066 · SPELUNKER
A fabulous fortune, believed to be that of legendary King Tut's richer brother, Tut-Tut, lies within a pyramid, buried in the deepest part of the deepest cave in the world. The treasure is guarded by the ghosts of dead spelunkers who descended, never to return. It is said that the mere sight of the glittering treasure drove them first to blindness, then madness, and ultimately death. FOR MORE NESTALGIA as well as show notes and links check out www.NEStalgiacast.com
Show notes
- 1983 game developed by Tomothy G. Martin and MicroGraphic Image
- First on the Atari 8-bit family, then C64, then NES finally in September of 87
- Published by Broderbund
- Broderbund and Self-Created Designers
- Tim Martin - Spelunker
- Will Wright - Raid on Bungeling Bay
- Douglas Smith - Lode Runner
- And then don’t forget Deadly Towers
- Explore a cave on a finite amount of air that you need to replenish
- Remember Jumpman in Donkey Kong, well this guy dies even easier
- Few enemies
- Is there enough to explore?
- Song loops way too often
- Similar more successful games:
- Dig Dug (more arcade less exploration)
- Spelunky (Roguelike version)
- SteamWorld Dig (Metroidvania version)
- A sequel was released for Famicom on September 18, 1987 called Spelunker II: Yūsha e no Chōsen by Irem, in Japan only.
- Spelunker HD on PS3 (remake with HD graphics and 100 levels)
- AND in Japan only Spelunker Black which adds a new character and makes some parts of the level completely dark.