Personal Compuer Games


Jumpin' Jack
By Livewire
Commodore 64

 
Published in Personal Computer Games #5

Jumpin' Jack

Jumpin' Jack has to be the version of Frogger for the C64. The excellent 3D graphics and sound plus superb presentation make this a winner.

The program comes well documented with full instructions. Once loaded, you have the option of a silent or musical game, one or two players, nine levels of play, and even a manual step through the demo screens.

A joystick is recommended but if you don't have one you'll be pleased to know that you can define your own movement keys.

Jumpin Jack

If you're not familiar with the game of Frogger (where have you been the last two years?) then you should know that it involves hopping your frog from the bottom of the screen to the top.

The luckless amphibian must cross a busy road without getting squashed, and then hop across a river using logs and turtles as stepping stones. If he falls in, he drowns. Not very true to life I admit, but then this is a game, not a biology lesson.

There are five 'landing bays' at the top, and if you get a frog in each one you get bonus points and a passport to the next, faster, level of play.

Jumpin' Jack is almost identical to the arcade version, with dragonflies, lady frogs and of course the traffic, logs and diving turtles.

At the higher levels, the traffic moves very fast indeed, and crossing the road without getting splatted isn't easy. After level three your frog also has to avoid snakes, crocodiles, and otters.

There is a Hall of Fame for high scorers, and the chance to win a prize if you do really well. Bonus frogs are awarded every 20,000 points.

This is an excellent implementation of the original version. For once, I think I can truly say that I prefer the home offering to the one in the arcades.

SC

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