Classic Game Room - PITFALL 2 review for Sega SG-1000

[@Michirin9801]

Fun fact: The Atari 2600 version has a soundchip in the cartridge, that's how it's capable to produce 4 channel PSG audio with a full chromatic scale when the regular Atari 2600 only had 2 sound channels with only 20-or-so pre-determined frequencies for square waves and white noise... Also, the PSG found inside of Sega's pre-Genesis consoles is kind of sucky, it's not too hard to find/make a soundchip that sounds better than it...

[@EberKlaushartinger]

+Ruko Michiharu The Soundchip in the Pitfall2-Cartridge was the POKEY, which is also used in the Atari 8Bit-Computers.

[@danielziltener7195]

+Ruko Michiharu Except for the Japanese Master System which had an awesome FM soundchip.

[@Michirin9801]

Daniel Ziltener Yeah, that was an add-on chip, and honestly, I think they should have waited to release the SMS in the west with that chip built-in so that more games could have taken advantage of it, that way the SMS would have wiped the floor with the NES in pretty much every way, but they didn't so... Yeah...

[@saenkoludmila]

Ruko Michiharu I like Atari 2600.

[@Longuncattr]

+Marcus Schulz No, the chip in Pitfall II was the DPC, designed by David Crane while he was still at Activision; it wasn't made by Atari at all. It also contained most of the graphics and made it faster to update the graphics (and sound) than would normally be possible.

[@Larry]

The SG-1000 version is based on the arcade version of Pitfall II, not the Atari 2600 one.

[@Nestalgba92023]

Which is a inferior port of…the arcade (remake), than the Atari 2600's.

[@randybradley4151]

Maybe so but he's comparing it to the Atari 2600 version. What do you expect that he has the arcade version there to compare it to the SEGA SG-1000. If so maybe you should purchase the arcade cabinet and send it to him for an updated review of the game.

[@gameboypunk660]

Damn now I want a Atari 7800 and Pitfall 2!!

[@PhillyMikeUSA]

Great review of a classic game. But the Atari 5200 had the absolute best version of Pitfall 2. Once you completed the main game in that version a doorway opened up and Pitfall Harry went in. You were then treated to a more difficult version of the game that was extremely intense as the wildlife (bats, condors, snakes & scorpions) were a little bit more challenging as they would continue to follow you until you got through to the next screen. The new goal was to retrieve instruments needed to escape the underground dungeon. The fact that I still even remember this stuff frightens me. But the game was simply fantastic. An advanced harder version of a game included in the same game? In 1985? That was unique. Please do a review of that version Mark! If I can find a copy I'll sent it to you. Pitfall 2 on 5200 - just Google or KZbin search it. Epic!

[@ThetaReactor]

+Michael Cruz Never had the opportunity to play Pitfall on my 5200. But it was definitely a solid system for that style of game. I do have fond memories of Mario Bros. and Miner 2049er, which were excellent ports. Of course, most people were probably playing with the floppy stock pad. I think if the 5200 had come packed with a Wico joystick, it would be remembered much differently...

[@PhillyMikeUSA]

+ThetaReactor That 5200 controller was an absolute system killer. I remember having to use small rubber washers to fix the side buttons internally because rubberbands were just too thick.

[@Horzuhammer]

"Pitfall Toshiro Mifune" tickled my funnybone.

[@fluttershystayshigh4202]

this is perhaps the only thing i've ever watched on youtube or tv where the outro is so awesome it nearly steals the show! ;)

[@FinalBaton]

Can't wait to see your MSX reviews!

[@Drinkabeerandplayagameofficial]

Yup, definitely going to have that music stuck in my head all day

[@leroyvisiongames2294]

The SG 1000 port of Lost Caverns is based on an arcade version that Sega made in 1984 that played like a cross between the original pitfall and pitfall II and had much better graphics. (It had the lives system and swinging vines from the first game, and the water and balloon levels from the second. It also let you continue after a game over, being an arcade game and all....)

[@Hologhoul]

I'm here via a Master System history video by Nostalgia Nerd. Was curious about the lower cost card games. Good idea.

[@221b]

I had this on the Tandy CoCo 2. It was a cool game, but it needed an add-on that I didn't have to play music.

[@electricadventures]

Yeah the original game is so iconic and pushed the 2600 to the max (with a bit of help of some chips in the cartridge :)) a remake on a later system is not going to cut it. Saying that in it's own right it's still an ok game, just not one of the SG-1000 finest games :) Awesome that you have an MSX now, can't wait until you start covering the games - might have to send you a care package with some of mine :)

[@KWKBOX]

1:35 I could not stand playing games with that damn disco ball shining on it constantly.

[@quantumnexus]

I remember playing Pitfall on the Atari 2600. I didn't even know there was a Pitfall 2.

[@reshiram202]

many people didn't as by the time this was released, the u.s. video game market was just getting back to business as usual from the video game crash of 1983.

[@jhl5093]

Review Golgo 13 since you mentioned it.

[@wyattpowers6969]

I remember getting my 1 and only activist patch for a score I made and took a Polaroid of on my grand parents old console tv which took about 5 min to boot up

[@zognarreg]

This was the game I'd pop in whenever I went next door as a kid. Never got sick of it, or the awesome upbeat song that plays almost non-stop! Edit: Atari 2600 FTW

[@codynormal1830]

The msx version was closer than the sg-1000. Maybe it will be reviewed?

[@joegoesretro]

I'm going to have to give the 2600 version another look, and perhaps see if I have a ROM of the SG-1000 port. Another similar example to this is H.E.R.O., I find the 2600 version to be a bit more fun.

[@CaptainRufus]

Atari 8 bit computer is best version of Pitfall 2. Even has a second quest. And looks a ton better.

[@gerbilsmith]

Bit of trivia for those not in the know... Pitfall II for Atari 2600 is its own game. Pitfall II for Sega SG-1000 is a home port of the ARCADE game Pitfall II made by SEGA! So that's why they are different. The arcade game is the same concept as the Atari 2600 version but totally different layout & is done, oddly, in pastel colors lol

[@Schimnesthai]

Thanks, i didn't know about this.

[@8ByteBrian]

I have it on colecovision-i'm going to have try it now-never played it

[@awwrelic]

I have Pitfall 2....for the Atari 5200. (pity me :))

[@Blueflag04]

Mark plz review trxuton 2

[@TheLastLineLive]

At least it's better than Super Pitfall!

[@fargeeks]

I had no idea there was a pitfall 2 I was under the assumption that Super Pitfall (nes) was the sequal nope....

[@ChickenGlueCheese]

Ratchet and Clank for PS4 review soon?

[@claptrap4098]

When I was a kid I could never find Pitfall 2 for the Atari2600. I guess the game is kinda rare ?

[@gameguy73]

I believe this is a port of Sega's arcade version of Pitfall 2.

[@rodrigopimentel9380]

Mark, did you notice the character dies like Alex Kid? That was funny...

[@AirFerno]

This's like the Super Pitfall for NES

[@magnus87]

I love Pitfall series and Pitfall 2 is amazing! Sorry Mark but I prefer sega version (Arcade)

[@JLOCLamborghiniFan88]

Pitfall II: The Tedious Caverns.

[@johneygd]

Atari 2600 does what sg1000 don't.

[@zchappelear]

This review is halfway serious... Where did this come from?

[@only257]

Awesome 😈

[@16bitgium]

you could play this on a genesis with master system converter

[@adamplenty1645]

+16bitgium No, you couldn't. The Genesis/Mega Drive cannot play SG-1000 games.

[@16bitgium]

+Adam Plenty You are absolutely correct! Only mark 3 cards will work

[@MarkTheMorose]

+Adam Plenty Is the Wikipedia article wrong? It states: "The SG-1000's game library comprises 68 standard cartridge releases and 29 Sega Card releases. All of the SG-1000's games play on each model of the console, though 26 of the cartridge releases require the attached keyboard accessory or the SC-3000. In addition, all titles are fully compatible with the Mark III and Master System." Does the Master System converter not have what's required to play SG-1000 games in the way a real SMS could?

[@adamplenty1645]

MarkTheMorose No, the Mega Drive's VDP is incompatible with the SG-1000 modes, unlike the actual SMS. The Wikipedia article says nothing about them being playable on a Mega Drive, because they're not.

[@16bitgium]

But you can't play them on a pal/us sms system because of the header checks ?

[@MusicMan32K]

Still a better version than Super Pitfall. Not sure what they were thinking when they made that game. The best Pitfall game was the one from the 16-bit era.

[@timm_3r]

If the Atari version had the mine cars it would have been cool. Or maybe I didn't make it far enough? lol

[@AndrewSchott]

+Timmer Ratajczyk I beat Pitfall 2 on the Commodore 64, and it did not have the minecarts either.

[@segasonic9117]

I played the original to death on the old 2600, but never played the 2nd. I did have the PITFALL II cartidge for the C64 though. I think it should be noted that the SG1000 version is based on the SEGA arcade game rather than the Craptivision original. I loved the arcade game, but I know most people think SEGA's take on the game was inferior. Considering their own high quality arcade games in 1985 like Wonderboy, I think they could have done a lot more with it. I have yet to get the SG1000 versions of PITFALL II and HERO, another 2600->C64 conversion I LOVED as a very young kid. Have you played both versions?

[@richardherzog5405]

Can't believe this guy get 10 grand a month on Patreon to make these plus 10 grand a month from his subs.

[@basshunter2007]

Epic platformer

[@ericspero996]

Crane was a genius

[@dpsinoh]

To this day I still can't beat Pitfall II on the 2600 or 5200

[@erikrounds]

I assert that the Commodore 64 version is the best. I know this because it's the only version I've played.

[@stephenmystery8313]

Mark never replies to comments. I think if he did I'd scream so loud my neighbors head me O_O

[@SilverShion]

+Stephen Mystery he only replies when its a good comment.

[@Blueflag04]

He only replies if it have something to do with truxton , edf , vectrex

[@SMS-iz9ud]

Pitfall Harry is way better in atari´s version.

[@TheBestDayEver3]

I am.....Magnum Skywolf

[@zintosion]

Sean zoltek.

[@Fattydeposit]

Ohad Kanne

[@mgabrysSF]

Oh wow. The SEGA version looks murky and unappealing. Look at the color palate on the SEGA. Harry is almost a silhouette - that's horrible.

[@thegregoryshow415]

That's not an issue with the game, it's an issue with the console he's playing it on (Sega Mark III). SG-1000 games always display like that on it. :)

[@darkx391]

go sega

[@briangoldberg4439]

it's probably the extra horsepower of the sega that makes it tedious and somewhat unplayable

[@UmiTheAra]

1:20 There's no such thing is a Sega version get your facts right.

[@zintosion]

ORTONAAAAAA.

[@Alaska1925]

The Sega version is werid.. looks like a mix between the first Pitfall, the second Pitfall and a bit of (sadly) Super Pitfall.

[@KilgoreTrout1212]

The Atari game looks better.

[@jeffchen6029]

26th viewer

[@jeffchen6029]

P.s this is also the first comment

[@MrSlashStudios]

+jeff chen (TheCrashAndFailChannel) Nobody cares man. Thank Mark for this amazing review!

[@chibiemo100]

Nintendo version was better.

[@PrimeRibb69]

you should see the commodore 64 version. best version IMHO.

[@segasonic9117]

Yep, that's the one I played. That and HERO were the only C64 carts I ever saw and owned.