Atari 8bit Review

Review: Miner 2049er

By The CiscoKid

I remember one saturday morning almost 20 years ago when my best friend from school called me on the phone to tell me he'd gotten this game. He was so excited he could barely contain himself. At the time, Miner was the ultimate Jump and Run game with 10 unique levels... back then that was unreal. We had been bitten by the Donkey Kong craze but sadly there were few choice titles at the time for the Atari computers. Miner really was a revolution in Atari gaming. Not only did Miner have an astounding number (for the time) of unique game levels but it was a polished game that not only played like Donkey Kong but had elements of several other games thrown in as well. Not only did you jump, run and climb ladders but you could slide down slides, use teleporters, and even fire yourself out of a cannon... and if that don't make a great game, I don't know what does.

Level 1 Screen Shot

The object of the game was simple, you had to fill in all the flooring...(?) Everytime you'd walk, the floor underneath Bounty Bob would be filled in (think of this as a running/jumping Amidar type thing). Among the levels are several glowing mutants that can be made "green and happy" for a few seconds by picking up one of the many trinkets scattered throughout the level (shades of Pacman... I think so!). While the mutants are grinning, you can send them off to mutant la-la land by running Bounty Bob into them. The mutants aren't very bright and are little more than an annoyance to dispose of, however in some cases you'll need to walk over a tiny ledge held by a mutant but first must grab a trinket placed deviously far away. The result is a lot of shuckin' and jivin' to get over to the mutant before he's reverts back to his former lethal form so you can secure the floor he is guarding. The levels start out simple but get fiendishly clever as your progress. All the levels have a time limit (here it is oxygen), failure to complete the level in the alotted time results in Bounty Bob suffocating to death, the last 5 ticks or so on the timer has Bob's head flashing Red as a reminder that Bob's doom is only seconds away. It's little touches like this that make this game really shine.

Level 2 Screenshot

The graphics in Miner 2049er are functional and well done. The sound is sparse but is well done. The shocking sound when Bob dies is especially nice. Background music would have been a real treat since there are times when the game is totally silent. The control is great, pushing the joystick makes Bob climb up and down ladders and move left and right, Bob jumps using the firebutton and on certain levels (the transporters) you'll use the number keys. Make sure you try jumping backwards... why you ask? Well because you can... of course ;)

All in all, Miner 2049er is a classic and without a doubt one of the best games made for the Atari (or any other vintage) computer. It's unique blend of several popular arcade game elements of the early 80s in addition to many unique things of it's own and clever level design makes for a very satisfying and fun time. We broke many Atari joysticks playing this sucker over and over and over. A great game that belongs in any good, self-respecting Atarians' game library.

TIP: Never EVER touch ANYTHING that glows!

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