My Pitfall high score

[Atari2600Lives]

Ok , so I know it's not a perfect score but it's my score without any map help or anything else, just old school adventuring .

 

I found the pic while I was clearing stuff out...thank goodness I found it because I thought my Pitfall high score was lower.

 

[BDW]

Ok , so I know it's not a perfect score but it's my score without any map help or anything else, just old school adventuring .

 

I found the pic while I was clearing stuff out...thank goodness I found it because I thought my Pitfall high score was lower.

 

Not bad, it's certainly better than what I can do.

Edited July 18, 2009 by brandondwright

[atari_envy]

Very nice. I am assuming by the orientation of Harry, that you are going right to left. I know you have to go this way to get a perfect score, but I was wondering what are some people's high scores going left to right.

 

Currently, mine is 85,968.

[homerwannabee]

Great score! Way better than me at this game.

[Nukey Shay]

I know you have to go this way to get a perfect score,

No, you don't. The random # generator operates perfectly in either direction...and the map layout is unchanged regardless if you go from the last screen to the first, or from the first to the last. There is a slight advantage travelling that direction, tho...if that is what you mean. For most of the time, the logs will roll with you instead of against you, crocodiles will be facing away from you, and death will put you past the obstacle that killed you.

[Rik]

I know you have to go this way to get a perfect score,

No, you don't. The random # generator operates perfectly in either direction...and the map layout is unchanged regardless if you go from the last screen to the first, or from the first to the last. There is a slight advantage travelling that direction, tho...if that is what you mean. For most of the time, the logs will roll with you instead of against you, crocodiles will be facing away from you, and death will put you past the obstacle that killed you.

Yep,exactly.But i find the logs rolling with you is maybe even harder.One slight hesitation while running,the logs will hit you super easily.But yes putting you past the obstacle is a great help.I personally prefer to run to the right.I tried both ways with the the same results,never did finish this damn game with a perfect score.

Edited July 19, 2009 by Rik

[atari_envy]

I know you have to go this way to get a perfect score,

No, you don't. The random # generator operates perfectly in either direction...and the map layout is unchanged regardless if you go from the last screen to the first, or from the first to the last. There is a slight advantage travelling that direction, tho...if that is what you mean. For most of the time, the logs will roll with you instead of against you, crocodiles will be facing away from you, and death will put you past the obstacle that killed you.

Interesting. I thought going left was the only way based on a couple walkthrough maps showing a right to left pattern. That is good news since it just doesn't feel right going "backwards."

[Nukey Shay]

IIRC, there's only a couple of screens' worth difference between the 2 methods (when always choosing the shortest path...even if you have to backtrack). The optimal path that I'd found encompasses 213 screens' worth of the 256 screens with some being revisited. If the starting screen is screen zero, the path is this (< under ground, > above ground):

 

down #0 (the ladder shown)

left <1 (i.e. 1 scorpion)

up #250 (snake) go right to the next one...

down #251 (fire)

left <1

up #245

left >8

down #236 (first ladder after money)

left <2

up #227

right >2 (go back for ring)

left >3 (skip that ladder going back)

down #225 (the 2nd ladder)

left <4

up #210

left >23

down #186 (the 2nd ladder after 2 gold bars)

left <1

up #180

left >63

down #117 (the next ladder after 5 silver bars)

left <7

up #93

right >3 (go back for money)

left >57

down #38 (2nd ladder after 4 rings)

left <3

up #26

right >3 (go back for gold bar)

left >8 (skip that ladder going back)

down #20 (the 2nd ladder)

left <1

up #14

left >7 (collect the final gold bar)

 

There are only 8 (plus 3 halves) screens that you are moving right on. To do this pattern in reverse, go down the 2nd ladder following the gold bar when running to the right (and swap all left/right directions above). You'd lose a bit more time that way, since you'd be pausing occasionally when logs don't line up over holes to be jumped.

[Atari2600Lives]

Great responses guys...man I am so pscyhed to try an assualt my old record again..............

Edited July 19, 2009 by Atari2600Lives

[Pitfall Harry]

I remember getting a perfect score on this game. I always ran left to right, so I'm sure it can be done. There's little doubt that it's easier to run right to left, though.

[JohnnyBlaze]

I once got 102,370. I haven't beaten that score since......

[Zoyx]

109,522 for me. So close.

[msfroggrl73]

did you go backwards or forward?

[Zoyx]

did you go backwards or forward?

I went with the grain... right to left.

[pinball22]

It always seemed weird to me to go left to right. Yes, I realize Harry is initially facing that way, but the other way always seemed like the "right" way.

[msfroggrl73]

I like going left to right....does anyone remember when you finish the game you take a picture and you send it in to Atari for a prize or certificate??? Someone told me that.

[Zoyx]

Explorers club if you got over 20k.