MONTEZUMA’S REVENGE

<info By: Normal Distribution LLC (Robert Jaeger) Format: NES Price: TBC Visit: bit.ly/montezuma-nes />

The NES never got this classic Eighties platformer, something original programmer Rob Jaeger wanted to put right. The Kickstarter is funding physical versions for backers, including a ‘Pedro’ USB stick (named after the original version of the character, including lots of extras and photos) and NES carts.

Panama Joe is aiming to get rich by gathering jewels from the pyramid of Montezuma II. Unfortunately, there are many hazards, including fire pits, snakes and skulls. Coloured keys open corresponding doors, the sword allows you to kill the next enemy you touch, and the torch is needed to light dark rooms at the base of the pyramid. Nine floors made up of ninety-nine increasingly difficult rooms make up each pyramid level, with the aim being to loot the Treasure Chamber found at the end of each pyramid.

The chunky graphic style and familiar first few rooms will ease veterans in, but newcomers may find the pixelperfect jumping taxing. The music is faithful to the original, with sections of Spanish Flea and La Cucaracha. Endearing little touches include Joe’s legs flailing when he falls too far, and the snakes turning to watch him go past. The gameplay is perfectly recreated, but for those wanting something different the digital download will include the recent Windows 10 reboot with optional scrolling levels (also available on Steam). It’s perfectly suited to the NES and a great tribute to a retro gaming legend – especially if you remember it first time around.

Score:

85%

<!--- [NES] It had to be snakes. And skulls. And locked doors.

<!--- [NES] Panama Joe has fallen, and he can’t get up.