Pyjamarama
Encyclopedia
Pyjamarama is a computer game for the ZX Spectrum
, Amstrad CPC
and Commodore 64
. It features Wally Week as the central character and is the second (after Automania) of a series of games featuring Wally and/or members of his family. It was published by Mikro-Gen (through Amsoft
for the Amstrad version). The game takes its name from the second single by the band Roxy Music
.
There are two different versions of the game - the only user differences are between the theme tune on the title page - the original version plays Popcorn
, the second release plays an unknown (possibly unique to the game) tune. There were also internal code changes as different Pokes
were required to cheat on the different versions - however the same walkthrough would work on either version.
has not been wound, and thus he will sleep late in the morning, and his boss will fire him. However, in his sleep, Wally's consciousness
travels around his home, and other places, wearing his pyjamas
, in search for the key to rewind the alarm clock and wake himself up.
The game is made up of static single-screen rooms, each of which can include platforms in various arrangements, objects to pick up, and enemies to avoid. Wally can walk through the screens to progress through the game's map and to pick up objects. Wally can only carry two items at a time, so each time he picks up an item, he drops an old item in its place. Contact with an enemy drains Wally's "snooze energy", and if it runs out, Wally loses one of his "lives". When all three "lives" are lost, Wally returns to sleep and doesn't wake up until late in the morning, losing the game.
Pyjamarama can be played either with a joystick
or with the keyboard
. Only three controls are needed: walk left, walk right, and jump.
, Herbert's Dummy Run and Three Weeks in Paradise
.
The game mechanics also inspired various other titles, sometimes colloquially called "Wally-games", a notable being Sceptre of Baghdad.
". This was somewhat controversial as Pyjamarama beat the BBC Micro version of Elite to the title.
ZX Spectrum
The ZX Spectrum is an 8-bit personal home computer released in the United Kingdom in 1982 by Sinclair Research Ltd...
, 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 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...
. It features Wally Week as the central character and is the second (after Automania) of a series of games featuring Wally and/or members of his family. It was published by Mikro-Gen (through 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...
for the Amstrad version). The game takes its name from the second single by the band Roxy Music
Roxy Music
Roxy Music was a British art rock band formed in 1971 by Bryan Ferry, who became the group's lead vocalist and chief songwriter, and bassist Graham Simpson. The other members are Phil Manzanera , Andy Mackay and Paul Thompson . Former members include Brian Eno , and Eddie Jobson...
.
There are two different versions of the game - the only user differences are between the theme tune on the title page - the original version plays Popcorn
Popcorn (instrumental)
"Popcorn" is an early electronic pop instrumental, originally composed by Gershon Kingsley in 1969 on his album Music to Moog By. The same year this tune was released and recorded at Audio Fidelity Records label in New York City....
, the second release plays an unknown (possibly unique to the game) tune. There were also internal code changes as different Pokes
PEEK and POKE
In computing, PEEK is a BASIC programming language extension used for reading the contents of a memory cell at a specified address. The corresponding command to set the contents of a memory cell is POKE.-Statement syntax:...
were required to cheat on the different versions - however the same walkthrough would work on either version.
Gameplay
Pyjamarama is an arcade adventure set across several interconnecting rooms. The player takes the role of Wally, who has gone to bed for the night and has to wake up early in the morning for work. Unfortunately, his alarm clockAlarm clock
An alarm clock is a clock that is designed to make a loud sound at a specific time. The primary use of these clocks is to awaken people from their night's sleep or short naps; they are sometimes used for other reminders as well. To stop the sound, a button or handle on the clock is pressed; but...
has not been wound, and thus he will sleep late in the morning, and his boss will fire him. However, in his sleep, Wally's consciousness
Consciousness
Consciousness is a term that refers to the relationship between the mind and the world with which it interacts. It has been defined as: subjectivity, awareness, the ability to experience or to feel, wakefulness, having a sense of selfhood, and the executive control system of the mind...
travels around his home, and other places, wearing his pyjamas
Pajamas
Pajamas, also spelled pyjamas , can refer to several related types of clothing. The original paijama are loose, lightweight trousers fitted with drawstring waistbands and worn in South and West Asia by both sexes...
, in search for the key to rewind the alarm clock and wake himself up.
The game is made up of static single-screen rooms, each of which can include platforms in various arrangements, objects to pick up, and enemies to avoid. Wally can walk through the screens to progress through the game's map and to pick up objects. Wally can only carry two items at a time, so each time he picks up an item, he drops an old item in its place. Contact with an enemy drains Wally's "snooze energy", and if it runs out, Wally loses one of his "lives". When all three "lives" are lost, Wally returns to sleep and doesn't wake up until late in the morning, losing the game.
Pyjamarama can be played either with a joystick
Joystick
A joystick is an input device consisting of a stick that pivots on a base and reports its angle or direction to the device it is controlling. Joysticks, also known as 'control columns', are the principal control in the cockpit of many civilian and military aircraft, either as a center stick or...
or with the keyboard
Computer keyboard
In computing, a keyboard is a typewriter-style keyboard, which uses an arrangement of buttons or keys, to act as mechanical levers or electronic switches...
. Only three controls are needed: walk left, walk right, and jump.
Sequels
Four other Wally Week games were released. These are: Automania, Everyone's A WallyEveryone's A Wally
Everyone's a Wally is a computer game released in 1985 by Mikro-Gen for the ZX Spectrum, Amstrad CPC and Commodore 64. The effective sequel to Pyjamarama, it featured the same hero character, Wally Week, and used an upgraded version of the same game engine. It was authored by Chris Hinsley,...
, Herbert's Dummy Run and Three Weeks in Paradise
Three Weeks in Paradise
Three Weeks in Paradise is a computer game released in 1985 by Mikro-Gen for the ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64 and Amstrad CPC platforms. It is the last action-adventure platform game from the Wally Week series.-Gameplay:...
.
The game mechanics also inspired various other titles, sometimes colloquially called "Wally-games", a notable being Sceptre of Baghdad.
Remakes
A remake of Pyjamarama was released for Windows and Mac OS in 2005. It can be downloaded via the Remakes Zone website. http://remakeszone.com/?lng=englishCritical Acclaim
The ZX Spectrum version of Pyjamarama received the Game of the Month award in the November 1984 issue of "Personal Computer GamesPersonal Computer Games
Personal Computer Games was a multi-format UK computer games mag of the early/mid eighties.-History:It is famous for launching the careers of several notable games journalists of the '80s including Bob Wade, Peter Connor and Chris Anderson. Anderson would later launch Amstrad Action, and Future...
". This was somewhat controversial as Pyjamarama beat the BBC Micro version of Elite to the title.