Pitfall II: Lost Caverns

Pitfall Harry Returns in a Groundbreaking Adventure: Pitfall II: Lost Caverns Arrives on Atari 2600!

MOUNTAIN VIEW, California — Activision announces the release of Pitfall II: Lost Caverns for the Atari 2600 video game system. Designed by legendary game creator David Crane, the game sets a new technical benchmark for the console, featuring the largest map ever designed for the platform, a four-channel polyphonic musical soundtrack, and an innovative checkpoint system with no game over lives.

In Pitfall II: Lost Caverns, intrepid explorer Pitfall Harry returns to the depths of the Peruvian jungle to explore the lost caverns of Machu Picchu. The objective is to rescue his nephew Quickclaw, his pet lion Raj, and retrieve the legendary Rajah Diamond while navigating bats, frogs, scorpions, and piranhas across a vast interconnected map.

TECHNICAL SPECS AND RELEASE DATA

Title: Pitfall II: Lost Caverns

Platform: Atari 2600 (VCS)

Developer and Publisher: Activision

Lead Programmer: David Crane

Atari Release Year: 1984

Genre: Adventure / Platformer / Action

Game Modes: 1 Player

Format: ROM Cartridge with custom DPC chip

KEY FEATURES

Vast Interconnected World: A massive world featuring vertical and horizontal exploration across 27 deep levels and dozens of seamlessly connected screens.

Dynamic Musical Soundtrack: For the first time on Atari 2600, the game features continuous four-channel polyphonic background music that shifts in harmony based on gameplay events.

No Game Over Screen: Players have unlimited lives. Touching a hazard causes Harry to lose points and respawn at the last activated Red Cross checkpoint.

Expanded Mobility Mechanics: In addition to running, jumping, and climbing ladders, Harry can now swim through underground rivers and ride ascending hot-air balloons.

TRIVIA AND TECHNICAL FACTS

The Custom DPC Hardware Chip: To surpass the hardware constraints of the Atari 2600, David Crane co-designed a custom integrated circuit named the DPC (Display Processor Chip), built inside every cartridge. The chip offloaded display routines and generated advanced multi-channel audio.

Pioneer of Checkpoints: Pitfall II was one of the earliest home video games to replace the arcade-style lives counter with a modern checkpoint system.

Musical Engineering: David Crane personally composed the game's iconic musical score, leveraging the DPC hardware to bypass the Atari's built-in two-channel audio limitations.

ABOUT THE EXPERIENCE

Pitfall II: Lost Caverns stands as one of the greatest technical and creative achievements of the Atari 2600 era, redefining what was thought possible on early home gaming hardware.

Available now at major toy and electronics retailers.

David Crane

1984