jeff20 Posted April 6 Share Posted April 6 (edited) In the 80s, I recall Pitfall! (NTSC) having an unusual visual: when standing directly below Harry, the scorpian would alternate between the left facing and right facing characters rapidly, creating a flickering (mirrored) effect. I have not been able to reproduce this. Now, the scorpian simply freezes in place until Harry moves again. Could it have been the TV? A different ROM version? I attempted to recreate the effect with a switch box on an older television. Does anyone else remember this visual effect? Edited April 6 by jeff20 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Supergun Posted April 6 Share Posted April 6 I also seem to remember the scorpion behaving that way. It might have to do with some detail we’re overlooking. Maybe it only happens on certain screens, or in particular places, or while under a ladder, etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rom Hunter Posted April 6 Share Posted April 6 Pitfall II does this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeff20 Posted April 6 Author Share Posted April 6 Hello, friend. I considered that. Pitfall II does not. The scorpian actually does not track Harry at all in that game. The visual effect I am talking about is when Harry is above ground and the scorpian is directly below him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+jeremiahjt Posted April 6 Share Posted April 6 Could it have been a different version? Intellivision, 5200, Colecovision, etc.? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeff20 Posted April 6 Author Share Posted April 6 Like this... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeff20 Posted April 6 Author Share Posted April 6 (edited) 7 minutes ago, jeremiahjt said: Could it have been a different version? Intellivision, 5200, Colecovision, etc.? I've considered that as well. I actually have all the versions now and tested them to be sure. I only had the 2600 version at the time I am thinking. Edited April 6 by jeff20 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeafAtariFromKansas Posted April 6 Share Posted April 6 (edited) 32 minutes ago, jeff20 said: Like this... 3 hours ago, Rom Hunter said: Pitfall II does this. I did check both Pitfall and Pitfall II, It's fact that Pitfall II does, if you stand on ladder above scorpion, the scorpion does stay at ladder, blocks and doing flip-flops like crazy.. Edited April 6 by DeafAtariFromKansas Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pitfall Harry Posted April 6 Share Posted April 6 That's strictly a Pitfall II phenomenon. Mystery solved. -Ben Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeff20 Posted April 6 Author Share Posted April 6 11 hours ago, Rom Hunter said: Pitfall II does this. I was wrong. I just played it again. That first scorpian just keeps walkin', but Pitfall II does have this visual. I just seem to recall it in Pitfall! too. Must be my faulty memory. 2 hours ago, Pitfall Harry said: That's strictly a Pitfall II phenomenon. Mystery solved. -Ben Well, having it come straight from Pitfall Harry it pretty convincing. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChopperCommando Posted April 8 Share Posted April 8 Would the scorpion do that in Pitfall if you stand right over him and wiggle the joystick back and forth rapidly? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pitfall Harry Posted April 8 Share Posted April 8 (edited) I don't think so. A scorpion in Pitfall II: Lost Caverns will do its wiggle dance when Harry is on a ladder just above the scorpion. The scorpion becomes aware of the presence of Harry only when Harry partially descends the ladder (i.e., lowering Harry on the ladder just a bit brings him within the scorpion's detection range). In the original Pitfall!, there are no ladders to use to make Harry drop slightly lower and into the scorpion's detection range. The scorpion will never detect Harry's presence when Harry is above it. At least, I've never seen it happen in the million hours I have played the game. When Harry is on a ladder in Pitfall II: Lost Caverns, moving the joystick left and right will make him fall off the ladder, crash into the scorpion, and go back to the last visited red cross checkpoint. -Ben Edited April 8 by Pitfall Harry Corrected a typo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Like us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter
AtariAge on Instagram
Watch us on YouTube
Chat on Discord
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.