Summary
- Release Year: 1982
- Genres: Arcade, Racing
- Platforms: Atari 2600
- Developers: Activision
- Publishers: Activision
Sky Jinks (1982)
Sky Jinks is an arcade game released by Bally Midway in 1982. The player controls a small plane and must fly slalom around a preset amount of pylons. The pylons are arranged in a random order, and the player must pass the red pylons on the right side and the blue pylons on the left side. Missing a pylon will result in a three-second penalty. Flying into the pylons, trees, or hot-air balloons will cost you time as well.
There are five different game modes:
- 25 Pylons: The player must pass 25 pylons.
- 50 Pylons: The player must pass 50 pylons.
- 75 Pylons: The player must pass 75 pylons.
- 99 Pylons: The player must pass 99 pylons.
- Random 99 Pylons: The player must pass 99 pylons, but the pylons are placed along the course randomly.
The player can also change the difficulty level from easy to hard. On the easy difficulty level, the trees and hot-air balloons are placed out of the player’s way. On the hard difficulty level, the trees and hot-air balloons are placed directly in the player’s line of flight.
Gameplay
The player controls the plane with a joystick. The joystick can be moved in eight directions: up, down, left, right, and the four diagonals. The player can also use the joystick to fire a laser. The laser can be used to destroy the trees and hot-air balloons.
The player’s plane has a limited amount of fuel. The fuel gauge is located at the bottom of the screen. The player can collect fuel cans to replenish their fuel. Fuel cans are located throughout the course.
The player’s plane also has a limited amount of health. The health gauge is located at the top of the screen. The player can lose health by flying into pylons, trees, or hot-air balloons. The player can also lose health if they run out of fuel.
Scoring
The player scores points by passing pylons. The player also scores points by destroying trees and hot-air balloons. The player can earn bonus points by passing through the pylons in a row.
The player’s score is displayed at the top of the screen. The player’s high score is also displayed at the top of the screen.
Legacy
Sky Jinks was a popular arcade game in the early 1980s. The game was ported to several home computers, including the Atari 2600, the Commodore 64, and the ZX Spectrum. Sky Jinks was also released as a mobile game in 2010.
Sky Jinks is a simple but addictive game that is still enjoyed by many people today. The game’s challenging gameplay and retro graphics make it a timeless classic.
Tips
Here are a few tips for playing Sky Jinks:
- Use the joystick to control the plane’s speed and direction.
- Fire the laser to destroy the trees and hot-air balloons.
- Collect fuel cans to replenish your fuel.
- Avoid flying into pylons, trees, or hot-air balloons.
- Pass through the pylons in a row to earn bonus points.
With a little practice, you’ll be able to master Sky Jinks and become a top pilot!
Review Score
7.5/10
Art
Cover Art
Screenshots
