines :) ).

Yep (if ya look at the picture closely) ;)

A lot of early C64 US disc games had the Atari version on the other side (or the other way around if you were an Atari owner!). I've got a fair few of them in my collection including Ultima 2 and Temple of Apshai Trilogy.

[adaml]

By the way.. anyone ever get to the point in 5200 M.R. where ALL the rooms are invisible? O_O

The same thing happens in the SMS version. I never did get past those dark/invisible rooms.

[digitalpress]

Belated FYI:

http://www.digitpress.com/dpsightz/adverts/multi8/multi_montezuma.jpg

[ManekiNeko]

I didn't know Einstein was famous for his fast reflexes. O_O

JR

[Aswald]

I owned the ColecoVision version. It had great graphics, sound, and control, but little replay value. After beating all 9 levels- it didn't take too long- it grew dull. Parker Bros. games for the ColecoVision either had great cosmetics or great long-term playability, but not both.

:D :D :D :D I traded it in towards Lord Of The Dungeon. :D :D :D :D

[Aswald]

This game was like a lot of good-looking Parker Bros. games: it was great at first, but soon became dull.

The problem was that it just became too easy, too quickly. The black-out screens was just a cheap ploy; nothing had changed. So I beat all levels of this game, even the highest, in a couple of weeks. I gladly traded it towards Lord of the Dungeon.

Great graphics and sound, though.

[Sph1nx]

In an kind of unrelated topic Montezumas Revenge is the big ass combo platter at my favorite Mexican resturant.

Good eatin.

[NE146]

Aswald- what version did you beat? Does the game stop after finishing the 9th level?

Kevtris beat 5200 Montezuma's just about 2-3 months ago.. and IIRC he said it gets to a point where the ENTIRE level is invisible. But damn I'm forgetting what he says happens after that... my gut is telling me he said it goes back to level 1 again once you flip the levels. But I'll have to double check. I'll ask him tonight.

On an unrelated note:
AHA! So that's how the big statue looks in the 8 bit version. Thanks for the pics :)

[NE146]

I just played the Colecovision version for a bit. Any know why there are 2 torches to be found on the same level??

There are always two torches I thought. There definitely is in the 5200 versions as well. I used to collect them both just for kicks.. I think as early as level 1. The only difference is.. well, you end up having 2 torches in your inventory :) That's about it.

< EDIT>I JUST spoke to Kevtris: and this is what he had to say about after level 9:


<NE146> does it just go back to stage 1?
<kevtris> no
<kevtris> you start out on level 9 again
<kevtris> and you get "stuck" there, forever
<NE146> and it's completely dark correct?
<kevtris> yes
<kevtris> and there are no torches
<kevtris> I could beat it every time, usually without dying too :-)
<NE146> only on level 9? (no torches?)
<kevtris> and level umm... 3?
<kevtris> there's two levels without torches
<kevtris> level 9 of course, and one of the early ones like 2 or 3 or 4 I think
<NE146> level 3 has torches I'm pretty sure
<kevtris> the areas that are accessable changes too
<kevtris> there are two main paths through
<kevtris> you can either take 1 path, the other path, or both... but usually you can get to the alternate path through a round-about means if you try (I used to, just to get the points)
<NE146> Level 1 has two torches correct?
<kevtris> there's 3 torches total I think
<kevtris> but of course not all are accessable, and all are not present sometimes
<NE146> cool. thanks dude

EOT

[Sanriostar]

Love the C64 version to death also. Shame an original copy of it is so hard to find... worth $$$ complete if people can get it.

It's not on cart for C64, correct, Mat?

No, just disc. But it's one of those non-cart C64 originals (including MULE, Ultima 1/2, Last Ninja 3 and the other game featured in the photo, Mr Do's Castle) that do fetch $$$ on eBay when it turns up complete... I believe the last one went for over $60.


...Not selling mine! :D

[Mayhem]

Likewise... as essentially I got it for about $4 :)

You can get a copy of it for C64 from here Superstonic...

http://www.gamebase64.com/game.php?id=4964&d=18&h=0

[Jorpho]

Wow! So that's the version of Montezuma's Revenge I saw years and years ago... I've been wondering about that for a while. I thought it was an Apple II. (Does that mean Conan the Barbarian was released on the Atari computers, too?)

[Mayhem]

For C64? Search the same site, it has downloads of almost everything ever released on there...

[Jorpho]

Ahh. That solves that little mystery!