Genre: Platform, Adventure
Developer: Activision
Publisher: Activision
Year: 1982
Platform: Intellivision
Pitfall! is a platform adventure game released for the Intellivision in November 1982. Developed and published by Activision, it is a port of the popular Atari 2600 title, featuring the character Pitfall Harry on a quest to find treasure in a jungle setting. Players navigate through various obstacles, including pits, snakes, and crocodiles, to collect treasures and advance through the game.
The gameplay involves running, jumping, and swinging across vines to avoid hazards and collect items. The game is set on a single screen, with the player controlling Pitfall Harry’s movements to explore the environment and gather treasures while avoiding enemies. The Intellivision version aimed to replicate the experience of the original Atari 2600 game, albeit with some differences in graphics and controls.
Critically, the Intellivision version of Pitfall! received mixed reviews. Some reviewers felt that the game was too similar to the Atari 2600 version and did not fully utilize the Intellivision’s graphical capabilities. Despite these critiques, the game was recognized for its engaging gameplay and challenging obstacles, which contributed to its popularity among players.
Pitfall! became one of the best-selling video games of its time, with over four million copies sold across all platforms by 1984. Its success helped establish Activision as a leading third-party video game developer and contributed to the growing popularity of home console gaming during the early 1980s.
