Spelunker - MAME machine

Arcade Video game published 38 years ago:

Spelunker © 1986 Irem Corp.

In Spelunker - which means 'cave-diver' - a caver has to work his way down through a number of multi-directionally scrolling caves - each one deeper underground than the last - in his bid to find the mythical 'World of Wonders'. To do this, the spelunker must find the exit to each cave, so he can move on to the next and get closer to his goal.

Spelunker is a platform game, and each tricky cave is filled with enemies - such as bats and ogres - and traps. Ladders, ropes, lifts and the obligatory minecarts must be used to reach other platforms and sections of the cave.

To aid him in his difficult quest, the Spelunker carries a gun and can shoot short-range fireballs at his enemies to stun or kill them. Numerous bonus items can be collected, such as bombs to destroy any rocks block his route, keys to open locked doors and potions to boost the caver's ever-decreasing energy meter. Treasure chests also litter each cave, and can be opened for bonus treasure items.

TECHNICAL
Irem M-62 system hardware

Main CPU: Zilog Z80 (@ 4 Mhz)
Sound CPU: Motorola M6803 (@ 894.886 Khz)
Sound Chips: (2x) General Instrument AY8910 (@ 894.886 Khz), (2x) MSM5205 (@ 384 Khz)

Screen orientation: Horizontal
Video resolution: 384 x 256 pixels
Screen refresh: 55.00 Hz
Palette colors: 512

Players: 2
Control: 8-way joystick
Buttons: 2

TRIVIA
Released in February 1986 by Irem, under license from Broderbund.

Originally released in 1984 by Broderbund Software for the Commodore C64 computer, this arcade version is based on the Famicom version released in 1985, with many changes.

SERIES

• Spelunker (1986)
• Spelunker II - 23 no Kagi (1986)

STAFF
Designed and programmed by: Tim Martin

CONTRIBUTE
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