Jungle Hunt

"Short...but fun!"

Yes, Atari did feature a few Save the Damsel in Distress type games, but they weren't Mario!..except of course Donkey Kong. Anyway, one of these games was Jungle Hunt, which has got to be one of the most addicting and sometimes infuriating games ever made for any platform. It's simple, but it's not what you'd call easy, especially when you're coming back to it after years and years. The gameplay is exciting, the controls work well and the sound is great.
Gameplay 10-10. There are only four stages, but each is different. First, you have to cross a chasm on swinging vines. This one's fairly easy. Just time your jumps correctly, catch the vines and you'll be fine. Second, you have to cross Reptile River, and you don't get a boat! Yep, ya gotta swim! You can swim on the surface of the water or swim underneath, but if you do that, keep in mind that humans do have lungs rather than gills, and Atari did keep to real life as far as breathing underwater...or rather a lack of the ability to do so. There are also aligators to watch out for, but you do have a knife to defend yourself with. Third, you cross Boulder Field. Here, the boulders will get larger and larger and as you can guess, their aim is to crush unwary adventurers. Avoid them by jumping or running. Finally, you'll arrive at Canibal Camp, where your lass is being held in preparation for being made into someone's midnight snack. All you have to do is avoid the guards and run to your lady, and the game is over....untill you press Reset.
Control 10-10. It seems to work well, so I give it a perfect score. Jump or fire weapons with the little button, surface on the water with Up and dive with Down. All othermovement can be accomplished by moving the stick left or right.
Sound 10-10. I like the intro theme to the levels. It's this little cheery adventure...few notes. The jump sound is cool, and there's a little phone ringing type noise for when you successfully grab a vine. The swimming noises are cool, and there's a two-note tune that plays underwater. Then there's a sound for air bubbles when you're underwater, and a sound for stabbing unsuspecting gators. On the whole, the sound is excellent, especially when you're on Boulder Field and the rocks come bouncing after you. Canibal Camp's little tune, supposedly thechant of the canibals, is cool as well. Then there's a littlehappy beeping for when you reach the end and save your girl.
Story 5-10. Save your girl from canibals. It's the way in which you do it that's the fun part.
Overall 10-10. If you have an Atari, lack this game but want to play it, I strongly suggest getting a copy. It might provide an entertaining few...minutes.

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 09/08/02, Updated 03/01/03