If you’ve ever played a Pitfall game, you probably already have a good idea of what to expect from this GameCube incarnation. Even though the graphics are now in 3D, developer Edge of Reality aims to retain the same sense of fast-paced platforming action that characterised the earlier versions. Obviously, you’ll do quite a lot of vine swinging and jumping over gaping chasms. Many of the enemies are also familiar. You get to meet crocodiles, scorpions, pirahnas, natives, mercenaries, bush ninjas, insects, and the hilariously named Mega Monkeys. In order to defeat his foes, Harry carries a hefty arsenal of weapons, including dynamite and his trusty sling. In typical Zelda fashion, many of the weapons must be used to activate switches, which open hidden paths to secret areas. In this way, Pitfall Harry isn’t as straight-forward as its predecessors. Some levels have multiple goals, so you get to choose your desired direction of travel.

The game features more than 50 levels spread across 8 environments, all of which are situated in South America. You will be traversing lush jungles, tombs, Aztec ruins, caves, and mountains. Many of the levels will require a certain item in order to be completed. For example, ice axes are necessary when ascending steep glacial cliffs, and a burning torch may be the only source of light inside caves and tombs.

One could fear that all this platforming action would become tiresome after a couple of hours. Fortunately, the developers promise that Harry will gain new abilities and combat maneuvers as he gets deeper into his adventure. Furthermore, there will be plenty of puzzle elements and minigames, which should provide further variation to the gameplay.