by Gerald Kloos (www.drumstudio.de.vu)
20 years ago I read a very interesting letter to the editor in a TeleMatch issue (if I remember correctly). This letter indicated that there is supposedly a difference between the popular Atari 2600 version and the Atari 8 Bit computer version of Pitfall II Lost Caverns. The Atari computer version would load a second, different structured level after completion of the normal game. This level would even feature new creatures like ants.
A friend of mine played the VCS version extensively back then, and we glazed enviously to the few owners of Atari home computers, who allegedly were provided with a new level in their version of Pitfall II. Then again there were disbelievers who could not imagine that such a complex and extensive game could have been yet expanded.
Many many years later however, walkthroughs for the first level of Pitfall II appeared on the internet, with notes that there really appears another level after completion of the first level in the home computer versions.
Today (26th July 2003) I managed to play through the complete second level, discover all its features, and to gaze in wonder at the final credits that were pretty visionary for those times. Here are also some screen shots of the special features.
Differences from the first official Pitfall II level
1. The design of the maze is completely different
2. In addition to the regular bats, there are also much more aggressive bats with a significantly extended operation range
3. The ants, already mentioned in 1984
4. Biting fishes (which are also cognizable as such)
5. There is no balloon sequence
6. A second score appears beside the final score of the first level. For me that is an absolute novelty in video games. The second score is not starting from zero, but is added to the score of the first level and appears next to it
7. Significantly increased difficulty level!
New bonus items
1. Basket
2. Golden Rope
3. Key (at least looks like it)
4. A person who is graphically very different from the one that is to rescue in the first level
The final credits start after reaching a basket along with a snake charmer. The words “Charming the golden rope is Pitfall Hary’s only hope” appear scrolling at the bottom of the screen.
Crossing the basket opens it and an animation appears for several seconds which shows the figures of the first level that “climb” the rope to the top together with Pitfall Harry.
Then a final screen appears, with the actors of the first level along with the gold treasures.
Remains only to mention that I like the new level much more than the already impressive official “old” VCS level.
And to prevent any rumors: After the second level of the computer version there is unfortunately NO third level. The game is over.
Enjoy playing the first and second level of Pitfall II!
