Summary
- Release Year: 1984
- Genres: Arcade, Platform
- Platforms: MSX
- Developers: Studio GEN
- Publishers: ASCII Corporation
Banana: A Unique and Challenging Arcade Classic
Released in 1984, Banana is a unique and challenging arcade game that combines elements of Q*bert and Frogger. Players control a round yellow creature that must jump around on stones in a river while avoiding being captured by the man-eating Boconda tribe.
The game is played from a top-down perspective, and the player’s character can move in any direction. To jump, the player must place a cursor above a stone and press the jump button. The cursor has a limited range, so the player must be careful to place it directly above the stone they want to jump to. If the cursor is not placed correctly, the player’s character will jump into the water instead.
The water is not necessarily lethal, but it can be dangerous. The current is strong, and if the player’s character is swept away, they may end up in a spot where there are no stones to jump on. Additionally, there are piranhas in the water that can damage the player’s character.
The player’s goal is to collect bananas and avoid the Bocondas. Bananas can be found floating down the river, and they can be used to trap the Bocondas. If a Boconda jumps onto a stone with a banana on it, they will slip into the water and be swept away.
The player can also throw stones at the Bocondas to knock them off their stones. This is a more risky strategy, as the player must be close to the Bocondas to hit them.
Banana is a challenging game, but it is also a lot of fun. The game’s simple controls and addictive gameplay make it easy to pick up and play, but difficult to master.
Gameplay
Banana is played on a single screen that scrolls vertically. The player’s character is located at the bottom of the screen, and they must jump up to avoid the Bocondas and collect bananas.
The Bocondas are constantly moving, and they will try to jump on the player’s character. If a Boconda touches the player’s character, the player will lose a life.
Bananas are floating down the river, and the player must collect them to score points. Bananas can also be used to trap the Bocondas. If a Boconda jumps onto a stone with a banana on it, they will slip into the water and be swept away.
The player can also throw stones at the Bocondas to knock them off their stones. This is a more risky strategy, as the player must be close to the Bocondas to hit them.
The game ends when the player loses all of their lives.
Strategy
There are a few different strategies that can be used to play Banana. One strategy is to focus on collecting bananas. Bananas can be used to trap the Bocondas, so the more bananas the player collects, the easier it will be to avoid them.
Another strategy is to focus on avoiding the Bocondas. This can be done by staying away from the edges of the screen and by jumping over the Bocondas when they get too close.
The player can also use the stones in the river to their advantage. Stones can be used to block the Bocondas’ path or to create a safe place to land.
Legacy
Banana was a popular arcade game in the 1980s, and it has since been ported to a variety of home platforms. The game has been praised for its simple but addictive gameplay and its unique graphics.
Banana is a classic arcade game that is still enjoyed by many people today. The game’s simple controls and challenging gameplay make it a great choice for both casual and hardcore gamers.
Review Score
7.5/10
