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{{short description|1983 video game}}
].]]
{{Infobox video game
].]]
| title = Spelunker
| image = Spelunker originalcover.png
| caption = Cover of the original Atari 8-bit version
| developer = MicroGraphic Image<br>Tamtex & ] (FC/NES)<br>]
| publisher = MicroGraphic Image<br>]<br>Irem
| designer = Tim Martin<ref name=giantlist/>
| released = {{Collapsible list|title={{nobold|1983}}|'''Atari 8-bit family'''{{vgrelease|NA|1983}}| '''Commodore 64''' {{vgrelease|WW|1984}} '''NES''' {{vgrelease|JP|December 7, 1985<ref>https://www.famitsu.com/games/t/3000/</ref>}} {{vgrelease|NA|September 1987}} '''Arcade''' {{vgrelease|JP|1985}}'''MSX''' {{vgrelease|JP|June 10, 1986}}}}
| genre = ]
| modes = ]
| platforms = ], ], ], ], ]
}}


'''''Spelunker''''' is a ] for the ] computers and ported to the ] and ], developed by ] and ]. Originally released by Micro Graphic Image it was picked up and released in the ] by ], it is a ] similar to '']'' or '']''. The original release had a bug preventing further progress than the first level. '''''Spelunker''''' is a 1983 platform ] developed by Timothy G. Martin of MicroGraphic Image. It is set in a ], with the ] starting at the cave's entrance at the top, and the objective is to get to the treasure at the bottom.


Originally released by MicroGraphic Image for the ] in 1983, the game was ported to the ] and re-released by ] in 1984, with European publishing rights licensed to ]. It was released on ] in 1985, on the ] on December 7, 1985 in ] and September 1987 in North America, and on the ] in 1986. A sequel was released in arcades in 1986 called ''Spelunker II: 23 no Kagi'', and a different sequel for the NES on September 18, 1987 called '']'', both by ] and in Japan only.
''Spelunker'' is set in a colossal ], with the player starting at the cave's entrance at the top, and the objective is to get to the fabulous treasure at the bottom. To achieve this, the player must walk and jump through increasingly challenging parts of the cave, all the while working with a finite supply of fresh air, which could be replenished at strategic points.


==Gameplay==
Numerous natural dangers abound within the cave, such as water, uneven terrain, steam vents, small ledges, chasms, deadly pits, and large rocks that must be blown away. To make matters even worse, the cave is home to large ], which drop deadly ] on you. Finally, a ] of a long-dead failed spelunker haunts the cave. Every now and then, it comes out of hiding, looking to take you to the shadow world. By pressing the spacebar, the player character makes a strange wisping gesture with his hands, expelling the ghost away. However, this renders him immobile for a couple of seconds, thus vulnerable to other dangers.
]
The player must walk and jump through increasingly challenging parts of the cave, all while working with a finite supply of fresh air, which can be replenished at various points.


The cave's hazards include ]s, which drop deadly ] on the player; and a ] haunting the cave, randomly appearing to take the player to the shadow world. The player character can send a blast of air<ref> at AtariArchives</ref> to push the ghost away, but this renders the player's character immobile for a few seconds, thus vulnerable to other dangers and further depleting their air supply. Objects to collect include sticks of ], ]s, and ]s. Precise positioning and jumping are key factors in successfully completing the game.
Objects to collect include sticks of dynamite, flares and keys (which come in two different colours). By pressing the "D" key, a stick of dynamite is dropped and ignited. This can be used to blow away big rocks. Flares are launched with the "F" key and are used to scare bats away.


The cave is divided into six ]. Although the levels connect seamlessly to each other, forming one large map, the game clearly signals a level change at certain points by showing the name of the next level and giving the player a bonus, consisting of an ] and a varying number of ]. Once a player completed all six levels, a new cave will be started with the same layout but with increasing ]. There are six caves total. While using the same game and scenery elements, the NES and MSX levels (which are shared with the Wii and 3DS versions) are far smaller than the Atari/C64 levels. The Arcade version uses additional game elements (such as shooting and scuba diving) and has an original level design, and the same is true for '']''.<ref>As found by comparing YouTube playthroughs.</ref>
''Spelunker'' is widely regarded as insanely difficult. Much of the game's difficulty arises from the fact that the explorer cannot jump high, or fall far. As such, precise positioning and jumping play key factors in successfully completing this game. Because of the difficulty, very few players ever completed it. The ] is very bland, but the mere knowledge of having finally completed the game is a reward all to its own.


{{listen|header=|type=music|filename=Spelunker_(video_game)_Atari_8-bit_PAL_audio_clip.ogg|title=Original music theme (Atari 8-bit)|description=}}
The cave in ''Spelunker'' is divided into six levels. Although the levels connect seamlessly to each other, forming one large map, the game clearly signals a level change at certain points by showing the name of the next level and giving the player a bonus, consisting of an ] and a varying amount of points. The levels are as follows:
The ] of the original Atari version features an excerpt of ]'s '']'' as title music. All other versions of the game, including the Atari re-release feature a different title theme. The NES and MSX versions have additional music during gameplay.
* The Elevator: An elevator at the left side of the screen can be used for free vertical travel between various pathways.

* The Ropes: A series of ropes hangs from the ceiling, allowing the player to jump from one rope to another.
==Development==
* The Falls: There is a large ] inside the cave, and the player actually gets to ride the falls in a barrel!
MicroGraphicImage was founded by former employees of ], one of the companies that had overproduced games for the ], creating a glut of cheap games. In the pre-Christmas market of 1983, Games by Apollo became insolvent, with several games still in development for a number of platforms, including the ]. Three former programmers from this company – Tim Martin, Robert Barber, and Cash Foley – subsequently formed MicroGraphicImage. Martin had been previously worked on games for the Atari 2600 and Foley developed for the Atari 8-bit family.<ref name=cash/> When Games by Apollo went into insolvency, Martin and Barber developed a game entitled '']'', based on the film.<ref name=Salvo>{{cite web | last = Stilphen | first = Scott | title = DP Interviews ... Ed Salvo | publisher = Digital Press | date = 1982-07-23 | url = http://www.digitpress.com/library/interviews/interview_ed_salvo.html | accessdate = 2015-07-16}}</ref> The contract funded the founding of MicroGraphicImage. The game was released by ] during the ] and sold poorly.
* The Shaft: An immensely large ] shoots within a vertical shaft. A small raft floats above the ensuing pillar of water, allowing the player to ride up or down as the geysir shoots and recedes.

* The Pyramid: There is a large ] inside the cave. The player must find keys to open locked doors in the pyramid, to proceed from its base to its top.
Martin and Barber's expertise was with the Atari 2600,<ref name=cash></ref> and they were dissatisfied with the money being made through contract game development. Their strategy was to utilize the contract programming to leverage the funding of a software publishing company. Cash Foley joined as a technical specialist with Atari and Apple computer programming. At the January 1983 ] in ], they developed a relationship with ], one of the founders of ]. In early 1983, MicroGraphicImage developed games under contract for Broderbund, ], and ], while developing ''Spelunker'' for themselves.
* The Treasure: A final series of small ledges lies between the player and the fabulous treasure.

Martin and Barber had been developing the ''Spelunker'' game design for some time, but it went beyond the specifications for the Atari 2600. Martin was responsible for game logic, Foley developed the graphic engine and game level editor, and Barber was the graphic designer and level editor. As ''Spelunker'' was Martin's original idea and he programmed the game logic, the game was issued with his name as the lead game developer, with the intention to alternate this role for subsequent games,<ref name=cash /> but the short lifespan of the company meant that this did not happen. In 1984, they turned publication over to Broderbund and made a version of the game for ], very similar to the original.

Although MicroGraphicImage was able to maintain a steady stream of contract work, the company was not profitable due to the overheads of financial business focus going into publishing. The game recession that started in the winter of 1982 deteriorated, and it was very difficult to find distributors to take games, especially from small publishers. Eventually, MicroGraphicImage ran out of money and ceased operations. Martin continued working with Broderbund on a business level and was able recover all debt through ] and ] versions of ''Spelunker''.

Martin and Foley continued to work together, including at an ] publishing company called Inovatronics. Eventually, Martin was a co-founder of the ] ]. As of 2007, Foley was working at ].

==Reception==
{{expand section|date=October 2017}}
The game was met with positive reviews. Bryan Welch reviewed the original Atari-8 bit version of ''Spelunker'' for 1984 ] Buyers Guide and recommended ''Spelunker'' to players who like arcade-type games and are looking for a challenge.<ref name="antic"/> '']'' of 1985 called ''Spelunker'' "a thoroughly enjoyable game ... a class act".<ref name="stone198501">{{cite magazine |last=Stone |first=David |date=February 1985 |title=Spelunker and Realm of Impossibility |magazine=Computer Gaming World |page=33}}</ref> '']'' in 1986 said that the Commodore 64 version's "graphics are amazingly intricate".<ref name="ahoy198604">{{Cite magazine |last=Kunkel |first=Bill |last2=Katz |first2=Arnie |date=April 1986 |title=Think Fast! Action-Strategy Games for the Commodore 64 |url=https://archive.org/details/ahoy-magazine-28/page/n40/mode/1up?view=theater |access-date=2024-09-04 |magazine=Ahoy! |pages=41-45}}</ref>

In Japan, ''Game Machine'' listed the arcade version of ''Spelunker'' on their February 15, 1986 issue as being the fourth most-successful table arcade unit of the month.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Game Machine's Best Hit Games 25 - テーブル型TVゲーム機 (Table Videos)|magazine=]|issue=278|publisher=]|date=15 February 1986|page=21|lang=ja}}</ref>

==Legacy==
The game was re-released for ] in Japan on August 28, 2007, and in 2008 for North America on March 17,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://press.nintendo.com/articles.jsp?id=14798 |title=Wii-kly Update: Two New Classic Games Added to Wii Shop Channel |date=March 17, 2008 |publisher=Nintendo of America |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080321200146/http://press.nintendo.com/articles.jsp?id=14798 |archive-date=March 21, 2008 |accessdate=March 17, 2008}}</ref><ref name="spelunker gamespot">{{cite web | work=] | title=Spelunker | url=https://www.gamespot.com/games/spelunker/news/ | accessdate=May 17, 2020}}</ref> and Europe on September 5 on ]. It was released in 2013 in Japan on April 27, and in North America and Europe on June 6 for the ]. The game was made available for the ] in Japan on December 19, 2012, and in 2013 for North America on June 27, and Europe on July 18.

Sony Computer Entertainment of Japan released '']'' for the ] on the ] ]. It received the PlayStation Store best sales award in 2009 from Sony Computer Entertainment of Japan.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.irem.co.jp/official/minnade_spelunker/index.html|title=IREM Home Page|accessdate=February 14, 2015|archive-date=May 11, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190511190338/https://www.irem.co.jp/official/minnade_spelunker/index.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> The game is a remake of the NES port, with high definition graphics and 10 large caves with 10 levels in each.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thesixthaxis.com/2008/10/01/spelunker-coming-to-ps3/|title=Spelunker Coming To PS3|date=October 2008 |accessdate=February 14, 2015}}</ref>

In 2015, ] released the free-to-play sequel '']'' for ] and ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.siliconera.com/2015/01/31/square-enixs-playstation-4-exclusive-minna-de-spelunker-z/|title=Square Enix's PlayStation 4 Exclusive Is Minna de Spelunker Z - Siliconera|work=Siliconera|date=31 January 2015 |accessdate=February 14, 2015}}</ref> A new game based on ''Spelunker World'' was released in Japan for the ] in April 2017.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.siliconera.com/2017/01/13/new-spelunker-game-headed-nintendo-switch-japan-spring-2017/ |title=A New Spelunker Game Is Headed To Nintendo Switch In Japan In Spring 2017 |work=Siliconera |date=January 13, 2017 |accessdate=January 24, 2017}}</ref> It was later released as a download worldwide and physically only in Japan, as '']'' on October 19 the same year.<ref name="NL cites SP! launch">{{cite web|url=http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2017/09/spelunker_party_is_digging_its_way_to_the_switch_eshop_on_19th_october |title=Spelunker Party! is Digging Its Way to the Switch eShop on 19th October |work=] |first=Thomas |last=Whitehead |date=26 September 2017 |accessdate=26 September 2017}}</ref>

In 2016, a collaboration between ''Spelunker'' and the '']'' series resulted to an unlockable minigame mode called "Neplunker" for '']''.{{Citation needed|date=October 2020}}

An updated version of the game was announced in 2018 for the ].<ref>{{cite web|title=Intellivision® Reveals Initial Details For The Upcoming Amico™ Home Video Game Console!|url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/intellivision-reveals-initial-details-for-the-upcoming-amico-home-video-game-console-300734998.html|date=October 22, 2018 |website=PR Newswire}}</ref>

== See also ==
* '']''
* '']''

== References ==
{{Reflist|refs=
<ref name="giantlist">{{cite web|title=The Giant List of Classic Game Programmers|url=https://dadgum.com/giantlist/ |last1=Hague |first1=James}}</ref>
<ref name="antic">{{cite journal |title=Spelunker Review |journal=Antic Magazine |date=December 1984 |page=74 |url=https://archive.org/details/1984-12-anticmagazine/page/n77/mode/2up}}</ref>
<ref name=cash>{{cite web|last=Foley|first=Cash|title=The notso Spectacular Rise and Fall of MicroGraphicImage|url=http://cashfoley.com/2008/01/17/TheNotsoSpectacularRiseAndFallOfMicroGraphicImage.aspx|accessdate = 2008-01-17|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080502183436/http://cashfoley.com/2008/01/17/TheNotsoSpectacularRiseAndFallOfMicroGraphicImage.aspx|archivedate=2008-05-02}}</ref>
}}


== External links == == External links ==
* {{atarimania|id=4924}}
*
* {{lemon64 game|name=Spelunker|id=2413}}
* at ]
* , Atari 8-bit version


{{Spelunker series|state=expanded}}
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Latest revision as of 02:13, 17 September 2024

1983 video game 1983 video game
Spelunker
Cover of the original Atari 8-bit version
Developer(s)MicroGraphic Image
Tamtex & Tose (FC/NES)
Irem
Publisher(s)MicroGraphic Image
Broderbund
Irem
Designer(s)Tim Martin
Platform(s)Atari 8-bit, Commodore 64, NES, Arcade, MSX
Release 1983
  • Atari 8-bit family
  • Commodore 64
    • WW: 1984
    NES
    • JP: December 7, 1985
    • NA: September 1987
    Arcade MSX
    • JP: June 10, 1986
Genre(s)Platform
Mode(s)Single-player

Spelunker is a 1983 platform video game developed by Timothy G. Martin of MicroGraphic Image. It is set in a cave, with the player starting at the cave's entrance at the top, and the objective is to get to the treasure at the bottom.

Originally released by MicroGraphic Image for the Atari 8-bit computers in 1983, the game was ported to the Commodore 64 and re-released by Broderbund in 1984, with European publishing rights licensed to Ariolasoft. It was released on arcade in 1985, on the Nintendo Entertainment System on December 7, 1985 in Japan and September 1987 in North America, and on the MSX in 1986. A sequel was released in arcades in 1986 called Spelunker II: 23 no Kagi, and a different sequel for the NES on September 18, 1987 called Spelunker II: Yūja e no Chōsen, both by Irem and in Japan only.

Gameplay

Commodore 64 version

The player must walk and jump through increasingly challenging parts of the cave, all while working with a finite supply of fresh air, which can be replenished at various points.

The cave's hazards include bats, which drop deadly guano on the player; and a ghost haunting the cave, randomly appearing to take the player to the shadow world. The player character can send a blast of air to push the ghost away, but this renders the player's character immobile for a few seconds, thus vulnerable to other dangers and further depleting their air supply. Objects to collect include sticks of dynamite, flares, and keys. Precise positioning and jumping are key factors in successfully completing the game.

The cave is divided into six levels. Although the levels connect seamlessly to each other, forming one large map, the game clearly signals a level change at certain points by showing the name of the next level and giving the player a bonus, consisting of an extra life and a varying number of points. Once a player completed all six levels, a new cave will be started with the same layout but with increasing difficulty. There are six caves total. While using the same game and scenery elements, the NES and MSX levels (which are shared with the Wii and 3DS versions) are far smaller than the Atari/C64 levels. The Arcade version uses additional game elements (such as shooting and scuba diving) and has an original level design, and the same is true for Spelunker HD.

Original music theme (Atari 8-bit)
Problems playing this file? See media help.

The splash screen of the original Atari version features an excerpt of Modest Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition as title music. All other versions of the game, including the Atari re-release feature a different title theme. The NES and MSX versions have additional music during gameplay.

Development

MicroGraphicImage was founded by former employees of Games by Apollo, one of the companies that had overproduced games for the Atari 2600, creating a glut of cheap games. In the pre-Christmas market of 1983, Games by Apollo became insolvent, with several games still in development for a number of platforms, including the Atari 8-bit computers. Three former programmers from this company – Tim Martin, Robert Barber, and Cash Foley – subsequently formed MicroGraphicImage. Martin had been previously worked on games for the Atari 2600 and Foley developed for the Atari 8-bit family. When Games by Apollo went into insolvency, Martin and Barber developed a game entitled Halloween, based on the film. The contract funded the founding of MicroGraphicImage. The game was released by Wizard Video Games during the video game crash of 1983 and sold poorly.

Martin and Barber's expertise was with the Atari 2600, and they were dissatisfied with the money being made through contract game development. Their strategy was to utilize the contract programming to leverage the funding of a software publishing company. Cash Foley joined as a technical specialist with Atari and Apple computer programming. At the January 1983 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, they developed a relationship with Gary Carlson, one of the founders of Broderbund. In early 1983, MicroGraphicImage developed games under contract for Broderbund, Parker Brothers, and CBS Electronics, while developing Spelunker for themselves.

Martin and Barber had been developing the Spelunker game design for some time, but it went beyond the specifications for the Atari 2600. Martin was responsible for game logic, Foley developed the graphic engine and game level editor, and Barber was the graphic designer and level editor. As Spelunker was Martin's original idea and he programmed the game logic, the game was issued with his name as the lead game developer, with the intention to alternate this role for subsequent games, but the short lifespan of the company meant that this did not happen. In 1984, they turned publication over to Broderbund and made a version of the game for Commodore 64, very similar to the original.

Although MicroGraphicImage was able to maintain a steady stream of contract work, the company was not profitable due to the overheads of financial business focus going into publishing. The game recession that started in the winter of 1982 deteriorated, and it was very difficult to find distributors to take games, especially from small publishers. Eventually, MicroGraphicImage ran out of money and ceased operations. Martin continued working with Broderbund on a business level and was able recover all debt through NES and coin-op versions of Spelunker.

Martin and Foley continued to work together, including at an Amiga publishing company called Inovatronics. Eventually, Martin was a co-founder of the Internet provider Internet America. As of 2007, Foley was working at Perot Systems.

Reception

This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (October 2017)

The game was met with positive reviews. Bryan Welch reviewed the original Atari-8 bit version of Spelunker for 1984 Antic Magazine Buyers Guide and recommended Spelunker to players who like arcade-type games and are looking for a challenge. Computer Gaming World of 1985 called Spelunker "a thoroughly enjoyable game ... a class act". Ahoy! in 1986 said that the Commodore 64 version's "graphics are amazingly intricate".

In Japan, Game Machine listed the arcade version of Spelunker on their February 15, 1986 issue as being the fourth most-successful table arcade unit of the month.

Legacy

The game was re-released for Virtual Console in Japan on August 28, 2007, and in 2008 for North America on March 17, and Europe on September 5 on Wii. It was released in 2013 in Japan on April 27, and in North America and Europe on June 6 for the Wii U Virtual Console. The game was made available for the Nintendo 3DS Virtual Console in Japan on December 19, 2012, and in 2013 for North America on June 27, and Europe on July 18.

Sony Computer Entertainment of Japan released Spelunker HD for the PlayStation 3 on the PlayStation Network Store. It received the PlayStation Store best sales award in 2009 from Sony Computer Entertainment of Japan. The game is a remake of the NES port, with high definition graphics and 10 large caves with 10 levels in each.

In 2015, Square Enix released the free-to-play sequel Spelunker World for PlayStation 4 and PlayStation Vita. A new game based on Spelunker World was released in Japan for the Nintendo Switch in April 2017. It was later released as a download worldwide and physically only in Japan, as Spelunker Party! on October 19 the same year.

In 2016, a collaboration between Spelunker and the Neptunia series resulted to an unlockable minigame mode called "Neplunker" for Megadimension Neptunia VII.

An updated version of the game was announced in 2018 for the Intellivision Amico.

See also

References

  1. https://www.famitsu.com/games/t/3000/
  2. Hague, James. "The Giant List of Classic Game Programmers".
  3. Reprint of review from Atari Interface, Vol. 4, June 1992 at AtariArchives
  4. As found by comparing YouTube playthroughs.
  5. ^ Foley, Cash. "The notso Spectacular Rise and Fall of MicroGraphicImage". Archived from the original on 2008-05-02. Retrieved 2008-01-17.
  6. Stilphen, Scott (1982-07-23). "DP Interviews ... Ed Salvo". Digital Press. Retrieved 2015-07-16.
  7. "Spelunker Review". Antic Magazine: 74. December 1984.
  8. Stone, David (February 1985). "Spelunker and Realm of Impossibility". Computer Gaming World. p. 33.
  9. Kunkel, Bill; Katz, Arnie (April 1986). "Think Fast! Action-Strategy Games for the Commodore 64". Ahoy!. pp. 41–45. Retrieved 2024-09-04.
  10. "Game Machine's Best Hit Games 25 - テーブル型TVゲーム機 (Table Videos)". Game Machine (in Japanese). No. 278. Amusement Press, Inc. 15 February 1986. p. 21.
  11. "Wii-kly Update: Two New Classic Games Added to Wii Shop Channel". Nintendo of America. March 17, 2008. Archived from the original on March 21, 2008. Retrieved March 17, 2008.
  12. "Spelunker". GameSpot. Retrieved May 17, 2020.
  13. "IREM Home Page". Archived from the original on May 11, 2019. Retrieved February 14, 2015.
  14. "Spelunker Coming To PS3". October 2008. Retrieved February 14, 2015.
  15. "Square Enix's PlayStation 4 Exclusive Is Minna de Spelunker Z - Siliconera". Siliconera. 31 January 2015. Retrieved February 14, 2015.
  16. "A New Spelunker Game Is Headed To Nintendo Switch In Japan In Spring 2017". Siliconera. January 13, 2017. Retrieved January 24, 2017.
  17. Whitehead, Thomas (26 September 2017). "Spelunker Party! is Digging Its Way to the Switch eShop on 19th October". Nintendo Life. Retrieved 26 September 2017.
  18. "Intellivision® Reveals Initial Details For The Upcoming Amico™ Home Video Game Console!". PR Newswire. October 22, 2018.

External links

Spelunker series
Categories: