14 DAY TRIAL // Canadian mobile games developer and publisher Magmic Games announced the release of Miner 2049er, a remake of the classic Atari title launched in 1983. Miner 2049er was the first cross-platform success story in video game history and was the first game to be featured on the cover of Electronic Games magazine.
Miner 2049er includes two games in one: a perfect replica of the original game (including even the original theme music "Clementine"), as well as an entirely new game featuring ten new levels, enhanced graphics and a host of new hazards such Radioactive Waste, Pulverizers, Acid Rain, Moving Platforms, Suction Tubes, Gravity Lifts, Utility Hoists and Transporters. "The "classic" mode is incredibly faithful to my original Atari version and the new "modern" look is glorious," said Bill Hogue, creator of the original Miner 2049er. "I love playing with the lift. I love the new scrolling function. Cool. Very cool. I am blown away by the new Miner 2049er!"
The game's story places the main character, Bounty Bob, in an abandoned uranium mine where he must deal with hazardous radioactive wastes, deadly mutant organisms and a whole minefield of dangers and tasks to perform, all these against a ticking clock. There are ten screens in both the original and updated modes of Miner 2049er. As Bounty Bob digs deeper into the caverns, he must avoid the radioactive mutants or get rid of them with mining gear and navigate various elements such as elevators, slides and vats of deadly waste.
The game's controls are simple yet responsive, so even casual gamers can skip the instructions. All aspects of grabbing, climbing, sliding and neutralizing radioactive enemies can be achieved with one button plus the direction pad. Levels are well varied and each is designed to promote strategy and tactic-oriented thinking. The game also includes a social component that allows players to post scores and participate in an online community.
A trial version of Miner 2049er for BlackBerry handhelds can be downloaded here.
