Miner 2049er

Miner 2049er is an action/platform game originally released in 1982 by Big Five Software. The game was originally developed for the Atari 800 (although the Apple II version was actually released first) and has been ported to numerous home computers and game consoles. In the game players control Bounty Bob with the goal of completely claiming an abandoned mine. There are numerous radioactive creatures in the mine that need to be avoided along with a limited amount of time to achieve the goal. The game includes 10 unique levels, a large number for a game at the time.

In the game players control Bounty Bob with the goal of completely exploring each station in a mine. The stations consist of a series of platforms, ladders, and potentially other devices such as elevators. To explore the mine, Bounty Bob needs to walk over the platform sections. After walking over a section it changes color; when all of the platforms in a station have been changed to the new color, the level is complete and players move on to the next station. Throughout each station in the mine are radioactive mutants. If Bounty Bob comes in contact with one of them, a life is lost. In addition to the mutants there are also various items left behind by previous miners such as pick axes and other tools; if Bounty Bob collects one of these the mutants change to a vulnerable form. When Bounty Bob touches a mutant in this form the mutant is destroyed. The only other defense against the mutants is to avoid them.

Bounty Bob can jump or walk to reach the different platforms in the mine. If Bounty Bob falls a short distance, nothing happens however falling a large distance causes Bounty Bob to be squashed and a life to be lost. Each station features a different layout of platforms; to claim all sections players will often need to devise a strategy for reaching each section safely within the given time limit. Points are earned in the game for each section of mine claimed, for destroying mutants, for items collected, and a leftover time bonus at the end of each station.

Miner 2049er consists of 10 levels (stations). Each station has a different theme and provides a unique challenge players need to solve. The stations are as follows:

1. Station 1: The Mine Shaft: This is the easiest of the stations; it features a simple platform and ladder layout to allow players to get acclimated to the game.
2. Station 2: The Slides: This station adds slides to the layout. When Bounty Bob is walking past a slide it will cause him to fall down to the bottom of the slide.
3. Station 3: The Transporters: This level contains four transporters in the center of the screen that Bounty Bob will need to use in order to reach different platform levels.
4. Station 4: The Lillipads: This station consists of numerous, small platforms scattered throughout the screen. Bounty Bob will have to jump extensively and carefully to reach them all.
5. Station 5: Advanced Lillipads: Similar to station 4, there are numerous platforms to jump to. This time they are even smaller and greater in number plus several slides are located near the center top of the screen.
6. Station 6: The Radioactive Waste: This station contains a large bin of radioactive waste at the bottom of the screen. Bounty Bob needs to be careful not to touch it or fall in while navigating around the station.
7. Station 7: Advanced Transporters: This station contains multiple transporters, slides, and some moving platforms.
8. Station 8: The Lift: This station features a giant lift Bounty Bob needs to ride to reach higher platforms.
9. Station 9: The Pulverizers: Bounty Bob needs to ride moving platforms from one side of the screen to the other; giant pulverizers are in the way and can crush Bounty Bob.
10. Station 10: The Cannon: The final station features a giant cannon. Bounty Bob will need to collecct TNT to load the cannon and shoot himself up to the higher platforms.

Some stations will require careful strategy to complete; sometimes a part of the station can be reached but there is no way out so that section must be left for last, or due to the time limit following a certain path may be more optimal to avoid running out of time.

While most versions of the game feature consistent gameplay and level design, several versions have some variations:

• Atari 2600: Due to limitations of the system, the Atari 2600 version of the game was broken up into two seperate games each featuring three levels from the original.
• Colecovision: The Colecovision version of the game features an 11th level not found in any other version.
• Commodore VIC-20: The VIC-20 version of the game only includes 7 of the 10 levels due to system limitations.
• TI-99/4A: Only 8 of the 10 levels are included due to system limitations.