Pitfall Mayan Adventure
↗ 8.2%
(Sega 32X - US, Action & Adventure)
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Released On:
01 Oct 1995
Also available on:
Pitfall Mayan Adventure is an action-adventure game that takes place in ancient Mesoamerica. The story follows Pitfall Harry, who has been transported to a mysterious temple where he must navigate treacherous jungle terrain and avoid deadly traps to retrieve his stolen treasure.
The gameplay revolves around exploration and platforming, as players control Pitfall Harry through various environments, including jungles, temples, and underground caverns. The game features a variety of challenges and obstacles, such as spiked pits, venomous snakes, and treacherous terrain, which require players to think strategically and use their wits to overcome.
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Manual
Game Guide
Extracted from the original game manual
This is an action-adventure platformer where players control Harry Jr., a hip adventurer, as he navigates treacherous Mayan ruins and jungles. The goal is to find lost treasures and uncover ancient mysteries, battling dangers and solving environmental puzzles along the way.
Story
The Legend of Pitfall
Many years ago, a daring adventurer named Pitfall Harry traveled the world in search of ancient legends and lost treasures. His journeys took him across the seven seas and to the ends of the earth, venturing into vast uncharted regions filled with unthinkable dangers. As word of his exploits filtered back to civilization, he soon became larger than life—a legend.
After many successful quests, Harry settled down to raise his son, Harry Junior. Having inherited his father's love of the unknown, Harry Jr. grew up to become a hip 18-year-old with a deep sense of adventure and a bit of an attitude. He quickly learned the thrill of exploration and discovery and soon experienced many exciting quests of his own.
Hearing of his son's thrilling escapades, Pitfall Harry realized how much he longed for the life he once knew. So together, the daring duo set off for the jungles of Central America in search of the lost treasures of the Mayans. But something went terribly wrong...
Day 3 - The Mayan Adventure
After days of traveling through the jungle, Harry Jr. and I have finally reached the heart of the ancient Mayan Empire. It's been a long journey, but the real danger lies ahead, for we are close to discovering the lost treasure of Vaxactun.
According to legend, the treasure is guarded by the spirit of an ancient Mayan warrior—Zakelua: Lord of Evil. Thousands of years ago, Zakelua attempted to conquer the Mayan lands so he could rule the Empire. After many battles, he was finally defeated, never to be seen again...
I have recorded my research on Mayan culture and legend in the following pages. If something should happen to me, it is my hope that Harry Jr. take my personal log and use it as a guide to continue our quest. I only hope that it will be enough help—if ever it must be used...
P.H.
The Lost Civilization of the Mayans
Day 12 - A Lost Civilization
Over the course of my studies, I have learned that for nearly four-thousand years the Mayan civilization flourished throughout what is now Mexico and Central America. In some areas, Mayan culture lasted until the early 1500's, but many of the prominent cities disappeared by A.D. 900.
Although many Mayan sites have been discovered, little is known of their day-to-day activities. What is known is that they built elaborate cities and temples without aid from the wheel, metal tools or animals. Theirs was a civilization full of mystery and magic.
Long has there been talk of ghosts and evil spirits roaming through the ruined cities and forests of the lost Mayan Empire. It is this civilization of mystery and magic that I long to explore.
P.H.
Day 13 - Mayan Lands
Harry Jr. and I have traveled for days in search of the lost treasure. Although it's been a long and tough expedition, it is far from over. The road ahead is full of danger.
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Jungle of Ceiba — An ancient and mysterious place uninhabited since the 1400's. Danger lurks from all around on this maze-like path. Should be able to use surrounding elements to navigate.
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Xibalba Falls — Named after the demons believed to exist throughout the Mayan civilization. Only the skillful can travel this dangerous path without plummeting into the raging water below. Must be careful!
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Tazamul Mines — Lost for centuries, this series of treacherous caverns is believed to be inhabited by deadly creatures and filled with hazardous barriers. Could possibly use abandoned mine car as transportation.
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Lost City of Copan — Located in the heart of the ancient Mayan Empire, this 2000-year-old, decaying exterior is loaded with deadly traps and even deadlier enemies.
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Copan Temple — All who have entered this mysterious labyrinth have never returned.
P.H.
Day 14 - The Adventure Continues
Should Harry Jr. and I actually survive the journey through the known Mayan territory, we will need all remaining luck to continue the expedition... Ahead lies a long road...
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Lakamul Rain Forest
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Yaxchilan Lagoon
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Palenque Ruins
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Tomb of Palenque
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Balankanche Mine
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Jaina Island Falls
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Tikal Ruins
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Tikal Temple
P.H.
How to Play
Welcome to the Jungle
Pitfall Harry has been taken captive by the dreaded warrior spirit Zakelua: Lord of Evil. Armed with only a trusty sling and his father's journal, young Harry Jr. must now venture into the unknown to rescue his father... before it's too late!
Preparing for Your Mayan Adventure
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Set up your Genesis 32X System and plug in Control Pad 1.
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With the power switch OFF, insert the Pitfall: The Mayan Adventure cartridge (with the label facing you) in the cartridge slot and press down firmly.
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Turn on your TV or monitor, then turn the Genesis 32X power switch ON. The License and Sega screen will appear, followed by the Pitfall introduction and title screen.
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Press the START button on your Control Pad to begin.
Important Note
If nothing appears on the screen, turn the power switch OFF. Check to make sure the cartridge is inserted correctly, and check all cables to make sure they are properly connected. Then try again.
Always turn the power switch OFF before inserting or removing the cartridge.
The Options Menu
To change the game settings before playing, use the D (directional) -Pad to move the boomerang to "OPTIONS" on the title screen, and then press the START button. The Options Menu will then appear on the screen.
Press the D-Pad left or right to move through the options. Press the D-Pad up or down (or press A, B or C) to toggle through each option's setting. Press START to exit the options screen at any time.
Pitfall Options
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MUSIC VOLUME: Set music volume (9 is maximum) or turn it OFF.
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Difficulty: Choose from two difficulty settings: Normal or Hard.
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Controls: A list of moves will appear on the screen, followed by the button each move is currently assigned to. Press the D-Pad up or down, or press A, B, or C to toggle through the different settings. See Getting Around the Mayan World for the default Control Pad setup.
Adventure Info
To view a summary of what you may find during your journey, use the D-Pad to move the boomerang to "INFO" on the title screen and then press the START button. Press START again to go through the Info screens.
For more details about the items you can collect, refer to the Mayan Weapons and Mayan Artifacts sections of this manual.
Collectables
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DIAMOND RING
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GOLD BAR
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SILVER BAR
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GOLD COIN
Power Ups
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EXPLODING STONES
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BOOMERANG
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SUPER STRENGTH
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STOP TIME
Crossing Pegs and Cords
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Jump towards the horizontal peg or cord to hook on to it.
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Press the D-Pad left/right to move Harry Jr. left or right.
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Press the Jump (B) button again to release from the peg or cord.
Riding Ziplines
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Jump to grab the zipline.
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To release from the zipline, press the Jump (B) button again or ride the zipline to its end.
Springing Off Items
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Jump onto a web (or other item) and bounce into the air.
Pulling Levers
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Use the D-Pad to move Harry Jr. to the left or right of the lever, so he is facing it.
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Press the D-Pad up to pull the lever down.
Entering Doors
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Move Harry Jr. in front of a door and press up on the D-Pad to enter the door.
Bungee-Jumping
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Jump onto a bungee.
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Press the Jump (B) button again to release from the bungee and fly into the air (the closer to the top of the bungee-plant you are when you release, the higher you will go).
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Use the D-Pad to control Harry while he is in the air.
Riding the Skate Car
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Jump onto car, then press the D-Pad left/right to start moving.
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Press the D-Pad opposite the direction you are moving to use the brake.
Runaway Mine Car Ride (only in the Balankanche Mine)
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Press the D-Pad up or down and press the Jump (B) button simultaneously to make the skate car jump.
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You have no brakes!
Controls
(Left/Right)
Run/Turn/Crawl/Push/Look/Aim Weapon
(Up/Down)
Climb/Crouch/Pull/Look/Aim Weapon
PRESS
Pause/Resume
TAP
Toggle Weapon
Whip Sling
Whip Sling
Jump
Jump
Shoot
Shoot (Use selected weapon)
X, Y and Z (6-button Arcade Pad)
select your active weapon
Items & Weapons
Sling
Harry Jr.'s trusty starting weapon. It can shoot stones or be used as a whip at close range.
Sling Stones
Stones that serve as ammunition for slings. Commonly found throughout Mayan lands in sacks.
Super Shot
A powerful sling stone shot achieved by holding down the Shoot (A) button, doing more damage than a standard shot.
Mayan Boomerang
Sends a powerful blow to any enemy. Must be recovered after it's thrown.
Exploding Stone of Pacal
This sacred stone has magical properties and is said to destroy almost all enemies in sight.
Time Keeper
According to legend, this powerful artifact temporarily freezes time after being touched.
Mayan Chili Pepper
Said to endow the beholder with super-human strength, causing a temporary increase in running and jumping abilities.
Sacred Heart
A spiritual beating heart that restores a portion of lost health to its finder.
Location Idol
Used by Mayan travelers to mark their location and point them in the general direction of a desired path. It allows the traveler to return to the marked point.
Golden Idol
Rare Mayan artifact with the power to bestow its finder with a second attempt at continuing their journey.
Treasure Pieces
Pieces of Mayan treasures, such as gold coins, silver and gold bars, and diamond rings, are reported to be hidden throughout the Empire.
Tips & Maps
Swinging on vines
Press the B button to jump and grab the knot on the base of a vine. Press the Jump (B) button again to release from the vine.
Crawling
Press and hold the D-Pad down, then press the Jump (B) button to engage in a crawl. Press the D-Pad left/right to move, or D-Pad up/Jump (B) to stand.
Climbing ropes
Jump onto a rope and use the D-Pad up/down to climb or descend. To jump off, press and hold the D-Pad in the desired direction, then press the Jump (B) button.
Loltun Secret Vault
Repeat the flashing light pattern on three levers (A, B, C) by pressing the corresponding buttons on your Control Pad to open the vault and receive a reward.
A Trip Back
Enter a magical time warp created by Zakelua and collect all goodies within 20 minutes, but watch out for scorpions.
Collect Treasure Pieces
Collect as many Treasure Pieces as you can, as every fifty points earns you a continue.
Use the Super Shot
Use the Super Shot to help defeat deadly enemies or blast through nasty web blockades.
Fight downhill
Try to be downhill from your enemies when fighting.
Use Mayan Artifacts and Mayan Weapons wisely
Be sure to use Mayan Artifacts and Mayan Weapons wisely, as these Mayan goods only give you a limited amount of time and/or uses.
Grab the Mayan Boomerang
Remember to grab the Mayan Boomerang after each use, or it will disappear.
Use items as platforms
Try using abandoned mine cars or other items as platforms.
Explore tree stumps
You can do more than just stand on top of tree stumps.
Venture around each world
Don't be afraid to venture around each world - you may find hidden surprises.
Keep moving above crocodiles
Keep moving while above the jumping crocodiles.
Enemies & Characters
Skeletons
At one time were soldiers in Zakelua's army. Groups have been recently spotted near Copan.
Spirits of Chaac
Were at one time followers of Chaac-the Mayan God of War and Sacrifice. It is said that these spirits have a strong command of fire.
Jaguar
This sleek, powerful animal was a favorite pet of Zakelua and served as his personal bodyguard. Recent sightings include the nearby jungles.
Hawks
Served as messengers for Zakelua during wartime. Have been spotted in Tikal and areas near water.
Gargoyles
According to legend, many of the ancient Mayan ruins are guarded by stone gargoyles that come to life when approached.
Snakes
Favorites of Zakelua. These creatures are common throughout Mayan lands... and can be very dangerous.
Vapor Ghost
Reportedly a product of Zakelua's sorcery-created to ward off anyone who has sights on the lost treasure of Vaxactun.
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