Bigfoot
| Bigfoot | |
|---|---|
 Bigfoot Manual (Front Cover) | |
| Publisher(s) | Milton Bradley |
| Original Retail Price | $49.95 (USD)[1] [2] |
| Programmer(s) | Warren Amerman |
| Part# | PHM 3151 |
| Format(s) | Solid State SoftwareTM Command Module |
| Release | 1983 (4th Quarter) [3] [4] |
| Genre(s) | Action |
Bigfoot is a video game released by Milton Bradley for the TI-99/4A home computer system. It was released during the fourth quarter of 1983 and retailed for $49.95 (USD). It was distributed on Solid State SoftwareTM Command Module and programmed by Warren Amerman. The gameplay was enhanced with the addition of Texas Instruments' Solid State SpeechTM Synthesizer and Mitlon Bradley's MBX systems (both sold separately). The MBX system allowed for voice recognition, improved speech synthesis, a 360° analog joystick, and an action-input keypad.
Gameplay
The player's goal in Bigfoot is to climb a mountain on top of which Bigfoot stands ominously to impede his/her progress. The player needs to collect green boxes, which contain food, and then focus on yellow piles which contain bundles of gold. The player can use the fire button which will throw ropes higher up the mountain which allows him/her to climb up the mountain on other platforms.
Bigfoot, meanwhile, chucks boulders at the player as he/she attempts to scale the mountain. If the player attaches his/her rope too close to the edge of a platform, it leaves him/her more vulnerable to the rocks hurled by the Bigfoot. Throwing ropes closer to the center of platforms is a protective move. Birds, during the later levels of the game, fly through the screen and snag the climber's ropes which proves fatal if climbing one at the time.
Fun Fact
According to Warren Amerman, the programmer of Bigfoot, the original title of the game was Yeti.
Review
Grade A+: Now here stands a game that is literally at the pinnacle (or one of the pinnacles) of TI-99/4A gaming. As with Blasto and Hustle from last months article, Bigfoot is another one of those Milton Bradley masterpieces. Considering how well Milton Bradley programmed their games, one has to wonder why they never came out with their own video game system as it sure would have been a great machine. But enough of my rambling, on to the Bigfoot review!
The game pits you, a mountain climber, against the dreaded Bigfoot who stands at the top of the mountain. The goal of the game is to reach the summit and lower a cage to capture the beast. As with any video game it wouldn't be a challenge if all you had to do was simply get to the top of the mountain, so there are a number of obstacles that stand in your way of getting there. The biggest obstacles are the boulders that Bigfoot himself rolls down the mountain at you. These big rocks will roll along the ledges of the mountain until they fall off at the bottom of the screen. The only way to avoid them is by clinging to the ropes that you can throw to each ledge (as seen in the screen shot to the right). This can prove to be very tricky since you have to keep a sharp eye out for the boulders and make sure you throw a rope out before they get too close or otherwise you'll be knocked off the ledge and plummet to your death.
In addition to the ropes helping you avoid boulders being rolled down the mountain, they also are your only device to get to the summit or travel from ledge to ledge. This is perhaps the most interesting aspect of the game since there is no predefined path like in a game such as Donkey Kong. Many games from this time period would have had ladders on the mountain that you would have had to climb, but not here! You must seek out your own path to the top, which not only makes this game more difficult but also much more unique. It's mostly because of this twist that the game has been considered one of the top TI-99/4A games. Now in addition to just climbing the ropes and avoiding boulders, there are actually crows that will fly past at random that can snatch the rope you are on and leave your climber yelling "Put me Down!" (if you have the speech synthesizer or MBX system). Well the crow does indeed put you down, he drops the rope right in mid-air! Needless to say this leads to the loss of one of your lives.
The final aspect of the game that needs to be mentioned is that you cannot just climb to the top of the mountain, but actually need to pick up the gold and climbing supplies which are strewn about on various ledges. However, you must collect these items in a certain order (one of the climbing supplies must be gathered before you can pick up one of the gold piles), and only after all these things are collected can you reach the top and cage Bigfoot.
Overall, this game really shines not just in terms of its gameplay but also because of the beautiful graphics and the speech synthesis. From the realistic sound of a metal hook latching on to a ledge to the sound of your climber yelling "Put me down...Ahhhhh!!!!!" (as he falls his voice slowly fades away) this game really demonstrates how well Milton Bradley knew the TI-99/4A! In addition, if you happen to have an MBX system then the player can take advantage of the comfortable 360º Analog Joystick that Milton Bradley made for the device. All in all, this game is a MUST HAVE and is in my TOP 10 games for the TI-99/4A. I've seen this game pop up on eBay every now and then and it is highly recommended for anyone interested in collecting/playing on the TI-99/4A system, so be sure to grab it.
Manual
Two Ways to Play Bigfoot
This Bigfoot cartridge can be played with the Texas Instruments Home Computer or with the Texas Instruments Home Computer and the MBX Expansion System. The MBX Expansion System adds new dimensions to your Texas Instruments Home Computer. This booklet contains instructions for using both systems. Instructions for each method are separated by a bar format. The first bar, which is color coded in blue, tells you how to play the game with your MBX Expansion System. The second bar tells you how to play the game with your Texas Instruments Home Computer alone.
TI Home Computer with the MBX Expansion System
The MBX console plugs into your Texas Instruments Home Computer. Refer to the set-up instructions in your MBX Expansion System booklet to properly connect the systems.
Here's What the MBX Expansion System Includes
- MBX console with built-in action keypad
- Triple-axis analog joystick
- Headset microphone (not used with this cartridge)
- Power supply
- Fully-illustrated instruction booklet
Playing Bigfoot with the MBX Expansion System
- Triple-axis analog joystick allows total maneuverability of screen objects
- Action-input keypad allows for quick response and flexibility
- Speech Synthesis allows you to hear phrases, prompts, and sound effects that are true-to-life, well-modulated, and full of inflection.
TI Home Computer without the MBX Expansion System
- You can play Bigfoot with the TI Home Computer using the keyboard, the Joystick Controllers (sold separately), or a combination of both.
- Speech makes the game more exciting. You need the Texas Instruments Solid Stale Speech* Synthesizer(sold separately) to activate speech capabilities of your Home Computer.
Introduction
It's 50 degrees below zero, your guide is nowhere to be found, and you are clinging to a snowy ledge by a rather shaky-looking piton. Can you make it to the top of the mountain, collect food and gold on your way up, and cage the raging Bigfoot?
The Bigfoot cartridge challenges you to move a climber, ledge by ledge, up a mountainside. Your climber scales upward on ropes that have been tossed to ledges. Bigfoot hurls giant snowballs at your climber and sky-diving eagles try to carry him a way.
You score points by collecting food and gold on your climb. If you collect all the goodies, reach the summit, and cage Bigfoot, you score bonus points.
There are six mountains to climb. If you are clever and sure-footed, your climber reaches the summit and scores high.
Downloads
Bigfoot Cartridge
Bigfoot Manual Front Cover
Alpiner Manual Complete (pdf format)
Bigfoot MAME/MESS Rom (rpk format)
