MM - the Remakes

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• By: Schultze
• Year: ?
• Format: SNA
• Size: 16Kb
• Download the original german version
• Download an english version translated by Carl Murray

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  Comments:
  This is rumoured to be the first Manic Miner-sequel distributed on the Internet, and my guess is it was made in 95/96… (Well, before 1997. That's for sure!) The author is some German guy possibly called "Schultze". (Well, the creator don't really have to be from Germany, but the names of the caverns are written in German…) Ok, so we don't know too much about the author or his/her whereabouts (Kinda Matthew-ish, don't you think?), but if he/she reads this, please mail me, for full credits. Unlike the original, this game heavily utilizes effects like walking from one side of the screen to the other, jumping through the solid floor-blocks by having the right pixel-distance and other tricks not intended to be part of the official game (Often seen in later games by Broadsoft…). This makes the gaming experience somewhat different, but nonetheless pretty interesting. When it comes to the sheer look of things, MM2 ain't no aesthetic pleasure. Most of the gfx are the same as in MM1, and the caverns have a tendency to look somewhat "messy". Anyway, download and check it out. My guess is you'll have to waste some late hours trying to complete this one…

• Carl Murray has translated the room titles from German to English (You'll find it in the download-section at the top of the document.). However, Andrew Broad took German to `A' Level, and don't consider it to be a pristine job, so if you wanna read his comments folow this link.

  

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• By: Cheese Freak Software/ Lee Tonks (aka BLOOD!)
• Year: 1996
• Format: SNA
• Zip-file includes: The game - 1 text file
• Size: 20Kb
• Download the game

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  Comments:
  This game takes place in a parallel universe. According to various theories, a new universe pops up for each and every possibility that is played out. The decision being made for this dimension to form, couldn't have been all that breath taking, since the block- and sprite-graphics haven't been changed* and the sprites follows the same paths as in the original Manic Miner. So get ready for a slightly different adventure, starring Willys counterpart in a slightly different reality. What have changed ever so slightly are the block-layouts and screen-names. The game starts off with the dead easy "Slightly to One Side Cavern", and gets harder as you proceed thorough the levels. My favourite cavern is number seven "Altar of 7th Day Advent Hoppists". It certainly did take me some time to complete. Not because it's so ferociously-Broadsoft-like hard, but because I'm so stupid. (I spent several lives trying to leap over the Satanist cross, instead of just dropping myself down on the far left side, collecting the last item, and make it to the next screen. Hmmm… did you really need to read that..?.. Sure you did! This site is !nerd-only!) Well, all in all this is game is good fun (But then again, I've spent hours trying to complete that boring "The Peril's of Willy" on my VIC-20 emulator, just because the game's got Miner Willy in it… So, what's the chance of me giving a Manic Miner or Jet Set Willy-game bad reviews?) Anyways, Andy Noble included this game in his version of Manic Miner, so if you've got a DOS, UNIX or Playstation-system, you can play "Tales From a Parallel Universe" there as well (Actually I don't remember if it's part of the UNIX and PLAYSTATION-versions, but let's presume… If someone know this for a fact, by god, mail me!) Oh, and rumours has it that Andrew Cadley will include this game in his CPC+-version of JSW2!
  

  * Except for the old leaving-out-Eugene-and-replacing-him-with-Maria-manoeuvre… NEVER EVER LEAVE OUT EUGENE!!! YOU HEAR!? Ok, these are the four cornerstones bearing a successful Manic Miner-game: 1- Awful music!, 2- Miner Willy, 3- Flashing Items and 4- EUGENE!!! (Some claim that point 3; "The Flashing Items", should be replaced with "At least three kangaroos" but they're obviously insane.)

  

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• By: Ignacio Pérez Gil
• Year: 1998
• Format: Z80
• Zip-file includes: The game - 2 text files - Gfx-file
• Size: 28Kb
• Download the game

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  During a party, someone puts something in Willy's drink. This something is LSD and makes Willy relive his good'ol mining days. Well, you can read the full story in the text files included, which comes in both English and Spanish. The game is pretty much the same as "Manic Miner - Tales From a Parallel Universe". It's written with Rick Swann's editor, which means no new sprite paths. The graphics are basically the same as in the original game. (Except a slightly modified, meaner looking Eugene…) Apart from the rather boring "seen-before"-look, the game offers you a few thrills when it comes to cleverness of the cavern layout, Spanish room names and a spankingly handsome loading screen($), but let's face it; this game is mainly a collector's item. But, don't take my word for it, download and make up your own mind.

  

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• By: Craig Rothwell
• Year: 1998
• Format: Z80
• Zip-file includes: The game - 1 text file
• Size: 15Kb
• Download the game

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  Comments:
  Well, there's literally not much to comment on, since the game only have five new caverns. The game should probably not be regarded a sequel, but more as a special edition. The finished rooms looks good though. All gfx are new, and the game play rocks. If you wanna see more JSW/MM-stuff done by Craig Rothwell, surf over to his web site and download Jet Set Miner Willy-PC.

  

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• By: ?
• Year: 2000 (I presume...)
• Format: Z80
• Zip-file includes: The game - 1 text file
• Size: 16Kb
• Download the game

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  Comments:
  Well, I certainly would like to know who made this game, so if the author reads this please mail me for full credits. Apart from the absence of new graphics, "Manic Miner 2000" ain't all that bad. I've spent some time with the game, and find most levels amusing, captivating and professional looking. It's definitely not the game for die-hard, expert Manic Miners, but good fun for beginners and intermediate players. Tips: Trying to hit the portal when all items are collected in "The Hen-House" (A Chuckie Egg Parody), can be more tricky than one would think, so get to the end of the block before you make your leap.

  

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