Crazy Climber
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| Crazy Climber | |
| Missing image Crazy_Climber.png Screenshot of Crazy Climber | |
| Developer: | Nihon Bussan Co. Ltd |
| Publisher: | Nihon Bussan Co. Ltd |
| Game designer: | Shigeki Fujiwara |
| Release date: | 1980 |
| Genre: | Retro/Platform |
| Game modes: | Up to 2 players, alternating turns |
| Cabinet: | Standard and cocktail |
| Controls: | 2 joysticks (8-way) |
| Monitor | |
| Orientation: | Horizontal |
| Type: | Raster, standard resolution |
| Notes | |
| Developed during the Golden Age of Arcade Games | |
Crazy Climber is a coin-operated arcade game produced by Nihon Bussan Co. Ltd in 1980. It was released by Atari in 1982 for the Atari 2600, as one of four games released as an Atari Fan Club exclusive.
Description
In Crazy Climber the player assumes the role of a daredevil who is attempting to climb to the top of fourskyscrapers. There are a number of obstacles and dangers to avoid including:
- Windows that open and close (the most common danger).
- Bald-headed residents (aka Mad Doctor), who throws objects such as flower pots, buckets of water and fruit in an effort to knock the climber off the building (with larger objects appearing by more aggressive Mad Doctors in later levels).
- A giant Condor, who drops eggs aimed at the climber (two at a time in the early stages, as many as six or eight in later levels).
- A giant ape (styled like King Kong), whose punch can prove deadly (he becomes more aggressive in later levels).
- Falling steel girders and iron dumbells (more numerous in the later levels).
- Live wires (which protrude off electric signs).
- Falling "Crazy Climber" signs.
Some of these dangers appear at every level of the game; others make appearances only in later stages. Should the climber succumb to any one of these dangers, a new climber takes his place at the exact point where he fell; the last major danger is eliminated.
One ally the climber has is a red "Lucky Balloon"; if he is able to grab it, in addition to the player earning bonus points, the climber is transported up 10 stories to a safe window.
If the climber is able to ascend to the top of a skyscraper and grabs the runner of a waiting helicopter, he earns a bonus and is transported to another skyscraper, which presents more dangers than the past.
If the player completes all four skyscrapers, he is taken back to the first skyscraper, and the game continues to become more challenging.
Musical cues used throughout the game include "Baby Elephant Walk," "The Pink Panther Theme" and "The Entertainer." Some cues were played to announce a danger; others served as "victory" music.
Crazy Climber is one of the few video games to use two joysticks and no buttons.
Legacy
A sequel, Crazy Climber 2, was produced for the arcades in 1988.
External links
- Crazy Climber (http://www.klov.com/game_detail.php?letter=C&game_id=7426) entry on the Killer List of Videogames
- Category at ODP (http://dmoz.org/Games/Video_Games/Action/C/Crazy_Climber_Series/)