is a 1982
arcade video game
An arcade video game takes player input from its controls, processes it through electrical or computerized components, and displays output to an electronic monitor or similar display. Most arcade video games are coin-operated, housed in an arca ...
developed and released by
Konami
, is a Japanese Multinational corporation, multinational video game company, video game and entertainment company headquartered in Chūō, Tokyo, Chūō, Tokyo, it also produces and distributes trading cards, anime, tokusatsu, pachinko machin ...
and released by
Stern
The stern is the back or aft-most part of a ship or boat, technically defined as the area built up over the sternpost, extending upwards from the counter rail to the taffrail. The stern lies opposite the bow, the foremost part of a ship. Ori ...
in North America.
Named after the Egyptian
pharaoh
Pharaoh (, ; Egyptian: ''pr ꜥꜣ''; cop, , Pǝrro; Biblical Hebrew: ''Parʿō'') is the vernacular term often used by modern authors for the kings of ancient Egypt who ruled as monarchs from the First Dynasty (c. 3150 BC) until the an ...
Tutankhamun
Tutankhamun (, egy, twt-ꜥnḫ-jmn), Egyptological pronunciation Tutankhamen () (), sometimes referred to as King Tut, was an Egyptian pharaoh who was the last of his royal family to rule during the end of the Eighteenth Dynasty (ruled ...
,
the game combines a
maze
A maze is a path or collection of paths, typically from an entrance to a goal. The word is used to refer both to branching tour puzzles through which the solver must find a route, and to simpler non-branching ("unicursal") patterns that lea ...
shoot 'em up
Shoot 'em ups (also known as shmups or STGs
) are a sub-genre of action games. There is no consensus as to which design elements compose a shoot 'em up; some restrict the definition to games featuring spacecraft and certain types of chara ...
with light
puzzle-solving
A puzzle is a game, problem, or toy that tests a person's ingenuity or knowledge. In a puzzle, the solver is expected to put pieces together ( or take them apart) in a logical way, in order to arrive at the correct or fun solution of the puzzl ...
elements.
It debuted at the European
ATE
Ate or ATE may refer to:
Organizations
* Active Training and Education Trust, a not-for-profit organization providing "Superweeks", holidays for children in the United Kingdom
* Association of Technical Employees, a trade union, now called the Nat ...
and IMA amusement shows in
January 1982,
before releasing worldwide in Summer 1982. The game was a critical and commercial success and was ported to home systems by
Parker Brothers
Parker Brothers (known by Parker outside of North America) was an American toy and game manufacturer which in 1991 became a brand of Hasbro. More than 1,800 games were published under the Parker Brothers name since 1883. Among its products wer ...
.
Armed with a
laser weapon
A laser weapon is a directed-energy weapon based on lasers. After decades of R&D, directed-energy weapons including lasers are still at the experimental stage and it remains to be seen if or when they will be deployed as practical, high-perf ...
that only fires horizontally, the player loots the maze-like Egyptian
tomb of Tutankhamun
The tomb of Tutankhamun, also known by its tomb number, KV62, is the burial place of Tutankhamun (reigned c. 1334–1325 BC), a pharaoh of the Eighteenth Dynasty of Egypt, Eighteenth Dynasty of ancient Egypt, in the Valley of the Kings. The tomb ...
while finding keys to locked chambers and fighting off creatures. ''Tutankham'' is one of six games in a group photograph published in the January 1983 issue ''
LIFE
Life is a quality that distinguishes matter that has biological processes, such as signaling and self-sustaining processes, from that which does not, and is defined by the capacity for growth, reaction to stimuli, metabolism, energ ...
'' along with the record holder for each. The ''Tutankham'' champion in the photo is Mark Robichek of
Mountain View, California
Mountain View is a city in Santa Clara County, California, United States. Named for its views of the Santa Cruz Mountains, it has a population of 82,376.
Mountain View was integral to the early history and growth of Silicon Valley, and is the ...
.
Gameplay
Taking on the role of an explorer
grave robbing
Grave robbery, tomb robbing, or tomb raiding is the act of uncovering a grave (burial), grave, tomb or crypt to steal commodities. It is usually perpetrated to take and profit from valuable artefact (archaeology), artefacts or personal property. A ...
the maze-like
tomb
A tomb ( grc-gre, τύμβος ''tumbos'') is a :wikt:repository, repository for the remains of the dead. It is generally any structurally enclosed interment space or burial chamber, of varying sizes. Placing a corpse into a tomb can be ...
of Egyptian
pharaoh
Pharaoh (, ; Egyptian: ''pr ꜥꜣ''; cop, , Pǝrro; Biblical Hebrew: ''Parʿō'') is the vernacular term often used by modern authors for the kings of ancient Egypt who ruled as monarchs from the First Dynasty (c. 3150 BC) until the an ...
Tutankhamun
Tutankhamun (, egy, twt-ꜥnḫ-jmn), Egyptological pronunciation Tutankhamen () (), sometimes referred to as King Tut, was an Egyptian pharaoh who was the last of his royal family to rule during the end of the Eighteenth Dynasty (ruled ...
,
the player is chased by
asps ASPS may refer to:
* Advanced sleep phase syndrome, a sleep disorder in which patients feel very sleepy early in the evening
* American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the largest plastic surgery specialty organization in the world
* Alveolar soft pa ...
,
vultures
A vulture is a bird of prey that scavenges on carrion. There are 23 extant species of vulture (including Condors). Old World vultures include 16 living species native to Europe, Africa, and Asia; New World vultures are restricted to North and So ...
,
parrots
Parrots, also known as psittacines (), are birds of the roughly 398 species in 92 genus (biology), genera comprising the order (biology), order Psittaciformes (), found mostly in tropics, tropical and subtropics, subtropical regions. The order ...
,
bat
Bats are mammals of the order Chiroptera.''cheir'', "hand" and πτερόν''pteron'', "wing". With their forelimbs adapted as wings, they are the only mammals capable of true and sustained flight. Bats are more agile in flight than most ...
s,
dragons
A dragon is a reptilian legendary creature that appears in the folklore of many cultures worldwide. Beliefs about dragons vary considerably through regions, but dragons in western cultures since the High Middle Ages have often been depicted as ...
, and
curse
A curse (also called an imprecation, malediction, execration, malison, anathema, or commination) is any expressed wish that some form of adversity or misfortune will befall or attach to one or more persons, a place, or an object. In particular, ...
s, all of which kill the explorer on contact. The explorer wields a laser weapon that only fires left and right—there is no vertical offense—as well as a single screen-clearing "flash bomb" per level or life. Warp zones teleport the player to another location in the level, which enemies cannot use.
To progress, the player collects keys to open locked doors throughout each level and well as optional treasures for bonus points. The player can only carry one key at a time, so the game requires backtracking through an area in order to acquire a second key.
When a timer reaches zero the explorer can no longer shoot. Passing through the large exit door ends the level, and any remaining time is converted to bonus points.
Extra life is given at 30,000, and none more thereafter. The hero dies upon touching any enemy or spark. Play continues to the last hero dead, which ends the game.
Ports
''Tutankham'' was ported to home systems by
Parker Brothers
Parker Brothers (known by Parker outside of North America) was an American toy and game manufacturer which in 1991 became a brand of Hasbro. More than 1,800 games were published under the Parker Brothers name since 1883. Among its products wer ...
, who advertised the game extensively in North America,
where it released in June 1983.
It was ported to the
Atari 2600
The Atari 2600, initially branded as the Atari Video Computer System (Atari VCS) from its release until November 1982, is a home video game console developed and produced by Atari, Inc. Released in September 1977, it popularized microprocessor- ...
,
ColecoVision
ColecoVision is a second-generation home video-game console developed by Coleco and launched in North America in August 1982. It was released a year later in Europe by CBS Electronics as the CBS ColecoVision.
The console offered a closer expe ...
,
Intellivision
The Intellivision is a home video game console released by Mattel, Mattel Electronics in 1979. The name is a portmanteau of "intelligent television". Development began in 1977, the same year as the launch of its main competitor, the Atari 2600. I ...
,
VIC-20
The VIC-20 (known as the VC-20 in Germany and the VIC-1001 in Japan) is an 8-bit home computer that was sold by Commodore Business Machines. The VIC-20 was announced in 1980, roughly three years after Commodore's first personal computer, the PE ...
,
PV-1000
The is a third-generation home video game console manufactured by Casio and released in Japan in 1983. It was discontinued less than a year after release.
History
The PV-1000 was released in October 1983. It was only released in Japan wher ...
, and
PC-6001
The NEC PC-6000 series is a series of 8-bit home computers introduced in November 1981 by NEC Home Electronics. There are several models in this series, such as the PC-6001, the PC-6001 MK2 and the PC-6001 MK2 SR. There is also an American versio ...
. Versions for the
Odyssey²,
TI-99/4A
The TI-99/4 and TI-99/4A are home computers released by Texas Instruments in 1979 and 1981, respectively. Based on the Texas Instruments TMS9900 microprocessor originally used in minicomputers, the TI-99/4 was the first 16-bit home computer. ...
, and
Atari 8-bit family
The Atari 8-bit family is a series of 8-bit home computers introduced by Atari, Inc. in 1979 as the Atari 400 and Atari 800. The series was successively upgraded to Atari 1200XL , Atari 600XL, Atari 800XL, Atari 65XE, Atari 130XE, Atari 800XE, ...
were in development by Parker Brothers in 1983, but not published.
Two tabletop versions of ''Tutankham'' were released: an
LCD game in Japan and Europe from
Bandai
is a Japanese multinational toy manufacturer and distributor headquartered in Taitō, Tokyo. Its international branches, Bandai Namco Toys & Collectables America and Bandai UK, are respectively headquartered in Irvine, California and Richmond ...
resembling an
cocktail arcade cabinet
An arcade cabinet, also known as an arcade machine or a coin-op cabinet or coin-op machine, is the housing within which an arcade game's electronic hardware resides. Most cabinets designed since the mid-1980s conform to the Japanese Amusement M ...
, and a larger
VFD
VFD may refer to:
* Factory Workers' Union of Germany, (german: Verband der Fabrikarbeiter Deutschlands, link=no), a former trade union in Germany
* Vacuum fluorescent display, a display device on consumer electronics equipment
* Variable-freque ...
game from Bandai in Japan and Konami in North America.
Reception
The arcade game was a commercial success in 1982.
It was popular in North America,
where the game was in the top ten of the ''
Play Meter
''Play Meter'' (initially ''Coin Industry Play Meter'') was an American trade magazine focusing on the coin-op amusement arcade industry, including jukebox and arcade game machines. It was founded in December 1974 by publisher and editor Ralph C. ...
'' arcade charts through January 1983, when it was ranked number eight. The home conversion by Parker Brothers was also successful in North America.
The ColecoVision port was number seven on the UK video game sales chart in late 1983.
The game received positive reviews from critics. ''
Computer and Video Games
''Computer and Video Games'' (also known as ''CVG'', ''Computer & Video Games'', ''C&VG'', ''Computer + Video Games'', or ''C+VG'') was a UK-based video game magazine, published in its original form between 1981 and 2004. Its offshoot website ...
'' magazine reviewed the arcade game in March 1982, following its debut at European amusement shows, giving it generally positive coverage. ''Joystik'' magazine also gave it a positive review, calling it a "beauty" in 1982.
''Computer and Video Games'' later praised the arcade game in November 1983, calling it "the first game that effectively combined the elements of an adventure game with frenetic shoot 'em up gameplay." They gave the
VIC-20
The VIC-20 (known as the VC-20 in Germany and the VIC-1001 in Japan) is an 8-bit home computer that was sold by Commodore Business Machines. The VIC-20 was announced in 1980, roughly three years after Commodore's first personal computer, the PE ...
port a positive review, calling it "a superb piece of software" amidst "the plethora of mediocre and poor quality titles being touted for this machine." However, they criticized the VIC-20 cartridge's high UK price of . They rated the VIC-20 version (out of 10) 9 for getting started, 9 for graphics, 5 for value, and 9 for playability, for a total score of 32 out of 40.
Bill Kunkel and Arnie Katz reviewed the Atari 2600 port in the Arcade Alley column of ''
Video
Video is an electronic medium for the recording, copying, playback, broadcasting, and display of moving visual media. Video was first developed for mechanical television systems, which were quickly replaced by cathode-ray tube (CRT) syste ...
'' magazine in 1983, calling it "a superb translation" of the "coin-op oddity—an adventure game" for the 2600. They said "the play-action is fascinating" and invites "frequent replays" while praising the "wonderful blend of puzzle-solving and hand-eye challenge" as well as the "lush colors" and "Arabian-style score marker." They concluded that "''Tutankham'' is video game royalty."
''
Retro Gamer
''Retro Gamer'' is a British magazine, published worldwide, covering retro video games. It was the first commercial magazine to be devoted entirely to the subject. Launched in January 2004 as a quarterly publication, ''Retro Gamer'' soon became ...
'' magazine reviewed the ColecoVision port in 2014. They gave it a positive review, calling it an "arcade adventure" that "remains a hidden gem in Konami's illustrious history."
Legacy
''Tutankham'' is included in ''
Konami Classics Series: Arcade Hits'' for the
Nintendo DS
The is a handheld game console produced by Nintendo, released globally across 2004 and 2005. The DS, an initialism for "Developers' System" or "Dual Screen", introduced distinctive new features to handheld games: two LCD screens working in tan ...
(renamed to ''Horror Maze'').
According to ''Hardcore Gaming 101'', Konami's ''
King's Valley
''King's Valley'' is a platform game released by Konami for MSX in 1985. The game is considered a spiritual successor to Konami's earlier arcade game ''Tutankham'' (1982), employing similar concepts such as treasure hunting in Egyptian tombs a ...
'' (1985) is considered a spiritual successor to ''Tutankham'' in Japan. It keeps the theme of treasuring hunting in Egyptian tombs and has identical end-of-level music.
Clones
*''Pyramid'' (NEC PC-6601, 1982)
*''King Tut's Tomb'' (Atari 8-bit)
*''
Abracadabra!'' (Atari 8-bit, 1983)
*''Key Quest'' (VIC-20, 1983)
*''Cuthbert Enters the Tombs'' (Commodore 64, 1984)
*''The Touchstone'' (Tandy Color Computer, 1984)
*''Lord of the Orb'' (Atari 8-bit, 1985)
*''DungeonLords'' (Atari 8-bit, 1988)
Influence
''
Time Bandit'' (1983), best known for its 1985
Atari ST
The Atari ST is a line of personal computers from Atari Corporation and the successor to the Atari 8-bit family. The initial model, the Atari 520ST, had limited release in April–June 1985 and was widely available in July. It was the first pers ...
version, was heavily inspired by ''Tutankham'' and had a working title of ''Pharaoh''. Both games also have similarities to the 1985 arcade hit ''
Gauntlet'' by
Atari Games
Atari Games Corporation, known as Midway Games West Inc. after 1999, was an American producer of Arcade game, arcade Video game, games. It was formed in 1985 when the coin-operated Arcade game, arcade game division of Atari, Inc. was transfered ...
. According to ''Time Bandit'' designer Harry Lafnear, both ''Time Bandit'' and ''Gauntlet'' have roots in earlier "maze shoot 'em up" games such as ''Tutankham''.
Jack Palevich, designer of ''Gauntlet''s main inspiration, ''
Dandy
A dandy is a man who places particular importance upon physical appearance, refined language, and leisurely hobbies, pursued with the appearance of nonchalance. A dandy could be a self-made man who strove to imitate an aristocratic lifestyle desp ...
'' (1983), also mentioned being influenced by "half-forgotten" maze-exploration arcade games which contributed the idea of using keys to unlock doors.
In 2008, ''
Retro Gamer
''Retro Gamer'' is a British magazine, published worldwide, covering retro video games. It was the first commercial magazine to be devoted entirely to the subject. Launched in January 2004 as a quarterly publication, ''Retro Gamer'' soon became ...
'' magazine called ''Tutankham'' "an early ''Gauntlet''".
See also
*''
The Tower of Druaga
is a 1984 Arcade game, arcade action role-playing maze game developed and published in Japan by Namco. Controlling the golden-armored knight Gilgamesh, the player is tasked with scaling 60 floors of the titular tower in an effort to rescue the ...
''
References
External links
*
''Tutankham''at Arcade History
*
*{{IAg, atari_2600_tutankham_1983_parker_brothers_dave_engman_dawn_stockbridge_pb5340 , platform=Atari 2600
1982 video games
Action-adventure games
Arcade video games
Atari 2600 games
Cancelled Atari 8-bit family games
ColecoVision games
VIC-20 games
Intellivision games
Konami arcade games
Konami games
Nintendo DS games
Stern video games
Tutankhamun
Maze games
Video games set in Egypt
Video games developed in Japan