Jet-Boot Jack
Encyclopedia
Jet-Boot Jack is a platforming video game
first published for the Atari 8-bit home computers by English Software
in 1983. It was later ported to a number of other platforms and spawned a sequel, Legend of the Knucker-Hole.
The production plant is set out as a series of platforms connected by lifts
. To complete each level, the player must collect all the musical notes while avoiding monsters, moving lifts and stalactite
s. Jack can be moved left or right using his jet boots to hover or by ducking and sliding under fatal stalactites or monsters. By hovering, Jack can clear lift shafts but if he stops over the shaft, it is fatal. Jack's jet energy runs down, particularly if he stands still for a while, and must be replenished by collecting vinyl
from overhanging pods. Two types of monsters can be killed for bonus points by jumping on the platform above them. A third type of monster is invincible. Bonus points are awarded when a screen is completed based on the vinyl refills unused.
There are ten screens which then repeat at a higher difficulty level eg with more monsters and fewer refills per vinyl pod.
by English Software. The game was a big success and became one of English's first games to be converted to other machines beginning with the Commodore 64
, also in 1983, and the Acorn Electron
, Amstrad CPC
and BBC Micro
in 1984. The Amstrad version was also later published by Amsoft
(1985). The game was so in demand for the Atari that it featured as the lead game on the first three Atari Smash Hits compilations released by English Software. In the US, the game was released by Datamost
with the subtitle "Adventures in the Music Machine" on the cover and billed as The Music Machine starring Jet-Boot Jack on the title screen. The game was followed by a sequel Legend of the Knucker-Hole starring Jet-Boot Jack in 1984. Jon Williams developed that game on the Commodore 64 but it was not ported to any other systems.
gave a positive review concluding "Although on a now familiar theme the unique story line and good programming makes Jet Boot Jack well worth getting. The music is good and the scrolled opening credits are superb". The game was given "Hall of Fame" status by Computer and Video Games
magazine. The Amstrad CPC version was given a score of 70% by Amstrad Action
and 72% by Amtix!
.
Platform game
A platform game is a video game characterized by requiring the player to jump to and from suspended platforms or over obstacles . It must be possible to control these jumps and to fall from platforms or miss jumps...
first published for the Atari 8-bit home computers by English Software
English Software
English Software was a software developer and publisher in the 1980s based in Manchester, UK.- History :The company was set up in 1982 by Philip Morris, owner of Gemini Electronics computer store in Manchester, to release video games for the Atari 8-bit home computers...
in 1983. It was later ported to a number of other platforms and spawned a sequel, Legend of the Knucker-Hole.
Gameplay
The player controls Jack, a 'space-age jogger', in a record production plant who must build up the ultimate music collection.The production plant is set out as a series of platforms connected by lifts
Elevator
An elevator is a type of vertical transport equipment that efficiently moves people or goods between floors of a building, vessel or other structures...
. To complete each level, the player must collect all the musical notes while avoiding monsters, moving lifts and stalactite
Stalactite
A stalactite , "to drip", and meaning "that which drips") is a type of speleothem that hangs from the ceiling of limestone caves. It is a type of dripstone...
s. Jack can be moved left or right using his jet boots to hover or by ducking and sliding under fatal stalactites or monsters. By hovering, Jack can clear lift shafts but if he stops over the shaft, it is fatal. Jack's jet energy runs down, particularly if he stands still for a while, and must be replenished by collecting vinyl
Vinyl
A vinyl compound is any organic compound that contains a vinyl group ,which are derivatives of ethene, CH2=CH2, with one hydrogen atom replaced with some other group...
from overhanging pods. Two types of monsters can be killed for bonus points by jumping on the platform above them. A third type of monster is invincible. Bonus points are awarded when a screen is completed based on the vinyl refills unused.
There are ten screens which then repeat at a higher difficulty level eg with more monsters and fewer refills per vinyl pod.
Release
The original Atari version was released in 1983 in the UKUnited Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
by English Software. The game was a big success and became one of English's first games to be converted to other machines beginning with the Commodore 64
Commodore 64
The Commodore 64 is an 8-bit home computer introduced by Commodore International in January 1982.Volume production started in the spring of 1982, with machines being released on to the market in August at a price of US$595...
, also in 1983, and the Acorn Electron
Acorn Electron
The Acorn Electron is a budget version of the BBC Micro educational/home computer made by Acorn Computers Ltd. It has 32 kilobytes of RAM, and its ROM includes BBC BASIC along with its operating system....
, Amstrad CPC
Amstrad CPC
The Amstrad CPC is a series of 8-bit home computers produced by Amstrad between 1984 and 1990. It was designed to compete in the mid-1980s home computer market dominated by the Commodore 64 and the Sinclair ZX Spectrum, where it successfully established itself primarily in the United Kingdom,...
and BBC Micro
BBC Micro
The BBC Microcomputer System, or BBC Micro, was a series of microcomputers and associated peripherals designed and built by Acorn Computers for the BBC Computer Literacy Project, operated by the British Broadcasting Corporation...
in 1984. The Amstrad version was also later published by Amsoft
Amsoft
Amsoft was a wholly owned subsidiary of Amstrad, PLC, founded in 1984 and re-integrated with its parent company in 1989. Its purpose was to provide an initial infrastructure of software and services for users of Amstrad's range of home computers, the Amstrad CPC and, from 1986, the Sinclair ZX...
(1985). The game was so in demand for the Atari that it featured as the lead game on the first three Atari Smash Hits compilations released by English Software. In the US, the game was released by Datamost
Datamost
Datamost was a software design company founded by David Gordon and based in Chatsworth, California. Datamost operated in the early 1980s producing games and other software mainly for the Apple II, Commodore 64 and Atari platforms, with some for the IBM PC...
with the subtitle "Adventures in the Music Machine" on the cover and billed as The Music Machine starring Jet-Boot Jack on the title screen. The game was followed by a sequel Legend of the Knucker-Hole starring Jet-Boot Jack in 1984. Jon Williams developed that game on the Commodore 64 but it was not ported to any other systems.
Critical reaction
Atari magazine Page 6Page 6
Page 6 was an independent British publication aimed at users of Atari home computers. It was published between 1982 and 1998...
gave a positive review concluding "Although on a now familiar theme the unique story line and good programming makes Jet Boot Jack well worth getting. The music is good and the scrolled opening credits are superb". The game was given "Hall of Fame" status by Computer and Video Games
Computer and video games
A video game is an electronic game that involves human interaction with a user interface to generate visual feedback on a video device. The word video in video game traditionally referred to a raster display device, but following popularization of the term "video game", it now implies any type of...
magazine. The Amstrad CPC version was given a score of 70% by Amstrad Action
Amstrad Action
Amstrad Action was a monthly magazine, published in the United Kingdom, which catered to owners of home computers from the Amstrad CPC range and later the GX4000 console....
and 72% by Amtix!
Amtix!
Amtix! magazine was, as its subtitle stated, a "monthly software review for the Amstrad computers". Published by Newsfield Publications Ltd in the mid eighties.-Lifetime:...
.
External links
- Jet-Boot Jack at Atari Mania
- Jet-Boot Jack at Lemon 64
- Jet-Boot Jack at Acorn Electron World