Pitfall : The Mayan Adventure - Game Boy Advance

The game's a 2-D side-scrolling adventure in which Harry Jr. is on a mission to recover artefacts, gold, treasure, his dad and other goodies from the South American jungle. There must have been an explosion in a major cache somewhere, because this stuff is sitting in trees, on the ground and in subterranean locations. Harry and Harry Jr likely mugged Indiana Jones because they're wearing his outfit and his whip. They also find lots of snakes and go on a mine car ride in this game. Hmm.

But the lack of originality doesn't matter that much because the gameplay is pretty good overall. Harry Jr must run and jump over quicksand and the gaping maws of crocodiles, swing on vines, climb ropes, and fight chattering skeletons and chittering monkey foes in his quest. He also has to solve a few puzzles along the way.

While the graphics are enhanced in 32-bit finery for the Game Boy Advance screen, the details and colours are muddy, making it hard to appreciate the lush environments. Seeing where you're going and what you're grabbing can be difficult, even with perfect lighting. Also, the game suffers from repetition and a lack of inspiration. There's only so much Harry Jr can do, and you'll find him doing it a lot, over and over. Still, Pitfall: The Mayan Adventure is a worthwhile romp on the handheld even if it is outshone a little by other, cleaner-looking launch titles. --Andrew S Bub