Miner 2049er

It sounds pretty generic, but each of the ten screens is innovative, presenting an entirely new challenge. My favorite contains slides and plays like Chutes and Ladders. The simple, colorful graphics are very clean and attractive, and the control isn't bad either. Miner 2049er is an addictive platform game that has withstood the test of time very well.

Graphics are nice, and I find it funny. Nothing more to say, this game has more than 20 years. There is also some sound. Controls are easy to find out. Cursor arrows allows you to move right, left, up and down. Now the tricky part: it took me some time to find the jump button, because it's... Escape. To travel with elevator you need to press number of the floor you want to go to. That's all about Miner 2049er. I really like this game, so I can't give it a less than 4. I hope you'll like it too.

This game has it all. Tireless, entertaining, consistent game play; above average graphics and sound effects; an original reworking of an established theme; and a darn good sense of humor. Even the 5200 controller works reasonably well with this game. Miner 2049er for the 5200 gets the highest recommendation, and is, without a doubt, in a class above other great climbing contests like Donkey Kong and Space Panic.

As a short glimpse at the prehistory of videogaming as we know it, Miner 2049er is of interest. Even if it had secured itself a guest spot in a more modern game (a la the classics in Namco Arcade Golf), we would have had time for it. But to put it up against the best contemporary mobile titles, including Neenya Ninja, Splinter Cell and Open Season, simply reveals just how badly it has aged. Avoid.

Then there's the animation, which is unforgivably choppy. It's nearly impossible to jump over the aliens, and when you lose a life, all of the progress you've made on the current screen is negated, forcing you to restart your painful journey. Audio-wise, the game contains a putrid rendition of the song "Clementine" that'll have you running to the latrine to induce vomiting. If you want to experience Miner 2049er, do yourself a favor and track down the superior Atari 5200 or Colecovision versions.

Yes it's all very derivative, but Miner's speedy pace and crisp graphics make it exceptionally fun and addictive. It's also intriguing to see what sort of imaginative challenge each new stage has in store. The second stage is clearly inspired by Chutes and Ladders, and the third has an elevator controlled by the numeric control pad. Miner 2049er is a whole lot better than it looks, and is regarded by many as a classic.