.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.