Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #9309 in Computer & Video Games
• Brand: Digital Jesters
• Released on: 2002-08-09
• Platform: Game Boy Advance

Amazon.co.uk Review
If you remember Captain Pugwash when he was in black and white then you'll also doubtless recall that the original version of Manic Miner was one of the first platform games ever on the ZX Spectrum. Yep, it really is that old--and boy, does it show. Although most retro rereleases are a breath of fresh air, from a time when gameplay was always more important than graphics, truth be told Manic Miner was looking old-fashioned even before the 80s were over. It was first released in 1983, ironically the same year Mario Bros. came out in arcades, and while that game featured an ultra-controllable character running and leaping all over the shop, Manic Miner's character could only perform a slow uninterruptible jump in a series of 20 single-screen rooms. Matters were helped by a wicked, very British, sense of humour but even that seems to have been lost in this bland, graphically "enhanced" remake. What's particularly odd is that the original version of the game isn't actually included on the cart at all, merely two versions of the enhanced game, one composed of the original 20 screens and the other featuring an additional 10 new ones. Failing as it does to be any kind of historical record Manic Miner must survive purely on its own merits and to be honest it really doesn't come close to the likes of Super Mario World. --David Jenkins

Manufacturer's Description
Jester's re-invention of Manic Miner remains faithful to the original, reusing the tightly-balanced platform basis and level design of the 80s classic, but adds 10 all-new stages and gives the game a much needed graphical and aural make-over. Fans of the original can wallow in the nostalgia of Grieg's The Hall of the Mountain King, which accompanies the action, and in the return of adversaries such as deadly penguins and killer telephones, while the broad appeal of Manic Miner's addictive gameplay will attract a new legion of fans.

Each level comprises a series of hazard-filled levels standing between Willy and his goal. Deadly assailants such as fast-moving toilets, strange aliens and evil penguins patrol set routes within each stage, while Willy must also negotiate collapsing ledges and avoid contact with equally fatal static obstacles. Making things even tougher, Willy must also complete his collection duties before a limited air supply expires. All this adds up to a taxing yet entertaining platform game that proves that the classics of yesteryear still stand up to close scrutiny today.

Customer Reviews

Welcome back Manic Miner
This is a must for all you kids of the 80's who had a spectrum. It has the original game and a newer version. All the grapics look the same and all the tricks came back to me, and after all these years!!! the newer game is a bit hard but once i got into it i found it a bit easier, not as good as the original game though..

Retro gaming at its finest
There will be two kinds of people buying this. One will be kids who have never heard of Manic Miner after a new game and to be honest they are not going to be too impressed when compared to modern titles.

The other will be 20/30 somethings who played it on their Amstrads,Spectrums or Commodore 64's. It plays exactly the same, but has enhanced modern graphics and sounds. You also get extra levels to play through and passwords for every 4 or 5 levels which is very handy!

If reminiscing about Manic Miner brings a tear to your eye, then buy this. 20 years old almost and it's still got that addictive 'one more go' factor. Excellent stuff.

poor conversion - take care before buying
Ok,

the concept is great - we were all addicted to manic miner on the specci/beeb/c64, and ive been eagerly awaiting this....

today i get it, and although i admit its pretty nostalgic:
1. wheres the faithful conversion of the music.....?
2. the colour is even poorer than most gba games
3. why no save function - passwords suck!

if you really want to play manic miner, buy an ipaq and download it ;) at least then you get a faithful conversion.