Jumping Jack (Paul Burger)

Title – Jumping Jack
System – Commodore 64
Author – Paul Burger
Publication – Compute! Issue 036, May 1983
Page Scans – 1 2 3
Preserved by – eboy71
Recommended Emulator – VICE

Download ROM

Loading the Game –

Mount the disk image (Compute 036 – Jumping Jack.d64) in your emulator. In VICE, this is done by selecting File → Attach Disk Image
Load the game by typing LOAD”JUMPING JACK”,8,1
Once loaded, type RUN to start

Game Instructions –

This is a one-player action game.
You control a man (Jack) running horizontally across a series of platforms, starting at the top left and working your way towards the bottom. As you are running, gaps will appear in the platforms that must be jumped.
To jump, press SPACE just before Jack approaches a hole. This type of jump will award points based on the level you are on (25 for level 1, 75 for level 2, 125 for level 3). If you miss the timing, you can also press SPACE just as Jack is over the hole. This will save him, but scores no points.
You have 3 lives, and the game ends when all 3 have been used.

Article Text

Jumping Jack, for the unexpanded VIC, Atari 400/800, Commodore 64, and TI-99/4A is a challenging game that makes full use of your computer’s color and sound capabilities. Each game can be played through several levels. The Atari version has nine skill levels. This is a game that can be enjoyed by all age groups.

Jack is running across platforms and climbing down ladders to get to the bottom of the screen. Sounds easy enough, right?

There’s just one problem: these platforms are not very sturdy at all, and at any time they can collapse in certain places. You must be ready to press the space bar causing Jack to jump. If your timing is right, Jack will clear the hole and land safely on his feet. If not. Jack will fall into the collapsed section of the platform.

If you are not quite quick enough on the space bar, you still have a chance to clear the hole. Here’s how: If the space bar is pressed immediately after Jack gets over the hole, you can make a saving jump. However, Jack must be over the hole while in the air to get points for jumping the hole, so no points are scored for using a saving jump to get over a hole. This method can also be used to jump two holes in a row. Simply make a saving jump as described above for the first hole, and Jack will fly over the second hole (this scores points only for the second hole, however.)

Editor’s Notes

This appears to be the only game credit for the author, Paul Burger.
The game has been thoroughly tested and debugged. I was able to successfully complete it multiple times, reaching the third stage.
The game can be cheap; holes can open up just as you arrive on the spot, basically making it impossible to avoid. This can also happen immediately over the ladders.